This is a progress update.
I have started the process of converting my high poly model to its low poly version. It is at this time when I really feel the limitation of 3000 tris! I have had to re-configure the model to reduce the tri count. I am still not there yet as this version has 3553 tris. So I need to lose 553
I have yet to do the texturing however there is some normal mapping done on the canopy and train body and bogies.
This is what the low poly version looks like so far.
I think the bracing reads better than before with a distinct silhouette. It helps that they take less tris.
I also plan on using two materials in Unity3d. One using the transparency cutout diffuse/bump/spec shader and the other a regular diffuse/bump/spec shader.
Your feedback and critiques are much appreciated.