Anthricite Project (Idea)

M

MrScott2006

Banned
Most of what I've always wanted to do in Trainz is model a part of the anthricite region. This is the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre areas in Pennsylvania. Some folks call it the coal regions, other folks call it the northern anthracite region. Today it's called the Wyoming & Lackawanna Valleys. I've called it home since 2006. When it comes to railroading, this area had a lot to offer. Back in the regions history, at least 9 railroads ran through the area. I always thought that this region was begging to be made as a Trainz Layout. It's most likely never been done in Trainz because of the areas landscapping. It's shaped like a big soup bowl. I do know that there are a few folks out there modeling the southern anthracite fields. Nobody, to my knowledge has every made a layout from the northern anthracite fields. Here's my idea.
I really would like to get some folks together to make a layout of the complete Wilkes-Barre/Scranton areas.The area is too big for one person. Think of it as a new hobby club as Trainz being the hobby, and the layout being "our" creation. Working one railroad at a time, until done.

Firstly, is there anybody out there interested in this area and idea?
 
Here is what I'm bringing to the table....
The layout itself is ready with HOG textures.
I live in the area.
I have a digital camera and far too much time on my hands!
I've done some research in the area.
I'm slowing becoming a model builder.

Here are the list of railroads that are on the map.

Delaware & Hudson
Lehigh Valley
Central New Jersey
Erie
Pennsy
Delaware Lackawanna & Western
Wilkes-Barre & Eastern
New York Ontario & Western
Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley (Traction Line)
 
Sounds like an interesting project. I would be willing to volunteer. Like you, I have a lot of time on my hands. By the way I am an ex HO Modeler. 30 years worth. Virtual railroading for ten years. Let me know when you want to start the project.
Regards,
John
 
Hmm. Scranton Wilkes Barre area you say. Okay, I am looking at my Reading Route map, and while the Reading didn't run up there, CNJ did so that is something that interests me. As of right now, I have alot on my plate with building the Mayburry so route building is a bit of a stretch for me right now, but I am interested in making some CNJ reskins for the effort.

What era are you considering modeling?
 
I want to try to keep this thread close to the top through the weekend so everybody gets a chance to see it. I know there's got to be more people intersted in a project like this.
 
DEM ?

This sounds alot like the massive DEM project I have going on, of the Johnstown-NantyGlo-Altoona-Phillipsburg-Tyrone-Hollidaysburg-Huntingdon area...it is so huge, I have to break it up into @ 7 seperate segments. I could learn alot from your techniques. Several highly skilled members all working on different mergable segments sounds like a great idea. Looking forward to screenshots and updates on your route(s) progress:cool:What type of trees & track are you all agreeing on using...I am back to MP Wood and MP Rusty as they are easy for future dowloaders to find, are fairly realistic looking, and are low poly for good framerates. Are you cut and pasting large areas of trees, or textures ? I have 202 custom made scale "1km x 1km basemap" topo's that I use for prototype reference of my area
 
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This project is going to require the dedication of those that are familiar with those areas, personally it holds no interest for me. I wish you all the best of luck though!:)
 
I can understand not having an interest in a unfamiliar area. I do have a back-up plan. I still have my former Bloomsburg Branch route. All the landscape is painted green, the river and river edge is painted through out the route. I have the main track completed with milage markers and lineside telegraph poles through out the 55 mile length.
It sits ready for towns and industries to be built. While it was based on a real railroad, I decided to go with a completly made up route. I don't even have it named at this point.
 
I sort of live in the area, though I am about two hours south. I should know, I worked in Honesdale last summer. My brother in law also currently works in Wilkes Barre on the railroad there. If forget what the railroad is, but they are a shortline that operates in the area.

Anyway, I could probably throw together some reskins of CNJ stuff for you.

As for tracks, I recommend Trunda's tracks off of the greenery site.

Now, as for the Bloomsburg thing, I could easily help with some reskins of that, since the Reading ran to Bloomsburg.
 
keep the fire burnin' and the drivers turnin'

you, know, i honestly would be a great hinderance to a project like this, i can barely lay a switch right, but i do have a word of advice; if you honestly plan on this, i would suggest the steam/diesel transition era as the era to model. Second, focus on Scranton, that area is now the Steamtown national Historic Site (although i still call it Steamtown USA) and will be well known. (they use the old DL&W line right?) third, the Steam/diesel era gives us a chance to use early GPs and one of my favorite engines-the Pennsy I1sa decapod. with those pilot mounted air tanks, they look so oddball. but don't let my tastes infuence you, i would happily run a railroad like this!
 
Working On Bethlehem PA TRS2009

Working on Fishlips DEM Bethlehem PA which is in the same region. Bethlehem Steel can use all the anthricite you can ship. :hehe: Maybe somehow the routes could be connected somehow in the future. Could use and CNJ, LV, RDG rolling stock. I tend to model in the 1970s before the fall of the steel industry.
 
I have a 55 mile rail line built next to the Susquehanna River. So I'm thinking of creating a fictional railroad using NYS&W rolling stock. Calling it the Susuquehanna Railroad. I'm also thinking about making a new 2 bay coal hopper with adjustable running numbers. In a few days I'll post some pictures of this layout as it sits now.
 
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