Ashtabula County, Ohio

[georgem2010]

Update: Conneaut Loop

Working on the loop south of Conneaut.

Feedback more than welcomed!

 

[UP4021]

This is just looking better and better!

Are you doing your own terrain?

 

[georgem2010]

This is just looking better and better!

Are you doing your own terrain?

I am indeed, google earth is really handy especially as it has 3D terrain, so just looking at that and trying to make it look the same

Thanks for comments!

 

[georgem2010]

MEGA UPDATE

I've finished 7 squares now everyone! Pretty much finished all of Conneaut, gonna be out in the fields now! Here are 5 shots showing you what it looks like. Please tell me what you think!

A few questions that have been popping up:

Is the line still active?
The Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad IS still used, although the B&LE R.R is now owned by CN they still operate B&LE stock on the line as usual.

Are you making your own terrain?
Yes I am indeed it's just me, Trainz and google earth

Are you modelling it to scale?
As best as I can, all the distances and dimensions are to the nearest meter and everything I am modelling appears on google earth (roads, curves, rivers, forests crossings bridges etc.) So its as REAL LIFE as I can make it

Thank you all again for your encouragement!!
Please comment as usual!

 

[n8phu]

I have! And I've got them! Would you like me to feature them in a screen shot?

Thanks for feedback as always

Sure! I always like seeing my reskins being used.....

 

[cascaderailroad]

This is just looking better and better!

Are you doing your own terrain?

Doing your route on flat baseboards, or on flat baseboards elevated to the lowest point on your Google Earth map, can simplify route building. Who really needs a DEM anyway, they just make laying track more difficult.

Looks like a fun route ... and realistic hand built terrain

 

[scratchy]

what kind of concrete track is that in ur shot going over the bridge? I'd love to know where u got it
Cheers

 

[georgem2010]

Replies

Sure! I always like seeing my reskins being used.....

Haha, I'll remember this for future posts

Looks like a fun route ... and realistic hand built terrain

Thank you! It's sure taking up a lot of my time, I think it'll be worth it though.

what kind of concrete track is that in ur shot going over the bridge? I'd love to know where u got it
Cheers

I shall let you know this evening, not home right now, it's on the DLS though, watch this space...

 

[UP4021]

Doing your route on flat baseboards, or on flat baseboards elevated to the lowest point on your Google Earth map, can simplify route building. Who really needs a DEM anyway, they just make laying track more difficult.

Looks like a fun route ... and realistic hand built terrain

I beg to differ on the subject of DEM's vs. said method. I like using DEM's, especially for the longer routes, but that's just a personal preference. I could never work out the terrain and the gradients... especially not to this quality.

Your work on this has really been superb. I can't wait to se more.

 

[georgem2010]

I could never work out the terrain and the gradients... especially not to this quality.

Your work on this has really been superb. I can't wait to se more.

I'll take this as a great compliment, thanks so much

 

[UP4021]

I'll take this as a great compliment, thanks so much

That was indeed it's purpose. I'm a master of those backward compliments. :hehe:

<SIGH>

If only I had taken the time to put in one more "e"...

 

[georgem2010]

Screenshot update...

Powering into Conneaut, NS SD-40 aiding the B&LE SD-38s.

Please comment everyone! I need the motivation

 

[georgem2010]

Signals and Speed Limits

Does anyone know of a website or something where I can find out the numbers and locations of the signals along this route? And what do you think the speed limit would be? I've read somewhere that the coal and iron ore trains only get to a maximum of 35 mph, can anyone shed any light on either of these to queries?

More screenshots soon!

Thank you,

George

 

[georgem2010]

Hello all! Its the weekend finally!! :hehe:

Here is a google image screenshot of the 7 baseboards that are complete.

And here is another, the red is the completed section, the yellow is the next stage

Please comment
Thank you!
George

 

[RRSignal]

Does anyone know of a website or something where I can find out the numbers and locations of the signals along this route? And what do you think the speed limit would be? I've read somewhere that the coal and iron ore trains only get to a maximum of 35 mph, can anyone shed any light on either of these to queries?

More screenshots soon!

Thank you,

George

Forgive me for not being familiar with the history of the lines around there, but is that ex-PRR? I do have copies of old PRR track charts, but they don't show signals or speed limits AFAIK. You might be able to infer speed limits based on grade and curvature though, and the charts do show that.

 

[octls2]

Does anyone know of a website or something where I can find out the numbers and locations of the signals along this route? And what do you think the speed limit would be? I've read somewhere that the coal and iron ore trains only get to a maximum of 35 mph, can anyone shed any light on either of these to queries?

More screenshots soon!

Thank you,

George

Hi George.
Been enjoying watching your progress on this route. I figures I'd chime in here and try to help you out a bit seeing as how I live within 30 mins of both Conneaut & Albion. The Bessemer was never a PRR Line. The only part ever owne by the PRR was the line from Queen Jct to Kaylor. As Far as Signaling goes on the B&LE Last I knew the CTC begins and ends at RX in Albion and movements north of RX (Conneaut & Erie branches) are DTC controlled by the dispatcher. Unless somthing has changed under Canadian National management. As far as the mile markers go... I have track charts for alot of rail lines in the area but unforunately, nothing for the B&LE. I'll keep looking though. I do know that MP.0 starts at North Bessemer and is aprox. 139 mi. to Conneaut.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.. It's 16.5 miles from Conneat to Albion with 13 miles of that being 1% grade southbound. And I believe the speed is 30mph. The B&LE has always been a low speed drag line. Here's a good site to check out: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble.html

Hope some of this helps a bit. Keep up the fantastic work!

Ray

 

[octls2]

Here's a few shots of RX (where CTC begins) and Albion "B" yard with the scales for weighing trains out of Conneaut. Thought they might help alittle.

 

[georgem2010]

Hope some of this helps a bit. Keep up the fantastic work!

Ray

You post has been a godsend! Does DTC mean that they don't use signals and they just use radio contact? If so that pretty easy for me Don't need to worry about signals for now then! As for the mile markers, I guess I'll either work back from Conneaut starting at 139 or I'll complete the track all the way to Albion and work my way from there. Please keep me posted to anymore information you manage to get! I think I have got the grades worked out for now. What does RX stand for? I have seen these two letter codes before, for instance, further down the line at Saxonburg I have seen SX South. What are they used for and are there any others I should be aware of in this section of the line (Conneaut to Albion). I apologise for my lack of knowledge, I am from the UK after all so my research is quite limited, so I especially appreciate the help!

Thank you so much for the help.
Glad your liking the route so far.
Please feel free to email me at gajm@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks again!

George

 

[octls2]

You post has been a godsend! Does DTC mean that they don't use signals and they just use radio contact? If so that pretty easy for me Don't need to worry about signals for now then! As for the mile markers, I guess I'll either work back from Conneaut starting at 139 or I'll complete the track all the way to Albion and work my way from there. Please keep me posted to anymore information you manage to get! I think I have got the grades worked out for now. What does RX stand for? I have seen these two letter codes before, for instance, further down the line at Saxonburg I have seen SX South. What are they used for and are there any others I should be aware of in this section of the line (Conneaut to Albion). I apologise for my lack of knowledge, I am from the UK after all so my research is quite limited, so I especially appreciate the help!

Thank you so much for the help.
Glad your liking the route so far.
Please feel free to email me at

Thanks again!

George

Hi George,

Glad the info helps out some. I'll explain the terrminology a bit more. DTC Stands for "Direct traffic control" which is a track warrant issued by the dispatcher for a train to move on a specific track, in either one direction or both directions. The train must report clean when clear of the limits of the said track warrant. And CTC stands for "centralized traffic control". So in this case, train movements South of "RX" Albion run in Signaled territory. I believe The symbols RX, SX, KO, KY, - etc..etc... are control points simaliar to block stations. I dont think any exist north of Albion. (not for sure though) The dispatcher usually gives trains permission to operate to Conneaut or to Wallace Junction on the Erie branch.

If the plan is to take your route to Albion, sounds like a good plan to me. Albion was once a very important place for the Bessemer. with two yards, a large Locomotive servicing facility. And a wye with a junction to the Erie branch, you cant go wrong. Most of the "B" yard has been ripped up in the last ten years and all of the "A" yard along with the Loco facility was removed probably in the late 80's or early 90's. but, for simulation purposes,.. I'd say if it was once there and it helps make a fun route to run.... use it!

Here's a live earth map of Albion area. I marked a few spots to help explain. Hopefully it's not to confusing.

Keep up the great work! :wave:

 

[georgem2010]

Milepost

Hello all, anyone know where can find a milepost like this? That I can rename?

Drawing:

Photo

Thank you!