Australian screenshots

[Roy3b3]

Ok Roy, starting over again...decided to go back to original catenary....after all that work...its on again... geez.

Good one Val, there is nothing like striving for perfection. It's a bugger when you are doing it, but pure pleasure when it's done.

Baz: Beautiful screenshots mate - Keep them coming.

Stefan: Great shots - I particularly like greyscale now and again, because it adds a dramatic touch to any photo.

Mike: Each time I see your shots, I want to climb into a cab and go for a run - it's so realistic. Great stuff mate.

Ryan: Good screenshot mate. Continue with your creative work.

Graeme: Your overall attention to detailing is wonderful and gets better all the time. I always look forward to seeing your work mate.

Cheers,
Roy

 

[PGibbons]

Just a thought
Maybe the issues with catenary is more to do with the animation of the pantographs which all seem to reach their full height, thus not matching the catenary height.

PG

 

[grazlash]

Great shots everyone.
Thanks Roy and Baz

Train 1WM2 near Illabo

Passing through Illabo

Back in the 90's X43 & A85 departing Wodonga Coal Sidings with an up local goods

cheers
Graeme

 

[valbridge]

Just a thought
Maybe the issues with catenary is more to do with the animation of the pantographs which all seem to reach their full height, thus not matching the catenary height.

PG

Perhaps you have a point PG. Would be an idea to have the option of 50% elevation or 100%. Its a real pity as that UK catenary was simple to lay out and aesthetically pleasing. This now being the second time I have gone through the entire Blue Mountains route laying a catenary.

Cheers, Val.

 

[Roy3b3]

Just a thought
Maybe the issues with catenary is more to do with the animation of the pantographs which all seem to reach their full height, thus not matching the catenary height.

PG

You could be right Peter. I don't know which came first, the chicken or the egg; but all I do know is, Aussie rolling-stock with pantographs extended just doesn't seem to line up correctly with Aussie catenary that are both set at ground level. At every spline connection point the catenary requires a manual height adjustment and centering to make it look right.

To me it makes more sense if the catenary (at a pre-determined height) could be 'attached' to the track, in which case it would be much more accurate and reduce any manual height adjustments.

We are all trying to create good looking layouts, so if anyone has a few positive ideas on how this could be achieved, then I'm sure there are a lot of Aussie guys out there who will benefit from it.

Cheers,
Roy

 

[H222]

Good to see the A's are back where they belong, broad gauge don't think they've ever run with an NR lol

Bairnsdale, 2008ish

Jamie

 

[valbridge]

Coal empties emerge from one of the many Mt Ku-Ring-Gai tunnels headed for Newcastle [Blue Mountains Route v2] Tilt deliberate to add bit of impact

 

[Roy3b3]

Nice one Jamie. Always liked the A's too.

Another thought on the 'Cats & Tracks',.....I've been checking out the combined 'track, catenary & ganty' that we see in Hirochi's Japanese layouts.

Here is <kuid2:461543:100325:1> JMA NIPPON 4track and so simple to lay with all the bells and whistles. Of course it has metric track instead of std gauge.

I placed a couple of NSW sets with pantos extended and the height is very close to the wire (a fraction above) which also has the supporting cable stretched to the pylons.

The single track with catenary and posts was not set at a good height, but the principal was there.

Of course metric track does not suit NSW stock, but maybe that could be changed.

So, does anyone have any ideas ??
Cheers,
Roy

 

[Roy3b3]

I couldn't sleep thinking about Aussie 'Cats & tracks', so i checked a little further into what other assets were offering.

I found Hirochi's <kuid:461543:100251> JMA SHINKANSEN BRIDGE F on the DLS, which happens to have a catenary wire close to our NSW pantograph extended height and is attached to Std gauge Skinkansen track. In addition, the gantry posts are included. They don't look like NSW posts, but maybe we are getting closer to what would be acceptable.
We must also respect Hirochi who most probably would have copyright on his assets.

The screenshot shows a NSW Protrack attached to the Shinkansen track.

A NSW V Set sits nicely on the Std gauge Skinkansen track

This shot shows how close the panto is to the wire - just marginly higher but very close.

Now the <kuid:461543:100251> JMA SHINKANSEN BRIDGE F also has much less overhead gantry and electrical cables.

What do you think guys ??
I think I'll head for bed now.
Cheers,
Roy

 

[NSWGR_46Class]

I think motorman1066 was on the right track - pun - with his track when had his overhead wire as part of the track spline - but there was some reason that everybody poo poo this but I can never remember why - still feel his system is the best - the support poles just fitted in like lego.

Never done track but happy to contribute my some what limited gmax skills to a collaboration if there are others who want to have a crack at a better idea.

 

[NormP]

The main objection too Motorman's "OH attached too track" was that it did not look realistic on Curves.
I used it extensively on My Brisbane City Tram Route, and needed to use many Pull offs on curves ( street Corners) making them look fully supported.
However it was a godsend when laying such a lot of track ! Beat's having to lay OH Wire separate !

NormP.

 

[ozzmo]

Good one Val, there is nothing like striving for perfection. It's a bugger when you are doing it, but pure pleasure when it's done.

Baz: Beautiful screenshots mate - Keep them coming.

Stefan: Great shots - I particularly like greyscale now and again, because it adds a dramatic touch to any photo.

Mike: Each time I see your shots, I want to climb into a cab and go for a run - it's so realistic. Great stuff mate.

Ryan: Good screenshot mate. Continue with your creative work.

Graeme: Your overall attention to detailing is wonderful and gets better all the time. I always look forward to seeing your work mate.

Cheers,
Roy

Thanks Roy, cheers mate,
Baz.

 

[valbridge]

Asking for a bit of feedback here. Having just completed my first test run of the Blue Mountains line [v2] from Gosford to Penrith via Homebush I find all is working as it should be. Track detail, whilst not finalised, is acceptable. Though probably not to Roy .

My q is this, the trip took 51 mins to complete, and thats going via Homebush not Central. Do you feel this is a tad too long? Do I end the route at Hornsby to shave off some 20 odd mins? Being new at this not sure what a player would expect and wondering at what stage is a route too long.

The original Blue Mountains route uploaded to the DLS a while ago has had 126 downlods so far, which to me is encouraging. What I dont want to do is spoil the experience by going to far.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Cheers
Val.

 

[mikesharpe]

Wow 51 minutes from Gosford to Penrith, if only there was a real service like that!

I don't think that is too long but it all comes down to scenery. If you have large sections of track with minimum or no scenery the player will quickly lose interest.
I know how tempting it can be to keep laying track with a project (have been guilty myself) but it's better to stop and work in small stages while adding scenery. This way you don't leave yourself with having to add huge amounts of scenery which becomes very very boring so breaking things up in stages can be a blessing.

Cheers,
Sharpey.

Asking for a bit of feedback here. Having just completed my first test run of the Blue Mountains line [v2] from Gosford to Penrith via Homebush I find all is working as it should be. Track detail, whilst not finalised, is acceptable. Though probably not to Roy .

My q is this, the trip took 51 mins to complete, and thats going via Homebush not Central. Do you feel this is a tad too long? Do I end the route at Hornsby to shave off some 20 odd mins? Being new at this not sure what a player would expect and wondering at what stage is a route too long.

The original Blue Mountains route uploaded to the DLS a while ago has had 126 downlods so far, which to me is encouraging. What I dont want to do is spoil the experience by going to far.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Cheers
Val.

 

[Roy3b3]

Hi Val,

I'm only being honest when I see different screenshots and never meaning to put anyone down. On the contrary, it's only constructive. I've had to start from knowing absolutely nothing about the workings of Trainz myself, but I have made an effort in spending hundreds of hours, just to learn better ways to do things and make improvements in this great hobby. So please don't get me wrong mate.

This afternoon I selected JMA Nippon 2Track and made a track modification to the asset, to see whether I could do something constructive in my search for a good 'Cat & Track'. Here I've used a pro-track 'LRW Track, Wood, Bullhead, Brown Ballast' and reset the width of the track. Here's a screenshot, however I'm wondering what you guys think about the gantry. Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers
Roy

 

[valbridge]

Hi Val,

I'm only being honest when I see different screenshots and never meaning to put anyone down. On the contrary, it's only constructive. I've had to start from knowing absolutely nothing about the workings of Trainz myself, but I have made an effort in spending hundreds of hours, just to learn better ways to do things and make improvements in this great hobby. So please don't get me wrong mate.

This afternoon I selected JMA Nippon 2Track and made a track modification to the asset, to see whether I could do something constructive in my search for a good 'Cat & Track'. Here I've used a pro-track 'LRW Track, Wood, Bullhead, Brown Ballast' and reset the width of the track. Here's a screenshot, however I'm wondering what you guys think about the gantry. Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers
Roy

Not your style to put anyone down Roy I know that...my comment pointing to you was more of mirth than anything else. I kinda know you are not the negative type and have provided me with useful tips and suggestions. This cat looks neat, might just try out a few splines to see how it looks.

Val.

 

[barisbeer]

post removed.

 

[H222]

My q is this, the trip took 51 mins to complete, and thats going via Homebush not Central. Do you feel this is a tad too long? Do I end the route at Hornsby to shave off some 20 odd mins? Being new at this not sure what a player would expect and wondering at what stage is a route too long.

My current route in progress takes 3 hours to get from end to end the slow way, and 2 and a quarter the faster, more direct way. Melbourne to Ararat via Geelong, via Ballarat and from Geelong to Ballarat. Of course, this is a prototypical route, but if the scenery is right, absolutely people are interested. Of course, they can take a break, save the session, or run a shorter path. V/Line service Melbourne-Ballarat, Melbourne-Geelong, and the Werribee and Williamstown Metro/Connex lines are complete in full in this layout.

If your route is flat though, it may not be interesting. Mine's based on a DEM and contains a 6 mile 1 in 48 gradient. Anything but a pass train struggles

Jamie

 

[trainfan2017]

A quad XR/X combo on a loaded PN grain awaits to leave Karrah Bay.

Cheers
David

 

[taggy]

Nice one Jamie. Always liked the A's too.

Another thought on the 'Cats & Tracks',.....I've been checking out the combined 'track, catenary & ganty' that we see in Hirochi's Japanese layouts.


Cheers,
Roy

HeyRoy

To be totally honest, Davids wire set is the best option for NSW Electric maps. It is an absolute pain in the arse to place but it looks sensational when its done! Trust me, I'm very anal with the wire laying and always do my best to place it in the right spot, otherwise it looks awful. Its a big project and I'm currently doing it on the South Coast line. The excellent EMU models from David and Daniel are a constant source of inspiration.