Can someone make me a DEM?

[JCitron]

Im a little less ambitious. My little route is about 1/10th of yours But then we all have to start somewhere.

Yup. Mine started as a 4-board "test" route and expanded from there. It's a combination of DEMs and hand building. The thing is with huge projects like this, you need to work on tiny bits and leave it alone for long periods otherwise you get burned out quickly, and you need to keep the original goal in place and don't deviate too far from it. What I mean by this is set a purpose for the railroad and a back history and stay within the history. This keeps the route from becoming a bowl of spaghetti with industries and what not all over the place.

The same holds true for huge prototypical routes. When working on a huge prototype, the worst thing that can be done is to include everything possible in every square inch. It's very easy to get caught up on the very last detail 10 miles from trackside, particularly if you know the region too well.

John

 

[clam1952]

I think the point is that his parents won't allow Transdem as it's a digital download. So he needs to sort that issue out first.

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

I think the point is that his parents won't allow Transdem as it's a digital download. So he needs to sort that issue out first.

My parents won't get it for me and I can't get another VISA pre-paid until grass cutting is needed in spring, no snow around here...

Also, if I'd have to pick a small area to start it would be Whittier. It has the most sea-rail operations which is why I love the ARR.

 

[AntonyVW]

Yup. Mine started as a 4-board "test" route and expanded from there. It's a combination of DEMs and hand building. The thing is with huge projects like this, you need to work on tiny bits and leave it alone for long periods otherwise you get burned out quickly, and you need to keep the original goal in place and don't deviate too far from it. What I mean by this is set a purpose for the railroad and a back history and stay within the history. This keeps the route from becoming a bowl of spaghetti with industries and what not all over the place.

The same holds true for huge prototypical routes. When working on a huge prototype, the worst thing that can be done is to include everything possible in every square inch. It's very easy to get caught up on the very last detail 10 miles from trackside, particularly if you know the region too well.

John

I can appreciate this point of view. I was interested in the history of the main industry of our region (salt) long before I ever found trainz. My original intention - when I could afford it - was to build an "n gauge" model of my home town station as it was at the turn of the 20th century.
Now years later and with less funds available Im fulfilling that dream in Trainz. With one big difference. Not only am I hoping to model the station but the extensive network of industrial lines that ran in and out of the salt factories area which is now long gone. My first link will be to the north to link in with the next town which also focused on the salt industry. - about 5 mile or so up line. Then South to a major station for transfer elsewhere in the country.
Maybe that is what the op needs to do having mentioned his preference for starting is at Whittier.

Edit: Maybe someone can provide a dem of Whittier?

 

[cheechako]

I really like model/virtual railroads because of the "time machine" aspect, and there is plenty of history along the ARR. The problem with modelling Alaska is that there is no town or industry 5 miles up the way. Speaking of rail/sea operations, most of the coal goes out to Korea from the port in Seward (mile 0). The coal comes from the tipple 360 miles up the way!

Whittier is a tiny slice of Alaska nestled against the mountains with the unique Portage tunnel (a one-lane highway/railroad shared tunnel) and is a rail barge connection to the lower 48. Seward is also tiny and nestled against mountains (a common theme up here), and is a rail/sea port of a slightly different kind. It was there from the start unlike the "newer" Whittier branch. Anchorage the hub of it all. A lot of ARR's cargo traffic comes just from hauling jet fuel to the airport, which is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. Anchorage and points south would be an awesome and time-consuming project, and starting with any of these three cities would be my suggestion. Depending on the era modeled, the loop is a possibility. Who said helixes were just for model railroads, eh?

Perhaps it helps to keep in mind that Alaska has around 600,000 people, and about half live in or near Anchorage. Fairbanks (the other end of the rail) is not even a third of the remaining people - most of the rest live off the "rail belt". So, as you head north, there is a lot of pretty scenery but hardly anything else. Talkeetna is busy in the summer with all the tourists coming from cruises. As I mentioned already, the tipple north of Healy is pretty cool. That was built in the 80s, I believe. It was different prior to that. Clear is "just" a military base, but still a ARR customer I think. Nenana is a bit more than a stop, and then things get busy again in and around Faribanks. I am simplifying the route some, but, there really isn't a lot of operation possibility at this end compared to the interconnected ports in the south. ARR is mostly terminus operations.

p.s. While I suggest the "condensed" southern region, it is still a 4-hour train trip of nothing but scenery from Seward to Anchorage.

p.p.s. I'm not saying to not attempt the ARR. There is so much appeal. But that's the problem to be aware of - there is SO MUCH.

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

Whittier is a tiny slice of Alaska nestled against the mountains with the unique Portage tunnel (a one-lane highway/railroad shared tunnel) and is a rail barge connection to the lower 48.

The reason I chose Whittier.

p.s. While I suggest the "condensed" southern region, it is still a 4-hour train trip of nothing but scenery from Seward to Anchorage.

And the Passenger trains stopping at the assorted houses in the middle of nowhere to pick up and drop off residents of these secluded houses, and the 'Tundra Truck'.

p.p.s. I'm not saying to not attempt the ARR. There is so much appeal. But that's the problem to be aware of - there is SO MUCH.

Long mainline hauls with smaller condensed industrial switching operations in between, my cup of tea.

Maybe someone can provide a dem of Whittier?

Please!

 

[cheechako]

And the Passenger trains stopping at the assorted houses in the middle of nowhere to pick up and drop off residents of these secluded houses, and the 'Tundra Truck'.

No. Flag stops are between Anchorage and Hurricane only. Thursday through Sunday in the summer, and one train a month in the winter.

 

[cheechako]

If I had Trans DEM and knew where DEMs were, I would give it a shot for you. I might get Trans DEM now that I'm getting back into Trainz, but I don't know where to get the current DEM data. The site I linked eventually leads to a page about issues with Google and no current easy way to get that data.

If you like long hauls, there's plenty to be found. But as for smaller industry along the way, there really is very little. Of course, that is fine - there is no reason there must be a different industry every dozen miles. Usabili is somewhere in the middle, the Fairbanks region to the North, and the cluster of port cities in the south. The flag stops are mostly north of Wasilla past Talkeetna and along Denali Park, and really pick up in the summer of course. This is also what drives a lot of the cruise/rail tourist packages, although there is passenger and tourist traffic all the way to Fairbanks. I think ARR is the only USA Railroad company left that does both passenger and freight. A large portion of the freight is jet fuel from North Pole to Anchorage and coal from Healy to Seward. Both recently announced cut backs and drops, though.

South of Anchorage lies Girdwood - a ski resort, so there are special passenger trips there - and then the track continues on to Seward, with the branch and tunnel to Whittier. Again, there is little in between but mountains and glaciers - no flag stops here. The branch north of Palmer could be recreated if the era is early enough, but go too early and then you loose Whittier.

Saying "long hauls with some industry in-between" makes it seem so ordinary. Any or all of the trip it is definitely worth it if you ever get to Alaska, and it is almost worth it to come just for the trip!

p.s. Found some nice pics of Cantwell (mi 319):
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Cantwell,_Alaska.jpg
http://www.alaskarails.org/pix/bldg/DM-cantwell.html

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

Any or all of the trip it is definitely worth it if you ever get to Alaska, and it is almost worth it to come just for the trip!

I plan to go there after I get a job and retire, or just start there. :hehe:

Also, DEM data can be gotten from USGS via the national map viewer (http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/) and you can learn about TransDEM here: http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?103324-TransDEM-2-4-now-available

 

[cheechako]

Thanks. Like I said, I don't have TransDEM (yet), so I didn't look that hard for the DEM.

p.s. As far as I understand from the site I linked, there is better DEM data for some parts of Alaska, but there is a hang-up in getting to it. Whittier might be 1/9 now - I just can't find it.

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

I know, but I figured it could give you a boost.

 

[cheechako]

I'll bookmark in case I get TransDEM. I would honestly like to retire and be out of here. Not really my place. One of the few great things (to me) are the railroads - past and present.

 

[steamboateng]

That route is a big commitment both in time and effort...........even with TransDEM. Spend the $34 and explore the possibilities the program opens to you. I don't think you'll regret it.............................you can model practically any place on the planet...............that has elevation data available, that is!

 

[cascaderailroad]

I have been downloading data from the USGS Map Viewer site ... and all I get are a multitude of useless files, that can not be opened by Transdem.

If you can't download the proper files from the USGS Map Viewer site ... and you can not open them in Trainsdem ... isn't that like buying a 3 legged lame horse ?

 

[steamboateng]

I was on the USGS site 5 days ago and downloaded over 400 square miles of data and processed about 60 square miles with TransDEM and no issues. I just now checked the National Server again and was able to pull up the proper data for the program. Remember, the server dropped geo-tiff format last spring. Roland updated TransDEM to accept arc-grid data.....which the USGS server has available. Roland has updated TransDEM to V2.4.1. This version not only accepts arc-grid format, but will automatically georeference and trim borders from the USGS 'Historical' 7.5 min (1:24000) map collection in geo-pdf format;...........a great timesaver!
The USGS Server now downloads in 1 deg x 1 deg packets for 1/3 arc-sec data These are large files and may be an issue to process if the computer is not up to it.
Hopefully, this post will shed some light on any problem you're experiencing getting relevant elevation data.

Regards

 

[cascaderailroad]

Again ... all I get is a multitude of un-openable strange named files from the USGS Map Viewer, none of which are recognisable, nor are they openable by Transdem.

The problem is: I get is a multitude of un-openable strange named files from the USGS Map Viewer, none of which are recognisable, nor are they openable by Transdem.

None of the downloaded files are: arc grid data, tiff, hgt, nor topo images

How hard is it just to make a map ?

Somehow by bounding box, I did manage to get a blank DEM, that was devoid of all lines into Trainz ... but now I can not do that process over again ... I don't know what I am doing wrong ... I just plain don't know what I am doing ... I am like a Chimp trying to fly the space shuttle, by joy stick control, using a banana.

 

[clam1952]

Maybe try a different Browser?

 

[cascaderailroad]

I use Firefox, and IE

How hard is it to get the proper files from the USGS Map Viewer ?

The problem is: I get is a multitude of un-openable strange named files from the USGS Map Viewer, none of which are recognisable, nor are they openable by Transdem.

 

[steamboateng]

The site is located here: http//nationalmap.gov/viewer.html
That takes you to the National Map Viewer and Download Platform. You must select >elevation from the links;, and then select >national map viewer from the next link. Navigate to the area you want to download on the map. Select 'Arc-Grid' as the file type to download. The TransDEM site has a full tutorial by Roland.
Hope this helps...........

 

[cascaderailroad]

Been there ... Done that ...The problem is: I get is a multitude of un-openable strange named files from the USGS Map Viewer, none of which are recognisable, nor are they openable by Transdem.

None of the files recieved inside the zip file are arcdata NED, TIFF, HGT, Topo ... etc ...