Island of the gods, navel of the world

martinvk

since 10 Aug 2002
Once you get into TransDEM, it's hard not to keep making base maps. Completing them is another story.
If you haven't guessed from the title, here is a close look at my latest oeuvre,
Bali-closeup.JPG
 
Ambitious perhaps
I have been living in Indonesia for seven years and left 2004.
At that time going by train was the pure horror! Trains and stations completely overcrowded. Way more small dealers than passengers and very dirty stations and toilets. Inside the trains very hot and they were mostly late...

After eleven years I visited Indonesia again and took a ride from klakah to Yogyakarta, about 430km.
1. Without ticket nobody is allowed to enter the stations. So only passengers and no dealers there.
2. Trains are on time by the minute
3. Trains and stations are very clean and every class has air conditioning
4. There is a diner in every train with quite cheap and good food
5. Around every two stations a cleaning team goes through the train
6. Every train has an armed security team
7. Very friendly employees
8. The ticket prices are very reasonable

We had very nice chat with the security guys on the way back to klakah. After the regular announcement of the next stop (Klakah) in Bahasa Indonesia then came, only for us, one in English!
So Indonesia not only talk. They do it!
 
That will be one awesome railroad in real life and virtually. I've been busying myself with what I have right now. When I've got things to a point where I'm satisfied and can move on, I'll look for another project. There was one I started but lost due to route corruption back in T:ANE. This was the South Branch Railroad in West Virginia. It's a 53 mile, thereabouts, route with some scenic views, towns and a few industries. It's still an active route in real life with tourist and dinner trains and general freight to the various industries on the line.
 
Have you ever used the Jet Sled, originally by JetStreamsky and repaired by the N3V DLS Repair Group. It's a great way to quickly check the integrity of a long route, especially at 1000 kph. At a more sedate 500 kph, the terrain can be inspected too. What is really good is the ability to validate the vertical curves, not always easy when looking at a map. Even with the grid showing, the ups and downs can be deceptive.
jetsled.JPG

The first trial track was placed, basically connecting the stations and letting the track spline find its own way between them. A quick lap of the island and I already found a few problem areas that will need some special attention. I'll be curious how close my solution will match the real thing when they get around to putting down their track.
jetsledupanddown.JPG
 
I haven't seen the old jet sled in years. I must take a look at it again. I'm interested on what they come up with for their real route in Bali.
 
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