MeowRailroad
CKRail
Thank you! Now I can be at least a sort-of good trainz player!
lego207's Work/Silver Lines
- Thread starter lego207
- Start date
Yea, the system I nominally hinted at was taken directly from BNSF, and presumably BN and NP before it, Seattle Sub. They have a dual main in and out of the city with a 3 track main through it, and tons of cross overs to get to the various yards and spurs in the city. So they have a bunch of cross over tracks all thrown in together in groups, and will throw what the game calls 6's facing away from the cross overs on either side of them. The real trick is that the 6's cover not just the cross overs immedeatly behind them though, as often as not but any thing else down the line until the next 6 signal. Its a pretty elegantly simple fix, and makes for a moderately easy to create and use signal system. They even make use of 6 type Dwarfs in a large variety of places.
Edited to add: Of course, with this system, even one track spurs tend to have 6's where they meet back up with the rest of the main because as often as not they're either in the middle of one of these Cross Over blocks, or theres at least one other turn out before the train would meet with another 6.
BUT, they cover tons of track in the city with this system. Further away from the city they tend to do much the same though the spacing between signals of opposing directions varies widely depending on the situation. I do know as you get out of Seattle Sub BNSF at least still likes to use a similar set up with signals facing away both directions from cross over tracks, but I don't know if they'd be likely to use 2's or 4's. Im sure it depends on the situation on any given sub, you'd have to do your own research. And of course I have no idea about other Rail lines systems. The Pennsy's in particular always throw me but thats probably as much because of the different aspect/signal types as anything else.
Falcus
P.S. I would also agree with the use of Bumpers. I get the sense the only time the rail lines don't throw bumpers down is when its an abandoned spur that at least has some X Number of miles of track down it or some kind of signage or signal.
Edited to add: Of course, with this system, even one track spurs tend to have 6's where they meet back up with the rest of the main because as often as not they're either in the middle of one of these Cross Over blocks, or theres at least one other turn out before the train would meet with another 6.
BUT, they cover tons of track in the city with this system. Further away from the city they tend to do much the same though the spacing between signals of opposing directions varies widely depending on the situation. I do know as you get out of Seattle Sub BNSF at least still likes to use a similar set up with signals facing away both directions from cross over tracks, but I don't know if they'd be likely to use 2's or 4's. Im sure it depends on the situation on any given sub, you'd have to do your own research. And of course I have no idea about other Rail lines systems. The Pennsy's in particular always throw me but thats probably as much because of the different aspect/signal types as anything else.
Falcus
P.S. I would also agree with the use of Bumpers. I get the sense the only time the rail lines don't throw bumpers down is when its an abandoned spur that at least has some X Number of miles of track down it or some kind of signage or signal.
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MeowRailroad
CKRail
So just use 4's everywhere?
I know the* Pennsy lights pretty well. So, I know that 3 lights in a horizontal line is stop. I think of it as a barrier over the tracks. 3 lights in a vertical means go, a continuation of the track, or pointing ahead. I think the diagonal ones mean what path to take. (diverging) Some of the signals, when displaying stop, have the center light out, and the outside lights red. These are called "red eye" signals, not to be confused with the MP54 "Owl Eye" Commuter cars.
*awesome
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And we return...
The last week or so has been rather busy and exhausting. However, we do have a nice four day weekend.. so let's get some stuff done before next update.
(Also, I hope all beta testers got the email I sent out on Monday, it has the latest update. The plan is every Monday we'll have an update unless there's some reason why not)
Speaking of beta, the time to sign up has come to a close a few days ago, so if you've wanted to beta the route and didn't get this in time, we'll probably have another brief time period for signups. In the future, however!
Onto the route.
So, with the latest update we've merged in the SLRR Overgrown Tracks (SLOT) to the primary route. It's purpose is to serve as that logging industry I mentioned a few pages back. This is where logs will be picked up and harvested and whatnot. My current plan for where they will be delivered is near the coal mine when it's built. With the trackage on SLOT, it is being upgraded to be the correct type, proper ballast amounts, removing grass from them, and generally straightening and fixing them. The bridge that crossed the overgrown portion is still there as shown above, however, electrified. The track coming off from there loops downwards to connect with the old overgrown portion, which is now electrified.
Before next update we'll see some other minor stuff fixed (specifically, a lot of stuff Falcus told me. By the way, thanks for the great feedback! Much of it is going into effect either right now or very soon before Monday).
(Early WIP)
In this picture, it should be noted how the second track (right) is not electrified nor properly repaired. Not everything is going to be fully rebuilt, just the main track.
Last note is how this area still needs tons of work.
Stuff like that all around. It'll be dealt with in time..
This last week has taken all my time for Trainz away, so that's why little progress today. Hopefully that should be over!
Cheers,
SM
The last week or so has been rather busy and exhausting. However, we do have a nice four day weekend.. so let's get some stuff done before next update.
(Also, I hope all beta testers got the email I sent out on Monday, it has the latest update. The plan is every Monday we'll have an update unless there's some reason why not)
Speaking of beta, the time to sign up has come to a close a few days ago, so if you've wanted to beta the route and didn't get this in time, we'll probably have another brief time period for signups. In the future, however!
Onto the route.
So, with the latest update we've merged in the SLRR Overgrown Tracks (SLOT) to the primary route. It's purpose is to serve as that logging industry I mentioned a few pages back. This is where logs will be picked up and harvested and whatnot. My current plan for where they will be delivered is near the coal mine when it's built. With the trackage on SLOT, it is being upgraded to be the correct type, proper ballast amounts, removing grass from them, and generally straightening and fixing them. The bridge that crossed the overgrown portion is still there as shown above, however, electrified. The track coming off from there loops downwards to connect with the old overgrown portion, which is now electrified.
Before next update we'll see some other minor stuff fixed (specifically, a lot of stuff Falcus told me. By the way, thanks for the great feedback! Much of it is going into effect either right now or very soon before Monday).
(Early WIP)
In this picture, it should be noted how the second track (right) is not electrified nor properly repaired. Not everything is going to be fully rebuilt, just the main track.
Last note is how this area still needs tons of work.
Stuff like that all around. It'll be dealt with in time..
This last week has taken all my time for Trainz away, so that's why little progress today. Hopefully that should be over!
Cheers,
SM
MeowRailroad
CKRail
Are you a professional Beta Tester? You have all the unreleased stuff.
IDK that JR has ever made CNW or Burlington skins of those. They did however release methods for reskinning some of their stuff awhile back IIRC.
I really like the look of that Way-car, though the height kind of bothers me. Makes me wonder if they had to hire dwarves as Brakemen or something?
Falcus
I really like the look of that Way-car, though the height kind of bothers me. Makes me wonder if they had to hire dwarves as Brakemen or something?
Falcus
you could say that. Ive been beta testing tons of stuff lately. Sadly I can't give out information on who Im beta testing stuff for due for the Authors sake. But hey there are not many people beta testing for mac anyway so there is more opportunity to help out the content creators.
applegathc
NoT tHe StAtUeS!
What happened to that bridge...!!
MeowRailroad
CKRail
I think that is a drovers caboose where the cattlemen/cowboys/other people related to the cows/crew would sit in for the trip and get out and manage the cows when the cows got out to rest. it does look awesome.
I agree, but it still seems awefully short..... Horses had to stand, and Im not seeing the big sliding doors usually associated for that. If it was a Drover's caboose, or even a combination caboose, it just looks like its almost short enough to make people need to hunch a little to walk in it.... Further, if it was a caboose, part of the reason standard height was adopted as early as the 1860s was A: Tunnels (Maximum Height clearances) and B: Brakemen (Minimum Height Clearances). Too short and brakemen couldn't jump to it very easily..... But /shrug. Id have to actually do some research if we wanted to discuss it further.
@Applegathc
Haven't you seen pics of the broken down bridges all up and down Appalachia? As the easy to reach coal mines died, railroads (Or in some cases Mining companies), paid to have things like rail bridges built to get Rail access to new ones. Then when those died there was littler interest in pulling up track or bridges. Hard to make money selling used steel when theres a steel mill 50 miles up the R.o.W.. Lots of reasons as to why they'd get damaged like that, from *adequate to task construction*, dis-repair, weather, vandalism, sabotage..... Admittedly seeing a steel bridge like that twisted down makes one pause (Generally the things you see in Appalachia are Stone/Wooden Construction), but I think I can understand where Lego was coming from.
Falcus
MeowRailroad
CKRail
There is abandoned track almost everywhere next to the RoW in some places. The REading and Northern is a great example of this.
Yes, the bridge been severed and bent up (however, the end of it has since been changed to be a much less drastic twist). The idea is that the track there has been long abandoned and the bridge was in serious disrepair, and during a bad storm it was crushed by a fallen tree on the hillside, snapping it after having not been tinkered with in years. Not really worth it to tear it down, all it'd be is scrap metal with little value.
Anyways, update for beta testers coming tomorrow. Expect some minor tweaking and other stuff.
Unfortunately this past week & weekend has been rather busy, causing not much progress. However, we've got the foundation for the logging area and a new loop set up. The Abandoned bridge thing is being added to, with more destroyed bits.
Some pics...
Cheers,
SM
Anyways, update for beta testers coming tomorrow. Expect some minor tweaking and other stuff.
Unfortunately this past week & weekend has been rather busy, causing not much progress. However, we've got the foundation for the logging area and a new loop set up. The Abandoned bridge thing is being added to, with more destroyed bits.
Some pics...
Cheers,
SM
nyet
Along with the update rolling out later today (expect it around 4-5 PM Central US time), I've been doing some thinking about the Silver Lines & Silver Lines Midwest routes. Both need to be changed up significantly, and the original SL will certainly be changed up in terms of trees and textures beneath them and grass splines next to tracks, etc. which have all been changed in the SLE (Silver Lines Electric). With the SLM, most of the trees are very different in most areas. Obviously to bring that route up to speed there needs to be changes to grass splines next to the track, ballast, and some texturing (plus new track, but done that..). I'm debating whether to to give the SLM the tree system used in the SLOT, SLE, & SL routes. I did a brief test earlier to see what it'd look like,
Before (tracks/ballast changed to TSM already, no question about it.)
After
What would be the better option here, Before or After? In some areas the stuff used in After are definitely going to be used, no question there. But majority of the route is lined by shrubbery and trees that appear far too bright and horrible and are very very same-y all the way through, with some very minimal texturing. I don't think the old layout looks that great, so I'm leaning towards Option 2 (After).
What do you guys think? Keep majority of the route the same (similar to pic 1, Before), or completely change it to newer standards (pic 2, After), or maybe some kind of inbetween or other option - whatever you think is best. No matter what, SOMETHING needs to change. I would like to finish this route somewhat soon and release it (SLM) but there needs to be some changes for me to do so. Obviously this route will stay a side project for a while - up till release or I finish SLE first, but that is unlikely. Anyways,
I do really need some opinions on this one!
If you need some refreshers or an idea of how this route looks normally, look through the earlyish pages of this thread. Lot of pics there.
Cheers,
SM
Along with the update rolling out later today (expect it around 4-5 PM Central US time), I've been doing some thinking about the Silver Lines & Silver Lines Midwest routes. Both need to be changed up significantly, and the original SL will certainly be changed up in terms of trees and textures beneath them and grass splines next to tracks, etc. which have all been changed in the SLE (Silver Lines Electric). With the SLM, most of the trees are very different in most areas. Obviously to bring that route up to speed there needs to be changes to grass splines next to the track, ballast, and some texturing (plus new track, but done that..). I'm debating whether to to give the SLM the tree system used in the SLOT, SLE, & SL routes. I did a brief test earlier to see what it'd look like,
Before (tracks/ballast changed to TSM already, no question about it.)
After
What would be the better option here, Before or After? In some areas the stuff used in After are definitely going to be used, no question there. But majority of the route is lined by shrubbery and trees that appear far too bright and horrible and are very very same-y all the way through, with some very minimal texturing. I don't think the old layout looks that great, so I'm leaning towards Option 2 (After).
What do you guys think? Keep majority of the route the same (similar to pic 1, Before), or completely change it to newer standards (pic 2, After), or maybe some kind of inbetween or other option - whatever you think is best. No matter what, SOMETHING needs to change. I would like to finish this route somewhat soon and release it (SLM) but there needs to be some changes for me to do so. Obviously this route will stay a side project for a while - up till release or I finish SLE first, but that is unlikely. Anyways,
I do really need some opinions on this one!
If you need some refreshers or an idea of how this route looks normally, look through the earlyish pages of this thread. Lot of pics there.
Cheers,
SM
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MeowRailroad
CKRail
I like what Before was trying to achieve.
Hm.. I may end up just doing replace assets for some of the trees and kinda move on from there. Might work out the best in that regard.
Anyways, slow progress. Just doing bits of detail work in the merger area really.
But, I do have a quick little video. Trying out some new horns and I really like this one.
We'll move onto mainline work soon hopefully.
Cheers,
SM
Anyways, slow progress. Just doing bits of detail work in the merger area really.
But, I do have a quick little video. Trying out some new horns and I really like this one.
We'll move onto mainline work soon hopefully.
Cheers,
SM
AMTRAKwannabe
Norfolk & Western Lives
Sounds like a fog horn... You can't do much railfanning at bridge 5 without hearing them, which is why I don't go there, too many boats. May I suggest you put an RS5T-RF on everything? :hehe:
Nice work, I wish I could get this far on a route...
Nice work, I wish I could get this far on a route...
cascaderailroad
New member
IDK ... That horn sounds just right in tune with that loco ... What is it a Typhoon horn ?