M&Pa Route in Development

[frogpipe]

So, I got a little time to work on it again, and I've made it to Notre Dame station, which was at Wyndhurst Ave.

Here's some pics. None of the wyndhurst yet...

Cold Spring Lane

Little grade crossing south of Cold Spring.

Looking over the Remington Ave bridge

Looking North from the Wyman Parkway bridge, Huntington Ave Viaduct in the background

Shot from the passenger coach roof of a DC bound GG1

Arial shot over the B&O Belt Line bridge, looking south at the Ma&P station. F7 A-B combo pulls a mixed freight east bound on the B&O.

 

[barronzm]

are you going to make the route and equipment good for older trainz versions?

 

[frogpipe]

Sorry. This one is being made for TS12.

 

[jacksonbarno]

I love that last shot! You have done some great work bringing this small shortline to life.

 

[frogpipe]

Thank you!! We're getting close, I've gone back to this area to do some refinements, replacing detailed distant buildings with simpler ones for frame rates and adding "backdrop"s to make the city seem larger....

When I release this is going to be "Maryland and Pennsylvania Terminal Railroad" covering the first 5 miles up to the Homeland station and siding. I choose this as it's the top of the 1.8% grade climbing out of the Jones Falls Valley, and M&Pa would often take a cut of cars up to that siding to be picked up later by the next Northbound freight.

The M&Pa Terminal Railroad was the name of the switching and hosteling operation in Baltimore. I think fans of "Switching Routes" will like it.

If my interest holds out, it will be Pt1 and Pt2 will be a continuation Northward, although I think I'll be trying out a DEM terrain for that.

 

[slabay]

If my interest holds out, it will be Pt1 and Pt2 will be a continuation Northward, although I think I'll be trying out a DEM terrain for that.

The only problem is that if you didn't start it as a DEM project, you likely will not be able to add on to what you already have with a DEM- what is "ground level" on your existing route probably starts at height of "0" in surveyor. DEM maps will use the actual height from sea level. For example, on my Mon Line route, built from a TransDEM map, the Monongahela River's level is at 226m (741 feet), but that is the consistent "ground level" of the route. I don't believe it is possible to raise your existing route to match the ground height on the DEM.

 

[frogpipe]

No, I figured it would be a new build.

Having now seen the DEM however, It'll be a long time coming - I can tell from the lack of terrain detail that I'm going to need some serious learning and skill building to make anything decent out of it.

No matter - The hand carved route is plenty NON flat, had to accommodate that grade!

 

[frogpipe]

Some screen shots from today's play-testing.

 

[frogpipe]

New track, we're getting very close to release...

 

[MountE]

Looking great! That last shot showing the track going up to the coal drop is interesting as some of the frame still sits on the hill covered with weeds. Is the other track going up to Howard Street or the old B&O line? Never did understand where the interlock was. The earlier shot looking down the valley were dead on.

Rob

 

[frogpipe]

The B&O was where it is today, except for having 3 and 4 tracks instead of today's 2 tracks.

The B&O interchange track started at "ground level" in front of the old roundhouse (the one that's used today for a salt shed) and ran nearly straight up hill to the B&O belt line track.

About half way up the hill, there was a spur that lead to the top of the "Baltimore Coaling Station". Whose trestle you can *juuuust* see in the distance. There was a spur below it, where engines and native M&Pa gondolas sat to be filled.

 

[Isegrinns]

Looks really good, sir.

 

[frogpipe]

Thanks Isegrinns!

Here are some details about the Baltimore Coaling Station.

The beginning of the interchange track

Unloading B&O Hoppers

Reverse angle, looking down the hill and at the Baltimore freight terminal

Loading "native" gondolas to make online deliveries.

According to historical record, this is what they actually did. They also swapped cargo to/from native/foreign box cars all to dodge the "rent" on having other line's boxes on their rails.

 

[Isegrinns]

Looking good.
You should have a PM in your mailbox, btw.

 

[frogpipe]

Released!

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...nsylvania-Terminal-Railroad&referrerid=174652

Let the bug reports begin!

 

[hert]

hert:wave:

 

[frogpipe]

Wo-hoo! :wave: That's the first time me seeing someone else's screen shot of my route. That's kinda thrilling!

(and now I notice that one frog is out of place.... damn)