New Route would like some opionons

[vonhammer_87]

Well I'm currently working on a new route called the Northern Coast Central. The route will be based in the northwest US, and will have an interchange with the major western RRs that were around during the 1940s-1950s. (SP, UP, NP, GN.)

What I am asking for is your guys opinions on the starting point on of the route so far, PM me and Ill send the cmp.

Route is in 2010, and will be MP compatible.

 

[Euphod]

Well, your request is a little vague. Usually when posting an announcement concerning a new route most viewers would like to see a few screenshots to generate a little interest in your project. It seems you already started your route, as you offer a CMP, but then ask opinions about the starting point for it. That's a bit confusing, at least to me. I welcome any new routes for 2010, and I'm sure others will be glad to see it is designed for MP.

Is your route going to be prototypical? That would answer your question about the starting point, otherwise it starts where you decide. There has to be an interchange area that you could model to get things rolling.

All in all, not too many users are going to want to install a CMP before seeing what they are getting involved in. If you could be so kind as to show us some of your work I'm certain you will receive more opinions, help and suggestions. If you need help on how to do so, please consider a forum search, or post back here. Good luck!

 

[schweitzerdude]

New route ideas

I live in the northwest USA and have been working on a route that is not prototypical by any means but has elements of Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver (modern era, including LRT as is seen in Portland, Sounder suburban rail (on DLS) as seen in Seattle/Tacoma, cruise ship terminal as seen in Vancouver BC). If you were to do a prototype, Portland to Everett would be a possibility (very ambitious), that way, you could have the Steel Bridge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Bridge
(on DLS) in Portland and include UP, BNSF (or it's forerunners GN and NP). Then you could eventually go east from Everett to include Stevens Pass. Then go east from Portland and Vancouver WA with UP and BNSF through the Columbia Gorge.

Just some ideas. If it were me, I would start with Portland and see where it goes from there.

 

[vonhammer_87]

Well the route will not be prototypical, it will be a free lance route. era is going to be 40s-50s. Railroad is going to be about the size a of a Class III.

The towns will be the following

Enterprise, (interchange with Class 1s)
Yancy
Vulcan
Kronos
Risa
Farnsworth
Springfeild
Oneill
McKay(port)

The following are screens from what I have done so far.

yard entry
http://img825.imageshack.us/i/yardentry.jpg/

On the left is the passenger terminal, on the right is the interchange yard

Round House and locomotive fuel

Loco maintence

Freight and Coach yards. left and right respective

 

[Euphod]

Looks like a great start to me! Seems as though you've started with the hardest part.

 

[schweitzerdude]

Keep rivers and Puget Sound in mind

Because of the mountainous terrain in the NW USA, railways in the NW tend to run along rivers (Columbia River with UP and BNSF) or other water level routes (BNSF along Puget Sound between Seattle and Everett. Also, these routes along the water adjacent to cliffs have landslide detection equipment - do a search for rockslide detection fencing on the DLS and you will find it.

With that in mind, for realism you may want to start with the general terrain features first. Unlike the flatter parts of the midwest, you have constraints on what you can do.

 

[vonhammer_87]

Because of the mountainous terrain in the NW USA, railways in the NW tend to run along rivers (Columbia River with UP and BNSF) or other water level routes (BNSF along Puget Sound between Seattle and Everett. Also, these routes along the water adjacent to cliffs have landslide detection equipment - do a search for rockslide detection fencing on the DLS and you will find it.

With that in mind, for realism you may want to start with the general terrain features first. Unlike the flatter parts of the midwest, you have constraints on what you can do.

Hmm, that is a good point. I've already started shaping some hills and mountains near where the portals are. I was thinking about somewhere along the route have a good sized lake called "Lake O'Neill" and was planning on having the route follow a river. With this terrain though, this means I'll proly need snow sheds and would be a proper environment for a cab forward

 

[schweitzerdude]

snow sheds would be good

if you decide to cross the Cascades (similar to BNSF at Stevens Pass) snow sheds are a good idea. They even have them along Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass. Not needed at water level tracks since it seldom snows at low elevations.

Go to your library and look for back issues of Trains Magazine. I recall a year or so ago they had an historical overview article about railways across Stevens Pass with the first tunnels and then the longer tunnels built later.

 

[vonhammer_87]

Go to your library and look for back issues of Trains Magazine. I recall a year or so ago they had an historical overview article about railways across Stevens Pass with the first tunnels and then the longer tunnels built later.

Funny you should mention the Trains Magizane, since for Xmas I got the complete collection on DVD, every issue from October 1940- December 2010. Pretty neat and fully searchable.


Btw, was actually thinking about using a DEM for the terrian, since doing it manually can be tedious. Or if anyone would like to help I'd apprciate it

Anyway I've been working on the route on and off since right now I'm pretty busy with a few design projects for school and work.