K4andT1lover
New member
Hello Trainz fans.
Well, I've done it now - I have started an ambitious (for me) custom route. I have decided to recreate the Reading Company's Bethlehem Branch, in southeastern PA; c 1972. I am starting with the central portion of the line - approx 20-25 miles from Gwynedd, PA to slightly north of Quakertown, PA; where the line currently disappears. (For those who do not know, the Bethlehem Branch used to be a heavily-used passenger and freight line between Phila and the Lehigh Valley and beyond.)
I decided to do this both for the challenge, and for nostalgia - since this is my local area, and I am old enough to remember passenger service on the line. Today, much of the former mainline is reduced to one track; or is gone altogether. I chose c 1972 because it was before the Reading dissolved into Conrail, there was less development, and more scenery, and I have good information for this era.
I am going to run RDCs for the passengers; and probably a GP30 hauling some freight. I also plan to make somewhere around 6 -12 custom buildings for each town along the route, so that it looks somewhat realistic when you roll into the station.
Yes this will likely take me into my retirement years - especially if I expand beyond this first section.
I have learned a lot from this group, and from observing a selection of YT videos. I really poured myself into redoing an old Strasburg route to practice everything; and I feel like I am ready to go. This route started as a TransDEM route (I finally got it to work...); and I have about 2/3 of the track perfected and checked so far.
I'll post a few shots if anyone is interested; as things progress.
Ron
Well, I've done it now - I have started an ambitious (for me) custom route. I have decided to recreate the Reading Company's Bethlehem Branch, in southeastern PA; c 1972. I am starting with the central portion of the line - approx 20-25 miles from Gwynedd, PA to slightly north of Quakertown, PA; where the line currently disappears. (For those who do not know, the Bethlehem Branch used to be a heavily-used passenger and freight line between Phila and the Lehigh Valley and beyond.)
I decided to do this both for the challenge, and for nostalgia - since this is my local area, and I am old enough to remember passenger service on the line. Today, much of the former mainline is reduced to one track; or is gone altogether. I chose c 1972 because it was before the Reading dissolved into Conrail, there was less development, and more scenery, and I have good information for this era.
I am going to run RDCs for the passengers; and probably a GP30 hauling some freight. I also plan to make somewhere around 6 -12 custom buildings for each town along the route, so that it looks somewhat realistic when you roll into the station.
Yes this will likely take me into my retirement years - especially if I expand beyond this first section.
I have learned a lot from this group, and from observing a selection of YT videos. I really poured myself into redoing an old Strasburg route to practice everything; and I feel like I am ready to go. This route started as a TransDEM route (I finally got it to work...); and I have about 2/3 of the track perfected and checked so far.
I'll post a few shots if anyone is interested; as things progress.
Ron