Route construction: Realism vs. Session complexity.

[MarkusP]

Hello again Trainz Gurus,

I have one other burning question. I am very new to the entire subject of railroading, let alone V-Scale railroading,
but having discovered TRANZDEM, am now attempting to model, as accurately as possible (using Google Earth) a rail
line in South-Central Vermont, which is near where I live.

I now have a very good route roughed in, with accurate elevation and rail location, but as I trace the actual rail line in
Google Earth, I realize that I do not see many, of any, of the local industries that I would like my "authentic as possible"
rail line to replicate.

1. I have done some basic online research about this rail service, but the information I have found is fairly general in nature.
Other than trying to track down an ex-employee or historian of the railroad in question, or contact the PR department, which
might not be interested in providing as much detail as I would like, are there any other standard resources available
for finding products, services, and clients used by an actual railroad for their revenue stream? Any tips on finding a good local
historian if that is the best option?

2. Are here any general guidelines that the "experts" might use for adding fictional industries (if necessary) into a reality based rail
system without ending up with a too-fictional version of that rail system by the time it's completed, or is this a completely subjective
issue by any measurement?

3. Are there any good and concise references for someone new to railroading that would educate me about the multitude of rail
equipment,l personnel, and procedures, in use and which of it would most apply to the rail line that I am building?

I just realize what a huge project this is going to be, and don't want to get to the end of it someday and feel like I went off track
(so to speak) early in the process. Im also hoping to learn enough as I go to not have to back-track too much.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts,

Mark P.

 

[nicky9499]

Gday Mark,

Welcome to Trainz, and good luck with TANE.
If you can get DEM data into TANE, proceed with the below tips.

1. Don't be too obsessed over minute prototypical details. Try kitbashing or artistic license in the absence of accurate models or information.
2. CMTM is fantastic for extremely detailed logistics operations. Requires a fair bit of sophisticated setup though and I'm not sure if it works in TANE at the moment.
3. Regarding railroading in Trainz, this is the beginner's bible covering everything from signals to trackwork.
4. Build in small chunks. Finish before moving on. It's the best way to avoid burn out or loss of interest.
5. Save early, save often. Trainz isn't the most stable software in the world.

Cheerio,
Nicholas

 

[MarkusP]

Thanks Nicholas!

This is very helpful information.
As much as I have tried to familiarize myself with the available reference material for Trainz, it seems there is always more to be found.

I do have my DEM imported into TANE. It is quite large, even though have been able to remove many tiles using "Route Only" export I have also assured that I can
piece large DEM segments together as I go. Thanks to the forum, I found a U.S. Dept. of Transportation file had a fairly accurate poly-line map of all U.s. railroads
(including historical) that dropped into the DEM quite nicely. They almost line up perfectly with the Topo. map that I applied to the surface.
All of that took a week or so, now I just have a few years left with scenery and rail-line details.

I've started at one end with a large town, and have already spent quite a bit of time on it, but I do see the progress, and it is pushing me forward. I do wish the
assets had "metadata" to help locate them, as the search tool doesn't seem to parse the entire name string (like finding "tunnel" in the middle of the object name).
I guess it's just an opportunity to memorize what is available, and find the best way of logging and working with it. Always more to discover and learn.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n33r15h63ml8nd0/2015-09-11 233601.jpg?dl=0

Thanks again for your help!

Cheers!

Mark P.

 

[JCitron]

Hi Mark and welcome to the forums and to the new world of Trainz - a world you'll never leave once you enter.

You may find a good old 'boots on the ground' approach might be helpful. Go out and visit your towns you are including. Sometimes just going out and about, even without inquiring at the companies, will give you clues as to who uses what and where. When you come across something that needs further information, you can then contact the local historical societies. These groups really are a resource of information that will go beyond more than what you'll ever need.

Another Trainz user and I have been involved in a project a bit farther south down in North Adams for their historical society and the nearby Historical Gateway Visitor Center and Museum. Mike happened to visit the museum, which is located in the former B&M freight house and is dedicated to the Hoosac Tunnel. Conversations lead to him mentioning Trainz and the virtual railroad aspects, and a project he was working on. Then nearly 2 years ago, he roped me into visiting with TS12 loaded on my laptop and this is where it gets interesting...

The guys there, mostly elders, giggled like little kids as they saw our quick mock up. The route didn't have a tree on it and was just a lower resolution DEM of the East Portal area. Mike put some steam locos with some New Haven box motors pulling them under some older New Haven style catenary. Conversations started and the head of the historical society, which is located across the path, came over to visit. He happens also to be a railroad enthusiast and has contacts with the B&M Historical Society. Carl Byron, the author of Pin Prick of Light - a historical book on the building of the Hoosac Tunnel, has became a resource. He not only has access to the archives at the society, he also grew up in the area during the steam-electric transition to diesel which occurred in the late 1940s. If we found something in one of the photos we didn't understand, he was able to provide more information. A good example is the old electric repair shop in North Adams. The building still exists today as a recycling company. We may ask them for some information on their building the next time we're out there.

More recently we took some additional trips out there and followed the mainline east to Deerfield yard where we happened to talk to a semi-retired B&M security guard. He gave us information on the rail operations during the 1950s to 1980s while he was on the road. He's now in his mid-60s and ready to retire and instead works security for the railroad. And even most recently, Mike had the opportunity to photograph Haupt's Cut, which is located near the West Portal. The West Portal is quite remote and difficult to get to, but through a contact with the historical society there, he was given a tour of the area. Again, it's the locals that know... Haupt's Cut is the first attempt at the tunnel. The east side collapsed and ate the giant drilling machine, and the west side became a dump for all the rocks as the tunnel was built on that end. The tunnel on the west end, according to Chuck from the historical society still contains an old narrow gauge rail line and some steam locomotives used during the tunnel construction. As you can see, just talking to one person has lead to more and more information along with numerous photographs, discussions and so on. The thing is people, once they hear about what you are after, become quite enthusiastic for it.

I will echo what Nicky says. Head his advice and work slowly... I've been route building since December 2004 and I will say that you'll build up an enthusiasm for a route, go gang busters at it then hit a wall. Don't give up the route completely, but instead start another project and let the first one sit on the sidetrack for a bit. Then you're enthusiasm for the first route will kick in and you'll go gang busters again at it until you'll get tired of it. This will keep the route going along, albeit slowly, but once you get enough to work with, take a train for a drive. Plop down a test consist and drive to your current end of track. This will serve two purposes. First this will give you a chance to enjoy what you've build so far, and second will give you a chance to see the bugs that need fixing such as bumps in the ground, trees in the way, floating buildings and so on. Even giving the route a quick drive like this will get the old creative juices kicking and you'll find yourself building more after you fix a couple of things.

John

 

[steamboateng]

Hi Mark, and Welcome aboard. John C. and I have been V scale fans and dedicated Trainz enthusiasts for over a decade. John is the Nerd; I'm the head banger (multiple bruises and occasional trauma)!! We're both well versed in TranDEM (Congratulations in climbing that hill!) and can offer some insight into where and how to gather maps and data for that. I'm interested in your post for several reasons. Most intriguing is that you're taking the 'Historical' approach, right from 'get go'. Both John and I can vouch that you are in for a good ride. We have been involved in western Massachusetts railroading, particularly around the Hoosac Tunnel - North Adams area, for about 2 years. It's been a great experience, both meeting people and learning about the area. Since we're both eastern Massachusetts natives, the other side of the state was kind of a "The bear went over the mountain" experience; literally. And it's been fun..........well as much fun as two old goats can manage!

I don't know if you are picking a particular time frame to model (John and I are working on the mid 1940's.........the rise of diesel and decline of steam), but I can say that doing so will limit your choices greatly, and add to your research headaches exponentially. So be warned, that path requires a certain dedication and discipline. However, I've found that my natural curiosity and inquisitiveness has carried me through; and the results can lead to surprise and satisfaction. Just this last summer I was out North Adams way and contacted Chuck Cahoon, president of the Historical Society. "Let's take a ride. I want to show you something" he grinned. Next thing I know I'm scrambling across rock strewn dirt roads and hillocks in the vicinity of the Hoosac Tunnel West Portal. He takes me to what I perceived as a sink hole.................."That's Houpt's Cut" he informed me. "It's been lost for over 140 years." And indeed it was Houpt's Cut, we could clearly see where it continued under the surface, and feel the cool damp air coming from it! Of course I took lots of pix of that and the West Portal, as well as other ruins associated with the tunnel and the town. A very satisfying excursion into the past and good exercise, to boot!

The fact that you are modeling southern Vermont rail piqued my interest because we are interested in that same area; Vermont Central, Central of Vermont and Rutland railroads, actually. The B&M routed north to Pownal, Vt., before crossing into New York state, So we've traveled some of that area. It seems to me that the area you have chosen is perfect for Trainz. Lots of hills and trees, small towns, and not heavily industrialized or urbanized. We wish you all the best in your pursuit of knowledge and history.

Both John and I are available for your questions or comments, here, at the Forums. I'm also available via pm, e-mail, and Skype. We are currently planning to travel out that way sometime in October.

Since you're already familiar with the USGS sites (e.g.: TransDEM), I recommend you find the 'Historical Maps' site for detailed geographical information, as well as rail and road routes, for your area.

Best Regards
Mike

 

[stagecoach]

Don't know if these sites is of any use to you

http://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/VT State Rail Plan Draft June 2015.pdf .
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/scoping/railyard/20131211_REP_BTVRailyardOperationsPresentation.pdf

 

[MarkusP]

Thanks Mike!

Lots of information here.

 

[steamboateng]

Got your pm, thanks. I will get back to you soon. Right now I'm up to my waist in Hoosac Route Surveyor, at least 5 different Blender projects and Win10 decided to go bonkers this eve, so had to reinstall.......................needless to say, I'm a bit discombobulated at this time. And to top it all off, the Chief Mate cut my rum ration!
I'm not a happy sailor, right now!

 

[JCitron]

Got your pm, thanks. I will get back to you soon. Right now I'm up to my waist in Hoosac Route Surveyor, at least 5 different Blender projects and Win10 decided to go bonkers this eve, so had to reinstall.......................needless to say, I'm a bit discombobulated at this time. And to top it all off, the Chief Mate cut my rum ration!
I'm not a happy sailor, right now!

Sounds like fun... Increase your swap file as big as you can make them and put them on multiple drives. It seems to keep T:ANE from taking a dump.

John