Howdy!
Since I updated the status of the MRL II project, I thought I'd give a quickie on the SoCal project.
100% of the trackage is in ! Just ran an SP tank train from Colton yard to Bakersfield. 178.6 miles according to the HUD odometer.
Ran a Santa Fe mixed freight from San Bernadino A yard, around Valley Junction to Bakersfield, but at 186 miles.
Ran from Bkfld to Needles and San Bern. to Needles before and was (a lot - forgot the number) of miles. 240 something I think.
SO, all that remains now is scenery!
Been trying to be very careful about scenery for performance issues. Replaced the track and objects several times now and I THINK I've found a balance of realism and performance. I can make it look great but creep along, or I can make it fast and smooth but look pretty bad. Gotta find the balance...
Textures are done from San Bernadino up Cajon to Barstow and from Mojave to Bakersfield (Tehachapi Route). Been playing with some textures to again, find a balance of performance and looks.
The area around Palmdale and Edwards AFB are the least-decorated areas, but should be a very fast scenery addition for miles of Mojave desert!
I'm wondering if this will be a successful multiplayer map - or is it too large. If one player starts in San Bern, one in Bakersfield, and one in Needles, it may be 3 hours before they meet!
Does anyone have any thoughts?
After I decide on some objects and finalize the textures to use, I may put up a public ALPHA for people to start playing with, if anyone is interested.
Below is a screenshot of the area along Cajon Pass of 2 SP trains meeting and a Santa Fe train in the distance. Again, playing with textures to get a dry look yet not barren. It looks better when I put the bush/tree layer on, but this way allows me to test the various assets for looks and performance.
Enjoy!
I've just finished putting the milemarkers, lubricators, speeds and detectors, in accordance with the trackcharts, up the Santa Fe line all the way to Barstow. Tonight, I will do the same with the SP line from San Bernadino (Colton Yd) as far North as I can... Hopefully to Phelan is my goal.
I may never finish the project, but having a blast trying!
Here is the area around Sullivan's Curve with the plant-life in place:
I think there are only 4 different types of plants, but judiciously placed, look pretty decent. A bit slow, so I'm thinking I'll thin it out a bit.
Next, here is a shot of the new trees around the Loop. Same textures as before - still haven't finalized them yet.
Bakersfield area is mostly done except for textures.
Here is Kern Junction:
And Bakersfield Yard:
Here is San Bernadino:
Not sure what era this is... I wanted the trackage of the old engine facility, but modern enough for intermodal... a bit of an anachronism !
This way old-school guys like me as well as the modern folks can both get a little of what they want.
Some newly decorated areas -
Here is an early Victorville:
Ahh - BARSTOW:
I'll try to get some shots of the Needles sub and Needles Yard and add them to the thread.
So, is the route too big for multiplayer?
Respectfully,
Jeff
Since I updated the status of the MRL II project, I thought I'd give a quickie on the SoCal project.
100% of the trackage is in ! Just ran an SP tank train from Colton yard to Bakersfield. 178.6 miles according to the HUD odometer.
Ran a Santa Fe mixed freight from San Bernadino A yard, around Valley Junction to Bakersfield, but at 186 miles.
Ran from Bkfld to Needles and San Bern. to Needles before and was (a lot - forgot the number) of miles. 240 something I think.
SO, all that remains now is scenery!
Been trying to be very careful about scenery for performance issues. Replaced the track and objects several times now and I THINK I've found a balance of realism and performance. I can make it look great but creep along, or I can make it fast and smooth but look pretty bad. Gotta find the balance...
Textures are done from San Bernadino up Cajon to Barstow and from Mojave to Bakersfield (Tehachapi Route). Been playing with some textures to again, find a balance of performance and looks.
The area around Palmdale and Edwards AFB are the least-decorated areas, but should be a very fast scenery addition for miles of Mojave desert!
I'm wondering if this will be a successful multiplayer map - or is it too large. If one player starts in San Bern, one in Bakersfield, and one in Needles, it may be 3 hours before they meet!
Does anyone have any thoughts?
After I decide on some objects and finalize the textures to use, I may put up a public ALPHA for people to start playing with, if anyone is interested.
Below is a screenshot of the area along Cajon Pass of 2 SP trains meeting and a Santa Fe train in the distance. Again, playing with textures to get a dry look yet not barren. It looks better when I put the bush/tree layer on, but this way allows me to test the various assets for looks and performance.
Enjoy!

I've just finished putting the milemarkers, lubricators, speeds and detectors, in accordance with the trackcharts, up the Santa Fe line all the way to Barstow. Tonight, I will do the same with the SP line from San Bernadino (Colton Yd) as far North as I can... Hopefully to Phelan is my goal.
I may never finish the project, but having a blast trying!
Here is the area around Sullivan's Curve with the plant-life in place:

I think there are only 4 different types of plants, but judiciously placed, look pretty decent. A bit slow, so I'm thinking I'll thin it out a bit.
Next, here is a shot of the new trees around the Loop. Same textures as before - still haven't finalized them yet.

Bakersfield area is mostly done except for textures.
Here is Kern Junction:

And Bakersfield Yard:

Here is San Bernadino:
Not sure what era this is... I wanted the trackage of the old engine facility, but modern enough for intermodal... a bit of an anachronism !
This way old-school guys like me as well as the modern folks can both get a little of what they want.


Some newly decorated areas -
Here is an early Victorville:

Ahh - BARSTOW:


I'll try to get some shots of the Needles sub and Needles Yard and add them to the thread.
So, is the route too big for multiplayer?
Respectfully,
Jeff