Washington Logging

[evan123]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the game and forums, with a fancy for logging.

So far after taking a look at Rich's inspiring logging operation, I decided to give it a whirl. So far it has just taken a LONG time to get a good operation setup. It has been kind of confusing trying to figure out which stock can load which kind of products (ie; logs).

Here is a screenshot from the most recent addition, the layout now runs on 2 boards, however I find it just getting a bit more messy.



I also am not sure on how many flats I can bring up into the mountains. I am only running one engine, and don't want it to be strained with an overload.

I'll post some more screenshots later.

 

[NIARTcar]

hello

Its wonderful to see another logging fan on the site, i noticed your using standard gauge equipment, if you are looking for narrow gauge stuff, and a couple locomotives you might want to give this site a try:

http://steammachine.com/slugsmasher/

 

[American_Connections]

to tree or not to tree...

Nice theme! Let me know and I'll send ya a few stumps and bird tree.

 

[rick1958]

Nice job Evan. Keep us posted.

 

[Pencil42]

Looking good, Evan! I can't wait to see more of your work!

NIARTcar, the vast majority of logging operations in the Pacific Northwest used standard-gauged equipment. Many of the logs were just too big for narrow-gauge equipment (and used standard-gauged equipment was plentiful and cheap).

Curtis

 

[NIARTcar]

I understand that there was a majority of standard gauge equipment, but i recall that there was also numorouse ng lines in northwest washington, (still not as many as standard gauge) but still a decent amount.

 

[evan123]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for the friendly compliments, it's good to see.
I have done a rather large make-over with the current layout and went to the "N Gauge".

This time, it is 3 boards long (not sure on the proper term), thus giving me far more room than the previous line.

Here are some screenshots from a near completed logging operation, I have been working on it for most of the day.

The camp's local Shay #1

"Downtown"

Main log yard

Donkey awaiting work

Ravine coming out of the sorting yard

Around the corner lays the log drop off

 

[Euphod]

I like it, and I think it's great to see a standard gauge logging line!

 

[Klinger]

I like it, and I think it's great to see a standard gauge logging line!

Yes a standard gauge line using 2 foot gauge equipment....that is a new one I must say

Being a long time route builder, your off to a good start, but you have a lot to learn. A good first lesson is the change elevation tool for track, the up arrow, which will even out the track, and remove some of your more outrageous grades

 

[evan123]

Yeah I have been having problems with various grades, I am still trying to get a hang on how to make good mountains and such. So far I am pretty satisfied with the layout. I have relatively enough room to maneuver the cars around, and am designing a "base camp" to bring all the logs down.

Is there a tutorial on how to build a water fall? I have the log reservoir sitting at the top of the mountain as you can see, and I made a large lake at the bottom where I have a small mill sitting there is just no way for logs to come down from the reservoir at the top to the lake at the bottom.

 

[Sabertooth]

In pictures 2 and 6, of your second set of photos, could you tell me where you got those sheds? Or did they come with the game? Thanks

And yea your off to great start, your route has alot of character which I find many of the highly detailed routes that come out these days unfortunately lack

 

[American_Connections]

tools

Yeah I have been having problems with various grades, I am still trying to get a hang on how to make good mountains and such. So far I am pretty satisfied with the layout. I have relatively enough room to maneuver the cars around, and am designing a "base camp" to bring all the logs down.

Is there a tutorial on how to build a water fall? I have the log reservoir sitting at the top of the mountain as you can see, and I made a large lake at the bottom where I have a small mill sitting there is just no way for logs to come down from the reservoir at the top to the lake at the bottom.

For track, use the "smooth spine" tool, then drop the track alittle to get it right at the ground. For slopes, I use a wide road or track spline, set at top and bottom of the mountain, smooth it, move one width and repeat. As for logs down the river, I will see if I can make you something for this!

 

[evan123]

In pictures 2 and 6, of your second set of photos, could you tell me where you got those sheds?

Those come in the game, one is a "Big Shed" and the other I believe is a small warehouse.

As for logs down the river, I will see if I can make you something for this!

Thank you!

 

[evan123]

Update:

I have nearly completed the 3 boards fully with terrain and have finished most of the layout. I haven't really dug into the minor stuff like equipment, rubble & the like. I have designed a rather large ladder switch yard in which all of the stock will be stored on the layout. The camp still has its own Heisler that remains in storage until needed. I have added one siding in the camp to store a few cars as well.

Also a coaling & water tower has been added in the camp, along with an expansion of the camp itself adding several buildings and a dirt road through the center. I am still having some trouble with the huge incline coming up from the switch yard into the camp and out into the woods, I really have to pick up speed before hitting the steepest part of the incline with a load of roughly 4/5 cars and no load for myself to actually make it up..

The trestle leading up to camp has been revised multiple times, each time I have made progress. Heck, the first time I tried to steam up it I couldn't even make it to the top! Now I can, but with lots of stress. I am very open to suggestions at this point. I have spent countless hours alone working out a good chunk of the grades and curves.

I'll start off by posting screenshots of the trestle to the top. Note, in some screenies the trestle coming down the hill, this trestle was built for lines heading out for the pick up at the sawmill.

Next up, we have the latest additions to the camp including the sidings, more buildings, coaling & water towers. The engine shed & more.

And a small peak into the switching yard:

So far my experience being a new Trainz09 user has been so fun. It certainly wins over MTS anyday. I can only get better from here I guess. Hope you all enjoyed the screenies. More to come!


-Evan

 

[Jananton]

Hi Evan,

As Klinger said, for a start this doesn't look bad. Your scenery and placement of several objects in the scene show you definitly have talent. What you should do now is read up on some tutorials about tracklaying and start understanding the difference between the most used track gauges in trainz; standard, 3feet, 30inch and 2feet. For a tutorial about tracklaying go here, for gauge differences and styles maybe someone else knows a link. And finally one tip when using the surveyor, go to the options and choose fixed track spline height. With that setting your layed track won't follow the terrain when you descide to relandscape a certain part. Good luck.:wave:

Greetings from sunny Amsterdam,

Jan

 

[cascaderailroad]

Crookedest RR in the East...Very Kinky !

This is really reminding me of the Mt Washington Cog Railway...and the crooked backwoods track is looking quite realistic...asside from the severe dips and kinks...keep up the great work ! Perhaps another type of track wouldn't kink as much ? Changing track and ironing out dips and kinks is easier than it seems. I replaced the entire track on the NEC route, on DLS, with "MP Wood", to give it a 1940's look and feel.

 

[evan123]

Thank you all for the great feedback. I have done just as suggested and learned how to properly survey while laying down track and I know how a legitimate way of climbing up the incline without using that ridiculous truss!

I took a shay for a test run and got up it just fine, had to use little regulator maintaining about 20 mph all the way up. For my standards, this was a great step. Heck, on the previous truss going up, 100% on the regulator would not get me passed 3/4th of the way. Now I can steam right up the side of the mountain no problem. I'll keep it updated.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Backwoods RR's did have sharp curves, some pretty big dips, and some minor kinks...Your route seems to portray what many early 1900's prototype logging RR's had...rickety track..and I really like that idea ! Mt Tamalapias RR (Muir Woods Ca)(Crookedestt RR in the World)-(book) shows alot of the jury rigged trackwork.

Quite alot of NG RR's layed temporary, REALLY ricketty track, just long enough to get the coal, iron ore, and timber out of the woods...then they tore up the ties and rails, and re-used it, by placing it in another valley in the backwoods as a temporary track. Sometimes the RR ties used were from cut down trees from the surrounding woods, rough and still round, with tree bark still on it, and had a tie to tie placement of many feet apart from each tie, to the next tie. Sometimes the ballast was local rocks, uneathed in mining or track grading, slabs of slate, and big old huge 40 lb rocks. They got the job done, raped & pillaged the land of it's needed commodities, and moved on to the next tract of land.

 

[American_Connections]

Your Log Float

I got it to work, but need some fixin yet to grab it for editing. Will add some details too, but soon you will be able to float your logs down the river as you wanted!
Seems as three logs across is all that can slip under most bridge splines.

Exactly how long of logs do you want to use on this route?

 

[evan123]

Wow AC thank you! Preferably between 8 & 15 logs per route would be suffice I think. Unless you think that would be too difficult to do, I REALLY appreciate it!!

Since the last update, I have been very busy at finished up the terrain & laying the rest of the track. It all went just great and things are really going nicely now. I took a PB15 on a test run through the mountain and had no problems whatsoever. It gets a bit tight going through some places. Aside from that, here are some screenies from the latest accomplishments. Before I know it, I'll be having the full operation under swing!

I plan on using the floating logs that AC is currently making me to fly down a river that is near the base of the mountain out and into the larger lake where the dump is sitting at. The dump will be used as an alternative for storing logs when the mountain pass is too busy.