The How to Design a 1950’s North American themed Trainz layout thread

OK, let's try this again but with a newer version of this unique to Trainz livestock drencher which now does more things than the first version did:

kuid2_439337_101616_1.jpg


SAP_Livestock_Drencher_Interactive_with_effects - Interactive livestock drencher with timed water spray and sound effects to be used with category-class XLA or XLC rolling stock items. This drencher will only spray moving stock cars which have a load and ignore all other rolling stock and locomotives. For best results rolling stock should be moving past the drencher at about 5KPH/3MPH. This drencher has been tested on and works best with stockcars made by majekear. The mesh is by Dorsey (AKA bendorsey). My thanks to Ben for the mesh!

http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=293196

In this latest version my drencher script tests for three things:

1. If the rolling stock car is moving within acceptable speed limits.
2. If the rolling stock car is the right category-class of XLA or XLC (ie; stockcars).
3. If the stockcar is loaded.

If the answer to all three tests is yes then the stockcar gets sprayed, otherwise that rolling stock item or locomotive is ignored.

As the drencher now does everything I want it to do I expect this will be the last version for a long time (or until N3V changes requirements once again for such items).

The unique drencher script I made for this item is very handy for triggering particle, sound and animation effects in cases where you don't want to load or unload the car but just perform the effects. Please feel free to use it in your own content development efforts (see the license in the CDP for details on how to do this).

A great item for 1950s era routes!

Enjoy!
 
I have created 16 new 1950s era lighted billboards. This now brings my total 1950s era billboard collection to 71. Here is a list of the new ones which are either already available for download on the DLS:

SAP_1950s_Billboard_Ike1 <KUID:439337:101631>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Lassie <KUID:439337:101634>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Mayonnaise <KUID:439337:101636>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Playtex_Girdle <KUID:439337:101632>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Raisins <KUID:439337:101637>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Rebel <KUID:439337:101635>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Roy_Rogers <KUID:439337:101633>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Birds_Eye <KUID:439337:101646>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Champion <KUID:439337:101643>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Crisco <KUID:439337:101641>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_GE <KUID:439337:101648>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Hersheys <KUID:439337:101645>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Purina <KUID:439337:101644>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Swanson <KUID:439337:101647>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_Wonder_Bread <KUID:439337:101642>
SAP_1950s_Billboard_SPAM<kuid:439337:101649>
 
Nice signs. They really fit our era well. davesnow has made some smaller signs and billboards that are available for reskinning. I've skinned a few that are suitable for the 1950's under my username.

Would it be possiable to add a roll container to the livestock drencher? This would allow to place it on any track that might have a slight grade.

Thanks.
 
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Morning Gents;

I've been hunting for Esso tractors and trailers for my 1950's CNR route. I finally found something that I am happy with...for now. It's called "BERLIET TLR8 ESSO HD". This model is not quite as good as our 50's trucks, but as a scenery item, not too close to the tracks, it's fine. I happened to take a peek at some other Berliet trucks and many might work as North American 1950's vehicles, or as imported models. Some of them looked very good. Just thought I'd let ya know in case you have not noticed them. Other than a few sports cars and a few "imports", I have paid little attention to anything non North American. Today I searched year by year from 1930 to 1956 and downloaded about 70 vehicles from "over there". Haven't taken a real good look at them yet. My dad bought an "import" around 1960. I think he's still kicking himself in the bum up in Heaven!

Cheers...rick
 
All of my high quality 1950s routes now have T:ANE specific versions that use the new procedural track with animated junctions. Enjoy!

There are also separate TRS2012 versions available, which are also 100% compatible with T:ANE, but do not make use of the procedural track only found in T:ANE..

To check these routes out and/or download them just go to the forum support thread for that route by clicking on one of the links below:

Kiowa County Southern (1950s era Oklahoma, USA based layout):

Forum Support thread:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...Kiowa-County-Southern-Official-Support-Thread

Maine Central Portland Division (1950s era Maine, USA based layout):

Forum Support thread:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...ral-Portland-Division-Official-Support-Thread

Indiana Western (1950s era Indiana, USA based layout):

Forum Support thread:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?104922-The-Indiana-Western-Official-Support-Thread
 
For those of you wanting to create late steam-early diesel routes I have just made available for download a new freeware SAP Yard Merge Module that you can use to either merge into an existing route that you have created or to get started on your own new route. For details, including the DLS download link, see my support thread on the subject by clicking the link below:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?123028-MSGSapper-Merge-Modules-Support-Thread

Bob
 
Looking to build a 1950s late steam , early diesel layout/route? I have found the following commercially available references to be invaluable toward to doing this in a realistic way:

Modeling the '50s: The Glory Years of Rail:
http://amazon.com/Modeling-50s-Glor...=1457625515&sr=1-1&keywords=modeling+the+50's

Freight Cars of the '40s and '50s:
http://amazon.com/Freight-Cars-Mode...5403&sr=1-1&keywords=jeff+wilson+freight+cars

Guide to Industries Series: Livestock & Meatpacking:
http://amazon.com/Guide-Industries-...=1457625273&sr=1-2&keywords=guide+jeff+wilson

The Model Railroader's Guide to Grain:
http://amazon.com/Model-Railroaders...=1457625273&sr=1-1&keywords=guide+jeff+wilson

Note: Jeff Wilson has done a variety of books covering various industries along the tracks and not listed above. All of them are worth getting for their reference information. All his currently available books can be found at Amazon.com

BTW there are also other books in the guide to industry series not done by Jeff Wilson which I have yet to acquire, but soon will, which should cover the 50s period as well. These are:

The Model Railroader's Guide to Steel Mills:
http://amazon.com/Model-Railroaders..._UL160_SR123,160_&refRID=0DGHXNHKEX7QPQNM3D4W

The Model Railroader's Guide to Logging Railroads:
http://amazon.com/Model-Railroaders..._UL160_SR123,160_&refRID=0DGHXNHKEX7QPQNM3D4W

The Model Railroader's Guide to Coal Railroading:
http://amazon.com/Model-Railroaders...7626193&sr=1-1&keywords=model+railroader+coal

BTW I recently released my latest 1950's era route. See the following forum thread for download links and other details:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/show...k-amp-Lake-Erie-1950s-Official-Support-Thread

Bob
 
I would advise anyone modeling this era check out the American & Canadian houses built by tlanders.

The Brick-House and Wartime-House sets are very useful.

I also like the Frame-House set, but that's more of a 1960s thing.
 
Time to resurrect this thread for the coming new year for all those considering new layout designs...

Bob
 
Are any of you guys interurban/electric traction enthusiasts? I know that's more of a pre-war thing, but there were some hold-outs into the 1950s and 1960s.
 
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Dont forget to add to your list the new jointed rail downtown and industrial building used on approach medium's Dayton & Troy Traction layot

Book: Traction Guidebook for Model Railroaders by M.Schafer Kalmbach books.

Tom
 
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I drove in a lot of freight trains in that era. The one thing I noticed was that you saw the worst part of the town or city.Lots of old buildings ,scrap, and derelict vehicles
 
Do any route-builders have suggestions for pre-TS19 track assets or track "systems" (i.e. track with new/used/derelict variants) that would be appropriate for a 1930s–1950s North American layout?

There was some track discussion upthread, but it looks like it took place nearly a decade ago, which is disturbing, as I can remember when this thread was new...
:eek:
 
Theres a track pack on JR made by Simulatortrain, then some skins of it on the DLS (ST #100-132). Its all Stapled track with one exception. mostly light rail.
 
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