New York Division-Bergen Line - Part Deux!

[minerman146]

I'll tell you what I only did that amount of detail because simply it was there. When we built this we always wondered if people would even know why we put this effort into this project. Or even if they would notice. I'll say this it's a fact they noticed they may not know what they're seeing they may not understand what they're sseeing, but they do notice and it's important to recognize that it's our job to convey these places that they see in the most realistic manner possible. You do this all the time and I can see it in every image that you've ever posted. And like me no matter what you will put that detail in will put those driveways in you will put every house that you see that belongs there and every tree.

As an aside I want you to know that that, as an old fart and a reader of Model Railroader I am very familiar with the route that are working on....ita a classic!

[NStrains]

MM, I think you hit the nail on the head. Those of us who don't have any clue about, or have never tried route building will notice the detail, but won't understand what it took to get the level of detail you go in to. Which I think is praise to you for making everything just look like it belongs there, naturally!

[minerman146]

*This Week's Route Update*
Let's cut to the chase - no route update tomorrow.

I have about 6 hours of route work in this week. After this weekend, I look to resume scenery activity at my normal pace. What I have been working studiously on haa been forests. There is a bit of an issue with a forest you haven't seen yet, just East of the Eastern leg of the Campbell Hall Wye. This one is spread out over 4 square kilometers with a twist. This forest MUST render before you get to CH from THREE different directions. I had this problem in Harriman and never resolved it completely. In Harriman, you see the walls of the valley going both East and West, but, from the Old Main line the forest to the East doesn't present until after Nepera. In CH its only presenting going South from the Pine Bush Branch and East from Wallkill. Coming from Twin Arch road you can tell its missing. Anyway, I am on my fourth rework and old number 4 didn't work. Number 3 did, but all the trees weren't properly filled in. I manipulated the pins to get the trees to cover then lost the Westbound rendering. I am not deterred. As I hope you all notice - this distant tree rendering work is really making this part of the route magnificent in all its woody, rural glory. And, of course, I am eager to present CH to all of you. It should be ready in a 2 or 3 weeks.

in my driving time, I get to day dream about the route and work out some challenges. One that has been troubling me is the performance of AI, signals and the routing of your train. What I am considering is to signal all the yards on the route both for ingress and egress for each track. I have found that there are some flaws in the signals that lead into a yard, only work if there is a switched path out of the yard to the next signal. I expect that signals would correct the collision issue I had many updates ago where I populated Suffern yard with engines that had drivers added to keep the Pantos down. Their presence caused a collision error in QD. I bet with signals that would eliminate the issue. I also believe this would impact scenarios with AI engines or trains in a yard. So am I correct about this? I would sink the signals after testing so the would be unseen. If any one has any thoughts or experience with this - do let me know.

That's it for this week. Once I get hopping again I will post more WIP images.

Have a great weekend.
MM

[minerman146]

I told you guys I would put some shots up if I got working again - and I did, so here ya go.

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Next stop: Is most definitely Campbell Hall, NY,

[imphantum]

Writing this as I parrellel the Southern Tier on the NY state throughway (in the passenger seat of course), Looking forward to Campbell Hall being completed!

[NStrains]

[minerman146]

Imphantum - We are making progress towards an update.

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As you can see to the left - the foliage is incomplete near the station and the parking lot is not populated. I am jamming to get enough scenery done to justify release for Friday. It has been 6 weeks since the last update. I would like to note that for 3 of the 6 weeks was completely occupied by the day job - including 2 weekends. (ouch) I have recovered and I am getting 2 hour sessions in. Finally you will have an originating and destination point for freight traffic, its 61.5 miles from Croxton to Campbell Hall and it ALL has scenery on it.

[minerman146]

I respect all those who try to stay on top of the Bergen, and I have been remiss in updating my images. So, now I am on top of it - do expect more images and reporting to follow.

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[minerman146]

*Route Update* Here is this week's route update. Finally, we got some time in and got to actually plant grass around CH. We have cars in the parking lot, lighting, foliage some track side detail and more trees. We are looking strong for an update for tomorrow. I will put a few more hours in tonight and try to expand the scenery West a thousand feet or so. This release will be a kind of rush job as the scenery detail is under 1000ft to each side of the track from Day Rd all the way to CH. The forests sucked up a ton of time. Be assured I will continue to fill in the extended scenery. This release is definitely a huge milestone in our journey through the hills and valleys, time and history. I am pleased that this section completes the modern day freight coverage for the Norfolk Southern to Campbell Hall from Croxton (Sans the Main Line). For the record books, it took me 11 months and 2 weeks to go from Hillburn to Campbell Hall ( 30 miles ). I hope ya like it.

[NStrains]

*Route Update* Here is this week's route update. Finally, we got some time in and got to actually plant grass around CH. We have cars in the parking lot, lighting, foliage some track side detail and more trees. We are looking strong for an update for tomorrow. I will put a few more hours in tonight and try to expand the scenery West a thousand feet or so. This release will be a kind of rush job as the scenery detail is under 1000ft to each side of the track from Day Rd all the way to CH. The forests sucked up a ton of time. Be assured I will continue to fill in the extended scenery. This release is definitely a huge milestone in our journey through the hills and valleys, time and history. I am pleased that this section completes the modern day freight coverage for the Norfolk Southern to Campbell Hall from Croxton (Sans the Main Line). For the record books, it took me 11 months and 2 weeks to go from Hillburn to Campbell Hall ( 30 miles ). I hope ya like it.

Congratulations Minerman!!!

You have done amazing work and it continues to show! I can't wait to get back on the Bergen Line with this next update. I've been spending a lot of time on all of the other routes I have as of lately and to completely honest with you, NONE of them captivate my attention as much as your Bergen Line does.

[minerman146]

*ROUTE UPDATED*

The Minermen present:

Route Update Number 172
New York Division-Bergen Line 9.9.0.9: Campbell Hall

Additions: Scenery-Hamptonburgh Rd to Campbell Hall Yard, Campbell Hall Station, Accurate Track Labels, CH Special Detail Work for QD: 61.5 Mile Point to Point Freight Run, 65.5 Mile Run to Hoboken, Update to East Rutherford, Terrain Update From Carlstadt to Points North, Forest to RT207, Extend Mountain Topo to Eastern Sullivan County and Southern Ulster County (Shawangunk Ridge) Update Signal In Waldwick and some detail work in Garfield for Chris6064.

Fixes: Scenery Adjustments in Tallman, Correct Crossing at Harristown Road in Glen Rock. Correct track elevation at Dundee, add scenery detail Dundee, terrain paint, foliage and water in Mahwah, Correct highway at Sterling Forest, add missing tree line correct rock outcropping at Southfields, From user Majortcoop unpassable signal egressing from Ford Plant-correct by adding dwarf signal.

Do try the QDs - I stock them so the route looks extra - nice!

Have a great weekend.

[minerman146]

NSTrians Said:
[quote]
Congratulations Minerman!!!

You have done amazing work and it continues to show! I can't wait to get back on the Bergen Line with this next update. I've been spending a lot of time on all of the other routes I have as of lately and to completely honest with you, NONE of them captivate my attention as much as your Bergen Line does.
[quote]

I cant wait for you to get back on the route as well! This one is tough to responds to - there is soo much route building going here on the WIP page. I marvel at and know what it takes to build those routes. I salute their dedication to their craft. Some day, I suppose we all will get the time to ride around on each other's routes ! Here to all the routes of the RWA "WIP" page:

NS - I appreciate, greatly, your time that you chose to spend right here on the Bergen. And as long as I have your attention then I know I am doing the right thing with this here project.

Lots of pictures - I love those!

[chris6064]

Some Steam action on the bergen

[chris6064]

[mmss1]

Hey Minerman ! Looking great as always !! Been away as work got busy for a change & now a well deserved vacation. Just a kwik question for being away from the PC with my TS2017 on it. In brief, what details to Garfield did you update?