The Snake Path

[BDWorkshop]

After given thought to my proposed "super project" I've decided that I need to shelve that idea for awhile. While it's an interesting subject with potential continual additions to the project, I realize that it would take far more people to pull off then myself. Volunteers, especially those with model building skills are in short supply no matter wait rail sim you choose to use.

For me, this sim gives me a creative way to look into past. Modern railroading has no interest for me and this seems to be where most of the interest is directed to in all these rail sims. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. I just seems to leave us old time railroading fans out in the cold. There seems to be only one route available in Railworks to fill that niche and that is the Horseshoe Curve Route. Unfortunately there is not much content that comes with that route. So an historical type route that I would be proposing would need lots of backing by creative content makers.

Another this I found about working in the rail sim genre is that very few people want to communicate about thoughts and ideas. I'm a person that likes to discuss all the ins and outs of route and content creation. There are many out there that have good ideas and thoughts but never seem to follow through communicating thought thoughts and ideas. Or there are those that receive that information but never do anything with it. I've joined quite a few groups over time and found that many people simply just don't want to discuss details...I just end up and walking away from those groups. I don't want to see that to happen again.

So in closing my long winded thoughts here, I've decided to continue on with the Snake Path Route and save my super project for another time. If there is anybody interest in learning about my super project you can PM me and I'll be happy to discuss the details with you.

[BoostedFridge]

So in closing my long winded thoughts here, I've decided to continue on with the Snake Path Route and save my super project for another time.

Well, I'm glad you're continuing with the route. It looks great so far.

[jpetersjr]

After given thought to my proposed "super project" I've decided that I need to shelve that idea for awhile. While it's an interesting subject with potential continual additions to the project, I realize that it would take far more people to pull off then myself. Volunteers, especially those with model building skills are in short supply no matter wait rail sim you choose to use.

For me, this sim gives me a creative way to look into past. Modern railroading has no interest for me and this seems to be where most of the interest is directed to in all these rail sims. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. I just seems to leave us old time railroading fans out in the cold. There seems to be only one route available in Railworks to fill that niche and that is the Horseshoe Curve Route. Unfortunately there is not much content that comes with that route. So an historical type route that I would be proposing would need lots of backing by creative content makers.

Another this I found about working in the rail sim genre is that very few people want to communicate about thoughts and ideas. I'm a person that likes to discuss all the ins and outs of route and content creation. There are many out there that have good ideas and thoughts but never seem to follow through communicating thought thoughts and ideas. Or there are those that receive that information but never do anything with it. I've joined quite a few groups over time and found that many people simply just don't want to discuss details...I just end up and walking away from those groups. I don't want to see that to happen again.

So in closing my long winded thoughts here, I've decided to continue on with the Snake Path Route and save my super project for another time. If there is anybody interest in learning about my super project you can PM me and I'll be happy to discuss the details with you.

Of course, when it comes to a vintage route, I'm happy to donate my 60's custom assets from the Riverland Lines route to be used on the route. I built some 57 Bel Air's for the route and other vintage vehicles, as well as a lot of classic era buildings.

[BDWorkshop]

It looks like I need to start over on this route because being new at Railworks, I didn't realize that I can add superelevation to the track...which I didn't do.

I also found out about the before mentioned elevation discovery using Google Earth. So as the route sits now the elevation is off.

I wonder if there are anymore tricks I should find out about now???

I figure I might as well make it right or not make it at all.

In the mean time I found this video of a train excursion on the route that I'm working on. You can fine it here...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yTd_WPKKMlw

[BDWorkshop]

Ok I've got a new BDWorkshop web site up. Take a look and see what it is all about. Link is below.

Now that I'm finished with my web site I plan to start the Snake Path Route over again tomorrow. This time I'm working on placing the main line only. Once that is done I'll place the yards and sidings. I'm not looking forward to making Coxton Yard over again...oh well. It needs to be done right.

[krellnut]

I'm not looking forward to making Coxton Yard over again

Your not going to super el the yards so you don't have to redo the yards, just the main lines.

[BDWorkshop]

I'm not looking forward to making Coxton Yard over again

Your not going to super el the yards so you don't have to redo the yards, just the main lines.

Yes true, but the yard is sitting at the wrong elevation to start with. Oh well...We learn by doing, and I learned that I did it wrong the first time around. I should make it right before going any further.

[BDWorkshop]

Some good news. When I re-checked the elevation of Coxton Yard I found that it wasn't off as much as I first thought. It's basically a meter off at best. I have it built at 173 meters, while the actual elevation is 172 to 173 meters. So since I'm not as much off as I thought I can keep the existing yard without having to rebuild it. I have deleted all other main line track so I can proceed rebuilding it with the superelevated track.

I must of gotten wrong information the first time I measured the yard.

[BDWorkshop]

Work on the Snake Path has been moving along. I've been adding the superelevated mainline and I'm almost were I left off...at the Vosburg Tunnel. Once I get to the Tunnel, I will stop and re-apply the river decal up to that point. This time using actual river elevation...well getting closer to it.

When it comes to applying the super elevation, is there any basic rules that railroads used? Like how tight of a turn should it be before I need to apply it? I have to ask these kind of questions because I never used super elevation before.

[BoostedFridge]

When it comes to applying the super elevation, is there any basic rules that railroads used? Like how tight of a turn should it be before I need to apply it? I have to ask these kind of questions because I never used super elevation before.

The vast majority of US rail lines use superelevation to some degree. The route I'm modeling is a secondary branch line that was built in the 1880's, and is primarily 25mph limited; and still has mostly superelevated corners. My suggestion would be to lay all of your mainline track using easements, so that you can superelevate any of the corners. Also, if you are going to selectively intersperse superelevated and non superelevated corners on the same line, use the 'cut/weld' process to seperate these track ribbons. Otherwise you get those ugly 'bends' in the rail where these ribbons meet.

[krellnut]

Like how tight of a turn should it be before I need to apply it?

This question has got me wondering. You are already rebuilding once, maybe again. Are you laying track with easements on? If not, when you apply super el to that curve, just before the curve straightens out on both ends there will be a joint which doesn't line up. That's because easements wasn't on. I lay all mainline track with easements on, even some yard track. Even if you don't apply easements at that time, at a later date you can if you want or need to.

BoostedFridge has got it right.

[BDWorkshop]

Like how tight of a turn should it be before I need to apply it?

This question has got me wondering. You are already rebuilding once, maybe again. Are you laying track with easements on? If not, when you apply super el to that curve, just before the curve straightens out on both ends there will be a joint which doesn't line up. That's because easements wasn't on. I lay all mainline track with easements on, even some yard track. Even if you don't apply easements at that time, at a later date you can if you want or need to.

BoostedFridge has got it right.

I created the main line with the easements on. Once I go back an add all the track details such as extra rails and sidings, I'll also add the super elevation were it's needed.

[Kirito]

Keep up the work! Lookin forward to seein a route to go with the RS-11 and stock. Don't give up! Ive built odd and end routes for Railworks for a long time now, and it gets frustrating some days, but others its really rewarding. Im workin on a little odd end right now that tended to be more trouble that it was worth, but now that the track is done, im quite happy with it! Just takes time.

[BDWorkshop]

Keep up the work! Lookin forward to seein a route to go with the RS-11 and stock. Don't give up! Ive built odd and end routes for Railworks for a long time now, and it gets frustrating some days, but others its really rewarding. Im workin on a little odd end right now that tended to be more trouble that it was worth, but now that the track is done, im quite happy with it! Just takes time.

I like what Railworks has to offer when it comes to over all graphics. I've only ran a train on my route once so far but I must say that the work is rewarding. I can't wait to get some models built for this route.

I did update the route page on my web site with some screenshot.

With the main line building I've been working on, I've reached the Meshoppen area which is about the halfway point of the route.

[Kirito]

I can't help when it comes to models.. never learned how to make anything except routes, and everything I learned was trial and error, since the game was so new back then, there weren't any tutorials. But, I can give advice if ever needed. Lookin forward to the route! Got a LV steam loco and trainset that would look great with it!