Donner Pass - UP era

[dtrainBNSF1]

It's Spring Break ans on top of the continuous work of testing and modifying steamers (I haven't been able to do much of that lately - school's got me swamped with 21 credit hours ) I've decided to upgrade Donner Pass to modern-day.
Anticipated changes:

Adding working platforms at Roseville, Auburn, and Colfax
Removal of main track 1(?) just outside of Norden (Does anyone know if the turntable is still there?)
Extending Roseville yard
(Somehow) partially tunneling under Reno, Nevada

Screenshot 2015-03-19 13.44.38.jpg

I've just barely started work and I have to say that there is so much that has changed in Roseville! Part of the receiving yard near the servicing facility was apparently ripped out, the yard entrance has been extended way out near the first overpass outside of Roseville, and the actual layout of the engine facilities has changed a lot.
Here's the yard entrance extension (I'll work with the crossings later):

Screenshot 2015-03-19 13.19.09.jpg

Here's the Amtrak platform (by the way on of the main tracks here was also apparently ripped out):

Screenshot 2015-03-19 13.19.37.jpg

And here is some of the work going on at the servicing facility:

Screenshot 2015-03-19 13.20.09.jpg

There is still plenty of work to do just in Roseville. I've got my work cut out for me.

[bloodonfire3]

It certainly is a big undertaking. I gave the route an attempt a year or so ago, shortly after buying the route, but gave up the effort over a decision to proceed work on my fictional. Good luck and remember to always save-save-save.

[dtrainBNSF1]

It certainly is a big undertaking. I gave the route an attempt a year or so ago, shortly after buying the route, but gave up the effort over a decision to proceed work on my fictional. Good luck and remember to always save-save-save.

Don't I know it!

[gtrtroger]

You need to get in touch with Ericmopar and combine your upgrades.... Big win for everyone....

[dtrainBNSF1]

Oh?

[bloodonfire3]

I would think that Eric and dtrainBNSF1 are trying to achieve different goals.

[dtrainBNSF1]

Just what is Eric working on?

[dtrainBNSF1]

I've been trying to get this one switch in the engine service area at Roseville that just won't render right!!! Anybody got pointers on making points?

[bloodonfire3]

I would say keep plugging away at it. Try one switch, then control+z, try a different spot. I'm finding that this route-building process is trial and error.

[Ericmopar]

I've been working on this.
I've got over 400 hours in this since Thanksgiving (Nov 2014) for those out of country.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=12917

I'm almost to tunnel 41 and the summit, but I've been delayed.
Just about 5 miles more.

There are also plenty of screen shots in the Any Route Any Era VII thread in the screen shots forum.

[dtrainBNSF1]

The screen shots look great Eric! So are you just working on the Eastern side of the route then?
Downloading now.

[dtrainBNSF1]

I guess I should mention what assets I'm using...

Right now I anticipate only using the US assets and Donner Pass assets. Right now I'm focused more on the trackwork. Once I'm done at Roseville I'll move to Auburn, then Colfax, Norden, Truckee and finally Reno & Sparks. The last bit will be the most challenging since Reno has rebuilt that part of the city above the main line, creating a trench similar to the Alameda Corridor in LA. Roseville would come in as a close 2nd in terms of difficulty.

Once the actual track layout is updated (whenever that gets done) I'll focus more on the grade profile starting just beyond the bridge at Rocklin. By chance I came upon a UP Roseville Division timetable last fall which includes a grade profile with percentages listed. I remember in his review of the route At The Railyard claimed that the profile was not correct and therefore operations didn't feel as realistic as they should. With this timetable hopefully I can improve it.

As the route stands in TS2015 supposedly the route is set to the 90s before merger, meaning that if historically accurate the tunnels should be too small for double-stack equipment. Strangely I've never taken double stacks over Donner. I should probably check that to see if I need to replace any tunnels because today most of UPs intermodal traffic traverses Donner Pass while most of the manifests and unit trains have moved to the Feather River Canyon due to its easy gradients.

And that's the plan, really.

[Ericmopar]

I'm focusing on the scenery, but leaving the track profile alone, so scenarios from the Workshop and the original ones will still work.

I've done a lot with the East side of Donner, which was scenically the worst side.
I'm almost to my first goal of Summit/Norden, from Sparks. Almost literally within spitting distance.
But I've been delayed by "Das Uber Flu"

I'm also sticking with Donner and Cajon Pass/Classic U.S. assets.

I've been sick the last few days, but I'm wanting to play around with a texture that wacampbell sent me. I think If I use it, He would probably agree to let me include it with the updated Donner files.

[dtrainBNSF1]

Cool. Hope you get to feeling well soon!

This project of mine will be its own standalone route which whenever it gets done I'll publish either in the workshop or over here at railworksamerica.com. I've cloned it without any scenarios.

[dtrainBNSF1]

Been some time since I updated my progress on the route.

I took some time off to practice laying switches. I now have a better handle on it so working with the route should be easier now.

Originally I wanted to just use the track that came with the route, however I've decided to go ahead and use 3DTrains' SP track textures. I'll also be using buildings and scenery items from RCAP as well as from the original route. I'll also be extending the line to Vista, another 4 miles or so as Vista technically is the East end of Union Pacific's Roseville Subdivision.

I do however need some help on programming signals and railroad crossings as I have not had success using these assets on my own. Can someone point me in the right direction as to where to get instructions for programming signals and crossings?

This will be a long process as I'm essentially rebuilding the route without actually starting a new route (does that make sense?). With my schedule as it's been I'd give it maybe another year or two optimistically.