Decision Decision

[Shortliner]

Has anyone ever had a problem on which route to do? I'm having that problem right now because I want to model a defunct shortline (or a out of service branch line) in the mountains of North Carolina, and put it in a modern setting with modern equipment. However I also think that more people would appreciate a more prototypical route. I have been thinking about modeling the Norfolk Southern W Line that runs from Asheville, NC to Columbia, SC, it's the line that includes the infamous Saluda Grade.

Thoughts?

[rgarber]

Shorty, the best advice I would give to anybody wanting to do anything with Railworks is to start small. A small route is a good way to cover the gamut of issues you'll run into with a large route. And a small route can be tough to do but at least it's finishable whereas a long route unfinished doesn't afford anybody anything. So I would push for a small route first if this is your first route. You'll cut your teeth on a number of things and likely to get better at each than doing a long route. Plus, it gives you a chance to try your hand at modeling if you so desire without making it feel like you got no time to do so because of the large amount of work left on a longer route.

Rich

[artimrj]

I agree with everything Rich said as I have been working a route for a week now. I restarted it 5 times because I learned something I didnt do in the beginning, like pick the right track with the speed limits I want. One thing I will suggest even if you have the backup facility turned on, is find your route in the content folder and make a copy of it somewhere else. I used my back up 3 times allready so I didnt have to start from scratch a 6th time.

Anyway I layed 30 miles of mainline track and stopped and started working on the one end, just from what I did so far, it will probably take me 3 months to finish it. And I havent even gotten to figuring out how to place signals. So if I do get to the other end and want to make it bigger I can just go from there. There is a lot to do that you dont realize, at least I didn't. Import SRTM, lay track, add scenery items, paint the landscape, add the signals and test, test, test.

[SMMDigital]

I'll put my money on Saluda!

I have to agree...and disagree, with the above assesment on whether to start small or go long.

If you have no prior experience building landscapes or scenarios for simulators, then start small. Go to UKTrainsim, read, and bookmark every entry pertaining to Route Building. Then, go to RS.com on YouTube and watch every video. THEN, build a small route to test out techniques and to see if Route Building is even for you.

On the other hand, if you have experience with the Rat Editor in MSTS and you have built a route with it, then go long and large. The leap from the Rat Editor to the RW World Editor is like the difference between Hell and Heaven. The RW-WE is easier to use, much more forgiving of mistakes, and you can easily nuke-and-repave even fairly large route quite quickly should you decide it's not up to snuff.

You could use a "hybrid" route building method like I am doing. I've gone ahead and put in 160+ miles of track and road, but i'm concentrating on about 20 miles at a time. I get a section done, then release it, making sure each release has something new and interesting to capture the user's attention. The route will eventually be completed, and hopefully will have gained a following along the way.

This method worked well for the CSX W&A Route in MSTS. I'm starting and ending in a major yard this time though, to make things even more interesting.