Crooked & Weedy

[RedWhistle]

Hi everyone! I wanted to share what I'm working on. Route design is so fun; I'm not sure I should be allowed this much fun ...but anyway...

I'm modeling the Chesapeake Western Railway, a shortline situated in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, affectionately dubbed the "Crooked & Weedy" by many of those who love it and/or live near it. The Valley is an agri-business hub, and this rural route works to serve farmers and get their products to market. "The Crooked & Weedy" is also a book by Charles Grattan Price, Jr. that I'm using as historical reference in designing the route.

Some highlights:

• Interchanges with three railways: C&O RY, N&W RY and Southern RY.
• Apx. 50 miles of track.
• Grades up to 2.3% and long stretches over 1.5% ... despite the single track main, don't expect to get bored keeping hands on brakes and throttle.
• Lots of local industry deliveries; covered hoppers, boxcars, livestock cars, tank cars, flat cars for lumber and farm equipment, covered hoppers, and oh yeah, covered hoppers.
• Passenger traffic between Staunton, Harrisburg, Elkton, plus specials from Staunton to Massanutten mountain for spa/ski trips. I mean, you're on vacation, so why wouldn't you take the train, am I right?

Map I made from the RW map view. I've laid lots of track this week... some is still floating in the sky but it follows the markers:


Looking west at Staunton passenger station on the C&O line:

[arizonachris]

Welcome, Red! Looks like this is going to be a nice route. I could go for some new passenger runs! Just curious, is this route anywhere near Tori's C&O Allegeny? Looks like it may connect somehow. Now, that could be an awesome collaboration! Don't know that I have seen anything like that yet in RW (or, maybe it's not possible) Just thinking out loud.

[imnew]

Hello Redwhistle... This sounds interesting. Lookin`forward to it. Route building in railworks is indeed fun

[RedWhistle]

... I could go for some new passenger runs! Just curious, is this route anywhere near Tori's C&O Allegeny? Looks like it may connect somehow. Now, that could be an awesome collaboration!

Hiya, and thanks for the welcome. Sure enough, the CWRY route is not too far to the east of Clifton Forge and over North Mountain from Tori's Alleghany route. Staunton's even mentioned in the tidbits section of Tori's COA website http://alleghany.weebly.com/tidbits.html. Passenger traffic comes from Washington DC, Chicago, and other points.

I dunno if that kind of collaboration is possible either, but I like the idea. Maybe similarly named AI services in scenarios? Maybe scenarios for one route that "continue" on another? Would indeed be an awesome collaboration. This community is so great.

Red (good nickname, I'll take it )... aka RedWhistle... aka Gustaf

[RedWhistle]

Hello Redwhistle... This sounds interesting. Lookin`forward to it. Route building in railworks is indeed fun

Thanks very much imnew. I agree, fun

[arizonachris]

I dunno if that kind of collaboration is possible either, but I like the idea. Maybe similarly named AI services in scenarios? Maybe scenarios for one route that "continue" on another? Would indeed be an awesome collaboration. This community is so great.

Red (good nickname, I'll take it )... aka RedWhistle... aka Gustaf

In the year that I have owned Railworks there has been such a growth of talent, creating new routes, scenarios, locomotives, rolling stock, scenery, buildings, even sounds and lighting. Heck, I'm just a driver (so far anyways) and I'm constantly awed by all the new "stuff" being brought out. I'm hoping this will continue and make this the top Rail Simulator, which it looks like it will.

PS: no charge for the nickname

[RedWhistle]

Yeah, it really is something, this community. I had earlier used RWTools a little, but then I saw RWdecal and about fell off my chair; I then learned of ReDem and was gobsmacked a second time. After much effort and trial and error, I got into the route design... well, again. I tried a year or 18 months ago, but didn't get very far. Seems that things have much improved, or maybe I'm just getting better at it... but I think the newer version/updates to the game make the world editor feel more stable when I'm using it. The last straw for diving head-first into RW was when I saw Dick Cowen's Shays and logging packs... and I was like (I'm a softie for Shays... my favorite locos) Then I learned about the COA, NS-AND, etc. and now I'm just out of my chair standing beside myself shaking my head.

Red

[micaelcorleone]

You mean just like this ?

Yeah I think the progress the game has made in the last half year is just outstanding and it's getting even better.
I can't await the big Tech Update which will bring working lights.

[RedWhistle]

Well, it was just like Working lights you say? That is a very good thing. Once again,

[RedWhistle]

Here's some screenshots from today of other parts of the CWRY route I've been working on. I took a test train from northern Harrisonburg to the wye on the southern end of the city and crossing a bridge towards Dayton. Click the pictures to see them on Flickr with descriptions.



















Red

[arizonachris]

I can't await the big Tech Update which will bring working lights.

Meaning, headlights on the lead loco that actually shine on the track, or illuminate a tunnel (altho the Big Boy has that already)

Your route is taking shape nicely, Red. Can't wait to check it out!!!!!

[micaelcorleone]

The new lights will be much better than that what the Big Boy has to offer. (At least I hope. )
Watch this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBF0pnookwk

[RedWhistle]

@arizonachris

Thanks. I'm still new to the development process, I'm actually surprised at how well it's going. Again, much thanks to this board and forums/articles/links on how to do things. I have never packaged anything yet for RW, so in terms of getting it ready for that, along with the appropriate credits and such, will be a process to learn about yet for me.

Red

[RedWhistle]

A few screenshots before bedtime...

A quiet level crossing.


Looking southbound from VPF elevator and class yard... MOW crew discuss problem with crane truck over coffee.


Old barn overlooks the verdent valley while the Rocco elevator on the horizon awaits a train that now has a clear signal.

[micaelcorleone]

Wow! I love the first shot with the rural scenery.

Aren't the signals in the last shot too low or is this common on this line?