Sacramento Northern!

[OldProf]

Just read the manual. There will be some USEFUL assets with this route!

I never really thought of asset trolling before -- interesting concept: buy it to strip it?

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

Just read the manual. There will be some USEFUL assets with this route!

I never really thought of asset trolling before -- interesting concept: buy it to strip it?

To strip? No.

To use? Yes

[CArailroader]

I noticed in the manual that it says neither the steeple cabs nor the 1003 class (outside the bridge) have speedometers. Did they just watch their speed via time and mileposts?

[DrewG]

From what I've seen, A lot of older switchers don't have speedometers. After a while you get to know what certain speeds are like. I've never had a speedometer on the tourist railroad I'm with but I can definitely tell when the train is at 15 mph.

[GERUNIMO625]

Hello,
I think your both right. In the modern world we use time and measured mileposts to verify speedometer accuracy. We also use terms like "walking speed" as a reference.
Also I assume their managers would probably turned a blind eye to speeding just as long as the train was on time.
Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving!

-Jerry

P.S. On the Elvas Tower Forum, Rich was asked this question:

Q: Do you anticipate releasing the route through Steam?
A: Yes, whenever DTG gets around to publishing it.

So, there yah go

[ricksan]

Regarding speeds and speed limits, it's our impression that as SN motormen became familiar with the route's twists and turns, they learned what speeds they could get away with before somebody complained. You'll find this to be the case on our route as well. In some places the speed "limit" has been artificially set to 80 mph which essentially means the zone is "unrestricted by company" and "use your best judgement." This occurs mostly in the rural areas where the real SN did not set a safety speed limit. That doesn't mean you can go any speed you want. There are a lot of fairly sharp curves on the route and they're not always speed-signed. In career scenarios you won't lose points for excess speed in those places, but you may incur "g-force" deductions if you don't take it easy. Just like the real motormen, you'll figure it out after a few runs. Some people won't like this but our view is that it adds to the challenge and makes operating trains on the route more fun. Just remember, it's not supposed to be easy!

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

Regarding speeds and speed limits, it's our impression that as SN motormen became familiar with the route's twists and turns, they learned what speeds they could get away with before somebody complained. You'll find this to be the case on our route as well. In some places the speed "limit" has been artificially set to 80 mph which essentially means the zone is "unrestricted by company" and "use your best judgement." This occurs mostly in the rural areas where the real SN did not set a safety speed limit. That doesn't mean you can go any speed you want. There are a lot of fairly sharp curves on the route and they're not always speed-signed. In career scenarios you won't lose points for excess speed in those places, but you may incur "g-force" deductions if you don't take it easy. Just like the real motormen, you'll figure it out after a few runs. Some people won't like this but our view is that it adds to the challenge and makes operating trains on the route more fun. Just remember, it's not supposed to be easy!

That sounds really interesting Rick! Although i do worry that most people who will get this route will not see this explanation and ask "Why is it 80 here?"

[CArailroader]

Regarding speeds and speed limits, it's our impression that as SN motormen became familiar with the route's twists and turns, they learned what speeds they could get away with before somebody complained. You'll find this to be the case on our route as well. In some places the speed "limit" has been artificially set to 80 mph which essentially means the zone is "unrestricted by company" and "use your best judgement." This occurs mostly in the rural areas where the real SN did not set a safety speed limit. That doesn't mean you can go any speed you want. There are a lot of fairly sharp curves on the route and they're not always speed-signed. In career scenarios you won't lose points for excess speed in those places, but you may incur "g-force" deductions if you don't take it easy. Just like the real motormen, you'll figure it out after a few runs. Some people won't like this but our view is that it adds to the challenge and makes operating trains on the route more fun. Just remember, it's not supposed to be easy!

That is definitely quite the concept: a railroad without speed limits. I like how you added this into the simulation, I love a good challenge. Have you in your research find recorded incidents where excess speed was the contributing factor, or was this a small enough railroad (or at least on the South End) where everyone was cautious enough that such things did not occur?

[mrshut]

Morning Rick,

Any updates on the route for us? I'm still hoping Santa comes down the chimney with the Sacramento Northern in his sack!

Happy Holidays,

Mark

[ricksan]

Thought I'd do some catching up.

...most people who will get this route will not see this explanation and ask "Why is it 80 here?"

Highly likely that will happen. SN is a niche route and it will find a niche audience.

Have you in your research find recorded incidents where excess speed was the contributing factor?

Not in the "80 mph" zones, which are in the relatively flat areas north of the Oakland Hills, but there very well could have been.

Three accidents are commonly cited and they all occurred prior to the route's 1939-1940 era. In one of them, a trestle south of Sacramento, and weakened by floodwaters, collapsed beneath a train hauling gondolas loaded with steel bound for Pittsburg. In another, an interurban, which was being used to haul a gondola filled with gravel on a steep grade (duh), couldn't muster enough braking force, ran away, and derailed on a curve. There were injuries but no fatalities in these two accidents. However, ten people died when an SN train heading for the Key Pier smashed into the rear of a stopped Key System train. That incident was attributed to the fact that although the signals were red they were set for 35 mph and the SN train was running at 55 mph.

Any updates on the route for us?

I'm hearing January now. I have nothing more to say about this.

[CArailroader]

Very interesting Rick, thank you. I've been doing some reading on the SNRY on the WP Historical Society website. I'm jealous that I wasn't around to experience California life in another era. Thanks again for bringing a portion of California railroad history to the digital world.

[bloodonfire3]

The Great Lisbon Trestle Collapse happened in 1951, nearly a decade after the 40's.

[nsl714]

http://train-simulator.com/interurban-intrigue/

The appearance of an Engine Driver article bodes well for a potential January release. The included screenshots are pretty awesome; i'm all the more excited for this to come out.

Zach

[buzz456]

http://train-simulator.com/interurban-intrigue/

The appearance of an Engine Driver article bodes well for a potential January release. The included screenshots are pretty awesome; i'm all the more excited for this to come out.

Zach

I happen to be fortunate enough to be a beta tester on this route and it is just awesome.

[GERUNIMO625]

Buzz you lucky stiff!

Bout dang gum time DTG put the eggnog glass down and got chopping! Just kidding.
By the way Mr. Grout if this is a "niche" product, you can consider me a proud Gtrax niche customer!
It certainly looks beautiful, lots of character.