New York Division-Bergen Line: Episode III, The Erie Rises

[alanch]

Flying Burrito Brothers - now you're talking!

[Pwelt]

I would like to run steam on the Bergen Line. Are there any Erie steam locos available?

[minerman146]

Just one. An Erie Berkshire repaint here on RWA in the library.

Get my roiling stock from http://golden-age-rails.com/index.html. and the Erie Heavyweights and da Cabeese and you will be on your way for some action!

[Pwelt]

Thank You
I have your heavyweights already.

[buzz456]

This is interesting. What other steam engines were common on the Erie?

[minerman146]

I always heard alot about the K5 Pacific's. I presume because they were used at the end of the steam era for commuter service.

[Pwelt]

Hello
I can't see to find the erie berkshire repaint here on rwa. I could not be searching correctly.

P Welt

[buzz456]

Hello
I can't see to find the erie berkshire repaint here on rwa. I could not be searching correctly.

P Welt

Do this in the search box: Weathered Berkshires
Should get you there.

[Pwelt]

Thank You I have the Berkshires . Will run them on Bergen and Morristown Line. Many years ago I used to sit at the Dover NJ station and watch the steam trains.

[minerman146]

I am still lurking around. I keep typing my 'end of days' post and then puss out and don't publish it.

The rumours of my demise were greatly exaggerated. And so here we go again for the Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, October 1st, 2021.

Another week has rolled on by and here we are again to get it on!

And our route update status which never gets old:

[ ] Looking done here boss!
[ ] Done, the hard way
[ X ] Stick a fork in it!

Let me tell you I do try to keep this thing upbeat and on the other hand I want to let it all hang out. So, lets see how I do tonight.

12 years ago the SHTF for me in several critical areas of my life. I didn't know what to do and I needed a distraction. I ended up building a 12 by 16 foot HO scale layout of what else, Suffern, NY. And me and Minerman Junior had many many hours of fun building it and playing on it and running the trains around. Building my dream layout was something I was to wait until retirement for, but I had a realization that time is short and it is always better to do now than put off until tomorrow for your dreams. 5 years later, I stumbled on to this here simulator and realized that it would be possible to do what I thought would have taken a full size gymnasium and 15 years to complete. 7 years later here we are.

** 3 Highly Critical Paragraphs Omitted**

Hey DTG are you going to release the EL-NJDOT U34CH and Pullman Standard Coaches or not - YES or NO? Choose one already were getting on it years now.
God, they are so vapid.

Carry on!

[minerman146]

Here I go posting a very light Wednesday Route Report and Update for this Friday, October 8, 2021

Annd the old update status:

[ X ] yep, she be done.

I am so enjoying the time off and rest. And even though I really really want to burn the house down, I will keep 'em guessing for the time being.
Lucky for me I am on the EL Facebook page. Did I ever mention that the only dern reason I got on to that sticking pile of digital trash was to talk to DTM and propose my U34CH. The only good that came out of it is in fact - the EL facebook page. And its pretty good - you get some old timers posting and some awesome material from a former EL dispatcher that is so good - you could use if for scenarios. In the picture below, this freak railroad that has one of the most unimaginative paint jobs in the world( I own CSX stock by the way) is somewhere you could not possible recognize. But unlike some route builders who think they can "fake it till the make it" down in Maryland because they are the ''chosen' few, this here amateur uses the same crap they do and wipes the floor with them.

ahyaknow.JPG

And this pic is from just a week ago - love it!
I'll clue you in on a little secret as I know both frames of reference. The difference between me and them is that I draw my from my experience on a railroad, on the dern track and in the cab - their frame of reference were HO scale layouts featured in Model Railroad Magazine from 30 years ago. Think about it .. look at how they place stuff - looks like a darn model train layout. And if someone has a problem - fight me!

So, whats cooking - other than seething rage? I keep thinking about doing scenarios - but I'm not sure I personally want to support the steam workshop - like what have they done for me? But that is what I am thinking about. I do want to point out that the boys over at OVS Rails continue to chug out Bergen scenarios. Bless them for what they do. I will keep thinking about what I want to do and when I make my peace then I can do something.

Loving the shots over at the Any Route And Era 2020 thread - Keep working those sidings!

Carry on.

[mindenjohn]

Scenarios could be posted on this site where you are appreciated.

To help your blood pressure a little (and I do understand the frustration) - just as in Art so in route building there are the Michelangelos and there are the Warhol/Banksy's both extremes have a place and all points in between. Most routes are "Impressionists"(being based on fact but not totally accurate) rather than "Portraits" (based on fact (with imperfections sometimes being omitted - must remember who the Patron is/was) but very close to the "real" thing), there is a "market" for both and then there are the imaginary (the Germans rightly call them "Fantasy"). The best of all is how many of us choose, there are very few masterpieces so if we did not so choose our screens would be bare.

[minerman146]

Thank you Mindenjohn. The thought crossed my mind being a landscape artist with an ax to grind. That doesn't end well.

My issues are: I have to accept what I have no control over, I do need a righteous venting and I need to continue my good works.

I did everything I could to bring honor to the Erie Lackawanna. Instead I get locked out and Western Maryland. The 1970s riff coming out of the chosen few is killing me.

I got 100 miles, a 100 consignees, commuter rail, bridge traffic, mountains, swamps, tunnels, electric, farms and New York ** City. All with 60mph track. The whole route supports scenarios from its conception. It covers a division with two terminus.

And I can't get even a side eye from these people.

You guys see it. Schnauzapowah has recorded it. And I documented what I did and why. And nuthin..

In spite of all my angst the best thing that ever happened to me and my sin was Matt Peddlesden covering this route almost a dozen time on his workshop Wednesday channel. He loves train simulator and he gave me the bug for it. We 6 years ago thought, wow, they are following us..
Let's do this right..maybe something good will come of it.

Don't think that was the only reason. I read every negative comment about routes before I got building the Bergen. That also influenced me greatly to give you guys what you were crying for...a North American route that was real, nailed the prototype and gave you a purpose, a sheet ton to do and backed it up with support, taking user feed back and documenting it so ya didn't get lost.

And I would do it again. It was great and an honor to do it.

Carry on.

[mindenjohn]

And the community is honoured by your work.

Carry on (to coin a phrase)

[DKSspeed]

I'm trying to produce a few scenarios for your route but I need a little help. I just need to know what RRs operate on the route, where, and how far? I try to make my scenarios realistic but fiction (I don't have the time or energy to make a life like scenario to the T. Too much research) but nothing crazy like a UK train pulling a mail truck while the Big Boy is mid-DPU (Check out some of my work on the Steam workshop). I already know NS, NJT, and NY&SW is on the route but are there any others? Thanks!