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

[DKSspeed]

I've been producing and testing scenarios I been making so far and I got to say, there's A LOT you can do on this route! My first 2 scenario did pretty good for a switching scenario (I come to realize mainline running scenario will blow a switching scenario out the water most of the time). Next one should be out soon and got a few more down the pipe line. Again, AWESOME route! I would say go ahead get a team together and start making more routes but I think 7 years is enough and huge break is needed.

[pkz19]

So DTM just finished up his SD45-2 pack. I had asked him if he was going to include an EL version and he did!

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[spartantrain32]

yes, unbranded/logo-less, both Erie and Conrail

[buzz456]

yes, unbranded/logo-less, both Erie and Conrail

It will be taken care of forthwith.

[pkz19]

Yes, needs must because of licensing, but good old DTM already has a workaround in mind.

[minerman146]

Truth be told I went back and forth with DTM to wait for the official approval. Not my idea. Bless his heart he really wants to get EL out to you guys some how. And this is what he came up with. He packed it as an installer file for noobs and people like me who have no patience.

And yes, DTG you ARE pedantic and weasels.
Carry on.

[minerman146]

A post so gritty you can almost smell the sawdust and stale beer. So, inhale deeply and pull up a barstool for the Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, November 12th, 2021.

Let's get it on!

[ ] Darn it, forgot to go to Buffalo
[ ] Darn it, forgot to go to Chicago
[ ] Darn it, forgot to go to Cleveland (actaully that was on purpose)
[ X ] Route is really never done when you want to add more hookers.

That's right this is the only route with hookers and its something I am proud of. And a hint for you guys who dont explore enough, there are some 'working gals' in Hoboken. So where I was going with all this was to talk about Hoboken. As you are likely aware, I totally did up Hoboken, in ways that simply is not done for our fine game. Nobody ever askes me why. So I am going to tell you anyway.

Since it's not 1973 anymore, you are just going to have to take my word for it. It left a huge impression on my and my psyche that lasts to this day. The reason is this, the town was frozen in time when I first saw it all those years ago. Back then you could easiy feel like is was the late 19th or very early 20th century. The brick buiildings, cobbled streets, the old docks and slips and of course the Beaux-Arts Terminal. To this this day, that terminal still captures that time particularly in the lobby. So if you ever wanted to experience the 'feel' of a different time, I highly recommend a visit.

For what it's worth, I was able to see Hoboken at it's derelict worst. Then, saw it become a party town with bars everywhere and then get gentrified. Finally today, it has settled into a legitimate community on its on. And yes I hit it's gritty bars and its later, posh eateries. I even had part of my bachelor party at the Clam Broth House. But best of all it's like being in the city without all the crap you have to deal with in the city. I actually just love the place and it has so much meaning, history, grit and booze. You have to wrap your brain around the the fact that our soldiers went off to save Europe twice left for war from Hoboken. So, of course I had to translate this interest into what you see can can check out when you fire up TS and head to or out of HB. It is a very faithful rendering so maybe you could see it the was I do. So the next time your in Hoboken, hop out the train and check it out. Did you know I even put the tubes in for the Holland Tunnel? So get on the train and get thee to Hoboken - it does not disappoint.

Carry on!

[minerman146]

A day late but never a dollar short for the Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, November 19th, 2021.

Lock and load!

[ ] Rabbit Season
[ ] Duck Season
[ ] Rabbit Season
[ ] Duck Season
[ X ] Deer Season! When the route is done you get to go to camp all weekend.

Yep, it's that time of year when leaves have turned and fallen to the ground. The air is crisp and its darn cold at 5am when ya start that long walk in the woods.
There is just something special about communing with nature while armed.

People sometimes ask me, Minerman are there any good hunting spots on the Bergen? Well, you can forget Bergen and Hudson County. But pretty much all that land you see from Suffern to Mill Rift is Deer country for sure. Probably the closest point to where I hunt is Otisville. So turn turn to the North North East and go about 11 miles, its on the same ridge. And yes I thought about that while building the route. My terrain extends out to my spot, I remember putting it in. And all those fields you see are prime for hunting too. Which is another reason to visit the route and to visit Orange County NY.

Apologies for the short and late post. I had obligations all week that ran long and I hit the sack instead of typing up a storm. Next week I will be back on track. Until then...
Carry on!

[Schnauzahpowahz]

Enjoy MM. Only time I enjoy the woods down here is 3 mo out of the year, when the cold snaps slow the ticks and the chiggers down for a day or 2

And watch out what you wipe with

[minerman146]

Let us give thanks for this is the Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, November 26th, 2021.

The update status is now served.

[ ] A wild turkey deleted the route
[ ] I was drinking Wild Turkey and deleted the route.
[ ] A jive turkey told me to delete the route
[ X ] Pass the giblets! The route be done!

Speaking of Turkey!

Linky! https://youtu.be/WV9FUZTzpEQ

Tomorrow as the effects of tryptophan start to seep in and you want to pass out fast, allow me to recommend binge watching every darn video of the Bergen. So, get in your comfy chair and head on over to the New York Division - Bergen line: Video Haus here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 9jDzBhMT-3

I can do about 90 minutes before I fall stone cold asleep. Its relaxing!

109 videos spanning the 7 years of evolution of my manic episode. I had to collect them all because the route is better through your eyes. And yes, many I watch over and over. It's the visual legacy of the route. Of course, its not quite the same as the exposition on this glorious website. With the videos you just sit back, watch and bathe your eyeballs with all that eye candy while someone else drives. Not a bad deal.

In route news - I continue to track DTM and the progress of 'unbranded' SD45's and a caboose that most certainly can be used on the Bergen. Daily, I check in here on RWA to see what is shaking and check my stats and comments over at steam. Amazingly, subscriptions are added each day. For me, I am taking it easy on my 5th month of a break from this work. I promise to cajole DTM into getting something done with the U34CH so it can be released. For the record, I haven't touched the game in a month and that is okay.

With that - please have a blessed Thanksgiving with your families, stay well, endure, prosper and of course ....

Carry on.

*PS - re hunting - saw a 6 pointer on the ROAD to my hunting spot at 0545 and that was it. Im going out again on Friday. I need deer jerky!

[minerman146]

Good evening and welcome to the Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, December 3rd, 2021.

Can I keep doing this? You bet your sweet bippy I can!

[ ] Binghamton!
[ ] Newark!
[ ] Patterson!
[ X ] All the places I could have gone but alas, now we're done!

For the fun of it, I started old faithful tonight and got on the route. I still love it.

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View from oil dock at Port Jervis. Looks like it did in 1974 like I wanted it to. With all the old pictures, satellite imagery and aircraft shots from the National Archives I worked this town like no other. The grand finale that just didn't run outta gas at the end. It still cracks me up, that I gave all the NJ Transit fans their Port Jervis all right - but 45 years earlier that expected. I warned em.

The route she looks good. To just look at it, with all the work done, I can a long last just appreciate the work. There is so much to look at in Port Jervis. I would like to point out a few details. Do check out the street underpass near the roundhouse - shopping center area. Try to figure out how the heck I pulled that off. Next to the station, this was my next stumbling block that would have prevented me from doing Port Jervis ( I laid the station out 8 months before the town went in - the under pass construction was tested while I was still in Otisville) Next up, is my custom signal boards marking the mile and the track number. Each number is an asset and line between the mile and the track number - so 4 total assets (positioning was tedious) And since were in Port Jervis, note that I modeled not just the river but the Boro of Matamoras PA, and put in every house that was there all the way to Mill Rift. All we need to do is get someone who has been there to comment on how it turned out.

What great fun it all has been.

Carry on.

[goddrauG]

I've appreciated these post-release reports. There's a big difference between perceiving the route as a builder and finally being able to perceive it as all of us would. I hope it's shown you why we enjoy your work like we do .

Your dedication and attention to detail is unmatched

[minerman146]

Good evening and welcome to the Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, December 10th, 2021.

Here we go!

[ ] Looks bad
[ ] Just terrible
[ ] Worst Ever
[ X ] Not tired from all the winning with this finished route.


From my vantage here on the other side of this finished route, we are still looking good. Would you believe, it still gets subscriptions every darn day? It never ceases to amaze me. Up to this past weekend, I was getting access requests for Operations Guide, which is on my Google Drive. On Saturday, I updated the link on my Steam Page with a new URL. After the last Google update, links needed to be redone due to their security enhancements. It was fun getting requests for access every other day. I had and still have no idea what the download rate has been since I put it up. And I don't hear much about it good or bad. This ok, I will presume if there were issues or general unhappiness, I would have heard about it.

I am still kicking back and doing nothing with scenarios or repaints. This is still ok. Im tracking the released scenarios. As of today we have 11 out there. We can do better than this! Im thinking 50 should do. As you know, I am not shy about doing things myself and when I say I am going to do something I do it. My powder is staying dry for the moment.

I was thinking about the U34CH after the announcement regrading BNSF for Europe. Im so selfish, its only been 20 months waiting for a response from DTG. BNSF was an issue, for what, 6 years?

Here is a copy of my first email to DTM after the NJT U34CH was released.

On Tue, Apr 14, 2020 at 12:12 AM myname <myname@gmail.com> wrote:

How did the first week of sales go? Other than getting beat up on the horn sound and some of the texturing, the model is growing on people. We really need the Silver Nose and the NJDOT unit to come out. Will DTG let you and these two to the pack? If not, how about market place. They really need to see the work you did on the cab car. Dont be shy - Go for IT!

April 14th of 2020 The ELNJOT Engine, Coaches and Cab that you guys never got a chance to see, that's just rotting in the hands of the glorious "Licensing Team".
Tell me how good these guys are again....

Carry on

[Pwelt]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

[minerman146]

You betcha this is the legendary and famous Wednesday Route Report and Update Status for this Friday, December 24th, 2021.

Let's get to the Update Status for this week...

[ ] Ho!
[ ] Ho!
[ ] Hokus!
[ X ] Done in Ho-Ho-Kus and all the rest too!

There are just so many cool places on the route and some with funny names too. And Ho-Ho-Kus is kinda famous with it's name. It was picked as a special place by this here route builder because its at the crest of a grade, on the side of a hill and its got three tracks. So, it got the love. And yep, this place has been heavily screeshotted, sometimes here, some times on Youtube and over on Steam. I miss those days on steam, when I would check every day to look for pictures of the Bergen and find them.

Its been a season or two since we put up a Christmas card for you guys so why not this one.

A_Christmas_2021.jpg

I so owe all of guys - at least, a card.\
Merry Christmas Fellas!

Carry on.