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

[OpenRailer90]

Those Comet Is are hot! Hope to see some high door variants as well, like this:



Shouldn't be too hard to turn into a Comet II as well with some slight adjustments.

Maybe adjust the RPM? Per this site it shows w/o HEP RPM is 650-1050 https://worldwiderails.com/ge-u34ch/

[minerman146]

I will address some of the questions regarding the U34CH Model.

U34CH: We have the complete specifications, operating manual, sound and understanding the HEP operations. As much of this information that can be reflected in the model will be a part of the completed work. In addition, we have access to an Engineer from the Erie Lackawanna who operated these units in Push and Pull operations between the years of 1971 through 1978
( HI DAD! ) I operated the cab controls once in 1978. The absolute most difficult thing (so far) has been rendering the Cab, Controller and Control Stand. I can state this: Visually this is DEAD ON accurate, down to the labels on the panels.

Pullman Standard Coach/Cab Car. The Comet 1 moniker was given by New Jersey Transit, these are Pullman Coaches. The other "Comets" were built by the St. Louis Car Company, Bombardier and Alstom. This build focuses on the original delivery of the U34CH and Pullman Standard Coaches between 1971 and 1973. The sample units you are seeing SHOULD HAVE been EL - NJDOT. But because of whatever constraints, permission is required to put them onto Steam as DLC ( Which was my request). DTM, being smart, realize there is a possibility this might not happen, and furthermore, given the existence of the correct route (Morristown Line) that these units ran on, and that the route is a NJ Transit Route Extension painted the very nice "Disco" scheme as a sample. The 'Bluebird" livery for the EL-NJDOT carried on through the entire life of many of the units until they were retired. Only the EL and NJDOT logs were removed, units were renumbered and an NJT logo was placed on the front.

Cab Cars: The next challenge is recreating the original Cab as it it was originally configured with the GE 702 controller thats found on the U34CH. The visible components of the 702 in the cab will be the reverser and the throttle handles (of note for the cab car, the throttle handle is bent upwards by 15 degrees in this application) Post the 1987 Rebuild by Bombardier, the Cab controls were replaced with newer controls ( as we see in the Comet IV an V cab cars by DTG)

Comet II and other versions: It is logical and I recommended that the Comet II be done and potentially any other spin-off coaches because of the coach 'GAP' in the DTG catalogue regarding these coaches. Probability of Comet II high door version - is HIGH. Probability of Comet III - is LOW at this time.

So, I can be very clear with my interest, time and the financial support I have given this project. If I don't see an Erie Lackawanna - New Jersey Department of Transportation version of the U34CH and Pullman Coaches in this game, on Steam. I will be very disappointed. And frankly my interest in converting these to Amtrak Horizon Coaches is in approximate proportion to the fans of Amtrak having EL-NJDOT in game - which is zero. I hope this clarifies to all of you what my expectation is and where my interests lie.

Carry On!

[TheR62Fan]

So, I can be very clear with my interest, time and the financial support I have given this project. If I don't see an Erie Lackawanna - New Jersey Department of Transportation version of the U34CH and Pullman Coaches in this game, on Steam. I will be very disappointed.

Well, if they don't release a DOT version of the pack, then the experts in repainting at RWA can easily fix that.

[minerman146]

So, I can be very clear with my interest, time and the financial support I have given this project. If I don't see an Erie Lackawanna - New Jersey Department of Transportation version of the U34CH and Pullman Coaches in this game, on Steam. I will be very disappointed.

Well, if they don't release a DOT version of the pack, then the experts in repainting at RWA can easily fix that.

Thank you so much TheR62Fan what you say is very very true. All the guys here have been awesome in getting repaints and words of encouragement and so on. Great guys one an all.
My quest to get the EL in game and some respect for the railroad itself has been a looong and hard road. This specific unit is the only way, given these unconfirmed rules, I can get some one to see the EL logo on Steam for Purchase someday in, I hope the near future. I give my self a 50% chance.

In the end I will definitely be able to say I did everything I could do to bring the Erie Lackawanna into Train Simulator up to and including putting what will 6 years of work to create a route for this railroad.

Wish me good luck!

[OpenRailer90]

I will address some of the questions regarding the U34CH Model.
Comet II and other versions: It is logical and I recommended that the Comet II be done and potentially any other spin-off coaches because of the coach 'GAP' in the DTG catalogue regarding these coaches. Probability of Comet II high door version - is HIGH. Probability of Comet III - is LOW at this time.

It's perfectly understandable why the Comet III is very low in priority. We have a Shoreliner III model from DTG that provides a VERY close representation of the Comet IIIs.

So, I can be very clear with my interest, time and the financial support I have given this project. If I don't see an Erie Lackawanna - New Jersey Department of Transportation version of the U34CH and Pullman Coaches in this game, on Steam. I will be very disappointed.

Well, if they don't release a DOT version of the pack, then the experts in repainting at RWA can easily fix that.

If they need help making Quick-Drive consists for the pack, leave it to me. I am more than willing to help out.

[minerman146]

OpenRailer - thank you for your previous help and I will let DTM know about the Scenario. As you know, it will be a Morristown Line Run.

Also a note of clarification as I was just asked: "Will the EL-NJDOT get released".
Answer is YES.

The caveat is where will be it offered.

1. Steam: 50% probability
2. DTM Store 100% probability

Additional Clarification:
So, what I am so concerned about is getting the EL-NJDOT model onto STEAM. The NJT one is a definite YES for Steam.

For all you guys that have been reading this post for 4 years have heard me talk about this on many occasions, I am certain you understand my trepidation.

Last up is this interesting picture. Why so? Look at all the door and vestibule openings. Its because he has the measurements to refer to! (and many, many hi-resolution images) To me, Cesar works the model like I work the Bergen, its all the little details done very well, that help you to believe your looking at the real deal. I am VERY happy with the progress!

C34CH_053.jpg

[OpenRailer90]

If EL/NJDOT cannot make it to Steam, at least make it a generic unbranded blue/silver w/ red stripes livery and then the end user can easily post NJDOT/EL branding onto this site. IMO that works a bit more effectively.

One thing I also noticed is that the end gangways are pretty big. Is that prototypical compared to the DTG Comet?

[minerman146]

OpenRailer - they are too thick ( the vestibule seals ) - good catch, I am on it!

Please note readers, that I will get back to regular route talk shortly. Perhaps we can move this to Open Railers Thread on the DTM page.

[TheR62Fan]

What I am really excited about this pack is the possibility of being able to make a ShorelinerI and II for Metro-North. They make up about a good 45% of the push-pull fleet, (besides the WoH NJT Comet Vs) and are a staple railcar of the railroad. (But there will be a few discrepancies, just like ny repaint that is not the same original model).

[AmericanSteam]

A little Erie action.

[MaineLines]

Screenshot_New York Division - Bergen Line_41.46761--74.38969_12-14-46.jpg

[minerman146]

Great Shots - AmericanSteam and Mainlines! Those GP7/9s grow on you don't they?
With the new thread title (which was was proposed by loyal Bergen Line readers) - Maybe the Erie will rise after all. The endgame is a route conversion to its pre-1973 E-L glory. Wouldn't that be great? In the meantime, we got to finish what we started and get through Otisville already. Its just a matter of time - route building time and then we can get over the hump.

Spent the weekend with Dad and my son out in the woods looking for stew meat. While we came back empty-handed, my father passed along some really good stories, most I can't publish ( to protect the innocent and the guilty ) He really does a great job of explaining operations and traffic flow and that helps me to figure out how tell the story of this route with its operations. Those Geeps made me think of it. He set me straight on how to cut trains going into Ford Mahwah, what the "middle" was used for and I found out "ordinaries" alway run from PO to Croxton or Croxton to PO. How would you like to be tasked to pickup empties for 90 miles?

Lots of great stuff to write down and put in the Operations Manual. Thanks Dad!

[MaineLines]

Screenshot_New York Division - Bergen Line_41.45734--74.28093_15-04-12.jpg

[EngineerJohn]

I'm more of a big blue fan myself on this line. Near Newburgh


A local returns from Walden

[minerman146]

Good evening and welcome to this week's Wednesday Route Update Report Turkey Edition The issue at hand: riff off the country or the fowl that will be tomorrow's dinner. I went with the "Four Lads" option ... take it away boys! https://youtu.be/Wcze7EGorOk

Lets go to the Friday Route Update Status:

[ ] As soon as I stuff this Turkey - I'll get the route update out
[ ] I yam what I yam, a route update this Friday Man
[ ] As easy as pie - here is your update
[ } I will be frank, I cranberry the pressure anymore - update Friday!
[X] Sorry, but I had to squash this update

You think these gags are bad - The Christmas one are worse - but yule have to wait!

Let's get down to it! First up is a shout out to our picture posters: Mainelines and Engineer John! As they say - over the river and through the woods to the Bergen line we go... A few points, Mainelines shot of the bridge over the old NYO&W. He lifted his view enough to catch that marsh that I always hoped someone would see. And the wait was worth it. Engineer John, the route is completely Conrail friendly, while we are set in 2001 and drift back in to the 1960's here and there, my track maps are all from Conrail and much of thier naming goes into the route on all the roads, paths and water ways that bisect the Bergen. And EngineerJohn gets multiple bonus points for heading out to Walden on the Montgomery Branch. I would like to mention that all of my cross-bucks are completely custom as I dont have that as an asset. So, what you see are 3 fence posts configured to look like a railroad crossing sign. You will just have to use imagineering to picture the words.

As far as the building goes, we are bumping up against Otisville with roads and housing. I am still working the scenery box I posted last week. If I can drag my half in the bag butt upstairs tonight, I might gets enough in to start doing the detailing. We might see an update by next week. As always, its time. I have been away for the past 3 weekends. So, my longest sessions are about 1.5 hours. I put one down that was just 30 minutes. While I am dying to just finish this thing, I am consistently working on the route and completely at ease with carrying on to the end.

I have many distractions to my route work, home, family, work-work, and so on. I also work daily on the U34CH project and I am in daily contact with the developer, lobbying for add-ons, answering questions and fantasizing about getting my grubby mitts on the finished work. But inside the game, I can get distraction. For those who closely read, I got this thing for farms and the Dairymen of Orange County particulary. There is just something about the pungent aroma of sweaty cows in the summertime that just .... uh.... well it brings back memories - ok?

I would like to dedicate this weeks post to the Hidden Hollow Dairy Farm in Otisiville, New York. My back story on this is as follows. So, I see some farms on Shoddy Hollow Rd, which runs roughly parallel the the track and was the focus of a boatload of houses. I spot this farm with good fencing and quite a few acers. But the pasture looks wierd, its clumpy and I dont see any cows - what gives? So, I get down to street level looking for cows, signs about milk or Holsteins - nothing. So, I search for Shoddy Hollow farms and find this story about a young couple who were tenant farmers who are befriended by a man who preserved a farm. Its a long story, but worth the read.https://www.morningagclips.com/197-acre-farm-in-otisville-has-been-protected/

I can't believe, and I bet you can't either, that I do this kind of reading and research on this route to make it look like it does. And I do it, the whole darn route is just jammed with stories and history! Its just wonderful all that I have learned. It is my pleasure to bring it all to you. Now, we can to this this weeks shots of the Hidden Hollow farm. And I found out its a GOAT farm! And I got goats to put in.

20191127084755_1.jpg

20191127085050_1.jpg

20191127092115_1.jpg

Well, its 1500 feet from the track, and from the train you can just make out the farm. If you zoom to max you can see some white dots - they be the goats. Its all fun... and as Buzz knows, you never know what you missed and your last trip. So get out there and find all this stuff already!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving you guys.
Carry On!