The Folkston Funnel

[dfcfu342]

I've always wanted to build this route and with RSC now releasing officially licensed CSX locomotives I decided to go ahead and start. The goal is to recreate the CSX A-Line from Moncrief yard in Jacksonville, FL up to Folkston, Ga and then travel up the Jessup Subdivison to Rice Yard in Waycross, Ga for a total distance of approximately 70 rail miles. From Moncrief to Folkston is entirely 79/70 mph double track with the exception of a 55 mph curve in Callahan, Fl. From Folkston to Waycross is a single main with two 10,000 foott passing sidings, all at 70 mph. I feel the high track speed, relative flatness of the route, and high train volumes (40-60 trains per day) are a welcome change to most U.S. freight routes built for TS2014 that involve steep grades and slow speeds. There are also six Amtrak trains that run along this route per day but only station (Jacksonville, FL) lies within the confines of the map. The route is also butted on both ends by two large yards providing ample switching opportunity. Map courtesy of ATCS Monitor with planned route highlighted in green:

Route Schematic.jpg

So far I have track laid through the city of Folkston and about a mile up the Jessup Subdivision; and from Folkston south to the Boulogne crossover. The city of Folkston has been mostly modeled but that's it as far as scenery. While I seem to have a knack for and enjoy laying track and placing signals (I've always been one to like messing with mechanical and and intricate things), I get bored very quickly of placing scenery so progress in that department will be slow. I'm also a full-time student and work 30-40 hours a week to pay for school so only an hour here or there will be available to work on the route. I have no release date and no target date to be finished, this is more of a project for me than anything. I do plan on releasing the route when finished if there is enough interest.

The track work and signals will be prototypical (I like that stuff remember?) but the scenery will be Darrell-typical since I will be using pre-made assets due to my potatoes for hands when it comes to creating anything in 3D and my total lack of an eye for making things look pretty. I'm certainly open to anyone willing to jump on and help with the project, specifically scenery, but I'm not looking to coordinate any large group effort, my free time is limited as it is.

I will post updates with the route in this thread and for now a few screenshots of the double track through downtown Folkston.

-Darrell

Looking north from the south end of town:

Looking north.jpg

The Folkston turnout. The A-line continues north and the Jessup Subdivision turns off to the left:

Folkston Turnout.jpg

The Martin Street crossing:

Martin Street.jpg

Looking south through town from the turnout:

Looking South.jpg

[jonmorrie]

OOOOOOOOOH, looks nice! Good luck on the route; there's such a demand for some good CSX stuff, I hope that's proper motivation

[Chacal]

It's looking good already!

I'm also a full-time student and work 30-40 hours a week to pay for school

I salute you.

[arizonachris]

Yeah, wow, Darrell, this is really looking good. And I'm with 'ya right there, brother, about the speed limits on most existing US routes. Even with pretty mountains, bridges, water & stuff, 35 ~ 40 mph gets old fast.

Wish I knew how to model/ place scenery, I'd jump in and help. Then again, last few months have been very busy down at the battleship, so I'd be about like you time- wise. Don't let it burn you out, it's supposed to be fun, like Buzz says.

[GRE3839]

nice job and btw thanks for taking my idea(Just Kidding with you ) but if you need any help with placing the crossing signals i will take those off of your hand. those pictures are outstanding and keep up the great work with the route and good luck with your schooling!!!
take care
GRE3839
PM me if you need any help or advice about route building and signals and what not and keep in mind the bigger the route is, the quicker it will burn you out but always remember don't venture too far out on the tracks because you sure don't want to end up in jail for trespassing on railroad property and this goes for everyone be safe when out railfanning. most railroads own between 60-100 feet of right away on each side of the tracks and where you see the crossing signals thats the boundry for the railroads property line and make sure you know where the signs are posted because the railroads have gotten tougher when it comes down to people walking on the tracks and trespassing as well the fines are upwards of $1,000 plus up to 5 years in federal Prison and this is my advice for everybody who reads this thread or any thread that relates to railfanning or route building of real railroads. Railroads are a Federal Property!!

[dfcfu342]

Have the track work and 75% of the signaling done between Folkston and the Dinsmore connection. About four more miles of mainline and then it will be time to start on Moncrief Yard. All curves have been laid with easements and super elevation

Few more screenshots to leave you with:

2014-05-01_00004.jpg

2014-05-01_00005.jpg

2014-05-01_00008.jpg

2014-05-01_00010.jpg

[dfcfu342]

nice job and btw thanks for taking my idea(Just Kidding with you ) but if you need any help with placing the crossing signals i will take those off of your hand.

If you're willing to place both the roads and the crossing signals you have a deal. I can't seem to get the traffic links placed correctly, there's always cars from one direction that stop and then from the other direction they continue through the gates.

Thanks for the well wishes on school everyone

[imnew]

Another route builder joins the pack Nice work !

[CSXK921]

gives me a little more hope that ill get annother beutiful route to mess arouned on.

[buzz456]

There are several in process. It is an exciting time.

[wackyhuman]

> There are several in process. It is an exciting time.
More important is that they get finished.

Good luck dfcfu342!

[dfcfu342]

> There are several in process. It is an exciting time.
More important is that they get finished.

Good luck dfcfu342!

Thanks! It will get finished... eventually. Like I said before there is no timeline or set release date or even a goal time really. But it will be finished.

Update: Signaling is complete between Folkston and Dinsmore as well as all track grading. Nice smooth, rolling north Florida hills to cruise over at 70 mph in your intermodal express blasting through crossings and small towns

[wisrailfan]

Sweet! I liked running this route in MSTS but always lamented the fact that there were no siding names so I never knew where I was unless I started in Jacksonville or Waycross. Nice pics of the progress so far!

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

the CSX Units DTG has would go nicely on this.

Looking Forward to it

~BNoakville

[dfcfu342]

Another progress update!

I've finished the track work down into Moncrief Yard and have the yard 90% completed. The Jacksonville Amtrak station has it's track laid and connected to the mainline ready for the Silver Service to make their four times daily stops. As always I'll leave you with a few screen shots:

Moncreif Map (1).jpg

North Moncreif yard entrance.jpg

Moncreif north yard.jpg

Moncreif south yard.jpg