Railworks America

Hi all! Been toying around with this for a little while now and finally got it work in the game. It's none animated at the moment so you won't be able to load trains with it once it's done. I am still working on the texturing but I think it's coming along well. Input please. This is only part of the model, the rest will be separate sections but, once complete should resemble a more modern day coal loading facility like those seen in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and elsewhere I'm sure.

Could you post a photo of a side-by-side loading silo? I don't believe I've ever seen one.

Actually, I don't believe they exist and in reading your comment I realized I did assemble my model incorrectly. I guess I got too caught up in the building process. Some minor re-arranging of pieces parts and I'll have this fixed. I am using this photo as my example. And I will be working on the supports and conveyor system as well to make this a more complete facility.

Conveyor Belt is coming, I will be working on it this week and working on bettering the textures of the silo too.

That looks like Black Thunder West...If not, then it's definitely somewhere along the PRB. Make your silo opening 12' wide x 15' high, and then proportion the rest of the model to the picture. Here's a close-up of the silo at Belle Ayr just up the road from Black Thunder:

Thanks Hack! I was just looking up some actual dimensions but i didn't have the the opening sizes, so this will help tremendously!!

The measurements are my best guess - the EPA is fairly strict on the dust, so the smallest opening makes sense (to me), which barely clears the sides and roof of a locomotive.

Hack, thanks again for the info. I have started over on my silo project and I am using the Belle Ayr mine as my model. The photo you posted and Google Earth are coming in handy and my project is moving right along.

Hack wrote:The measurements are my best guess - the EPA is fairly strict on the dust, so the smallest opening makes sense (to me), which barely clears the sides and roof of a locomotive.

I have a couple horns that happened to be unlucky enough to visit the PRB.

All right, I though I would post a pic of the progress so far. I am getting close to the texturing stage

BNSFdude wrote:I have a couple horns that happened to be unlucky enough to visit the PRB.

Clogged or damaged from impact?

Hack wrote:

BNSFdude wrote:I have a couple horns that happened to be unlucky enough to visit the PRB.

Clogged or damaged from impact?

Chipped bells. I managed to reweld a new fabricated flare onto the bells though and grind the TIG weld to be flush again. Can barely tell it was broke! Grain Elevators are a good cause of horn amputation too.

I will be working on this project as much as possible all this weekend and over the holidays too. I don't want to commit to a date just yet but, I will say soon.

Been working feverishly on this project and thought I would give you all an updated preview. Hope you all like it. And don't worry, it's not going to be one big model.

Very nice!