New US route under development

[jwtheiv]

Wasn't some one working on the new haven route already?

Sorta. There's the 1950's era Springfield line which goes between New Haven, CT and Springfield, MA. This should end up being fairly different though as it's New Haven, CT to New York, NY and may be more modern era.

[NorthernWarrior]

Re Key West that could be quite interesting and the minimal land mass for much of the length ought to speed up construction (a bit). I think you would probably have to bring the route into the modern era to add a bit of interest. When I did a bit of research earlier in the week it would appear there are at least two WIP routes on the go for Trainz based on this approach and it certainly overcomes the lack of detailed technical information (track plans etc.) amongst all the general historical stuff scattered on the web.

As regards mid-West, years ago I played one of the SIAM traffic control simulations which focused on the MoPac from St Louis to Kansas City. Part of this route - maybe based out of Sedalia - could be potentially interesting. And at least it's UP/SP rather than BNSF...

Another interesting one would be the Nebraska triple track section around Kearney (as shown in the Pentrex video) but I fear North Platte Yard might be too much for the sim to handle.

Biggest problem with any flat(ish) route is that driving can get boring, I nod off on the first section of Marias Pass running east from Shelby. So in fact, something based on NYC Subway would be the perfect antidote, albeit looks as if that's not quite what we're getting. I've been downloading various cab ride clips off You Tube and the system is quite remarkable. No section is exactly alike with complex junctions in tunnels, stations that have one if not two changes in gradient through the length of the platforms and as noted much of the system is in the open air or above ground. Of course DTG would need to solve the issue of placing rolling stock on track under the terrain but it's not necessarily a bad idea...

[buzz456]

I read a book a few years back. Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean was the name of it. As I recall it had a fairly detailed map and some pictures that would give a good feel for what the route was like back in those days.

I have always thought that modeling the FEC would be a great project.

[philmoberg]

... I have always thought that modeling the FEC would be a great project.

Second that. IIRC there was a fairly well-advanced attempt at this back in the KRS days, but the project website went down a couple of years into the project.

The 1943 Topo barely hints at what was once there only a few years before.

KeyWest01.jpg

[buzz456]

If you look on Amazon for the book I mentioned above there is a route diagram for the Keys portion of the route. I tried to copy it but Amazon obviously doesn't care much for you to do that and my copy of the book was not easily to be found this morning anyway.

[buzz456]

Here's a sad tale of what might have been.
http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread ... ilway-1927

[fecrails]

That's an amazing looking job on the Key West Extension! I wasn't involved with MSTS during those later years, so I never saw those screenshots. Probably the most complete reference on FEC history is Speedway to Sunshine by Seth Bramson. It's an essential volume for all true FEC fans to have in their library.

http://www.amazon.com/Speedway-Sunshine ... o+sunshine

[buzz456]

If someone would lay the tracks I would jump on the scenery in a heartbeat.

[NSrailfan6130]

That's how i am Buzz, i will lay scenery if someone does tracks and signals.

[Chacal]

Here's a sad tale of what might have been.
http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread ... ilway-1927

Wow. The guy actually completed the route and uploaded it, and it never got in the library, and that's the last of it?

[buzz456]

That's how i am Buzz, i will lay scenery if someone does tracks and signals.

We need a track layer.

[dejoh]

I remember reading and following the development of the Key West route in 2009. I don't think there was the enthusiasm for RW as there is now. I visited (and worked) in Key West years ago, so I was interested in seeing this completed. I remember the route maker had lots of questions, but at the time did not get too many answers to his problems.
One of MANY routes that never made it to my hard drive.
http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread ... ost1476983
Seems like yesterday.

[buzz456]

I know a really good track layer who loves to do that but we need someone to do the template with terrain. I tried that once and just couldn't get my head around it.