Pacific Surfliner now here

[jmslakings]

Added them, And quad gates. Lot's of quad gates.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Added them, And quad gates. Lot's of quad gates.

What are "quad gates"?

I presume that downtown San Diego citizens don't appreciate all those grade crossings, bells ringing, horns blowing. How long does it take a 100 car freight at 15 MpH to clear a crossing? People duck under the gates, cars slalom past by the gates, accidents do happen.

The LRV line does have some grade separation but shares all other crossings with BNSF. Were there ever plans to re-route the BNSF round town?

How are the trains protected along those beaches, which must be crawling with people in summer?

[snowstorm]

First time I've shelled out full price for a route. After looking at some videos of it on YouTube, I was sold on the atmosphere. Great location and such rich scenery - looks like something out of a Need for Speed game

With the praise out of the way, here comes a quibble. I used Quick Drive to set up my dream scenario of starting at LA in the dead of night and arriving at the beautiful coastline just as the sun was coming up. But it appears night already begins transitioning to day starting around 1 AM, resulting in a dawn lasting 5+ hours. Here's midnight, 1 and 3 AM respectively:



Switching from spring to winter yielded a darker sky, but still begins brighten by 3 AM - main problem is the night-day transition remains too drawn out to be able to get the right effect just by offsetting the time.

[pschlik]

The day/night transitions are not very good in this game. Once, for me, on the Marias Pass, it was sooo dark out, but the sun was still up quite a bit.

[snowstorm]

The day/night transitions are not very good in this game. Once, for me, on the Marias Pass, it was sooo dark out, but the sun was still up quite a bit.

Put together a comparison between Pacific Surfliner (top) and Marias Pass (bottom) to get a better idea of it, showing the transition each hour from midnight to 8 AM:



Season set to spring in both routes. I do have the latest Armstrong Powerhouse lighting enhancement pack installed, but I'm not sure if it's affecting things here (Marias Pass isn't on its list of supported routes, and the last update to the pack predates Pacific Surfliner).

[OldProf]

... I do have the latest Armstrong Powerhouse lighting enhancement pack installed, but I'm not sure if it's affecting things here (Marias Pass isn't on its list of supported routes, and the last update to the pack predates Pacific Surfliner).

So, to summarize the process: 1) install a 3rd-party add-on that alters lighting; 2) complain about RSC's lighting? Clear case of cart before horse syndrome!

[snowstorm]

So, to summarize the process: 1) install a 3rd-party add-on that alters lighting; 2) complain about RSC's lighting? Clear case of cart before horse syndrome!

Fair cop if it's affecting Pacific Surfliner's apperance. Didn't seem it would as it's predates the route - question was more whether it was affecting Marias Pass. But will test it shortly and report back.

EDIT: No affect on Pacific Surfliner's appearance after getting rid of the lighting pack. However, it made a big difference in Marias, with night lighting reverting to an apperance similar to the Pacific Surfliner route. So, that's quite promising - just have to wait for Armstrong to work their magic, and Phillip now knows what to buy to improve Marias at night.

[UPSD70ACe]

I heard someone here is doing the northbound section.From Los Angeles to San Lois Obispo who is doing that for the Route?

[jmslakings]

Added them, And quad gates. Lot's of quad gates.

What are "quad gates"?

I presume that downtown San Diego citizens don't appreciate all those grade crossings, bells ringing, horns blowing. How long does it take a 100 car freight at 15 MpH to clear a crossing? People duck under the gates, cars slalom past by the gates, accidents do happen.

Honestly, between the Freeway's the airplanes landing the Baseball stadium and the Ocean traffic its easy to forget about the train noise.

The LRV line does have some grade separation but shares all other crossings with BNSF. Were there ever plans to re-route the BNSF round town?

San Diego is really hilly, Sort of like San Francisco. There is really no other place for it to be built. Most of the freight for BNSF(Hopper's/Tank's/Autorack's) is down by the ocean south of downtown. San Diego is not exactly train town USA. Other than the stuff downtown there only a few other place's for rail traffic like Airforce bases and some light commercial industries. That's about it.

How are the trains protected along those beaches, which must be crawling with people in summer?

Little to no protection along the track's. There are crossing signal's at most of the pedestrian crossing's. So yeah, lots of people at the beeches....and hot chick's-----Justin

[stuart]

Yeah, that surprised me when I looked it up on Google Earth. There generally isnt much trackside fencing along much of the route. Made a refreshing change from all this UK 'elf and Safety' where they stick fences up even where they have managed happily without them for the past 150 years.

[fecrails]

I just played a workshop scenario and I've just got to say one more time that this route is fantastic!

[imphantum]

Can someone post a picture of the map from LA-San Diego please?

[buzz456]

http://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train

[imphantum]

http://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train

Sorry Buzz I meant in-game, I just want to see how many local industries are available for switching scenarios and what not.

[dejoh]

Unfortunately, RW did not consider the propose or intentions for almost all the industrial sidings. Many of them end without any loading facilities, docks, doors, or tanker unloading.
Many sidings are just turnouts to empty space. I have been slowly adding warehouses from other route with much satisfaction. The potential is there.