Donner Pass from the Dockyard Works

[RSPaul]

Hi all,

I don't normally like to post about our products, but I hope you will indulge me this once.

I spent yesterday afternoon walking through Donner with Adam Lucas the studio head, and I have to say I was blown away. Simon and I kept trying to come up with the words and in the end the right one was "Epic" in the true movie sense.

I know Donner quite well but I had no real sense of the scale of the place until I saw it in sim. The project started late summer with a visit and photo survey, a light plane was hired to survey from the sky. Since then 7 guys plus a team in India have been be beavering away.... I tell you routes are a big project:-) as many of you know so well!

Yesterday I saw it properly for the first time (if I look to early I interfere, that's not good), Epic that's the only word. Chinese wall, Emigrant Gap it's all coming together and then the scale of the thing blew me away.... 240 minute scenarios, views are magnificent and then in parts, where the tracks diverge by miles it's.... Well Epic:-)!

Anyway in case you haven't seen we have posted some photos here.... http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 090&type=1

Hope the link works and hope you like it.
Paul

[Samwolf]

WOW! Extra biscuits for the entire team!

[Rich_S]

HI Paul,
I want to say up front, my comment is not meant as a negative comment more of a question on something that looks odd to me and that something is the track? It's almost looks like the ties (sleepers on your side of the pond) are too long? To my eye it looks like you used 10' long ties, making the track look like narrow gauge track? Other than that, looking good

Regards,
Rich S.

[redwhiteandblack]

It's almost looks like the ties (sleepers on your side of the pond) are too long? To my eye it looks like you used 10' long ties, making the track look like narrow gauge track?

I have been thinking the exact same thing Rich, just waiting to see if someone else might see it that way too. Aside from the tie length though, the new track with 3D ties is a definite upgrade from the standard default fare.

Also, the most recent batch of images looks quite impressive. The new lighting system really brings the route to life. And while I'll echo facebook comments regarding white sill stripes, the tunnel motor model looks great; its nice to see RSC taking the time to ensure their offerings remain as prototypical as possible.

Ryan

[MontanaRails]

Yeah, those ties definitely look too long. Honestly, that was the first thing I noticed when I saw the first WIP screenshot, "That doesnt look right...."

However, thats a small issue. I'd like to echo Ryan's comments; the route itself looks great, and the modified rolling stock is awesome - that adds a lot of value to the route. This is going to be a must have route for me.

[styckx]

This that shunting route that a BR Class 11 pulls mile long trains through tunnels up a 1.1% gradient right?

[plethaus]

I have to be brutally honest here. Many of those screenshots look very, very low detail and "blah". They literally look like they could be from MSTS, aside from the high quality locos and stock. I'm really not trying to troll or anything, I'm really happy that more US stuff is in the pipeline, but in these screens it almost looks unfinished, like the creator(s) have only laid down the track work and some basic treelines and stopped there...

[hminky]

I have to be brutally honest here. Many of those screenshots look very, very low detail and "blah". They literally look like they could be from MSTS, aside from the high quality locos and stock. I'm really not trying to troll or anything, I'm really happy that more US stuff is in the pipeline, but in these screens it almost looks unfinished, like the creator(s) have only laid down the track work and some basic treelines and stopped there...

Have to agree it doesn't look as good as 3dtrainstuff's MSTS route in OpenRails or screens of TrainzItalia's Trainz Route. The overlong ties look awkward at best and are a big issue.

Hopefully the release will look better.

Harold

EDIT: 3dTrainsuff's Donner in OpenRails

[styckx]

[Hawk]

Do we really care what the MSTS and Trainz versions look like? I don't.

[micaelcorleone]

I have to be brutally honest here. Many of those screenshots look very, very low detail and "blah". They literally look like they could be from MSTS, aside from the high quality locos and stock. I'm really not trying to troll or anything, I'm really happy that more US stuff is in the pipeline, but in these screens it almost looks unfinished, like the creator(s) have only laid down the track work and some basic treelines and stopped there...

I agree and yes, I know it's still WIP, so just some suggestions:

- Why is there no ballast "paint" under the tracks? - It currently looks like a model layout with plug-rails just placed on the ground.
- More detail along the tracks, please. E.g. little rocks, high grass, bushes and RR equipment, such things.

I miss the love for the little detail.
Other than that it already looks very nice. I like the new SD40T-2. More screenshots, please.

[Eric165]

Ok "Work in progress" .... oh please call spec5sx to finish the job

[hminky]

Do we really care what the MSTS and Trainz versions look like? I don't.

If it is payware shouldn't the quality be at least as good

I know all you guys will shell out the money because it is Railworks.

But some of us won't.

Harold

[Hawk]

If it is payware shouldn't the quality be at least as good

I would hope it would be better.

[hminky]

I would hope it would be better.

I was hoping for "better" compared to the other "sims" payware routes. The WIP doesn't look like it since it is a November release.



Seeing the same "Railsimulator" trees is a turn-off.

Harold