Thurmont and Branford: Third time's the charm (maybe)

[bswitzrw]

Really nice work Jack. Glad you didn't give up on this little beauty.

[buzz456]

Look forward to some travel on this.

Screenshot_ Alabama Route Railroad_42.96990--121.46157_12-00-49.jpg

[goddrauG]

Thank you guys.

I figure I should also get some administrative stuff out there:

1. Requirements
Payware:
-RWA Lakeside (Railworks America)
-Marias Pass (Steam Store)
-VNHRR (Steam Store)
-Horseshoe Curve (Steam Store)

Freeware:
-G-TraX Maine Maritime Switching Route
-RCAP Community Assets project (Railworks America)
-Both of Jpetersjr Covered Bridges (Freeware at https://jpetersjr1.wixsite.com/big-j-pr ... /downloads)
-John Lippai's New River District Trestle Pack

I didn't intend for Marias Pass to be on this route, but when I clicked on the Ski Lodge model my mind immediately went back to my days snowboarding at Gunstock Mountain in NH, and I felt like I had to add it. Also, lots of vegetation is based on MP assets.

2. Route History

To help guide my route construction, I typed up a history and description of the railroad. For anyone curious, I'm sharing it here as a PDF. It's 6 whole pages of stuff, so don't feel like you need to read the whole thing.

I'm currently away from my desktop, but as soon as I come back I'll get those track speeds fixed up. Cheers!

[goddrauG]

So I think (think) it's done. Can someone direct me to a good spot for what the current uploading situation is? Seems to have changed since I've been here...

[buzz456]

So I think (think) it's done. Can someone direct me to a good spot for what the current uploading situation is? Seems to have changed since I've been here...

If you have it loaded to somewhere just send chacal the link to where it's at and he will get it into the library.

[goddrauG]

So I have encountered a peculiar issue. This will definitely help me with making sure the track speeds are where they should be

Because for reasons I cannot explain the route has deleted all the tracks. Quite a curious issue. Release is probably gonna be delayed by a bit but it'll be done at some point soon-ish.

[goddrauG]

So here's where things stand as of 11:11 AM EST.

20211115111038_1.jpg

All the mainline tracks (of the T&B, and the short mainline bits of the NECR and CSX) have been relaid down, along with the Hinsdale Branch, Thurmont City Branch, and the Branford Industrial track.

This leaves me with:
- Yard trackage
- Industrial spurs
- Railroad crossings
- Place names

None of this should take too too long. Hopefully. I'm making backups after backups so this doesn't occur again.

In the meantime, here's a pretty little picture from the Hinsdale branch.

20211111195217_1.jpg

Gonna take a break with some Battlefield, then I got marketing to go to. But then it's right back to work! No rest for the weary...

[harryadkins]

Jpetersjr Covered Bridges website is dead

[goddrauG]

Oh darn, I should have updated the link.
https://jpetersjr1.wixsite.com/big-j-pr ... /downloads

[harryadkins]

Google says I need access to download covered bridges

[goddrauG]

Yeah, learned that too. Basically you request it and jpetersjr himself sends it to your gmail.

Also, the route is done. Scenarios besides the free roam will probably come as another package since I'm a bit too afraid of having the route get its trackage deleted for a second time.

Expect it to be uploaded fairly soon!

[goddrauG]

I sent a preliminary copy to a super secret super covert beta tester (Buzz) and together we noted a few tiny issues to work out. This is also coupled with a super busy week ahead of me for college.

In the meantime, though, I found some pretty cool pictures of the Claremont and Concord (T&B's inspiration) I'd love to share.

Screenshot (3320).jpg

Screenshot (3321).jpg

Screenshot (3322).jpg

I try to restrain myself from adding more street/shoulder running trackage since that'll just delay the release. But good lord, did this operation look cool.

[goddrauG]

Excellent news: I have shipped the route off to Chacal. I think I did it properly but time will tell.

Now for some sentimentalism.

I want to thank you all— those who helped with the route design and repaints, those who offered never ending words of encouragement, and those who simply clicked on this thread— for your support. I reinstalled Train Simulator and the T&B during a mental rough patch, with a lot going on in my real life. It was (and still is) pleasantly relaxing to simply wind down at the end of a day by sitting down, booting up the route, and having a good time with my friends while building the route.

Note: most of the rail served industries are named for my friends— none of whom are interested in railroads— who helped guide this route’s construction (“I think a marsh would look cool here. How about some urban space here?”).

I don’t quite know what I’ll be doing next. Chances are I’ll make a scenario package, knowing that a version of the route will be safe and sound from the bug that deletes all the route’s tracks when I try to make a scenario. I got a few ideas, from tourist excursions that point out the route’s features to running bridge traffic along the line, and of course your good ol’ switching scenarios.

Again, even though the route hasn’t officially seen its re-release, I still wanted to thank you guys for your help.

[mindenjohn]

Thank you for persevering. Route building can be frustrating, rewarding, therapeutic and did I mention frustrating but worthwhile in the end. Looking forward to driving over the route once more (and beyond).

[Chacal]

Now available in the file library.