Railworks America

Hello all, I am still working on the CSX S&NA North Sub but progress is fairly slow for the fact that I worrying about detail far away from where the players train will be.
I took a huge break on the work streak I was on because of life events and for the fact at how daunting this stuff can be.

Does this distant scenery look okay? This is what puts me behind on this route is the very small details that a player wont notice when driving unless they were really rivet counting..

As a fellow route builder, I am torn by this also. It can be a difficult to decide how much detail to put in. If you are running from the cab only, this is more than sufficient. If you are running continuous from an outside perspective like I find myself doing more often, it can make you rethink your level of detail and how far you should add. I try to follow the following guidelines for myself:

Level 1: Out to 250 meters from track, highly detailed scenery unless there is a specific scene I need to recreate such as a large major industry or scenery feature. Includes correct roads, building placement, tree clusters using Google Maps. 3D trees, highly detailed structure and scenery objects are used. This zone is where most of us watch from track side in the sim unless looking at a larger scene such as watching a train run through a series of curves or a major scene such as the Tehachapi Loop in California.

Level 2: From 250 meters to 500 meters from track, medium detailed scenery, Includes correct roads, building placement, tree clusters using Google Maps. 2D trees, less detailed structure and scenery objects are often used. In this zone it will more difficult to appreciate more detailed objects so less are needed. Most times anyone looking from this zone towards the track would be in more of an aerial perspective than ground level.

Level 3: From 500 meters out from track out as far as is needed, 2000 meters+, correct major roads where needed (does not include all side roads), less detailed structure and scenery objects are used along with more generic placement. In this zone and this far from the track you will not be able to see any major detailed objects. Most times anyone looking from this zone towards the track would be in more of an all aerial perspective as scenery would block most viewing at ground level.

Your route looks great thus far. Happy building.

Some more scenery work done on the L&N between N.E Cornersville and S.E Lewisburg


South End of Lewisburg Siding

North End of Cornersville looking toward Lewisburg

I live in Decatur and have spent a lot of time up in your neck of the woods. Looks terrific. I personally like the hazy back ground. Looks just like summer down here. Are you going all the way down to Boyles with it? Hayden, Diana, & Blount Springs tunnels will be cool. I have always wanted to be inthe cab going north up Ardmore Ridge and through that one as well. Keep up the good work.