The Lakeside Line

[ricksan]

We all enjoy visiting and participating in Railworks America; however, Internet hosts, like the one that hosts RWA, are not in business for our enjoyment. The growth of RWA has necessitated its migration from a shared file server to a dedicated server and that's not cheap. To help defray the associated costs, some of us have begun to build a "donationware" route which will be made available exclusively at this web site. All proceeds will be used solely to maintain RWA as viable concern.

Development of the route began in late November. Normally I don't announce projects until they're well on the way to completion. This time I thought it would be fun to let you to watch the route come together. It's being designed as we go according to whatever strikes our fancy, so nobody really knows what the final route will look like. Stay tuned! Post your questions and comments in this forum.

What follows is set of route specs to give you an idea of what the route is about. But first, some WIP screen shots!

PowerPlantDocks.jpg

CrossingStop.jpg

1. Locale
Upper-midwest, Great Lakes...because it's under-represented in TS. Also as an homage to of all the great model railroads based in that region that I used to read about.
2. Fact or Fiction?
Fictional but plausible...so we can do whatever we want as long as it's more or less believable.
3. Era
Transition period...allows for steam and diesel, not that you couldn't run modern equipment if you wanted.
6. Scenery
Generally flat and agricultural with a few hills up in iron country...populated areas, but nothing very big...one end of the line is on "a little known inlet off Lake Superior."
4. Size
Not more than 15 miles end to end...avoids long, in-between runs with nothing much happening. It'll also be finished that much sooner!
5. Operational Theme
Bridge line between two "major railroads" with interchange tracks at each end...small yard with steam and diesel services...primarily switching activities, which should allow for a lot of scenario opportunities...in addition to general industries, there's also an iron ore mine that generates traffic between the mine and the big loading dock over at the lake...the major railroad is essentially a 2-track loop to be used by AI trains.
7. Signals
Where appropriate...because we can and because they're fun! The bridge line already has working semaphore signals.
8. Rolling Stock
One original first-gen locomotive, the ALCo RS-1 shown above...a variety of mid-20th-century freight cars.
9. Time Frame
Available in late Spring-early Summer 2014.
10. Route Name
Working title is "The Lakeside Line," but one of you will choose the actual name. Look for more information about that in a separate post.

[BNSFdude]

That RS1 is beautiful! If you need audio, come spring, I can go record the one up in Duluth hopefully!

[bpetit]

just for the ALCO.

[5292nate]

Liking the semaphores!!!

[arizonachris]

I love it already. Looks like there's a fair amount done. I'll be waiting!

[bpetit]

Hmm how does the Valley Line sound?

[fecrails]

Very Nice! RWA is fortunate to have the talented, generous developers for a project like this!

[ricksan]

@BNSFdude You have a most grateful PM!

[Griphos]

Love me some early Alco and docks!! Something about railroads and ships together has always seemed the perfect combo to me. I come to Train simming from HO modeling, as many of us do, and I appreciate all the prototypical routes where I can imagine what it is/was like to run trains in actual operations on actual lines. That's what we were always trying to capture in out layouts I think, but I do find I kind of miss the little tightly integrated layouts that were about putting as much interesting scenery and operations into one small space as possible. That's what I did in both my early 20th c. NH layout and my later "port and logging" layout. China Clay for Export has done that, but this route looks like it's going to do a perfect job of bringing that to TS2014. Looking forward to it, and to seeing more development shots as it progresses.

[dgallina]

Looks beautiful! I'm in it for the Alco too!

Diego

[buzz456]

A few pictures from the bridge of the ore carrier Keweenaw Bay.

RWAroute1.jpg

RWAroute2.jpg

RWAroute3.jpg

[jpetersjr]

Looking great, since it's to help RWA you are more then welcome to use my buildings and 1960's cars. I give you permission to use them, repaint them, and include them in the route, my cars and my semi's.


...Cheers...


jpetersjr

[ricksan]

Thanks, Jonathan!

[MadMike1024]

I have a minor suggestion; to honor some of our great early modelers, please call the mine/ore source 'Either Ore'. The name originated on the 'Gorre & Daphetid' HO scale line by John Allen.

I will volunteer to repaint some of the wagons and help develop the logos and livery once the name is selected if you need the help.

[Chacal]

the 'Gorre & Daphetid' HO scale line by John Allen

I hadn't heard this name in more than 30 years.
I just got hit by a flood of memories.