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Skyline User's Forum _ Templates _ Connecticut River Template

Posted by: dgionet Sep 3 2017, 02:34 PM

Hello to all,

Following the release of the huge (I say huge!) BLW/ZT Conn River freight this week-end, The Conn River Template project is now on.

First of all, I wish to say thanks to Paul Charland for this great route he had done, not only for the quality of the route but the realistics he brings to many of his routes, the feel we encounter for the timeframe ( 1957) he had set it. Well done Paul!

Also congratlations to Rick Franzosa and his team for a wonderful freight set to complement the route. There has been a lot of work, not only for the stock itself, but also for the selection of the appropriate material for this era and region. It took a lot of research to get this right, even the consists to reflect some of the trains that ran along. Great Job guys!

As some know, I took extra time to do some research on my own. The timeframe is expected to be around 1960, after the end of steam past 1957 and before 1961, the year CN and subsidiaries (including CV and GT) started to implement its noodle logo throughout the CN, CV and GT network. Other than the BLW/ZT freight pack, only one download is expected so far: C-Liners from Trainsim. That one I will probably use for the CV freight through the mainline.

CV Geeps appeared in late 1957. Unfortunately, there are no CV Geeps in the older livery in TS. Only Ed's trains have one payware CN set available in the older livery. This set has been used as an option to those who had used the Stowe Northern Template. I would like to use it in the template, but that would require for some to buy the set in addition to the ConnRiver set. You opinion in adding it or not will be appreciated.

As I have started the template project, an issue has arisen: Some of the sidings in Westboro and Btattleboro have unstretched sidings. I will have to contact Paul for his approval to proceed in modifying the TDB file while keeping the original files for those who wish to return to the original route settings.

That's it so far.

Will keep updating later with new developments

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 5 2017, 02:12 PM

hi Dennis - I've forgotten what information I've given you.

I have a spreadsheet of freight cars I used in making up the BLWZT set - you might be interested to see what *else* was running that didn't make it into the set. As well as a list of the kind of cars taken by different industries up and down the line.

In the late fifties the local out of Bellows Falls was replaced by a 3 day a week through train that switched local industry.

Passenger service was falling fast in the late fifties and increasingly run by budd cars. I found some B&M consist books online.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Sep 5 2017, 06:33 PM

Hi to all,

Here are the latest developments: Paul Charland gave me the permission to stretch or add some sidings (where needed). Changes were done at White River Jct, Westboro and Brattleboro. This will allow some work that wouldn't have been possible without these modifications. Many of the sidings had unstretched markers. This is now corected. Thanks Paul, much appreciated!

I have successfully marked all sidings and started attributing the proper type of cars to sidings. A lot of work is still to be done there. However, all regions have been defined and that lead to the first SLG-generated template. There are 220 serviceable sidings.

I am happy to present images of the first SLG-generated activity of the template project, which is actually more a test run than an activity to see the railfill. With 500 cars as railfill, starting the activity at White River Jct saw the FPS at around 40 ( with Open Rails). Once leaving WRJ, the FPS starts to climb to a reasonable level. I am not sure this will run on MSTS with such detail and railfill.

I have not set traffic yet. I want to finish giving the proper car types to the remaining sidings before starting the templates.

The images: Based on one image posted by Paul recently at Trainsim, I have also used C-Liners for the CV.

https://flic.kr/p/YaJyTWhttps://flic.kr/p/YaJyTW by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YaJyNAhttps://flic.kr/p/YaJyNA by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YaJyJChttps://flic.kr/p/YaJyJC by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YaJyFbhttps://flic.kr/p/YaJyFb by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

More to come later

P.S. Chris, I am interested to have your additional info as suggested to help me with creating activities. My e-mail is photoman_57 at hotmail dot ca
Thanks for your assistance.

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 7 2017, 10:54 AM

Dennis, hopefully you are now digesting all the stuff I sent. Do you have maps that show the correct names of all the sidings? I can provide.
here is Bellows Falls, for example:
http://hostthenpost.org
Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Sep 8 2017, 07:44 PM

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for all the information you have sent me. A lot of docs indeed.

I have been checking all these files since and trying to sort out slowly some scenarios.

I am currently working on two templates depicting the B&M SJ-1 and JS-2 trains between White River Jct and Brattleboro. The SB JS-2 has some work at WRJ, Claremont and Concord connection, Bellows Falls and Brattleboro while the NB SJ-1 has work at Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and WRJ.

One question that arise during construction of the first template, the JS-2 template. On the B&M timetable, it is said that B&M trains drop and pickup cars at Brattleboro. Since the B&M turns East moving away from Central Vermont's Brattleboro main Yard without reaching it, where does the pick and drop actually occur for Brattleboro?

As for your last post, I had major changes to some of the main yards at WRJ and Brattleboro. That means that some of the sidings names had been renamed or new ones had been created to accomodate the oncoming templates. Not sure if this can help now with all the changes. Will consider it as the template project advances.

Thanks for your help

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 9 2017, 05:41 AM

Denis, is the issue that there are duplicate siding names? I think there may have been.

I'm not actually sure about the Brattleboro question, so I've raised the question on the B&M yahoo group.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Sep 9 2017, 06:56 AM

Hi Christopher,

Yes, for the duplicate sidings issue. A lot of work had been done in WRJ to correct this issue. Since there were two sets of markers in many of the sidings there, I did use them both in most cases, stretching and adding to the second siding one suffix such as West or South ( can't remember exactly) so the user can pick or drop cars from both ends of the siding. Here's an example of what has been done inside the B&M yard in WRJ

https://flic.kr/p/XXbpRChttps://flic.kr/p/XXbpRC by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Here an illustration of the Brattleboro yard area versus the B&M trackage, crossing the Connecticut river away from the yard.

https://flic.kr/p/YyeQYahttps://flic.kr/p/YyeQYa by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Thanks Christopher for following the issue

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 10 2017, 11:36 AM

Denis, it ocurs to me that you may not know that the B&M and CV south of Brattleboro were set up for directional running and the B&M was northbound only and the CV southbound. So all southhbound trains of B&M, freight and passenger, ran on CV through Bratt yard.

From Vic (who used to work for CP), I received the following:

"If there weren't any southward trains opposing a northward required to work BO, the northward would receive a running order to run extra over the CV Palmer Sub, thus conveniently putting it into BO Yard. Time and distance between East Northfield and BO being relatively short, a southward could be held at BO for the northward or vice-versa. Rare occurrences requiring a northward thru train to work BO yd while running via Dole Jct, they'd just cut off their pwr and run lite eng in reverse from the sta to the yard to make their set-off or pick-up."

Posted by: dgionet Sep 10 2017, 03:30 PM

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for the information. Very helpful. Yes, East Northfield and BO are only 10 miles apart and allows interchanging at East Northfield back to the B&M trackage. It will be easier with building templates in this area.

Thanks again, I will now resume work on the project

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 11 2017, 11:11 AM

More from Vic (SY = South Vernon, also known as East Northfield):

" Just remember the basic premise of the two tracks between SY and BO was for northwards of both roads to run on the NH side, and southwards of both roads on the VT side (Palmer Sub). All tracks, CV and B&M, were governed by B&M rules and timetables, and were dispatched by B&M, out of Greenfield (before moving their G'field and Boston ofcs into Billerica).

"Same applied on the CV Windsor Sub that extended between "WR" (Windsor) and "J" (WRJ sta). This allowed for easy flexibility between SY (East Northfield) and BO (Brattleboro), as everything was under the control of the same [B&M] dispr. CV controlled none of their own track between SY and J, where trains of both roads enjoyed running rights over each others trks, which cont'd to be maintained by the owner roads.

* Previously, pre-NECR, only B&M had any CTC at all within these limits (J-SY) (CV had none anywhere), and that CTC they had was limited to their own trackage: SY to BO via Dole Jct, and continuing northward to WR. The CV stretch between SY and BO was dark (unsignaled) territory; and the stretch between WR and J had only ABS type signaling. Train orders were req'd to move in ABS territory, same as in dark territory; except for first class [psgr] trains having timetable authority, under B&M and GTI rules.

Posted by: dgionet Sep 14 2017, 06:54 PM

Hello to all,

I am happy to share 15 screens of the first completed SLG generated template. It is for the JS2 template. As for the real life work for the JS-2 train, the simulated run has handled cars in WRJ, the C&C intercharge area, at Bellows Falls and finally Brattleboro. At the C&C interchange, I had to push back the South Leg siding to allow some work there and to clear the road to allow passage of cars while the railcars wait to be picked up. After the final pickup at Brattleboro, the user will continue to Vernon.

I have created sidings at each end of the route (to Wells River, Montpelier, Rutland, Dole Jct and Vernon) to simulate continuation of the run. The user will have to select as final destination one of the 5 designated sidings if requested in the template. This has been done with earlier templates. Without this arrangement, it will be difficult to have a reasonable number of cars on the initial train. Once the train enters the siding limits, whatever the speed, the activity will end.

Here are the first 10 pictures:

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96Byhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96By by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YsWpUohttps://flic.kr/p/YsWpUo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96zQhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96zQ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96y7https://flic.kr/p/Xs96y7 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96x5https://flic.kr/p/Xs96x5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96wyhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96wy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96vShttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96vS by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96uEhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96uE by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96tYhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96tY by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96sfhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96sf by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The other shots on the next post

Posted by: dgionet Sep 14 2017, 07:02 PM

The remaining shots:

https://flic.kr/p/YsWpJJhttps://flic.kr/p/YsWpJJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96oNhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96oN by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96myhttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96my by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xs96ishttps://flic.kr/p/Xs96is by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YsWpuWhttps://flic.kr/p/YsWpuW by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Xu9Wythttps://flic.kr/p/Xu9Wyt by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The traffic train that is included is the EJ-1 which runs on the approximate schedule as seen in one B&M timetable.

I have created a new siding at Brattleboro, that is the 'Brattleboro interchange track'. That will allow the Southbound JS2 train to handle cars there without going to the main Yard, in case the train is rerouted to the other side of the river towards Dole Jct.

Will update as developments progresses

Posted by: dgionet Sep 16 2017, 08:19 PM

Hello to all,

Here are shots of the most recent template. This is the Rutland RX2-XR1 template. It starts around 9h35 AM West of Bellows Falls (BF) on the Rutland line. It is a local run which comes to BF as the RX-2 and returns back as the XR-1. Like the JS-2, this one reflects, to a certain point, the real thing. The SB CV 430, known as the Newsboy, crosses BF at around the same time and is the only traffic AI in the template. The train is small, only one RS-3 as motive power. The user will be able to select up to 8 cars in the initial train and will have lots of work to handle the cars to pick and drop. On the current SLG-generated activity, it took two hours to do the work (10 cars to handle). The RX-2 came with 5 cars and left as the XR-1 with 5 other cars. Like for the JS-2, the activity ends once reaching the limits of the siding called `To Rutland`at the end of this section, whatever the speed of entry.

The pictures:

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqU2https://flic.kr/p/XxyqU2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YuH8tAhttps://flic.kr/p/YuH8tA by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YuH8sJhttps://flic.kr/p/YuH8sJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqQVhttps://flic.kr/p/XxyqQV by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YuH8rGhttps://flic.kr/p/YuH8rG by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqNRhttps://flic.kr/p/XxyqNR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqJHhttps://flic.kr/p/XxyqJH by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqGDhttps://flic.kr/p/XxyqGD by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqEzhttps://flic.kr/p/XxyqEz by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XxyqBihttps://flic.kr/p/XxyqBi by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

One question I would like to know; did the RX-2 do work in the Fitchburg yard area? I know that information found and from Paul's screens at TS, The train handled cars in the Rutland and B&M Bellows Falls area. However, nothing found regarding the Fitchburg yard. If so, I will add the Fitchburg yard with the other sidings.

Will continue updating as it advances

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 16 2017, 09:43 PM

Boy these screens are looking good!

For the most part, the Rutland left the switching in Bellows Falls to the Bellows Falls switcher, operated by B&M, but jointly sponsored by the two railroads. however this was not always true. The local and through freight mostly dropped their cars and picked up their freight to Rutland. Drops were made opposite the station on the Rutland in the yard. Cars for Rutland were picked up on the "Patch Track" on the Rutland side of the diamond. The Rutland did handle freight to all customers in Bellows Falls with Moore & Thompson Paper and Robertson Paper being the two biggest - those cars would sometimes be directly switched.

I still think there are not enough boxcars in these scenes. On the ConnRiver, 80% of the cars were boxcars. Also there was no live animal traffic handled in the 1950's, I do believe. The B&M hoppers and gondolas were not that common, used mostly for company service and for a regular stone run from East Deerfield mass up to a dam construction project (in train EJ-1/JE-2). I do recall a B&M gon bound to the Claremont & Concord, perhaps hauling steel from the port of Boston.

Posted by: dgionet Sep 17 2017, 08:43 AM

QUOTE(Conductor Chris @ Sep 16 2017, 09:43 PM) *
I still think there are not enough boxcars in these scenes. On the ConnRiver, 80% of the cars were boxcars. Also there was no live animal traffic handled in the 1950's, I do believe. The B&M hoppers and gondolas were not that common, used mostly for company service and for a regular stone run from East Deerfield mass up to a dam construction project (in train EJ-1/JE-2). I do recall a B&M gon bound to the Claremont & Concord, perhaps hauling steel from the port of Boston.


Hi Christopher,

Thanks for your comments. I have done major and extensive changes to reflect as possible your findings.

First, I have deleted some extra freeware downloads that were not needed anymore. Second, a lot of editing to remove any reference to some of the deleted freeware downloads has been done in all template files. Third, I have changed the proportion of cars to be reflected in the CTP file to try to have about 80% of boxcars through all templates. Let's hope it will be better with the oncoming templates.

Thanks again and will continue updating with new developments

Posted by: dgionet Sep 17 2017, 03:04 PM

Hi to all,

I have generated a second activity for the Rutland RX2-XR1 template to find out if the proportion of Boxcars versus all the other stock is closer to reality ( 80%). I am happy with the results as seen here in the overall view of BF ( see screenshot). Other than the boxcars there are some reefers and some lumber cars. I feel happy with the changes.

https://flic.kr/p/XzaYDDhttps://flic.kr/p/XzaYDD by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

However, in the WRJ and Brattleboro yards, there will a wider variety of cars than seen here in smaller areas but believe the proportion of baxcars should be a little bit lower but still appreciable. That will be seen with the oncoming templates.

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 18 2017, 12:52 PM

looks good!

Posted by: dgionet Sep 18 2017, 05:32 PM

Hi to all,

I am starting a new template, that is the B&M X1 locals, between Bellows Falls (BF) and Windsor (including the C&C interchange) and also between BF and Putney.

A few questions before I start: Since there are no actual yard tracks in the B&M BF area (see image below), where were located the source tracks (or track) to pick the cars and make their local run? And where does the X-1 leave the cars once picked up along?

Paul's screen showed the X-1 (S1 loco) with four cars only as consist. Was it a typical consist of having only up to 5 cars or did run with more cars? My apologies for all these questions. I took some time to do some research but found nothing conclusive on my side?

https://flic.kr/p/YA2XU3https://flic.kr/p/YA2XU3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Thanks again for any help

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 19 2017, 07:35 AM

hi Denis,

What you have labeled as "B&M yard" was just the team track area and not used for pickups, setouts or sorting.

Mainline trains from Springfield to WRJ set out and picked up Bellows Falls cars in Walpole, either alongside the mountain track if they were heading north or on the middle track or other tracks if going south. Except for the freight to Fitchburg/Boston via Keene and the Cheshire railroad that used the Rutland yard or the "Fitchburg Yard" across the river. The map I posted does offer some hints about track use in the Rutland yard.

Alas, I don't know where X-1 got it's cars. I've asked on the B&M yahoo group and will report back. The locomotive was presumably kept in the Walpole round house (at least till Green Mountain Railroad took that over in the sixties - then it was kept on the little spur in the Rutland yard at the passenger station).

It did seem typical that X-1 was a short train in all the photos I've seen. Of course, it made two round trips - one north to Windsor and one south to Putney and the cars in one direction probably didn't go the other way.

Christopher


Posted by: dgionet Sep 24 2017, 06:19 AM

Hello to all,

Here are screenshots of a completed activity from the latest template, the X-1 local template. This one is between BF and Windsor, servicing Windsor and the C&C connection. The Lower Back and Fromt Mountain sidings are the source and final destination tracks in the Fitchburg Yard. The return trip local took more than 3 hours to drop 5 cars and pick up 5 more cars.

There is still the X-1 local to be done between BF and Putney with a return back to BF.

The shots:

https://flic.kr/p/Z29ruehttps://flic.kr/p/Z29rue by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YJqAWbhttps://flic.kr/p/YJqAWb by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z29rnRhttps://flic.kr/p/Z29rnR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YJqAT5https://flic.kr/p/YJqAT5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z29rhkhttps://flic.kr/p/Z29rhk by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YJqARwhttps://flic.kr/p/YJqARw by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z29rcvhttps://flic.kr/p/Z29rcv by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YJqANWhttps://flic.kr/p/YJqANW by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z29r94https://flic.kr/p/Z29r94 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YJqAMyhttps://flic.kr/p/YJqAMy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will continue updating as it advances

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 24 2017, 07:57 PM

looks so good!

X-1 would sometimes make it as far as Brattleboro to switch customers on the north side of town

Posted by: dgionet Sep 27 2017, 07:31 PM

Hello to all,

Two additional templates have been done. Both are for the X-1 local South of BF. The first is a Round trip from BF to Putney and the second is one from BF to the Northern part of Brattleboro, as mentioned by Christopher. Thanks Chris for the info! Each path has its own template because of reverse paths. It will be important that once reaching their southern end, proceed past the reverse point before going back to BF. At Putney, it will take some complex moves to reverse your train since there is no runaround track nearby Putney. The images shown are from the X-1 local to Putney and most of the images are located at Putney during switching and reversing your train simultaneously. Unfortunately, OR crashed during taking screenshots and toggling to my photo editor to save my shots.The last shot has been taken after the last setout before final assembly and returning back to BF,

https://flic.kr/p/YRowcohttps://flic.kr/p/YRowco by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XUnZePhttps://flic.kr/p/XUnZeP by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XUnZdBhttps://flic.kr/p/XUnZdB by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YRowajhttps://flic.kr/p/YRowaj by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XUnZbHhttps://flic.kr/p/XUnZbH by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YRow9hhttps://flic.kr/p/YRow9h by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XUnZb2https://flic.kr/p/XUnZb2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YRow8qhttps://flic.kr/p/YRow8q by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YRow61https://flic.kr/p/YRow61 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will continue updating later

Posted by: Conductor Chris Sep 28 2017, 06:58 AM

Those pictures sure look great!

I believe those Bellows Falls customers on the south side of the tunnel would have been switched by the Bellows Falls switcher.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Sep 28 2017, 08:08 PM

QUOTE(Conductor Chris @ Sep 28 2017, 06:58 AM) *
Those pictures sure look great!

I believe those Bellows Falls customers on the south side of the tunnel would have been switched by the Bellows Falls switcher.

Christopher


Information noted and changes made!

Thanks Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Oct 1 2017, 04:47 PM

Hello to all,

Work is progressing well and the number of templates has grown to 15 templates. I have decided to roll back the timeframe to the original 1956 year. There are only two freeware downloads. They are Paul's CV Steam engines and the CN C-liners in TS. With the exception of one, I have tried to make the templates as they were in 1956, Traffic trains are those seen in BM timetables with their exact or approximate timing.

The seven Switcher templates are now done and covers BF, Brattleboro and WRJ (5).

I have created a template for the CV 701 steam loco. the CV 74 template (based on train 74 seen in one BM timetable) simply carries its load from WRJ (Lv 14h45) straight to Brattleboro. Once in Brattleboro, the train must swap the engines from steam to the C-Liner diesels since the tracks south of Brattleboro cannot support the steam locos, according to Paul's comments in TS. One NB CV steam train (train 75, based again on the same BM timetable) leaves Brattleboro (14h25) straight to WRJ and is part of the traffic on that one.

However I have one problem starting the activity. It is not the template itself but the steam locomotive. See the image below.

https://flic.kr/p/Z3oktPhttps://flic.kr/p/Z3oktP by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

At start and seen here in red, the coal and water levels are at zero.

It is my first time operating a steam engine in OR. I have done some searching in the forum and in the OR manual trying to find a way to load both fuel levels but found nothing conclusive.

Any suggestions? Thanks

Posted by: dgionet Oct 1 2017, 07:37 PM

Hello to all,

Benny gave me the link in the Elvas Tower website about the issue. All three tenders types were labelled 'freight' and not as 'Tender'. Simply correct the type to tender and will correct the issue. The result shown here. Thanks Benny!


https://flic.kr/p/Y2qQ4ghttps://flic.kr/p/Y2qQ4g by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will try to test this one to make sure it works all the way to the end.

Posted by: Conductor Chris Oct 2 2017, 07:45 AM

I love that shot in Brattleboro yared . . . all boxcar red! You can tell its not the seventies!

Posted by: dgionet Oct 2 2017, 11:49 AM

Hello to all,

The train 74 template has been completed in around 2 hours. It started from WRJ with 40 cars, which the user must select at the start of the train, since it is a straight trip to Brattleboro. Once in Brattleboro, the CV 701 will swap power with the C-Liners to resume the remaining trip to New London on Diesel power, as explained by Paul on TS. The user must select as final destination the `To Vernon` siding. Once the train reaches the siding, simulating a continuity of the run to New London, the activity will end successfully. The only AI train in the activity is train 75 which left Brattleboro about 20 minutes earlier (2h25PM) than the train 74 player which left at 2h45PM in WRJ.

The shots:

https://flic.kr/p/YZJDYshttps://flic.kr/p/YZJDYs by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YZJDWdhttps://flic.kr/p/YZJDWd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
`
https://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo9Rhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo9R by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo7Bhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo7B by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo6ehttps://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo6e by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo4Fhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo4F by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YZJDNNhttps://flic.kr/p/YZJDNN by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo26https://flic.kr/p/Z4Vo26 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The reamining shots on the next post

Posted by: dgionet Oct 2 2017, 11:49 AM

The remaining shots

https://flic.kr/p/YZJDKShttps://flic.kr/p/YZJDKS by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4VnZ2https://flic.kr/p/Z4VnZ2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4VnWMhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4VnWM by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4VnTRhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4VnTR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XZfmiQhttps://flic.kr/p/XZfmiQ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/XZfmaJhttps://flic.kr/p/XZfmaJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Z4VnJnhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4VnJn by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will continue working on new templates trying to find some new prototypical runs if possible. Otherwise, I will start to create generic templates.

Posted by: dgionet Oct 20 2017, 10:42 AM

Hello to all,

Work has been continuing and the number of templates has now reached 20.I may have reached the maximum, but not sure yet. Out of authentic trains runs to create templates, I have turned my attention to fictional templates, trying to cover as possible the remaining serviceable sidings that have not been used yet. They include the latest two, covering the Springfield Terminal (STRY)and the Claremont and Concord (CCRR) trackage. They are smaller templates but as much fun to run. 44-tonners for each railroad have been selected as player trains. The initial train for both can include up to six (6) cars. One question to all, did the springfield Terminal or the C&C used cabooses on their trains? I didn't find any image on the net. For the C&C, I have taken a B&M caboose since they were part of the B&M system, I believe.

The following pictures are from the ST and the C&C templates. The first eight are from the STRY:

https://flic.kr/p/CvneGohttps://flic.kr/p/CvneGo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CvneFwhttps://flic.kr/p/CvneFw by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CvneBdhttps://flic.kr/p/CvneBd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Cvneyhhttps://flic.kr/p/Cvneyh by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CvnewJhttps://flic.kr/p/CvnewJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Cvnew3https://flic.kr/p/Cvnew3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Cvneryhttps://flic.kr/p/Cvnery by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CvnenLhttps://flic.kr/p/CvnenL by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The remaing pictures from the CCRR on the next post

Posted by: dgionet Oct 20 2017, 10:42 AM

The remaining shots for the CCRR Template

https://flic.kr/p/Cvnekmhttps://flic.kr/p/Cvnekm by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Cvnei7https://flic.kr/p/Cvnei7 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Cvnegohttps://flic.kr/p/Cvnego by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CvnedNhttps://flic.kr/p/CvnedN by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Cvne75https://flic.kr/p/Cvne75 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YAgYaMhttps://flic.kr/p/YAgYaM by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YAgY5Mhttps://flic.kr/p/YAgY5M by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CvndNQhttps://flic.kr/p/CvndNQ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

I will keep looking up for more possiblilties before starting the Readme file.

Posted by: Conductor Chris Oct 20 2017, 07:40 PM

Great!

The Springfield Terminal never used cabooses. The Claremont & Concord did, originally, at least on their "long" train powered by a 70 Tonner. The Claremont & Concord caboose is included in the BLWZT ConnRiver set. Claremont & Concord had two crews, one serving as a Claremont switcher with a 44 tonner which would make several trips up the hill to Clarmeont from the Junction and the "long" freight which was a road switcher heading east into the hinterland beyond Claremont, almost to Concord. In 1956 the C&C would still have been running two passenger trips a day as well, using motor cars.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Oct 21 2017, 11:28 AM

Hi Christopher,

I have completely forgotten about the C&C caboose. Thanks for your reply and info about the STRY.

After running the STRY template, I am considering adding Paul's Springfield Terminal route v2 with the current template project, using two routes and the current rolling stock. Use of two routes in a template project has been done once, that was with the DRGW Green River and Potash routes some years ago.

The challenge with this one is some steep grades inside the route. For example, the grades from both sides of the Cheshire bridge is about 5%. I have tested using the 44-tonner with 5 loaded boxcars. I have set up the STRY 44-tonner hp to 400 hp. I was unable to climb up the steep grade and reach the summit. One solution would be to adjust the ENG file and increase power to be able to handle the climb (BTW, Paul's STRY 44-tonner engine power when downloaded will need power adjustment since it is set about the same as a Dash-9)

I know the STRY 20 electric engine can deliver around 300hp. That is why I prefer using the 44-tonner, which began to run along the STRY in 1956, to what I have found. Also the cabview is better on the 44-ton. Of course, the user can swap engine to use the electrics and adjust Power in the ENG file.

Posted by: Conductor Chris Oct 23 2017, 10:32 AM

I understand that the grades in real life at the Cheshire bridge were an issue and the little engine would have to make a run for it.
I've never seen any photos with the 44 Toner running with more than a few cars.
The electric units may have been able to draw more current for short times or have been heavier and so offered more traction.

Since there already is a Springfield Terminal template, it should be relatively simple to modify it with the new set.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Oct 24 2017, 05:59 PM

Hi to all,,

Work is continuing and new templates have been done.

The first six shots are from the newly added Springfield route and only template to complement the Conn River:Pickups at the Junction, work along the route and setout back to the Junction.

The remaining shots are from the second steam template, that is the CV train 75 template. The previous steam template was for CV train 74 with the CV train 75 as the only AI. This time the CV 75 becomes the player train. It swaps from Diesel to steam at Brattleboro, do some work at the CV WRJ yard and leaves for Montpelier, ending up the activity.

https://flic.kr/p/FPwn8Bhttps://flic.kr/p/FPwn8B by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFquvShttps://flic.kr/p/YFquvS by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/FPwn62https://flic.kr/p/FPwn62 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFquqGhttps://flic.kr/p/YFquqG by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqunfhttps://flic.kr/p/YFqunf by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqujjhttps://flic.kr/p/YFqujj by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The remaining shots from the Steam 75 train template next post

Posted by: dgionet Oct 24 2017, 06:01 PM

The remaining shots from the steam CV train 75 template

https://flic.kr/p/ZHpK4jhttps://flic.kr/p/ZHpK4j by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqufwhttps://flic.kr/p/YFqufw by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/FPwmZRhttps://flic.kr/p/FPwmZR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqtL5https://flic.kr/p/YFqtL5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqtHEhttps://flic.kr/p/YFqtHE by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqtEdhttps://flic.kr/p/YFqtEd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/YFqtymhttps://flic.kr/p/YFqtym by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/ZFRz6Yhttps://flic.kr/p/ZFRz6Y by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will be looking up for a possible fictional template using B&M steam engines

Posted by: dgionet Oct 28 2017, 07:49 PM

Hi to all,

Just to confirm that the template making is now complete. The whole template project has 24 templates (15 prototypical and 9 semi-fictional or fictional) with 225 serviceable sidings. The updated system map, using Paul's original system map for the ConnRiver route, has been done and includes in RED changes to the route to accomodate the current template project. A sample is included among the next shots. For those who loves running steam, the last template (and fictional) uses a B&M Mountain steam engine to run between Westmoreland and North of WRJ to Wells River. Included are three pictures depicting part of the run, which will encounter, as traffic, C-Liners from CN.

The Readme file is mostly done and will be revised again to correct or add details if necessary to maximize use of the templates. I will revisit the templates to try to tweak each one of them as best as I can.

The shots now:

https://flic.kr/p/ZRipMshttps://flic.kr/p/ZRipMs by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/ZPgS3dhttps://flic.kr/p/ZPgS3d by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/ZRipKdhttps://flic.kr/p/ZRipKd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/CMY34Nhttps://flic.kr/p/CMY34N by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will update later

Posted by: dgionet Nov 2 2017, 06:31 PM

Hello to all,

Here are shots of the WRJSWITCHER_2 template which serves the CV yards and industries of the area being serviced by CV:

https://flic.kr/p/211eRXShttps://flic.kr/p/211eRXS by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/211eRV7https://flic.kr/p/211eRV7 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/211eRSGhttps://flic.kr/p/211eRSG by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/211eRQChttps://flic.kr/p/211eRQC by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2163B9vhttps://flic.kr/p/2163B9v by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2163B7Xhttps://flic.kr/p/2163B7X by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/211eRGwhttps://flic.kr/p/211eRGw by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/211eRAQhttps://flic.kr/p/211eRAQ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

BTW: Forgot to mention some posts ago that I have decided to rollback the timeframe to the original 1956.

I have given additional details about the 5 WRJ Switcher templates in the readme file.

The template set is getting closer to release.

For those who are curious about the image expected to appear in the templates page once uploaded, here it is:

https://flic.kr/p/ZPgRZNhttps://flic.kr/p/ZPgRZN by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will update later

Posted by: Conductor Chris Nov 2 2017, 08:42 PM

One thing about the switchers: they also changed passenger power and made up road trains. But that might be too complicated to work into a template?

Posted by: dgionet Nov 3 2017, 06:46 PM

Hi to all,

To Chris: Suggestion taken and...done.

I am happy to announce a 25th template which depicts preparing a passenger consists for train 74, named the Connecticut Yankee, leaving later for Springfield and New York (based on documents Chris sent me earlier. Thanks again Chris!)

It required stretching some additional sidings ( changing the TDB file again) near the WRJ B&M station and adding passenger cars. Done!

Here's the scenario: The BM S4 player train starts with one RPO car, which is the first of six (6) cars to be assembled and is already in its place. Five more cars must be assembled in the exact sequence as suggested with AG's assemble cars feature. The activity should end once the cars are set in the designated siding and in the exact order. All cars to be set in the template are from Rick's ConnRiver dedicated BM-NH passenger cars (ztbttcombo.zip on TS). The reason I had put with the player engine one RPO baggage car is that it would have been next to impossible to have RPO cars first in the sequence of assembly. All cars to be handled are all coaches. That ensures that the RPO-baggage is the first of up to six(6) cars to be assembled.

The 12 shots (2 posts)

https://flic.kr/p/215sj9hhttps://flic.kr/p/215sj9h by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/D2bxamhttps://flic.kr/p/D2bxam by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/D2bx6Jhttps://flic.kr/p/D2bx6J by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/215sj2Uhttps://flic.kr/p/215sj2U by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/GbzUfVhttps://flic.kr/p/GbzUfV by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/215siZEhttps://flic.kr/p/215siZE by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The remaining shots on the next post.

Posted by: dgionet Nov 3 2017, 06:47 PM

The remaining shots:


https://flic.kr/p/GbzUdFhttps://flic.kr/p/GbzUdF by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/GbzUbghttps://flic.kr/p/GbzUbg by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/GbzU9chttps://flic.kr/p/GbzU9c by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/GbzU66https://flic.kr/p/GbzU66 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/GbzU4xhttps://flic.kr/p/GbzU4x by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/GbzU16https://flic.kr/p/GbzU16 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr


Will update later

Posted by: Conductor Chris Nov 4 2017, 05:15 PM

Pretty cool! Nice to see the coach yard in action!
Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Nov 5 2017, 08:35 PM

Hello to all,

Just to confirm that the template package is now ready to be uploaded to the templates page. It has been a very complex and challenging project to achieve, ending with 25 templates. Lots of head scratching on this one. Only the Monon (30) and Buffalo (68) route templates pack were bigger in number of templates.

Regarding the latest template, a few corrections were done to correct small mistakes, one of which prevented the activity to end. Corrected!

First of all, thanks to Benny (bennycdn) for helping me with testing of the templates.

Thanks to Paul Charland, builder of the ConnRiver route and also for his excellent routes which inspired some of my templates. Paul also gave me permission to make changes to the route track database (TDB) to accomodate the present template package. Much appreciated Paul!

Thanks to Christopher (Conductor Chris) and those who helped me to bring realism to many of the templates with documentation and information of the era.

Not to forget Rick Franzosa and his team for a massive freight set for the route which made this template package possible. Well done Rick and your team, thanks again.

Hope I didn't forget anyone. My apologies if I did.

I have sent Steve the template set to upload to the templates page.

Once again, here the image expected to be shown in the templates page

https://flic.kr/p/ZPgRZNhttps://flic.kr/p/ZPgRZN by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

In the meantime, those who are interested to obtain the template set can write me at : photoman_57 [at] hotmail [dot] ca.

Will confirm once the template pack is uploaded to the templates page.

Posted by: klsc85 Nov 6 2017, 04:09 AM

That was an amazing amount of work to take on, Denis. Lots of AG users are going to love it.

Uncle E

Posted by: dgionet Nov 12 2017, 03:55 PM

Hi to all,

Just to confirm that the template package is now available in the templates page.

Thanks again Steve for your assistance and to all our users, enjoy the templates and happy trainsimming.

Posted by: hminky Nov 13 2017, 10:07 AM

Thanks for your hard work!

Harold

Posted by: charliechan Nov 16 2017, 02:59 PM

Good Morning:

Just a quick note to say what a great time I’m having with the Connecticut River Template. I believe that this is the first template that I can start with one route and continue onto another. Just ran a activity where I dropped off some cars at the Springfield Junction and will continue my work on the Springfield Terminal v2 route.

Thanks again

Posted by: Conductor Chris Nov 18 2017, 10:32 AM

Denis, I wanted to ask about the several .eng files you modified for this template. What did you change and why?

I haven't installed that part yet as I had already modified my 44 Tonner files and wanted to think a bit before combining the files.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Nov 18 2017, 02:47 PM

QUOTE(Conductor Chris @ Nov 18 2017, 10:32 AM) *
Denis, I wanted to ask about the several .eng files you modified for this template. What did you change and why?

I haven't installed that part yet as I had already modified my 44 Tonner files and wanted to think a bit before combining the files.

Christopher


Hi Christopher,

During construction of the templates, I found some issues regarding both 44-tonners and the t3a tender. I am including screenshots of each ENG (or WAG) file

For both 44 tonners, as you can see the highlighted area below, each download had the power set to the equivalent of a Dash 9 (3263kw=4400 hp instead of 400 hp or 300kw). This has been adjusted in each of the ENG files with the update. I have included the modified ENG file to reflect a 400 hp power for both CCRR and STRY engines..

https://flic.kr/p/21zL2mdhttps://flic.kr/p/21zL2md by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/21zL2myhttps://flic.kr/p/21zL2my by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

As for the T3a tender, the type of wagon has been mistakenly set as FREIGHT instead of TENDER (see below). This issue resulted in having no coal and water to feed the steam engine. This had been tackled in an earlier post here in the topic. This has been corrected on the three updated tender files.

https://flic.kr/p/GJ6tJzhttps://flic.kr/p/GJ6tJz by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Of course, you can adjust the power as one wishes, especially with the steep grades encountered on the STRY route which can reach close to 5% around the Cheshire bridge. At 400 hp , the player train won't be able to pull more than 4 or 5 cars, depending of the weight of each car. In my personal case I have decided to push the power to about 1000 hp to be able to haul 5 fully loaded boxcars up the hill.

Posted by: Conductor Chris Nov 19 2017, 09:00 PM

Thank you, Denis. Indeed the high power was present in my 44 Tonner .eng files. I guess that's why I never had a real problem on the Conn River bridge grade even though it was known as a doozy in real life. Not sure that 10mph speed limit was always held.
Christopher

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