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Skyline User's Forum _ Templates _ Milwaukee Road Coast division 2

Posted by: dgionet Oct 7 2018, 06:07 PM

Hello to all,

In preparation for the release of the Milwaukee Road Coast division 2 route, I have received in late August from Moe Smith with Jerry's permission the route to start preparing the template project.Thanks again Moe for your assistance and to Jerry to allow me to start preparing the project! It took a few weeks to figure out the proper download requirements. After that, I have started to install markers on all serviceable sidings in all possible areas. Due to the heavy number of sidings in the Tacoma area, some sidings were omitted (not that many) to allow more performance in the area. The total number of serviceable sidings in the entire route is around 420 (around 300 in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor area alone)

Three railroads are involved: the MILW, NP and the UP (running between Seattle and Tacoma). Due to the presence of intermodal yards in Seattle and Tacoma. I have found among the downloads what I believe to be among the first container cars which started to run in North America in the late sixties. Timeframe of the template project has been set in that period, prior to the NP becoming the Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) in 1970.There are 70 different regions in the SWLTDB file. Each siding has received its respective car attribute. Two payware (and all bonuses) from BLW/ZT downloads are required. They are the Northern Pacific and Milwaukee Road freight packs. They are the same packs used as with previous template projects involving some of the previous MILW route templates. The freeware downloads ( from CLW and TS) is around 27 to complete the count.

Among the downloads are one low-poly car string download which I have started using in some bigger yards to add some eye candy and railfill.

The first and only template done so far is the MILW WB main from Cle Elum to Seattle's Van Asselt Yard. On this one, there is only work in Cedar Falls to pickup or set out cars before reaching Seattle. I have yet to create and test the run from Cle Elum to Tacoma. On the Cle Elum-Seattle SLG-generated run, I have experienced serious traffic issues which took a week to find the culprit: a marker which has been mistakenly put to one siding in Maple Valley on which AI traffic trains pass along. That resulted in all AI trains stalling at the Indian siding. Problem solved!

I have also discovered how to use OR's dispatcher (CTRL-9) feature and will be very helpful with activity creation and to make sure of the position of trains in real time which is different when testing in the MSTS AE.

Due to the detailed nature of the route, I had to lower down some video settings in OR to have a reasonable performance. In maximum settings, some cars didn't show during passage of AI traffic trains. Had also to reduce world object settings from 10 to 9. I may be necessary in older computers to go even lower in these settings.

Here are the first pictures of the first SLG-generated and successful run from Cle Elum to Seattle:

https://flic.kr/p/2bPe2Hthttps://flic.kr/p/2bPe2Ht by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Meeting the North Coast Limited West of Easton

https://flic.kr/p/N4cghxhttps://flic.kr/p/N4cghx by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Crossing the NP line West of Easton

https://flic.kr/p/2bPe2Fehttps://flic.kr/p/2bPe2Fe by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
At Whittier where you can see the NP line above at Martin, near the Eastern portal or the Stampede tunnel and also seen above is the Switchback line with its 5% grade in most of the line.
A test run has been successfull along the switchback line with 2 Geeps,5 loaded cars and a caboose.
It is not guaranteed to make it through if you add more cars to the consist because of the limited length of one of the switchbacks.

https://flic.kr/p/N4cgdphttps://flic.kr/p/N4cgdp by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Meeting an EB at Rockdale. Behind you can see the access to the Hi-line which has been used prior to the construction of the Snowqualmie tunnel with grades up to 3%

https://flic.kr/p/2bPe2CPhttps://flic.kr/p/2bPe2CP by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Cedar Falls

https://flic.kr/p/N4cgathttps://flic.kr/p/N4cgat by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Bagley Jct. Seen on the left is the MILW's Enumclaw branch and, across the bridge, the NP line towards Barneston.

https://flic.kr/p/2bPe2Bghttps://flic.kr/p/2bPe2Bg by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Maple Valley and the Pacific Coast railroad alongside crossing the MILW line

https://flic.kr/p/2aqHRzzhttps://flic.kr/p/2aqHRzz by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Black River Jct

https://flic.kr/p/2bPe2zchttps://flic.kr/p/2bPe2zc by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
All three Railroads (NP, MILW and UP lines) in Seattle.

https://flic.kr/p/2bPe2ykhttps://flic.kr/p/2bPe2yk by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Reaching the Van Asselt Yard

That's it for now. Will be posting later as the project progresses

Posted by: charliechan Oct 7 2018, 08:47 PM

Good Morning:

It's nice to see that the forum is alive. Thanks for all the work you do for the hobby.

Chandller


Posted by: Conductor Chris Oct 8 2018, 05:50 PM

Dennis, this looks good!

Let me know if you are missing any freight cars that could be added with a BLWZT bonus.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Oct 8 2018, 07:19 PM

Hi to all,

Thanks Christopher for the offer. No freight cars required but...

Among the consists I have created for the template, I have added today one more for the template project: Northern Pacific's Mainstreeter passenger train, the secondary passenger train to the North Coast Limited which ran up to the Early 70's and taken over by Amtrak during that time. According to documents online, the Mainstreeter used a mix of heavyweights and streamlined cars and could contain 4 or 5 baggage cars since the US postage department used the Mainstreeter to carry lots of mail. Compared with the NCL, it takes about 10 more hours to cover the same route since it is more lucrative, making more stops to pickup of leave mail, packages etc....

I have been looking up for slumbercar sleepers which ran with the Mainstreeter but found none, except for one I have seen with BLW's North Coast limited passenger train pack. Any way to have one available for the template package Christopher?

Thanks for considering.

In the meantime, work is continuing for the MILW WB mainline. As mentioned, the only pickups and setouts between Cle Elum and the Seattle-Tacoma area is at Cedar Falls. In Seattle, destination is the Van Asselt Yard and I have decided to use the Union Pacific Yard at Tacoma Jct to make it a joint UP-MILW yard, a little like Seattle's Argo Yard which hosts the Northern Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads. That means the UP-MILW Yard will be the final destination for the Cle Elum-Tacoma run.

I have considered the Tacoma intermodal yards but the problem is that the length of the sidings is no more that 9 cars per siding while at the UP-MILW, Jerry had stretched at the last minute to make it around 35-40 cars per siding and also the train must use the wye and move backwards towards the Intermodal yards. In that case using the wye could be done only with a shorter freight train. The MILW typical mainline can start with up to 50 cars at Cle Elum.

However the Tacoma Intermodal Yards will be used since there will be local runs starting from the UP-MILW Yard working around, including the Tacoma intermodal Yards.

I have started running a path which started at Cedar Falls toward Tacoma. From there, the user might encounter the following on the first minutes after leaving Cedar Falls as shown below:


https://flic.kr/p/2aKxahWhttps://flic.kr/p/2aKxahW by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
At Bagley Jct. with a NP small freight train using the MILW Enumclaw branch (shared trackage with the MILW) crossing the bridge toward Barneston.

In regards to the OR Video settings comment said earlier, I wanted to mention what type of computer resources I have: a i5 processor with 8GB of memory with a Nvidia GeForce GT740 video card. After thinking over, the video card I have may be (...or maybe not) the cause of the lower performance since this card has been bought some years ago and today's video cards perform a lot better.

Benny has volunteered to test the templates with me. Thanks again Benny for your help!

That's it for today.Will keep updating later with progress to the project.

Posted by: dgionet Oct 14 2018, 03:16 PM

Since the last post and with Benny's first report, I have made some major changes. First, I have removed the 2 COFC (ATTX & VTTX) downloads to be replaced by two TOFC downloads. They are the djr_75fttofc.zip and the zt75tofc.zip files. The two finished templates and the master template files have been reworked to replace all traces of the COFC to TOFC's.

High poly values of the COFC (about 2 to 3 times those of the TOFC) may be the reason I had some issues in terms of visual performance (some cars of the AI did not appear when passing by and also white void areas). The first two pictures show some examples of what I have encountered. All consists were modified to replace the COFC by the TOFC's

I have extensively reworked the railfill among some larger yards for the first two templates, the MILW and NP WB main templates and the master template file, from which other templates will be built from. Some yard sidings to be worked were instead used as railfill ( w/ low poly car strings-included with the requitred downloads) to cover the designated sidings. That Include the Van Asselt, Cedar Falls, both Cle Elum Yards, Auburn, the NP West Yard and the UP-MILW joint yards.

I have also corrected some shape issues from some of the downloads. That means that the corrected files will be part of the oncoming templates.

As mentioned, the first two show the issues encountered before the COFC-TOFC swap. All pictures here were taken before the Yards railfill extensive rework.

https://flic.kr/p/NhoqoP

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

https://flic.kr/p/NhosxD

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

The following three (3) are from the MILW WB towards the UP-MILW joint yard in Tacoma Jct

https://flic.kr/p/NhosvV

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

https://flic.kr/p/NhosuT

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

https://flic.kr/p/NhosrX

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

The remaining are from the NP WB main between Cle Elum to the NP West Yard at Tacoma with meets along, including the NP Mainstreeter at Stampede

https://flic.kr/p/Nhosqz

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

https://flic.kr/p/Nhospn

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

https://flic.kr/p/NhosnD

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

https://flic.kr/p/Nhosjx

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

https://flic.kr/p/NhosiF

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

Will update as it develops

Posted by: dgionet Oct 15 2018, 06:40 PM

Hello to all,

Just a quick update.

I have realized too late that the UP Yard at Tacoma Jct. is a non-electrified yard. Since MILW mainline templates use the Electric EF-4's or EF-45's, it means that all MILW mainline runs will start or stop only at the Seattle Van Asselt Yard. Only MILW diesels will have the task of doing business at the UP Yard at Tacoma Jct, probably between both Van Asselt and the UP Yards. There will be many MILW templates that will be running on diesel engines, especially on local runs.

In the meantime I have been putting the final touch on the MILW EB mainline run. A test run has already begun and am providing shots between the Van Asselt Yard and Cedar Falls.

https://flic.kr/p/2aGGXx2https://flic.kr/p/2aGGXx2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Departure from the Van Asselt Yard. Note the railfill made with low-poly car strings which add more realism and eye candy. A busy morning along the three parallel lines as seen on the next two.

https://flic.kr/p/2aZxd79https://flic.kr/p/2aZxd79 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Meeting the UP while leaving the Van Asselt Yard

https://flic.kr/p/2aGGXuXhttps://flic.kr/p/2aGGXuX by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
A triple meet with an NP coal empties and the NP Mainstreeter passenger train.

https://flic.kr/p/2aZxd4ohttps://flic.kr/p/2aZxd4o by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
At Black River Jct while the NP Coal empties is waiting on a RED signal

https://flic.kr/p/2aGGXsnhttps://flic.kr/p/2aGGXsn by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Meeting a mixed WB pulled by 6 diesel engines.

https://flic.kr/p/NkrG8vhttps://flic.kr/p/NkrG8v by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Cedar Falls Yard with railfill car strings

More later

Posted by: dgionet Oct 19 2018, 07:25 PM

Hello to all,

Work is continuing on the project.

Here are some pictures from the NP EB main template. Two paths have been created. The first from the Tacoma West Yard to Cle Elum while the second one will start at the Auburn Yards up to Cle Elum.

The following are from the path starting at the West Yard at Tacoma

https://flic.kr/p/2b8fB9shttps://flic.kr/p/2b8fB9s by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Leaving the West Yard

Pretty busy in the SeaTac area (next two)
https://flic.kr/p/Q6apFdhttps://flic.kr/p/Q6apFd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b8fB7yhttps://flic.kr/p/2b8fB7y by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Q6apCshttps://flic.kr/p/Q6apCs by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b8fB6Ghttps://flic.kr/p/2b8fB6G by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/Q6apyuhttps://flic.kr/p/Q6apyu by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b8fB4Nhttps://flic.kr/p/2b8fB4N by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Near the Stampede tunnel. Note the switchback line and its different levels where most of the trackage is graded at around 5%.

https://flic.kr/p/Q6apvohttps://flic.kr/p/Q6apvo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr
Meeting the WB North Coast Limited

Will keep updating as it advances

Posted by: dgionet Oct 23 2018, 08:14 PM

Hi to all,

Here are shots from both the UP Southbound (the first 4 pictures) and Northbound (the last 6 shots) templates.

The SB departs from the Argo Yard to reach the UP Yard at Tacoma Jct

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

https://flic.kr/p/29ABoCJhttps://flic.kr/p/29ABoCJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

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

https://flic.kr/p/29ABoBbhttps://flic.kr/p/29ABoBb by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

As for the NB, it actually starts from a yard North of the NP West Yard. At Tacoma Jct the UP connection siding seem to suggest that it is a lead track to that designated Yard. Since this yard has unmarked sidings, it will be necessary to add cars to make the initial consist. The UP Yard at Tacoma Jct will be the only stop to pickup or setout cars before reaching its final destination, the Argo yard.

https://flic.kr/p/NAVu9Vhttps://flic.kr/p/NAVu9V by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29ABozChttps://flic.kr/p/29ABozC by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NAVu9phttps://flic.kr/p/NAVu9p by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29ABoxohttps://flic.kr/p/29ABoxo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NAVu8Hhttps://flic.kr/p/NAVu8H by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29ABot5https://flic.kr/p/29ABot5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

More later with new oncoming templates


Posted by: dgionet Oct 24 2018, 06:34 PM

Hi to all,

Here is the newest template: The Weston Loop Local. This template may be the only one to use the switchbacks to reach Lester from Easton. The maximum of boxcars to be transported across the switchbacks is seven (7). Two GP18's, 7 boxcars and one caboose make the typical consist. When creating your activity, make sure the initial train doesn't exceed 7 boxcars. During the activity, Weston is the only siding to have work along, the reason it is called the Weston Loop Local.

The shots are taken respectively at Easton, inside the switchbacks (the first three climbing, the following three descending), Weston and the final destination at Lester.

https://flic.kr/p/NCdn5ehttps://flic.kr/p/NCdn5e by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdn16https://flic.kr/p/NCdn16 by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmRDhttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmRD by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmMkhttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmMk by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmJVhttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmJV by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmFthttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmFt by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmDzhttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmDz by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmA8https://flic.kr/p/NCdmA8 by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmwvhttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmwv by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NCdmophttps://flic.kr/p/NCdmop by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

More later

Posted by: dgionet Oct 27 2018, 06:42 PM

Hi again,

Here are shots of the latest template, the Laconia local. It is a local from Easton to Cedar Falls with local pickups along, including Laconia using the Hi-Line.
Shots here are taken at Easton, entering the Hi-Line route, Rockdale and the latest two at Cedar Falls.

https://flic.kr/p/2b4QYtthttps://flic.kr/p/2b4QYtt by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2co9Dg5https://flic.kr/p/2co9Dg5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b4QYnghttps://flic.kr/p/2b4QYng by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b4QY26https://flic.kr/p/2b4QY26 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b4QXZ2https://flic.kr/p/2b4QXZ2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2co9CHShttps://flic.kr/p/2co9CHS by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29FZkpAhttps://flic.kr/p/29FZkpA by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Remember that there is no electrification inside the Hi-Line area. Diesel engines are used for this one.

More later

Posted by: dgionet Oct 28 2018, 08:05 PM

Hi to all,

Here is the newest arrival in the project: the NP-Barneston Template. It consists of exchanging cars with two(2) sidings at Bagley Jct and NP Barneston and returning the train back to Kanaskat.

It is a complex process but has been achieved in two (2) hours. The sidings's configuration has been set to allow setting out cars on one side of each sidings while the train can pick up cars on the other side of the siding. The sidings'capacity has been cut in half to allow such exchanges. Because of the switchback at Bagley jct, it is recommended not to have more than 12 cars to make up the switchback and move through.

It will be necessary to use OR's manual mode to make manually your switches. A lot easier since there is no signalling along the route and with the switchback and the wye at Kanaskat it would have been difficult to create a path.

The steps are the following to succeed this activity:

1-pickup your cars at Kanaskat ( or you can start your activity with a 12-car consist in your initial train)
2-setout cars on the Eastern side of the MILW setout siding at Bagley Jct, just before reaching the MILW mainline
3-use the switchback and proceed towards NP Barneston
4-Setout your cars at the Barneston siding on the Northern side
5-Pickup your cars at the Barneston siding on the South side
6-pickup your cars at the MILW setout siding on the Western side of the siding, at this point you have your final train to be set in Kanaskat
7-Setting you train in Kanaskat

Between steps 4 and 5 the process to reverse your train, including putting your caboose to the back will be a complex one. I have tried to show it here as best as possible.

The following shots will take two posts to show the entire process:

The first 10 shots:

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqsjhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqsj by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NHZ5pkhttps://flic.kr/p/NHZ5pk by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqqfhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqqf by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NHZ5kHhttps://flic.kr/p/NHZ5kH by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/NHZ5iPhttps://flic.kr/p/NHZ5iP by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqkAhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqkA by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPYPhttps://flic.kr/p/2b6vPYP by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqiwhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqiw by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPW4https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPW4 by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqgshttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqgs by

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The remaining shots on the next post

Posted by: dgionet Oct 28 2018, 08:07 PM

The remaining shots

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPUkhttps://flic.kr/p/2b6vPUk by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqedhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqed by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDqcjhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDqcj by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPQHhttps://flic.kr/p/2b6vPQH by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDq9Uhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDq9U by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPMBhttps://flic.kr/p/2b6vPMB by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29HDq9dhttps://flic.kr/p/29HDq9d by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPKnhttps://flic.kr/p/2b6vPKn by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2b6vPHPhttps://flic.kr/p/2b6vPHP by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

More later,

Posted by: dgionet Nov 3 2018, 07:51 PM

Hello to all,

The following pictures seen here are part of an activity generated by AG from one of the latest two templates: the MILW Union Station and the NP King Street station templates. Working with platforms (and not sidings) is a first in all my templates made over the last 11 years. I can't remember how these ended in the SWLACT and SWLTDB database files. Maybe I have marked them thinking them as sidings and not platforms. Anyway they ended in the template.

Initially, after finding some issues related to these platforms, I was thinking to scrap both templates. After some head scratching about their outcome, it is possible to overcome this. It will be necessary to print the work order and use the maps created by Moe Smith to locate the platform to be worked on.

In the following 20 pictures (from the MILW Union Station template), I want to explain how it is possible to complete the activity despite the fact the platforms are not shown in the F1 screen when you start your activity in OR.

https://flic.kr/p/29K8jHmhttps://flic.kr/p/29K8jHm by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2bf6Ln4https://flic.kr/p/2bf6Ln4 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoK2qhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoK2q by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2bf6LkRhttps://flic.kr/p/2bf6LkR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoK1dhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoK1d by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2bf6Ljthttps://flic.kr/p/2bf6Ljt by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJYuhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJYu by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2bf6LhKhttps://flic.kr/p/2bf6LhK by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJVyhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJVy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cCSMfThttps://flic.kr/p/2cCSMfT by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The remaining pictures on the next post

Posted by: dgionet Nov 3 2018, 07:52 PM

The remaining shots

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJSYhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJSY by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cCSMeFhttps://flic.kr/p/2cCSMeF by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJQJhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJQJ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJQdhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJQd by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJPGhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJPG by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJNEhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJNE by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29SfeAwhttps://flic.kr/p/29SfeAw by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJMshttps://flic.kr/p/2cyoJMs by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29SfeAbhttps://flic.kr/p/29SfeAb by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

There is another option to be considered but has not been tested yet. I believe this will prevent the end activity box to appear halfway into the activity.

https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJL5https://flic.kr/p/2cyoJL5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

I will be starting the same type of activity for the NP King Street Station, but this time, I will use the <Reach 20MPH> feature. I will be sharing shots from this activity later in the oncoming posts

Posted by: dgionet Nov 3 2018, 09:17 PM

Hello to all,

Here are the results from the second option for the NP King Street Station Template: a success!

https://flic.kr/p/2cCYb6xhttps://flic.kr/p/2cCYb6x by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2bfbZrvhttps://flic.kr/p/2bfbZrv by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyubDYhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyubDY by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Before uncoupling from the passenger cars
https://flic.kr/p/2bfbZoehttps://flic.kr/p/2bfbZoe by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/29SkCMwhttps://flic.kr/p/29SkCMw by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cyubBUhttps://flic.kr/p/2cyubBU by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Setting out the last car before returning back to the Agro Yard
https://flic.kr/p/29SkCKshttps://flic.kr/p/29SkCKs by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

The final result when reaching 20MPH
https://flic.kr/p/2cCYaYPhttps://flic.kr/p/2cCYaYP by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

To summarize, working with platforms can be worked out, but not without careful planning.

Now on with the next template, still yet to be determined.


Posted by: dgionet Nov 27 2018, 12:08 PM

Hello to all,

It has been quiet on the forum for me but not for the work on the current project. The Template count has now reached 21 and believe this may reach around 30 or more.

For the last weeks, I have been working on the locals between Cle Elum and Seattle/Tacoma. Once done, I have turned my attention inside the Seattle-Tacoma Area, which includes switching in the Tacoma Intermodal area. A lot of refining has been done along to make the work easier for the user. One example is the orientation of the sidings to be worked and many of the templates have only the workable sidings which go with their orientation. The MILW locals and the NP SB are finished. I will start the NP NB locals. The Yards templates are still to be done as well as some more specific ones.

Traffic has been a real challenge throughout the entire project so far. The OR dispatcher feature and also manual switching will be a must to run many of them.

Here are 20 ramdom shots of the different locals done since my last post done around 3 weeks ago.

The first set of ten:

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21PNhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21PN by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueTFhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueTF by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21Nfhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21Nf by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueSZhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueSZ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21M3https://flic.kr/p/2ar21M3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueSDhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueSD by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21KEhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21KE by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueRBhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueRB by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21HLhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21HL by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueRghttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueRg by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Posted by: dgionet Nov 27 2018, 12:08 PM

The remaining ones:

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21Gohttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21Go by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueQzhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueQz by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21EEhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21EE by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcuePxhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcuePx by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21BUhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21BU by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21AShttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21AS by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21zuhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21zu by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueNvhttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueNv by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2dcueNahttps://flic.kr/p/2dcueNa by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ar21xLhttps://flic.kr/p/2ar21xL by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will keep updating with development


Posted by: dgionet Dec 3 2018, 09:25 AM

Hello to all,

Work is continuing on the project and the latest one depicts MILW work inside the GSA Complex in Auburn WA. From the Black River Yard siding 2, the train will serve the area and return in the BR Yard siding 3. The user will have to toggle to manual about a mile from the entrance to the GSA Complex. Once on your way to the Black River Yard, you will be able to toggle back to auto mode for the remaining trip back. The ideal strategy to complete your work is set your initial train along GSA 5 siding, leave your cars and retrieve all cars to be picked up and bring them ( and picking up your caboose) to the Storage 33F1 siding. Once done return inside to setout the cars left at GSA 5 . Once finished, you can retieve your load at 33F1 for your return home.

Are are some shots of the operation:

https://flic.kr/p/2ayAe5bhttps://flic.kr/p/2ayAe5b by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cebrUuhttps://flic.kr/p/2cebrUu by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ayAe2fhttps://flic.kr/p/2ayAe2f by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cebrPQhttps://flic.kr/p/2cebrPQ by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ayAe1dhttps://flic.kr/p/2ayAe1d by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ayAdYjhttps://flic.kr/p/2ayAdYj by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cebrKbhttps://flic.kr/p/2cebrKb by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ayAdV3https://flic.kr/p/2ayAdV3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2cebrG5https://flic.kr/p/2cebrG5 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/2ayAdRAhttps://flic.kr/p/2ayAdRA by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

More later...

Posted by: dgionet Dec 8 2018, 08:55 PM

Hi again,

I am happy to say that the whole template building is now finished as of today! The oncomning template package will include 34 templates and about 420 serviceable sidings. Only the Buffalo route template package had more (68). The Monon is now third with 29 templates.

Some numbers now: 34 templates (170 template files),137 Path files, 157 service files, 34 traffic patterns and 63 different consists.

I have started to work on the readme file for the template package and will require some time to complete due to its complexity. The template image for the Skyline templates page is now finished and will be presented later.

Some additional words about the project as written in the oncoming readme file:

Building the Template project has been a real challenge because of the complexity of the route. It has been built with Open Rails (OR) on mind. Traffic pattern has been very difficult to build and is not guaranteed to work at 100%. The user is highly recommended to use all possible features OR offers, including the Dispatcher feature (Ctrl-9 keys) and will require switching to manual (Ctrl-M keys) in many of the templates, using the Switch Monitor (F8) to help with switching. The route is hardware intensive. It has been tested with OR but not with MSTS. A lot of work has been done to add railfill in the main yards to add eye candy but with minimal inconvenience to performance. Use of low-poly string of cars has been used and is part of the required downloads.

Will send to Benny later the completed template pack for additional testing. I am not sure all templates will be tested due to the volume of work done. Benny has sent me some reports and made some adjustments following his comments. Thanks again Benny for your reports!

Will follow later with additional comments as it approaches completion

Posted by: xpdingo Dec 15 2018, 11:07 AM

QUOTE(dgionet @ Dec 8 2018, 08:55 PM) *
Hi again,

I am happy to say that the whole template building is now finished as of today! The oncomning template package will include 34 templates and about 420 serviceable sidings. Only the Buffalo route template package had more (68). The Monon is now third with 29 templates.

Some numbers now: 34 templates (170 template files),137 Path files, 157 service files, 34 traffic patterns and 63 different consists.

I have started to work on the readme file for the template package and will require some time to complete due to its complexity. The template image for the Skyline templates page is now finished and will be presented later.

Some additional words about the project as written in the oncoming readme file:

Building the Template project has been a real challenge because of the complexity of the route. It has been built with Open Rails (OR) on mind. Traffic pattern has been very difficult to build and is not guaranteed to work at 100%. The user is highly recommended to use all possible features OR offers, including the Dispatcher feature (Ctrl-9 keys) and will require switching to manual (Ctrl-M keys) in many of the templates, using the Switch Monitor (F8) to help with switching. The route is hardware intensive. It has been tested with OR but not with MSTS. A lot of work has been done to add railfill in the main yards to add eye candy but with minimal inconvenience to performance. Use of low-poly string of cars has been used and is part of the required downloads.

Will send to Benny later the completed template pack for additional testing. I am not sure all templates will be tested due to the volume of work done. Benny has sent me some reports and made some adjustments following his comments. Thanks again Benny for your reports!

Will follow later with additional comments as it approaches completion


Denis: Check you PM

Posted by: dgionet Dec 20 2018, 09:48 PM

Hello to all,

Benny had given me his latest report and it's a go to have the template package released.

Will later write to Steve to have it uploaded in the templates page.

Thanks again to Benny with the testing. Much appreciated work!
Thanks to Moe Smith in providing in advance the route in order to prepare the project, not to forget the maps he made which were very helpful with the template construction.
Thanks to Jerry Sullivan in completing the last leg of the MILW from Harlowton to Sea-Tac (more than 850 miles)

The following image is the one expected to see in the templates page once uploaded

https://flic.kr/p/2cAqCj3https://flic.kr/p/2cAqCj3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150924424@N08/, sur Flickr

Will post later once confirmed in the templates page


Posted by: Harlank Dec 23 2018, 08:18 PM

Denis

As always, thank you for all the great templates you've done!

harlank

Posted by: dgionet Jan 9 2019, 07:12 PM

Hello to all,

Steve just uploaded the file and is now available to download.

I was brought to my attention by Moe Smith last night that one of the BLW Milwaukee Road freight bonus packs (MILW_Pack3_Bonus) cannot be found in the Valleypass web site. I have written to Gaetan Belanger about locating it. It contained 5 MILW loaded and empty boxcars with open and closed doors. It seems that many of the bonus topics were moved somewhere else.

I will get back with an answer from Gaetan (BLW) about the file's location inside the site.

In the meantime thanks Steve for your constant assistance.

To all, enjoy the new package and happy trainsimming.

Posted by: dgionet Jan 10 2019, 07:52 AM

I have received an answer from Gaetan.

The bonus pack is available in the members creation section of the Valleypass forum.

Posted by: Harlank Jan 12 2019, 11:32 AM

QUOTE(dgionet @ Jan 10 2019, 08:52 AM) *
I have received an answer from Gaetan.

The bonus pack is available in the members creation section of the Valleypass forum.


Denis

I do not see the Milwaukee Road Coast Division 2 posted on the Templates page?

harlank

Posted by: dgionet Jan 12 2019, 07:50 PM

Hi Harlank,

I will write to Steve again. Earlier this week, the link and image was seen on the templates page on a white background. This time (on a blue background), I can't see it now.

E mail me at photoman_57 [at] hotmail [dot] ca and I will send you directly the package.

Thanks

Posted by: dgionet Jan 20 2019, 09:05 AM

Hi again,

Steve has re-uploaded the template package and I have seen it myself, now in the templates page, just next to the MILW Coast Div. 1st sub .

Thanks again Steve and to all AG users, enjoy the package

Posted by: hminky Feb 3 2019, 12:46 PM

Thanks for all your hard work.

Very enjoyable
Harold

Posted by: Conductor Chris Mar 5 2019, 03:50 PM

Let me add my thanks as well.
Christopher

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