RMD West route, oncoming template Options

[dgionet]

Hello to all,

As you know, testing has begun on the RMD_West route, as we read at the Trainsim site (Route Design forum). I have also received the route files with permission from Lukas (aka Swissie) to proceed ahead with installation of the route and construction of the template pending its official release.

I want to thank Moe (dispatcher) for telling me about the oncoming release, also for giving a good word for me to have the route available to prepare grounds for the oncoming template. He has received the route to allow creating the route system maps, like he has done for the RMD_East route. But the last is to thank Lukas to allow me having in advance the route. It has been a long time I have wished for this route to see the day and now it has come.

I have also received Moe's maps. That helps a lot to start planning the project. Thanks again Moe!

Due to the large presence of the Northern Pacific (NP) railroad in the RMD_West route, I plan to use the NP freight pack from BLW. Consequently, many of the earlier downloads used on the RMD_East route won't be required anymore. The BA&P now absent in the current route and with the BLW pack which had been released after the completed RMD_East template, the required downloads has been reduced from 25 (for the RMD_East) to the current 17. Most of the original downloads on the RMD East route will remain on the RMD_West route. I expect to keep the same timeframe as with the earlier template, that is around 1962.

I have yet to install the rolling stock and the route itself but the project is now on and hope to give teaser shots of the route up to its official release.

[dgionet]

Keeping the dream alive...

Following the release of the GP30 sets from BLW/ZT, I have purchased the West Pack 2 and have generated from the finished templates a LOCALS EB template between Alberton and Deer Lodge. It started at 3PM and is expected to handle 50 cars once reaching in Deer Lodge. The year 1961 ( the timeframe for the templates) saw the first GP30's. I have substituted the default electrics for the BLW MILW GP30's.

At the time of the last shot, close to sunset, 45 cars have been handled successfully so far and only two areas remain to be worked at Garrison and Kohrs before reaching Deer Lodge. 5 1/2 hours have past since departure from Alberton. Work has been done successfully in Soudan, Schilling, Missoula, Drummond and Gold Creek. The first shot is West of Drummond and the remaining three are at Gold Creek, about 20 miles West from Deer Lodge. At Gold Creek time is past 8PM and is getting dark. This is about the time work has been done there and also met an oncoming WB past 8:30 PM. Still another hour estimated before reaching Deer Lodge, ending another successfull activity. total time estimated for the entire act: 6 1/2 hours. I have enjoyed working with these MILW GP30's . Another great work from BLW/ZT. Congratulations to the team.

The shots:









For those not familiar with the latest news about the route and its creator, Lukas Lusser, here's the link from the trainsim.com site:

http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?319834-RMD-West

Like many of you, I am hopeful to see this great route released in the future.


ADDENDUM:

Reached successfully Deer Lodge at exactly 9:30PM in the dark with all the work done. This is the second longest activity I have ever done - 6 1/2 hours to complete with 4 meets along the way. The longest activity has been done in February 2011 on the Blackfoot 2 route. It took more than 8 hours to complete the run.

The last shots: