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Skyline User's Forum _ Templates _ Seaboard Air Line (SAL) Florida Division route upgrade

Posted by: dgionet Jan 18 2016, 07:10 PM

Hi to all,

More than 10 years ago was released Carey Stevens' Seaboard Air Line (SAL) Florida Division route. Steve had done years ago an AG template, but only for AG3. A few weeks ago, in Trainsim, I had seen some screenshots using the route and decided to take a second look at the 2005 route. Some years ago, I ran the route but only partially and superficially but never went further with it.

I have reloaded the route recently and ran it completely and was impressed about how detailed it was, even with today's standard. I have asked Steve permission to upgrade the route template to AG4 and was happy to grant me that permission. With Steve, I was able to reach Carey, the route maker, to ask him permission, if required, to stretch some sidings. I have found out that for some years Carey has not only been enhancing the scenery from the original route but also extending the route with additional trackage. Carey and Steve have sent me the route, I have ran most of it and was very impressed with the upgrade.

By comparing both versions, there is a lot of new trackage and the scenery is completely done for most of it. Only a small section remains to be finished. Buildings are present but vegetation remains to be added. I am confident that Carey will eventually finish it in the future. The unfinished section is between Tampa and Bradenton on the ACL trackage (now CSX).

Steve has uploaded the route here in the skyline web site (see home page) and is now available for those interested to download it. On my side, I will start a new template project for the SAL. The timeframe will be around 1965, just before the 1967 merger of the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line to create the Seaboard Coast Line. The main player download will be the payware BLW Seaboard Air Line freight set plus 18 additional freeware downloads from Trainsim.com. That number may be subject to change as the project advances.

Will update later.

Posted by: bandorr2000 Jan 18 2016, 07:51 PM

Glad to see this route is being updated and expanded. Always felt it was one of the best freeware routes, even more so for its age. Have always enjoyed running the route, look forward to the new template and/or updated route. Thanks Denis

Posted by: ckawahara Jan 18 2016, 09:15 PM

The zip file does not include a readme nor any installation direction. It has two ezstuff*.bat files which copy a large number of files including those in the template folder. Sure would be nice to know if they have to be run.

Posted by: dgionet Jan 18 2016, 09:25 PM

Hi Craig,

I didn't use these batch files to run the route. Unfortunately, I saw no readme file either. In the oncoming template readme file, I will probably provide such details related to running the route and its installation.

Posted by: ckawahara Jan 18 2016, 09:28 PM

Just for an update...ran both batch files. MSTS ran. Do not forget to create an activity.

Posted by: dgionet Feb 2 2016, 08:09 PM

Hi to all,

Here are the first shots from the finished SB Template between Wildwood and Tampa, also between Plant City and Bradenton, mostly mainline with minimal pickups. The whole SAL route templates will have more than 300 serviceable sidings to work with. To come will be the NB mainline, locals, yard templates and a small one from the ACL between the Aceta Yards and some industries South of Tampa.

The shots:

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template1.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template2.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template3.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template4.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template5.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template6.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template7.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template8.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template9.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template10.jpg.html

Will update later as the project advances



Posted by: dgionet Feb 14 2016, 12:50 PM

Hi to all,

Work is progressing, but on a slower basis as I used to due to lack of time available. So far, four (4) templates have been done. They are the two mainline SB and NB between Wildwood and the Yeoman Yard in Tampa. Also has been done the LOCO template, handling diesel locomotives to be serviced in the Wildwood shops. As done for some earlier templates, the locomotives were made unpowered with Route Riter to allow this template. The last one finished is one (TROPICANA) handling refrigerated cars in the Tropicana's Bradenton plant, whether to assemble cars for the Juice Train, to bring on empties to the different sidings or both. The latter two will be using one S2 diesel loco.

Carey has sent me some additional timetables for the Valrico and Sarasota Subs. They will be very useful to get working with locals templates, that be the biggest part of the pie in the current project. So a lot to come as it advances.

Here are some shots from the NB main, and both the LOCO and TROPICANA templates.

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template11.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template12.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template13.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template14.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template15.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template16.jpg.html

The remaining shots (from the TROPICANA template) on the next post.

Posted by: dgionet Feb 14 2016, 12:51 PM

The remaining pictures, here assembling 35 cars for the Juice Train North to New Jersey

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template17.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template18.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template19.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template20.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template21.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template22.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template23.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template24.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template25.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template26.jpg.html

On the last pickup for final assembly, the S2 was able to bring 17 fully loaded reefers ( throttle at full power) with the reamining cars to complete the activity

Will continue updating as work goes

Posted by: Harlank Feb 20 2016, 11:47 AM

Thanks Denis

making a great route even better

Posted by: Conductor Chris Feb 26 2016, 05:09 PM

Denis, thank you indeed.

I took a look at these screenshots and thought maybe we need more Fruit Growers Express rolling stock, but there doesn't seem to be a existing model that really matches the roller bearing era cars.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Feb 26 2016, 07:46 PM

Quite true,

I've been looking online to find some reefers used during the mid sixties by Tropicana to bring their train to Kearney NJ but have been unsuccessfull on my side. The only thing I know is that the SAL used the Sarasota Sub from Bradenton to Durant via Keysville up to Plant City then North. With the SCL merger, the old ACL line was used after from Bradenton to Tampa and North.

Most of the reefers I have seen are in the seventies up to today. The Juice train, as mentioned online, officially started in the early 70's and use the Tropicana colors

Any luck on your side, Chris?

If you can identify them, let me know. Any suggestions will be appreaicted. I could make changes in the rolling stock to accomodate the proper reefers operated for Tropicana.

Thanks

Posted by: dgionet Feb 28 2016, 09:52 PM

Hello to all,

Template work is continuing and goes well. In addition to the current template project, Work on updating evenmore the SAL route is continuing by Carey Stevens. He is working to complete the ACL section between Bradenton and Tampa. He has changed back the trackage from CSX to the ACL name on that section. He is also expected to link the ACL trackage between the Tampa Union Station and the Uceta-Rock yards. No date yet but let's be patient. I believe once this gets done, it will be a beautiful job.

Also, Gaétan Bélanger has produced in the recently released BLW SD35 pack, three ACL SD35 #1000,1001 & 1002. He has also produced an ACL GP7 and is expected to be released as a bonus to one of the GP packs. I am still awaiting from Gaétan the confirmation of its availability on the BLW site. Those downloads are not part of the template required downloads. However, for the ACL template, one can swap the default ACL engine (from Train-Sim) with one from the BLW engines.

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template28.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template29.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template30.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template31.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template32.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template33.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template34.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template35.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template36_1.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template37.jpg.html

So far, nine (9) templates are now finished, including one between the Yeoman Yard and the Gary Shops, one depicting some switching inside four phosphate yards, one between the Yeoman and Tampa Yards and some local work along the ACL trackage between the Uceta yard and some industries a few miles further South to return back to Tampa.

Above are some shots of SLG-Generated activities for the newest templates. In the ACL template, I have swapped the default ACL engine for two BLW sd35's. The ACL caboose is one I have produced for the templates.It will be part of the template package.

Enjoy the shots and I will update the project as it progresses

Posted by: dgionet Mar 4 2016, 07:58 AM

Hello,

Additional pictures from the ACL template on a local run between Palm River and the Uceta Yard. Again, the BLW payware ACL SD35 seen here is an option to the freeware U25B, the latter is the required download.

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template38.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template39.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template40.jpg.html

URL=http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template41.jpg.html][/URL]

Earlier this week, I had a surprise mail from Tyler Bundy. He mentioned that there is no proper phosphate cars available in TrainSim. Since the SAL is one of his favorite routes, he had created phosphate cars which were used in the mid-sixties, one set for the SAL and another for the ACL. They are very close to the original used ( see link below)

https://www.google.ca/search?q=ACL+phosphate+cars&biw=1024&bih=681&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiB5veDlqfLAhUlmIMKHdd5DR0Q_AUIBigB&dpr=1#imgrc=MhkMmHAjN2J4wM%3A


Here are the ones he had created for MSTS

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL-ACL%20phosphate%20cars.jpg.html

He had provided me with both downloads, which are expected to be available in TS. I have changed all the templates to accomodate the cars. They will be perfect for the Phosphate template.

Thanks for your contribution Tyler, they will be much appreciated.

More to come later.

Posted by: dgionet Mar 20 2016, 08:24 PM

Hello to all,

Just to confirm I have finished the template package. It will include twenty-three (23) templates. There has a lot of file editing to include Tyler Bundy's phosphate cars and to replace the COFC with TOFC in consists but it was worth the change.

Benny is continuing to send me reports to improve the templates and consists to reflect more the 1965-era and to report any template errors. Thanks again Benny with your help!

Will try to have some screenshots posted later as testing will resume.

Posted by: dgionet Mar 22 2016, 03:36 PM

Hello to all,

Here are some shots from two activities generated by AG with templates that were done during construction. They are from the Coleman Turn and Zephyrhills Turn templates. Many templates have been inspired from genuine runs from timetables of the era provided by Carey. However, they were not meant to be exact replicas of the operations at the time.

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template43.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template44.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template45.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template46.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template47.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template48.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template49.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template50.jpg.html

As testing resumes, I will try to include some new images.

Posted by: dgionet Mar 28 2016, 06:36 AM

Hi to all,

Here are some shots from two generarated activities. The first five from the Tampa East template handling some sidings just East of the Yeoman Yard, using the runaround track to return back to the yard. The last two is a WB run on the Valrico Sub. Both were taken in the Marden Industries area.

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template53.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template54.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template55.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template56.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template57.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template58.jpg.html

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2Template59.jpg.html

More to come later

Posted by: Conductor Chris Apr 2 2016, 12:31 PM

Dennis, somehow I missed your question about the Tropicana juice cars.

Here are cars in the trainsim file library that would fit the early seventies:
tpix130.zip
tropref1.zip
tropref2.zip

These aren't the greatest - they were done in MSTS early days and using the Larry Goss friction bearing boxcar model. On the other hand, at least they say Tropicana and the FGE cars also have accuracy problems representing FGE cars.

There are much nicer tropicana cars available in the file library that date from the eighties when they switched over to orange.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Apr 2 2016, 03:54 PM

Hi Christopher,

Found out a while ago that the SAL was using the Fruit Grower Express (FGE) reefer cars during the mid-sixties, according to some research done online. The first actual Tropicana Reefers were produced in 1970 and the first "Juice train" started to operate at the same time.

Here is the link to images of the first Tropicana reefers and how the cars evolved over the passing years up to the CSX era.

https://www.pwrs.ca/announcements/view.php?ID=5989

So using the MSTS FGE cars seems to reflect the reality of the era during the SAL-ACL years.

Denis

Posted by: Conductor Chris Apr 10 2016, 06:24 PM

Ah, that makes sense, Denis.

i do love this aspect of the simulator - duplicating how things were . . . like the use of FGE cars.

Christopher

Posted by: dgionet Apr 17 2016, 05:16 PM

Hi to all,

A major change has been done to the entire SAL template project. From Belanger Locomotive Works (BLW), the extensive Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) freight pack, now officially released last week, has been fully integrated in the oncoming SAL route template for AG users. A lot of file editing has been done to realize this integration. Users of the oncoming SAL template will have the opportunity to use now both the SAL and ACL packs. At the same time freeware downloads from TrainSim has been reduced from 21 to now 15 downloads.

The ACL pack will be mostly used on the ACL trackage ( currently marked CSX) between the Uceta Yard and Bradenton.In the oncoming template set, there are three templates dedicated to the ACL trackage.

On his oncoming route update, Carey Stevens, the route's creator, has confirmed having rolled back the CSX trackage to ACL between Bradenton and Uceta Yard and expects this section and the rest of the route to reflect as possible the pre-SCL era. Most of the ACL trackage on this section is still to be rendered fully sceniced. Buildings are mostly there and work will be available along. The section still remaining to be fully sceniced is between MP 880 and MP 913 ( between Palm River and Memphis)

He also confirmed his intention to link the ACL trackage between the Tampa Union Station (TUS) and the Uceta Yard. Release date is not known for now and I expect it may take a while. The total of templates for this set is now 25. Only the Monon and the Buffalo routes have more templates.

I have started to prepare the template readme file. I hope to release the whole template package in a few weeks.

More later

Posted by: dgionet Apr 25 2016, 03:28 PM

Hello to all,

Just to confirm the template package is now complete and ready to be uploaded in the templates page, which includes a detailed readme file and template image for the templates page.

Before, I would like to say thanks to some individuals who has directly or indirectly contributed in making this template a reality:

To accomodate the present template, some updates to the route (mostly renaming of sidings) have been done with the permission of Carey Stevens, its route creator. Carey had also sent me some additional timetables to help me in creating specific templates inspired by true runs during the pre-SCL era. Thanks Carey, much appreciated!

To help with work selection, Craig Kawahara has updated his route map system to the latest route update and took into account the changes I have made made to accomodate the templates. The map is available in the Trainsim web site. Again thanks Craig for your excellent work!

I would like to say thanks, once again, to my long-time template tester Benny (bennycdn) for having helped me with testing the route templates and for any suggestions to improve the template package. Great job Benny!

Also thanks to Steve Davis, creator of the SAL template for AG3 and creator of the Activity Generator software. He gave me permission to have one created for AG4.Thanks again Steve!

Also thanks to Tyler Bundy, who has created phosphate cars of the era (available in Trainsim) for both the SAL and ACL to accommodate the present template. Well done Tyler and thanks for your time taken to create them!

Last in my list, a big thanks to Gaétan Bélanger, from Bélanger Locomotive works (BLW) for creating an extensive ACL freight pack to accomodate the present and oncoming updates to the SAL route as well as the template. Excellent work Gaétan!

Here is the image expected to be seen in the templates page once uploaded:

http://s180.photobucket.com/user/dgionet_photo/media/SAL2TemplateImage.jpg.html

I will be sending to Steve the template set and will confirm it availability once uploaded.

Posted by: bennycdn Apr 25 2016, 08:00 PM

Folks
All my testing was done in open rails and everything worked great. I loaded all templates with max railcar fill. This one by far is Denis' best work.

Posted by: beechcaptain Apr 26 2016, 05:02 AM

A big thank you to Denis and all who have contributed to this project along with route upgrade(s)!

Really looking forward to running many AG4 activities on the SAL FL Division!


Posted by: dgionet Apr 27 2016, 06:22 PM

Hi to all,

Just to confirm the template package is now available to download.

Thanks again Steve for your assistance with the templates.

Enjoy the templates and happy trainsimming to all.

Posted by: dgionet Apr 29 2016, 01:01 PM

Hi again,

One user has noticed that Craig Kawahara's system map was missing in the template package. I have repackaged the templates with the map and have sent it to Steve to replace the previous one uploaded earlier this week. In the meantime, those having the missing map system can write me at photoman_57[at]hotmail[dot]ca or PM me and will sent to those the system map.

My apologies for the omission.

Thanks

Posted by: ckawahara Apr 29 2016, 05:33 PM

QUOTE(dgionet @ Apr 29 2016, 01:01 PM) *
Hi again,

One user has noticed that Craig Kawahara's system map was missing in the template package. I have repackaged the templates with the map and have sent it to Steve to replace the previous one uploaded earlier this week. In the meantime, those having the missing map system can write me at photoman_57[at]hotmail[dot]ca or PM me and will sent to those the system map.

My apologies for the omission.

Thanks


The track diagram was uploaded to TS on 04/28/16. As of this writing, it is has yet to make the download library.

Posted by: dgionet Apr 30 2016, 05:44 AM

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the update. Much appreciated.

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