Surfliner 2.3 route, Template project in the works Options

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

I have decided, a few months ago, to tackle on making a template project for the latest version of the beautiful Surfliner 2.3 route. A massive project. The timeframe is in the late 90's, a post-merger era for the larger Union Pacific and also the newly formed BNSF. Because of its scale, the template project will be split in two, one for the UP and the other for the BNSF, the same way I have worked on the PRRv2 route.

I have decided to work first on the less dense Union Pacific trackage, which runs between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. The work is well advanced. Templates were also done for the Ventura County Railroad (VCRR at Oxnard) and the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR between Guadalupe and Santa Maria). There won't be big mainline runs but smaller 25-car locals. The first will be from Los Angeles to Oxnard and the second between Oxnard and San Luis Obispo (SLO). The SLG-generated run I have done betwen Oxnard and SLO took close to 7 hours to complete.

Most of the downloads will be available in the Trainsim file library. Only one will require the former 3D trains Surfliner trainsets pack, which include the Metrolink, Coaster and Amtrak Surfliner trains, perfect for the route.

As a bonus, I have created small templates for Elvas Tower's Cuesta Grade route (NB & SB), which runs North of San Luis Obispo to Santa Margarita. Both templates have only two sidings to work on each direction. Despite this the player may require a helper unit at the end of his train to help push his 25-car train through grades up to 2.9% in some areas with traffic along. For the NB, the coupling can be done in SLO and the uncoupling at Cuesta where helper units are located. For the SB, the user may set his initial train with a helper unit. You will be getting high grades before reaching the Cuesta helper siding. The helper units at Cuesta is nearly in the summit close to the first tunnel which begins its descent to SLO.

In the meantime, here are 20 photos of activities generated by AG, between LA and SLO, through the Cuesta route, and for both VCRR and SMVRR.

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-14 08-46-05 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-14 08-50-34 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-14 08-58-04 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-17 04-16-04 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-21 08-38-54 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-21 09-31-24 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-23 10-46-17 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 12-53-14 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 01-03-52 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 08-53-35 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

The remaining shots on the next post.

[dgionet]

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 09-00-15 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 09-32-55 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 10-02-00 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-25 10-20-26 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-28 08-23-08 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-28 08-27-05 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-28 08-44-21 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-28 08-55-39 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-28 09-11-50 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2023-12-28 09-25-03 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Will keep updating as it advances

[Harlank]

Great news Denis!!!!!!!

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

The Surfliner 2.3 (Union Pacific trackage) and the Cuesta Grade templates are now available to our AG users. Those interested to have it simply write me at the usual email address to obtain it. I will send it by email.

Here's the template image that comes with the package.

Surfliner23_UP Template Image by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Let me know if issues.

Thanks and happy trainsimming.

Denis

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

Just to confirm the Surfliner 2.3 Template (BNSF trackage) is now available for our users to have it upon request at the usual email address.

Here are some shots from activities generated by AG.

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-02-24 07-32-45 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-02-29 06-27-12 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Please take note the BURLINGTON patched GP35 for BNSF is not part of the template package (A personal modification). If you want this model, it is available in the Trainsim site f/l and is done by Kent Stough. Beautifully done!
Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-02-29 09-41-46 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr
Other shots

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-14 05-18-45 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-14 06-25-10 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-14 07-03-53 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-15 01-54-35 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-15 02-15-29 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-16 01-11-41 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-16 07-58-25 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

More shots on the next post:

[dgionet]

The remaining shots

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-21 09-05-13 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-22 09-10-10 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-22 10-53-37 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-23 06-24-48 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails NewYear MG 2024-03-24 04-08-04 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Here is the template image that will come with the Template package

SURFLINER23_BNSF Template Image by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Enjoy the package and happy trainsimming