Pentecosta V4 route, Oncoming template Options

[dgionet]

Almost two years after news of its future update, Julien Cachemaille has released at the turn of the year Pentecosta 4. And the sidings have been marked for AG. Shortly after, I have started looking into the route for construction of the templates

Here is the previous topic to help our users recall the first reference with Pentecosta.

http://skylinecomputing.com/forums/index.p...p;hl=pentecosta.

Although I have been silent on the forum since the beginning of the year in terms of template projects, I have been working a template package for the last six (6) weeks. I didn’t post anything yet; wanting to make sure this template could reach completion before testing. It had become one of my biggest personal projects ever and among the most difficult and challenging.

There will be more than 650 serviceable sidings for the seven (7) templates. Two of these templates will be along 700 km of mainline (EB and WB). Some of the paths have been split because of problems of broken paths related to one single continous path, I couldn’t succeed in installing a 450km path. Four others templates will be for LOCALS template, one for each direction (EB,WB,NB,SB) which will depict local runs along the remaining 400 km of secondary lines. The last one will be the YARDS template for the main areas with large yards and its surroundings.

The whole package has more than 160 regions, more than AG can handle in one SWLTDB file. During the region settings for each path, AG couldn’t reach the window where the different paths are assigned to regions. This is why the SWLTDB file had to be reworked and split in two separate SWLTDB files (one for the Mainline templates and another for the LOCALS template) trying to make the number go below 100. I have kept an original SWLTDB containing all 160 regions in case something happens during construction. After the split the LOCALS SWLTDB file ended with 102 regions, still above AG’s capability and couldn’t go any further. After scrapping some less important areas and going below the 100 mark, AG was able to proceed ahead to complete the region-path settings. Later it has been decided to split the LOCALS in four and rework all SWLTDB files to keep only the regions associated with the paths.

Since Pentecosta has many areas where there are sharp and/or twisting curves, steep grades and even switchbacks on the secondary lines, it has been decided to allow (for the LOCALS template) only 40-45 feet long freight cars to move along these tracks. The SWLACT and SWLTDB files had to be rebuilt to redefine some cars as short cars and also redefining the respective regions to allow only short cars along the LOCALS template. Because of some short sidings for meets, I would suggest for the LOCALS of having a maximum of 15 to 20 cars. A pair of GP38’s will be the player engines for the LOCALS while three sd40-2’s will be able to handle more cars inside the EB and WB mainline templates. On one part of the Mainline templates, the user will be driving left-hand, that is between Mimizan and Nova Bavay.

AI traffic is present in all templates, customized for almost all player paths in all templates. Each player and traffic path has been carefully checked to avoid a Mexican standoff or just a stall along their respective paths. Only Eight (8) downloads are required, all from Trainsim.com and all downloads are from Julien’s mega stocks.

Here’s the total count for Pentecosta so far: 35 Activity files, 104 service files, 88 path files (about half for player and half for traffic files), 7 traffic files and 35 consist files. That is subject to change with testing.

I have set tonight the last traffic paths for the last template (YARDS). Now the real test will begin. If some of you are willing to test the package, welcome aboard! I have no screenshots yet but these will be coming as testing advances.

So that’s it for now. Will update later as testing progresses.

[smokeytc]

Almost two years after news of its future update, Julien Cachemaille has released at the turn of the year Pentecosta 4. And the sidings have been marked for AG. Shortly after, I have started looking into the route for construction of the templates

Here is the previous topic to help our users recall the first reference with Pentecosta.

http://skylinecomputing.com/forums/index.p...p;hl=pentecosta.

Although I have been silent on the forum since the beginning of the year in terms of template projects, I have been working a template package for the last six (6) weeks. I didn’t post anything yet; wanting to make sure this template could reach completion before testing. It had become one of my biggest personal projects ever and among the most difficult and challenging.

There will be more than 650 serviceable sidings for the seven (7) templates. Two of these templates will be along 700 km of mainline (EB and WB). Some of the paths have been split because of problems of broken paths related to one single continous path, I couldn’t succeed in installing a 450km path. Four others templates will be for LOCALS template, one for each direction (EB,WB,NB,SB) which will depict local runs along the remaining 400 km of secondary lines. The last one will be the YARDS template for the main areas with large yards and its surroundings.

The whole package has more than 160 regions, more than AG can handle in one SWLTDB file. During the region settings for each path, AG couldn’t reach the window where the different paths are assigned to regions. This is why the SWLTDB file had to be reworked and split in two separate SWLTDB files (one for the Mainline templates and another for the LOCALS template) trying to make the number go below 100. I have kept an original SWLTDB containing all 160 regions in case something happens during construction. After the split the LOCALS SWLTDB file ended with 102 regions, still above AG’s capability and couldn’t go any further. After scrapping some less important areas and going below the 100 mark, AG was able to proceed ahead to complete the region-path settings. Later it has been decided to split the LOCALS in four and rework all SWLTDB files to keep only the regions associated with the paths.

Since Pentecosta has many areas where there are sharp and/or twisting curves, steep grades and even switchbacks on the secondary lines, it has been decided to allow (for the LOCALS template) only 40-45 feet long freight cars to move along these tracks. The SWLACT and SWLTDB files had to be rebuilt to redefine some cars as short cars and also redefining the respective regions to allow only short cars along the LOCALS template. Because of some short sidings for meets, I would suggest for the LOCALS of having a maximum of 15 to 20 cars. A pair of GP38’s will be the player engines for the LOCALS while three sd40-2’s will be able to handle more cars inside the EB and WB mainline templates. On one part of the Mainline templates, the user will be driving left-hand, that is between Mimizan and Nova Bavay.

AI traffic is present in all templates, customized for almost all player paths in all templates. Each player and traffic path has been carefully checked to avoid a Mexican standoff or just a stall along their respective paths. Only Eight (8) downloads are required, all from Trainsim.com and all downloads are from Julien’s mega stocks.

Here’s the total count for Pentecosta so far: 35 Activity files, 104 service files, 88 path files (about half for player and half for traffic files), 7 traffic files and 35 consist files. That is subject to change with testing.

I have set tonight the last traffic paths for the last template (YARDS). Now the real test will begin. If some of you are willing to test the package, welcome aboard! I have no screenshots yet but these will be coming as testing advances.

So that’s it for now. Will update later as testing progresses.

Hi Denis - I got some time if you want me to help test.
Thanks Ted
smokeytc@295.ca

[dgionet]

Here are the first screenshots of the completed actvities (LOCALS NB & SB) between Nienke and Baleias Brancas.











I had to change to manual switching and also to permissive signalling to complete both acts.

For the time being, there are no maps available for the route. If someone is ready to have one made for the route, let us know. That will help greatly with the acts.

Will update later with more shots.

BTW Thanks Ted for your volunteering and will try to send shortly the whole package to start testing

[dgionet]

Continuing testing of some additional aces including LOCALS EB, Mainline EB, LOCALS WB.

There has been a lot of work at the Utakus Dam site (Barrage d'Utakus), scrapping three sidings and redirecting both player and traffic paths to allow the player train to work in the area without going to the mainline and generate a signal issue. One of these sidings had been freed to set his consist inside the area to allow work with the other sidings. One siding had a very sharp curve which caused the GP38's to get stuck inside them and couldn't get out. I had to change the timing in the traffic path reaching Berthold station since the siding to meet the oncoming train cannot handle more than 6 cars with the pair of GP38-2's. I have arranged the traffic to pass the station before the player train could reach it.

Had to change one player and some traffic paths because the LOCALS WB from Vale do Tuiuiu to Neienke-Est generated a stall at Bouzi. I have forgotten a double reverse point at this area and generated a stall, even without oncoming traffic. That has been corrected.

Ted, the package is coming. don't worry. I will try to find some more errors before sending it to you.

In the meantime I have captured 20 screens of the route. They will be spread in two posts

The first three Between Cocagnol and Buin.
The next three between Maribamba and the Utakus dam site
The next two between Mimizan and about 15 miles east
The remaining two and all from the following post are between Vale do Tuiuiu and Bouzi.





















More coming on the next post

[dgionet]

The remaining shots, all between Vale do Tuiuiu and Bouzi





















Will keep updating as testing progresses

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

Ted (smokeytc) is regularly sending reports on the testing and following his reports, I am trying to improve the package. Thanks again Ted for your time and work! I have not been as much into testing as I usually do. The reason: I have started to work on a extensive map system for the template. That will help the user to determine work to do depending of the marker’s orientation. For the main map area, it took three evenings to achieve them.

The following seven (7) maps are the result of the whole network system (shown from West to East ):















Each region will have its own map area. Some of them (like the main yards) will have up to four or five maps to cover their respective areas. The estimated total of maps including the main map system once finished is expected tol be between 200 and 250. I have done close to 100 maps so far.

On the next post, I will include examples of finished maps of some regions and other screenshots of the route during testing.

[dgionet]

The first three are example of some finished region maps

Peney-le-Jorat


Poulet


Grelin-en-Hibou


Additional screens of the route













Will continue updating later

[dgionet]

Just want to confirm that the whole map system has been finished tonight. There are 185 maps to help with work selection.

I will now resume testing the route with Ted.

Will update later

[KQXZ]

I would like to try the templates

MRW +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[dgionet]

Thanks MRW for your help with testing the Pentecosta Templates.

You can send your coordinates at photoman_57 [at] hotmail.ca. From there I will send you the whole template package for testing.

Thanks again,

[dgionet]

Hello to all,

After resuming with the testing, I have decided to make a major change to the package. The motive power ( sd40-2 and GP38) have been completely replaced be ALCOS (C424,C430,M630,M636,M640) as it was initially planned a few years ago at the time of Pentecosta 3. In the locals template and in the mountains, use of two GP38 s (2 x 2000 hp) were considered insufficient to handle steep and twisting grades with about 15 cars whether going up of down. The locals will have now as basic motive power three Alco C424 s (2400 hp each) which will make 7200 hp of power to handle the grades. The mainline EB and WB template will have 2 M640 s (2x4500 hp), the equivalent of three sd40-2 s. Also some minor changes are being done to the package.

I will be sending to Ted the updated package and am still awaiting news from KQXZ to send him the files.

I am including some of the last shots with the Geeps and will give you an idea of how steep and twisting some areas are which needed the change of engines. Also they will fit well with the railfill which includes F-units and older alcos.

Also included are some screens of a SLG-activity between Jujuy and Maribamba, which includes four (4) switchbacks, seen among the shots.

[dgionet]

Hello to all,

Testing with Ted is continuing and improvements are being made. Ted reported some sharp curves in the Nienke-Port area too sharp for the C424's to handle. Shorter G12's were tested and generated the same results. That means 2 sidings were finally removed from the seviceable sidings in the Nienke-Port area.

Following a SLG-generated act from Castor-le-Moet to Buin on the mainline and across the Pentecosta mountains, two changes were done. First, extra power (a 3,300 hp M636) was added to the mainline player consist (originally Two 4500hp M640's) to make a 12300 hp, about the equivalent of four (4) sd40-2's. With two M640's, I couldn't climb the grades (see image 65 below w/40 cars). Even with an additional power, I had to throttle full-power and sanding. It went as low at 5 miles per hour (see image 65 below) before regaining slowly in speed.

Second, helper units were added in five strategic locations to face the sharp and steep curves across the mountans. Helpers have been set at Maribamba (LOCALSEB) , Jujuy (LOCALSEB), Arthuro K. (LOCALSWB), Peney-le-Jorat (EB) and Malak (WB). Location of the helpers can be seen in RED in the Maps area with the concerned templates. Referring again to the image 65, use of the helper made a significant difference ( from 5 to 19mph at the same location)

Before reaching these areas, it would be suggested for the user to save his act in case of insufficient power during climbing. In such case, he can reload his act and use the helpers to climb the steep grades. Once in the summit, if the user wishes, he can uncouple the helper and resume its work.

For the WB, the helper can be uncoupled in Myrtille-Goulet, the EB at Mont-Petzi, the LOCALSWB at the Col de Brumuste area and at Arthuro K for the LOCALS EB.

Here are some additional screenshots of some activities






















Will keep updating its progress

[dgionet]

Hello to all,

Testing is continuing and with Ted's reports the templates are continuing to be refined.

In Castor-le-Moet, two sidings: "Marché couvert" and "Intermodal" were removed from service because of issues generating a derailment and/or broken coupler issues during access to both sidings.

Helper units were added at Joubarvolon (EB) and Guagnew (LOCALSEB) because of some steep grades east of their location I have encountered and either couldn't climb or climb too slow (~10-15mph).

With the default Mainline EB and 40 cars, I couldn't climb the grade east of Joubarvolon and needed helper units.

In Chwimpauree, I have added one siding and increased in capacity those present there. That will increase the number of cars to be brought there but will certainly need both helper cars at Guagnew, despite the presence of the three C424's.With three C-424's and 14 cars, I could'n go faster than 15 mph along a good stretch of the track from Guagnew to Chwimpauree.

In the meantime here are some shots, a mixed bag among the Mainline and the LOCALS templates





















Will keep updating,

[dgionet]

Hello to all,

After almost three full months of construction and a lot of testing, Ted and I agree that it is a good time now to prepare to release the whole template package. It is not possible to find every flaw because it is a massive route to cover, about 700 miles (1100km).

Many changes were already done to correct issues and the whole package has been subect to a lot of refinement. That includes placement of helper units at strategic areas to help with climbing the steep grades of the Pentecosta Mountains, creation of 185 maps to help with work selection, elimination of some sidings with curves too sharp to handle freight, a complete engine change to ALCOS, bringing more power to the player engines.

I am encouraging those who will use the template package to report any additional issues here in order to prepare an update to the original templates.I believe there will some issues and hope to have the update released about one month after its original release.

A BIG THANKS to Ted for the many hours he spent with testing and had helped a lot to refine this massive package.

Overall, It has been the largest project I have ever made. Although the Burton-Derby template, done about 4 years ago, has more sidings than Pentecosta, the overall work, the multiple template package and the 4 additional years of experience in template making had brought the best of this huge route and the biggest overall project ever.

here are the last screenshots of the testing, taken between Mimizan and Buin









Will update to confirm the package has been sent to Steve.

[dgionet]

The package has been sent to Steve tonight.

Here's the image that should appear on the templates page.



Will confirm once available in the downloads page.

[dgionet]

The package is now available in the templates page.


Thanks again Steve and enjoy the ride!

[KQXZ]

I was going to test the templates for this project but got hamstrung with other things, I do apologize. BUT I have downloaded the templates and will report any problems or improvements that I can.

My sincere apologies.

MRW

[KQXZ]

Hi
does anyone know how to get these and if they matter - thank you !

nr_bridge2t100mstrt.s
nr_bridge2t25mstrt.s
nr_bridge2t50mstrt.s

nr_bridge2t100mstrt.sd
nr_bridge2t25mstrt.sd
nr_bridge2t50mstrt.sd

Missing shapes from Pentecosta v4

[KQXZ]

[quote name='KQXZ' date='Apr 16 2012, 03:27 PM' post='3491']
Hi

nr_bt104.zip in the TS library seems to have them

hope this helps someone else