North Coast Railroad (NCR) & California Western Railroad (CWR), Combined template project in the works Options

[dgionet]

Hello to all,

I have started a new template project. This one will involve two routes. It happened twice before having two routes for a template project. The first was the SLI DRGW Green River with the Potash routes. The second was with the CONN River and Springfield Terminal routes. This one will involve the North Coast Railroad (NCR) route version 3.2 with the California Western Railroad (CWR) Route (available at the Elvas Tower web site). Both have the Willits area in their routes. In addition, for this occasion, I have created new repaints and renumbers for this special project.

The timeframe is set in the first half of the 90's during operation of the NCR

Here they are:

Two Arcata & Mad River 44-tonners in their original numbers 101 & 102:
AMRR 101 & 102 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Two CWR GP9's with their original numbers 65 & 66
CWRR 65 & 66 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Six NCR GP9's (4 original numbers and two fictional recently patched NCR) and Nortwestern Pacific #1922 in its original number (although this real-life repaint has been done later in the 2010's)
North Coast railroad pack by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Two fictional 44-tonners for the Pacific Lumber Company (PalCo) with their original numbers (The real engines are actually 80-tonners)
PalCo 101 & 102 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

I have already finished putting the markers on the NCR 3.2 route, now reaching Ukiah. The previous version (3.1) reached only Willits. The TDB file has been extensively worked and I have ran the entire route to put the markers at the appropriate position and given the proper attributes to each serviceable siding. Once the templates are finished, will start working the same for the CWR route.

Will try to post some shots as it progresses.

[dgionet]

What a great looking route you've showcased. I'll be looking forward to this, for sure. Looks like fun. Did the prototype run with all that traffic an multiple locomotives? Makes me wonder how all that business withered. Makes me glad for the simulator to experience virtually what once was. Thanks for your contribution.
Christopber

Hi Christopher,

The template package is a mix of prototypical and fictional elements. I have taken the time to look at the motive power and rolling stock to be as authentic as possible of the early 90's, looking at pictures of the era. The Eureka Southern Geeps, which are part of the package, were actually not transferred to the NCR roster in 1992 when NCR purchased the Eureka Southern rail network. With this template, I wanted to put in evidence the Railroads and its motive power that shaped the NCR rail network.

The Pacific Lumber Company switchers were actually 80-tonners according to images seen in the Scotia mill. Since I couldn't find a model in the file library, I have used Dick Cowen's 44-tonner model to have it repainted as close as possible to the original models and have the power output adjusted to a 80-tonner ( 700kw or 940hp)

As for the California Western Geeps, the numbers are original numbers from the real thing. However, I have not been able to find any pictures of the CWR hauling lumber cars, nor finding the actual time the CWR ended freight operations between Fort Bragg and Willits.

The NWP 1922 GP9, as seen here with the package was restored and put back into service only in the 2010's. Despite this, I have included it with the package. I have no idea of the traffic operations of both NCR and CWR Rail networks, but wanted to maximize its potential. With this major overhaul to 3.2 (from 3.1), there will be lots of opportunity to get to know more this route with all the diverse rolling material that ran through both rail networks.