Hi to all,

In 2014 was released the original Milwaukee Idaho Division route (known as the GAP) by Jerry Sullivan. Later in that year, a template package has been done and released for the route. The route covered between Avery ID and Othello WA.

In February of last year, Peter Olasz has added to Jerry's original route the Spokane Extension between Plummer ID and Spokane WA.

In August, I have started to work on a modified template of the original route to include the Spokane Extension and also decided to review the package done seven years ago and make some small changes to the original template package. The required downloads are mostly the same with some changes such as the recently released BLW UP compilation engines package to optimize the UP network now expanded with the release.

Some points to remember: trackage between Plummer and Manito is MILW owned while the Manito to Spokane is UP trackage. The MILW has trackage rights all the way to Spokane to access its MILW yard at Spokane and the Union Station for the Olympian Hiawatha.

Take note that, before its final run in 1961, the Westbound Olympian Hiawatha borrowed the Plummer-Spokane extension to reach the Spokane Union station. Then, the Hiawatha used the UP tracks between Spokane and Marengo and rejoin the MILW trackage for the remaining run to Seattle. The same applies for the run Eastbound.

A lot of work has been done on the MILW and UP Yards in Spokane to add railfill with a Car Strings download available in the trainsim library.

The package is advancing well and is getting close to completion. Benny has agreed to assist with Testing the package. Thanks again Benny!

Here are some shots of activities generated with AG:


Open Rails 2021-08-20 09-46-58 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-08-20 10-04-19 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-08-20 10-36-59 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-16 10-47-13 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-17 07-18-04 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-17 09-22-31 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-18 07-56-20 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-18 08-11-26 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-18 08-28-46 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-18 08-34-02 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Will post later as it advances

Looking good, Denis

Hi to all,

The template package is now complete and is now available to our users. Benny has given me the go clear to have it released. Thanks again Benny for your time with testing! Helps me a lot.

In addition to the required downloads for the original GAP route template, five (5) additional downloads will be required to run the current package.

From Belanger Locomotive Works (BLW)

1-The UP Engines Compilation Pack

From Trainsim

2-Carstings_rev2017.zip
3-up_cabs.zip
4-air40_kcs.zip
5-mowtie.zip

Here are some additional shots from activities generated by the project.

Open Rails 2021-09-22 09-09-54 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-22 09-12-54 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-22 09-30-54 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-22 09-45-03 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-09-23 08-59-06 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Open Rails 2021-10-15 10-57-13 by Denis Gionet, sur Flickr

Pending Steve's issue with uploading the templates to the templates page, you can write to me as usual to obtain the template package.

Thanks and enjoy the pack.