Notes on Route Creation in TS2014-TS2015

[AirCoaster]

I thought I would start this thread to show the slow, but continuing progress of my personal railroad in TS2015. The route has gone through some devastating changes as I had lost the total route from a computer crash a month or so ago. So, actually, this is a totally new route, but still follows the terrain and track layout of the East Broad Top Railroad using standard gauge track. The railroad is a connector coal hauling route which will include several other aggregate suppliers to the railroad. This is in no way an attempt to recreate the EBT R.R. The terrain data is used from the import mode of the paint brush tool along with the Google maps function using a hybrid format. As far as following the track exactly as presented in these tools, well, I have no intention in doing so, and they are used as guides. I will try to add any techniques I use to allow others to benefit from my experience.

Today's Presentation

Today I am making this presentation to the readers to get some feedback on how my Paint Brush and Object Placement skills are moving forward or not as the case may be. The time is like 7:00am and the images may seem a bit dark, but this is just timing. I find creating the route at this time of day helps show the terrain differences better. Does the area look too cluttered, and do these assets look like what would be in Pennsylvania or at least near that region of the country? Am I creating a realistic looking scene with the tools available in TS2015? So, feel free to add your comments on these images, I can take criticism, so open up. Ask questions, I am always willing to share my knowledge.

The area is called "Jack's Narrows" in Pennsylvania, USA near Mount Union. This is an attempt to add scenery elements to allow for smooth frame rates going through this river valley. The forests were created using two overlapping Asset Blocks and may impact the frame rates a bit, but I haven't found that to be the case. I have found out that adding the different Asset Blocks, whether rectangular or irregular in format, in small length dimensions and running from the track near the river, to the top of the mountains seems to work best. Asset Blocks can be found in the tools panel under objects/foliage and water. The reason one uses a smaller Asset Block is to allow the graphics engine to place each block in view sequentially instead of one big block that would pop into view and look a bit unnatural. The adding of small blocks makes the scenery elements appear faster and at an overlapping timing sequence to allow for each block to appear before the camera gets to the center of the block. Also, the base anchor, which is a small blue pin with a ball on top, shows with the gizmo attached to it to show the center Asset Block location. This particular pin needs to be placed in the general center area of the Asset Block. The new Asset Blocks are much better than the older ones in that you have two choices for the assets contained in them, one as two proportionally controlled assets, and two as a single asset. There are also controls for scale and density which are distributed amongst the assets used.

[AirCoaster]

3 days and 21 hits, no comments..... not even negative ones......totally amazing.

[Tom Constantine]

I've been busy I think there's only 3 of us posting.

Anyway... I'm impressed. The density close to the track is superb. Really immersive. The pictures make me want to drive it.

I can't tell from the pictures but I assume you have decreased the density with distance.

The hills look great and your choice of time seems to take good advantage of the new lighting.

Look out for the upcoming patch due middle of next week. That will address some rendering problems.

[AirCoaster]

Thanks for the feedback Tom. What I am finding out is that one needs to make small areas of scenery elements that run perpendicular to the track. This allows for the insertion of each area sequentially along the line of the track and allows for better handling of the denser scenery. It actually works fairly well for me, and I haven't a super computer. The graphics engine handles the distant scenery fairly well which keeps the frame rates from dropping. So, experimentation is in order as to what works the best. Hopefully the patch will have some good things for us in regards to rendering, I look forward to it.

I was amazed at what I could do with scenery elements as far as the overlapping of Asset Blocks, which come in rectangular and irregular entities.

[AirCoaster]

Hi Gang,

Here's another excerpt of my progress in creating my Neuville & Williamsburg Railroad in TS2015. You need to remember this is a work in progress and you will see different unfinished parts of the route, like deep cuts marking water areas as rivers and creeks. Also, there is the beginnings of flora as I am testing different tree assets that I want to have in the route and their performance.

The Loco is a U.P. 0-6-0 switcher in abnormal use as a road unit with some cars and a caboose starting out traveling along the Pennsylvania right of way near Jack's Narrows. It then diverges into the Neuville & Williamsburg mainline and yards. The sequence goes like this after entering the N&W area, the PRR storage tracks and Neuville passenger station on the left. Next, the train passes through the west PRR yard on the N&W mainline, and approaches the PRR east yard arrival & departure tracks with the N&W Neuville loco and repair shops to the right. The train then proceeds through the north N&W yard with the Deneba Coke plant on the left and the wye track on the right behind the loco and car facility. The journey continues through the south N&W yard and onto the mainline heading south, which ends the video.

This may be a long process, but I remember building model railroads and they were much the same way. The thing is, I am enjoying it and having a blast setting things up the way I want them. I have had some help from Tom Constantine, and the excellent locos and cars have been provided by Dick Cowen of BritKits. Please excuse the quality of the video as I had to reduce the size to make it economical to upload.

A Trip Through the Yards on the Neuville & Williamsburg Railroad

[Tom Constantine]

Great video. Its looking good.

[Bookman]

WOW!

I finally stumble back into the forum and see this!

I look forward the progress reports.

Bookman

[AirCoaster]

I have been working right along with getting this railroad working. I thought I would share some images of the progress.

Moving through the yards at Neuville
the northern most town on the railroad. Also, the connection with the PRR.



More of the yards at Neuville,
this is near the engine facility looking north.



Train moving south out of the yards at Neuville.
the crossing has only three crossbucks with lights.



The river crossings at Neuville.
The first bridge is the PRR mainline bridge, and the one behind it is the bridge that has the tracks that lead to the NW Neuville Yards.



Train crossing the bridge at Archer Creek.
This is just north of the town of Taylor.



A look at Taylor Grain.
There is a passing siding which includes a team track for the town, plus some storage tracks.



Progress of work at Johnstown.
This is the home of the NW, and is central on the line.
Its also the branch off point for the coal and freight towns and facilities west of Johnstown.
The wye to the right goes south to Williamsburg and several towns which are to be developed in the future.
The line also traverses two gaps in the mountains, Wray's Gap and Bluesky Gap.

There are lots of grade changes on this route and keeps the engineer on his toes.
Tom has been helping in an advisory capacity and provides a lot of inspiration for me to keep at it, and does my testing when I get a chance to update.
Here's a list of the routes I have, but you have to understand I am not using assets from all the routes.

Cajon Pass
Castle Rock Railroad
Chicago Yards
Donner Pass
Durango and Silverton
East Coast Main Line
East Coast Main Line - London - Peterborough
Fort Kent to Eagle Lake
Great Western Main Line
Hedborough North
Horseshoe Curve
Le grand Nord
Marias Pass
Munich - Gramisch - Partenkirchen
NEC: New York - New Haven
Norfolk Southern Coal District
Northeast Corridor
Ohio Steel 2
Pacific Surfliner La- San Diego
Portland Terminal
Raquette Lake Railway
Ruhr - Sieg Line
Seebergahn
Somerset & Dorset Railway
Stevens Pass
Talyllyn Adventure v2.0
Test Track
Turkey Creek
Western Lines of Scotland

[edmoore235]

Greetings,

Very nice work. Must be difficult to do. Wishing you a most happy New Year for 2015. All the best, Ed Moore.

[AirCoaster]

hi Ed, no not difficult just time consuming, and rather fun and rewarding. Railroading was always my first love when it comes to hobbies, so Train Simulator 2015 fits right in there. Have a great year also Ed.

[AirCoaster]

WIP - 21:20min. - A run south of Neuville, the most northern town on the NW, through the yards, then south to Taylor, the first town south of Neuville, about a five miles. Of course, there are areas that are empty and others that need modification, not to mention, the addition of more details. This video is just to show my progress. The video runs best at its normal size. Thanks for watching.

[Tom Constantine]

Good place for steam engines