MSTS Route "The Rathole"

nsgelocos · July 22, 2009, 11:32:28 PM

I figure this would be a good place to mention that I am making a new route for MSTS, The Rathole, of course. I plan to run the trackage from C.P. Strange to the Interlocking north of S.J. Tower. I'm currently at the KY border at Silerville. I've had a lot of help so far. I plan to make a beta with the current trackage I have and go ahead and make the scenery for the route. I had a guy script a signal system to NS rules. I have the route based in the 90s' so the signals with be GRS searchlights and colorlights. I have made signal gantries for the signals already and i'm working some cantilevers. The terrain was simple that a program i paid for that convert DEM (USGS Digital, Elevation, Models) did most of the work for me.

quick example of what DEM can do in sim, can anyone guess where this is?

Here are a few photos.
C.P. Lancing

Model of the North of Tunnel 24

This is Oakdale, kind of an out-dated progress photo but just for show

Nemo overlooking tunnels 22 and 24

enjoy

Backyard · July 23, 2009, 12:52:10 AM

Answer to question "where's this" is Kings Mountain cut looking northbound.

DEM's make great routes for train simulators.

Keep up the good work.

Are you planning to upload the scenery items to Google Earth?

NSyorktown · July 23, 2009, 09:11:51 AM

Wow, that's impressive!

I enjoyed replicating "the real Rathole" in HO scale, but your's looks far more complex.

http://jreb.org/ns/index.php?topic=129.msg6512#msg6512

Keep us posted . . . . we'll want to see the progress.

RDS

nsgelocos · July 23, 2009, 11:37:30 AM

thank you guys, as for the answer, Backyard, it's not Kings Mountain but the cuts south of Tateville.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=163087&nseq=6

Backyard · July 23, 2009, 10:40:52 PM

I understand, the open-end of the cut is not like Kings Mt.

What was the name of the utility you used to make the DEM?

nsgelocos · July 24, 2009, 10:47:29 AM

I use a program called Demex from Digital Rails, they have a free trail but it has it's limitations. You can do an entire route's terrain with the trial version, but it will take some extra time with it's limitations. Not to mention I cannot get there home site to load.

E.M. Bell · October 06, 2009, 09:58:48 PM

How is the project coming along?

AD4YJ · October 06, 2009, 10:58:55 PM

I would love to be a beta tester for the route.
Paul

nsgelocos · October 07, 2009, 04:14:48 PM

So far, harriman jucntion to sillerville. I'm planning to start again on the trackage soon.

E.M. Bell · October 07, 2009, 08:40:40 PM

Sounds like a good winter project when its to cold to do anything else!

Southern6482 · October 09, 2009, 09:06:31 PM

I cannot WAIT for this route! I'm a BIG MSTS user and have worn out the Pokey and Hook and Eye!

nsgelocos · October 09, 2009, 10:20:36 PM

I assure you all, you will not be dissapointed. Google sketch modeler has let me make models of the actual tunnels for the Route. want some pictures?

billworsham · October 10, 2009, 03:32:42 PM

Yes, bring on the teaser pics!!

nsgelocos · October 10, 2009, 08:44:00 PM

Here's a model of the vented tunnels you see on the district

Camp Austin from the south cantilever. I stay true to the 90s style Camp Austin with the cantilever to left side of the tracks looking north.

North Area of C.P. Camp Austin

C.W. Tower

Glenmary also has one signal bridge and one signal cantilever.

The Oneida Railyard looking north.

billworsham · October 11, 2009, 11:53:00 AM

WOW is all I can say! What kind of help do you need on the project?

nsgelocos · October 12, 2009, 05:52:28 PM

Well in need people who what type of buildings there are along the line so it would make it easier trying to place buildings. lol

nsSD70M-2 · November 20, 2009, 06:35:35 AM

Wow great work! I wish I could build routes like this...if I could I'd have the entire Piedmont Division made by now. ;D

Southern6482 · November 25, 2009, 02:41:04 PM

Can't wait to try this route! I'm a huge msts guy, run the Pokey all the time, so being able to run "home" rails is going to be great!!!!!!! Hope you'd consider modeling the first district next!

nsgelocos · November 25, 2009, 05:42:20 PM

I thought about doing the whole 338 mile long CNO&TP at one time, but I really want to model the rathole more. Here's the plan, i'm going to release a beta of it at some point and i'm going to remake it, yet again, to fix some trackage placement errors and grade errors along wtih a better terrain system.

nsgelocos · May 08, 2011, 05:15:12 PM

WELL! I'm back at it. I just got done laying the track from Woods to Kings Mountain, Ky. Looks like you guys might get to see the virtual Rathole

Pictures to come

billworsham · May 08, 2011, 05:47:51 PM

bring 'em on, still patiently watching and waiting...let us know what kind of help you need.

nsgelocos · May 19, 2011, 07:36:20 PM

Well I have finally finished Danville yard. I'm going to finish adding in the sidings soon and add signals and release a beta. Anyone interested?

Above DV Tower

The wye

South Danville

E.M. Bell · May 19, 2011, 09:34:01 PM

Danville yard loos pretty much spot on..I never realized that clarks run creek (that gully at South Danville) was so dang deep

nsgelocos · May 19, 2011, 10:25:24 PM

Quote from: E.M. Bell on May 19, 2011, 09:34:01 PM
Danville yard loos pretty much spot on..I never realized that clarks run creek (that gully at South Danville) was so dang deep

that's actually a seam in the elevation data that I will fix later

billworsham · May 23, 2011, 11:46:10 AM

I would be interested in a beta version to help with some of the details.