Illinois Central Route

[DKlemm]

I've started creating the IC route. I'm using a combination of MS streets to get lat and long coordinates and a IC track plan from 1972 to lay the track. I'm starting in Clinton Il and heading south through Decatur on down to Centralia. Clinton area track laying is close to being done and then it should go fast until I get to Decatur. I haven't decided how much to model in Decatur since the possibilities are endless there. With connections to the Wabash, and large plants like ADM, AE Staley and Catipiller, then number of yards would make for some busy activities.

I'll update every so often the status of this project. If you are interested in my work, email me at;
DavidKlemm@cs.com.

I am willing to share this with others.

David

[troub]

Wow! I'm also working on part of the IC/Amtrak route that runs from Cairo to DuQuoin (to start with). My progress will be updated at http://www.geocities.com/troub80. I noticed in an earlier post that you were painting an IC SD40. I made one too, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing yours. Good luck!

[DKlemm]

I've got mine done and sent it to be uploaded Sunday but it isn't there yet. I'm wondering if I didn't something wrong and am waiting on replys to my process.

My plans are to do Clinton to Decatur and then south to the junction with the mainline between Chicago and Cairo. After that I will start adding the parts between Decatur and Mattoon and Champaign. I guess it depends on what is more important to me, running on the track or having a completely done scenery area.

What period are you using for the track configuration? I'm going to do mine per the 1972 sheets from the IC.

Are you changing elevation to match the real world? If so, are you doing that before you lay the track or afterwards? Which is better?

Look forward to seeing your work.

David

[troub]

I'm going to try to use the current configuration, but I'm not sure the exact data I'm going to get. I know a railroad contractor who's getting me a track profile, and he's going to try to make it a current one, but it may end up being a few years old at least. Right now I have the GPS data defining the route (and roads and streams within 1000 ft. of the track), and I'm working on getting all those points converted to markers.

I plan on attempting a close approximation of real-world elevation, after I lay the track with the appropriate grades, etc. I think it might just be a matter of personal opinion, but I think laying track first is a little easier. As far as scenery, I'll probably just approximate most of it using objects included with the sim, but there are some special landmarks where I would like to at least try to import my own objects and textures. For the most part, though, I do think accurate track is most important.

[Short1ESK]

Hi. I've got no idea where this place is, but it sure sounds great! Please say when its all done because I would love a new route, especially one so detailed!

[DKlemm]

I've got the track between Clinton and Decatur Il finished. The IC yard in Decatur is done and I'm working on the interchanges with the Wabash. Once that is done then I will start on the scenary. I'm an Asst Scout Master and am at Scout camp all next week so it will be a week before I can continue my work.

Couple things that I've run across;
1. There is no 90 degree crossing at grade! Can I just lay track across and will it work?
2. There is no manual switch for the yard right? does that mean that only AI trains will go into the yard with that switch? Why is there a left but not a right?

David

[leemon]

The right manual switch is there in the files directory, but it doesn't load properly. Apparently the designers didn't bother to fix it, but just slapped an AI controlled switch in whenever they needed a 45 degree right yard switch.

Go figure... they could have easily fixed this and now it's causing grief for enyone trying to design activities and/or routes.

Lee

[DKlemm]

Thanks for the reply. Guess I'll lay the AI switch and hope that a patch fixes this before I get this route done. It will be a pain going back and replacing but oh well.

David

[crayphish]

david glad to hear that someones doing the IC, especially a place i know somewhat. was the engine works and roundhouse in clinton still in use then? some day maybe, if i ever learn the editor ill extend your line north to gibson city. there is a crossing there with the present day Norfolk Southern, tho im not sure who owned it back then(NYC?). also a crossing in farmer city. there is also that big grain operation there, with the nuclear plant and the grain processing plant north of dewitt also serving as sidings. we'll definitely need orange and white geeps. man i love the IC. good luck! cant wait.

crayphish

[rgarber]

LOL! It all started here folks! David's IC route.. I'm looking for something in the archives and found this.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY IC!! :-)

Blast from the past!

Rich Garber

ps.. this is a major bump