507B Altex Transload Activity

[tie]

I finally made an actual activity for the route so far where it is completed for the most part.
507-b (not sure the actual crew from Lloyd or EDM does this), lifts Altex Transload Departure Track #3 near Lashburn, Sask.
Heading west to Aberfeldy Track 1 for future Q411 pickup.
altex1 by CN Edmonton, on Flickr

altex3 by CN Edmonton, on Flickr

altex2 by CN Edmonton, on Flickr

But when I cut the cars off in Aber. The engines cannot release brakes. BC pressure sits at 64 or 70 psi. Go figure.

[wwhall]

OR does require you to close the angle cock before uncoupling. Otherwise, as in real life, the brake line goes to atmosphere and the brakes go into emergency. If the angle cock on the locomotive is still open, the brake line can never recharge. To overcome the "reality," release the brakes on the keyboard, then tap Shift + / to initialize the brakes.

As for the route, that detail is stunning. Blackfoot 2 is great, but this is off the charts. I do hope that you will eventually have snow and winter textures for the route. I love running Blackfoot on cold winter nights.

[tie]

doh! I didn't know OR had that option. Thanks for the info

[geepster775]

Eh, just one of those instances where the "cheat" is more time consuming and requires more keystrokes than the correct way of closing that anglecock before uncoupling... lol

[wwhall]

Your route is a great one to run OR realistically. The only downside to it is, as in real railroading, switching becomes a time-consuming affair. The OR team has done a great job of making train operations very realistic. What is lacking now is routes like Blackfoot that has scenery realistic enough to match train operations. Most of the older MSTS routes now look just plain pathetic compared to what you and others are doing now. They all sorely need a remake. Please keep posting progress shots . . . even though they drive us crazy waiting to be able to run your fantastic re-do of already great Blackfoot.

[captain82]

WOW! I had to do a double take make sure this wasn't TS20XX. Great job on this route sir, It looks so real.

[tie]

ty So far it's been almost a 2 year pain in the butt to build. Another setback is using the russian trees which do not have winter textures. I'm not the best worker of trees and bushes when it comes to winterizing. Yards and sidings are mosaic'd but the main track is not. I'm debating whether or not to do that because my grasses are pretty close to the ROW which hides alot of mosaic texturing along the main track.

[qballbandit]

I know it's been a long haul, but I would highly suggest finishing the mosaic. In my opinion, even on a single track with vegetation on the sides, it still adds the depth, and variety of look to the ROW, which keeps things looking more realistic. Just my opinion, of course.

I had to make (when I say make, I really mean find suitable replacements) my own winter snow textures, and winter bare textures for the Russian trees. It sucked, but it's better than not having them.

[tie]

Guess you right Neil. You can see the difference in this example, near the CN/CP interchange in Lloydminster. It's gonna be more work
lloyd1 by CN Edmonton, on Flickr