Maine Central Mountain Division

[CSRX]

Moving forward with the route, even though I never did finish or release the first version, this is v2.0. Sean Kelly was kind enough to provide me with much better and up to date data for the terrain files. Combined that with TSRE's new tools, including map overlay, and a good track chart to work with, it's become a breeze so far.

Cumberland Mills, Westbrook area, will be a fun one to build when it comes to the paper mill itself, and obviously the rest of the town. This paper mill for me personally, will be a main focus, as I'd like to have my fictional railroad serve it every day, so I should probably get to doing that. Custom buildings I think may be needed.



Further up the line in South Windham, you'll see a few dams. This is going to be a bit tricky for me. Using some of the items Ron built, however, small structures will be needed.



One of his structures I was able to plant, as seen in "Newhall", but most will need to be custom to fit properly.



I pushed the tracks so far into Sebago. A good stopping point for the time being, so I can work on some scenery, and try and finish up some track in the Westbrook and Portland areas, including the Rigby Yard, and Portland Waterfront Yard.
Considering this will be based in the 1980's, it wont have as much tracks as my 1940's version previously.




Of course, once I push west of Sebago, the major forests that Maine is known for, will come to life!

[bobwdude]

It's super exciting to see someone taking a stab at the MEC. Growing up in New England, I'd always come across pieces of the MEC/B&M (and now PAR) system when going hiking or skiing in NH or Maine. I look forward to seeing more progress!

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Nice - if I have to run diesels - I like them pine tree green and harvest yellow.

Unless you’re doing a steam route - then I have the “SD40-2” of that era 95% done and probably a couple weeks away from completion.

Maine - the way life should be...



Regards,
Scott


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[conductorchris]

Love that MEC SD40-2, Scott! Probably smells better too!

Shawn the route is looking good there with the photo terrain. And the paper mill is going to be great. You know paper mills . . .

Shame you can't make routes that change depending on what era you select in open rails. Wouldn't it be cool, moving the slider back, seeing some of the buildings disappear and the forests and sidings come to life. I'm sure if such a feature could exist it would be h of a lot of work to make routes that way!

Christopher

[CSRX]

It's super exciting to see someone taking a stab at the MEC. Growing up in New England, I'd always come across pieces of the MEC/B&M (and now PAR) system when going hiking or skiing in NH or Maine. I look forward to seeing more progress!

This has been a project that has been going on for the past 10 years or so. Only now I've completely started fresh and plugging away. Been tinkering on the Vermont Rail System route as well which would include the several subs based out of Rutland, VT.

This line though never saw the daylights on Pan Am, thankfully, but was sadly abandoned by the Guilford Rail System in the early 80's.

Hi Folks,

Nice - if I have to run diesels - I like them pine tree green and harvest yellow.

Unless you’re doing a steam route - then I have the “SD40-2” of that era 95% done and probably a couple weeks away from completion.

Maine - the way life should be...



Regards,
Scott


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Scott, This route obviously will be based during the 1980 era and timeframe. Probably could extend it from the 1978 to 1984 era with pre and post Guilford action.

Locomotives would typically be..
MEC Era:
GP7's (I've produced these on the SLI shape)
GP9's
GP38's (I've produced these as well, but will be redoing them.)
U18B's (model not yet produced)
RS11's

Guilford Era:
Same as above, minus the RS11's, and adding in GP38-2's and GP40-2's from the B&M purchase.


I suppose however, steam era could be done. Only real major changes would be the Rigby/Portland era. 1940's era would have a ton more tracks, and the Union Station. Ignore all that, and the rest of the line between Portland and St. Johnsbury isn't much different.


Of course, once complete, it's more so going to be used for my fictional, Western Maine Rail Company, based in modern times. Honestly, WMRC was based off of this line anyways.

Love that MEC SD40-2, Scott! Probably smells better too!

Shawn the route is looking good there with the photo terrain. And the paper mill is going to be great. You know paper mills . . .

Shame you can't make routes that change depending on what era you select in open rails. Wouldn't it be cool, moving the slider back, seeing some of the buildings disappear and the forests and sidings come to life. I'm sure if such a feature could exist it would be h of a lot of work to make routes that way!

Christopher

Thanks Chris. Most of the buildings I think I will have to also custom make for the paper mill, as the only available files of a Paper Mill, are very outdated.

Also note above about the era versions..

Sticking with the 1980-1981 era though.

[scottb613]

Hi Shawn,

Hah - should have read your first post more carefully - ambitious project - sounds good - best of luck...

Regards,
Scott

[pwillard]

Seriously... this is a great idea. Good luck. Born in Maine, so I'm biased.

[jonpd]

For this "Maineiac", looking forward to it. Back around 1982? I happened to be in Whitefield NH and witnessed along with a number of other railfans, the passage of the last RY-1, the through freight from Portland to St. Johnsbury, with the obligatory shot of it passing the ball signal.

Shawn, I have some photos I took of the yard in St. Johnsbury at that time if they would be of any use.

Jon

[CSRX]

For this "Maineiac", looking forward to it. Back around 1982? I happened to be in Whitefield NH and witnessed along with a number of other railfans, the passage of the last RY-1, the through freight from Portland to St. Johnsbury, with the obligatory shot of it passing the ball signal.

Shawn, I have some photos I took of the yard in St. Johnsbury at that time if they would be of any use.

Jon

Jon, any additional information is much appreciated, whether it's photos, or whatever else. I sadly never got the chance to see the action (born in 1989), but thankfully we have Open Rails Train Simulator (MSTS), to make up for it.

My fictional, the Western Maine Railway Company, WMRC for short, is based off the Mountain Division line. Started that with my model railroad, pushed it into this.

Considering this is probably one of the steepest grades in the New England region, it sure would be nice to complete and have!

[jonpd]

Turns out I took these in September 1983.
St. Johnsbury Yard. These are scans of color prints so not the greatest resolution.

st_johnsbury.jpg

Whitefield NH diamond crossing of Mountain Division and B&M. In the first picture, the track from top to bottom is the Mountain Division, the B&M goes from left to right.

whitefield_nh_diamond1.jpg
whitefield_nh_diamond2.jpg