Less Weight = Happiness

From March 2012, I have offered or been asked, in three separate occasions, for the following hand offs.

1. Tampa Terminal A-Line Fredricksburg Rd (Tampa) - SR 39/Alexander St. (Plant City) - This section only sees religiously 3-4 CSX freight trains a day and never in the history of the connected sections of the track did I find the use in running a CSX Train down that way. Though, this includes the famed Mango Siding and the interesting Cherry siding. Consider that not a single Phosphate train runs through there as well and you pretty much have my lack of interest explained. The project was awarded to Michael G. (msts195).
2. CSX Miami Sub Delray-Dyer pass - This section of the track has virtually no industrial action. Also, since Tony (TrainHuntersFans/Magana47) is deeply fascinated by this territory, I thought it would be my honor to give him this section as he is also my friend and I wanted a give and take thing. I give him the route and take back the relief of this section, lol. Everybody wins. Because his father lives in West Palm Beach, and for the above, he was awarded at my will this section. I am working on the Delray-Miami section, an eventual component of the South Florida Mega Route.
3. FEC Key West Extn. Modern - "FECKWE" - This fictional route was awarded to me from 30 Dec. 2008 by Nikos as he lost interest in the game and had a pre-alpha released. As a time saver, which I disagree with because my work sucks, LOL, he is asking for the modified route to be returned. I had several routebuilding issues with this; a backup attempt and mishap on Trainz led me to lose the ATLS data for up to 30-40 crossings. Also since I basically left this in the back burner for life, I have improved my choice of buildings, roads, and mainly textures. You can say this route just couldn't keep up with me. Though, one great merit was the 47,000 hit YouTube video of the 103 through S. Miami, an all make believe train. Starting with CAB (Modula City) textures, then moving on to the similar palette to his which is pixelated textures after all, my palette went beyond this with TS2009 default textures (which are GREAT). Now, I do feel I am leaving behind an engine of creativity, but if I don't have the time for it, I might as well. Besides, I can make US1 through SoMi as expressway grade as I like, as I will still have my version. :)

Trainzers like Mike Cyr despise vaporware, or software that never gets released. With what I have and what I accepted, vaporware was almost a sure bet. So this efficient tactic allows others to help out with sections that can take months or years. I know there is just no motivation to get Tampa-Cherry done for instance, much less the middle and lower (not lowest) Keys. Lately too, I have become more into prototype than fiction. I guess it is that I just want the simulator to do its thing and render the real world, rather than make believe so many things.

I continue to offer sections of the Bone Valley. I think I will hand off Big Bend-Pt. Sutton, as well as a section of the BV to my Skype buddy Jacob. 

With increasing school work that does not see a decrease for a long time, I feel this is a great move. I am comforted by the fact others are taking up unfinished projects. Trainz for me is a casual hobby and I don't get to it every day. But who knows, sooner or later one can see the high iron of the CSX Tampa terminal in Trainz! And perhaps it is sooner than later after all, with these split ventures. 

Miami Sub and my new technologies...

After a DEM discovery, if you will, using MicroDEM I gave it a shot and successfully re-terraformed the Miami area using accurate scaling. My 2011 edition failed in that it was a bunch of routes merged, skipping various areas. I guess suffice to say I'd be lucky if two areas matched. But now, the GND was created as one file altogether.

As I am fairly living the dream now, the technologies I aspired are being exhibited.

Aside from the train driving adventure, one will be able to literally chase the trains. I spent the last two days paving the way for this to happen.

The 874 and 826 interchange, completed recently in real life, looks rigged ingame but I will use my tools effectively and make a streamlined standard of roads, bridges, the like and everything so it looks clean. I did do the 3-lane+ roads but when I tried letting cars roll down, for the 4 lane, the cars would drive down the middile of the stripes. I will probably take to doing a spline spawner like BNSF50 has so cars go one way down.

As for the chasing, I have ensured that traffic flows to ATLS stoppers so the chase would be harder. I also added invisible roads where the merging happens so the cars don't habitually disappear or reappear.
I tested out the system at the 826/Bird interchange, which also had a makeover. This is 1/2 a mile away from CSX, but I will still give enough detail for chasing to be scenic as well.
Chasing can be accommodated by driving a car as if you drove a train yet on invisible track. It's a very simple method.

A simpler technology that will be included as well is flying over. One can fly passenger and private aircraft in various marked areas, especially since the route nears five airports (MIA, FLL, OPF, Tamiami, PBI). Same way as "Carz".

All I can say is, I stepped in deep water. There are new challenges to accept. I will still continue to model the Tampa terminal, but this will get equal attention. I am due a full makeover of the roads, traffic lights, and everything to a new make. Railroad crossings will be remade and streetlights will be scripted to light up for once. My 8th grade meshes will finally get a doover. 

Changes to Route duties

I am cutting off the whole Bone Valley from my routebuilding network, in areas off the S-Line (below Valrico, Plant City, and Winston. This is in favor of the successfully terraformed Miami Sub.

This means areas such as Mulberry, Ridgewood, Three Post, and Bradley--- are all for you guys.

The Miami Terminal Mega Route is now being started. This will consist of FEC and CSX work in all areas. The first and largest phase is the CSX Miami and Homestead Subs, and when that is done, the FEC will be constructed and in merge-able sections due to Iris, Mission, and Oleander. I will still continue Tampa, splitting work in blocks. eg. 3/13-3/28 Miami, 3/29-4/14 Tampa, 4/15-5/11 Miami, etc.

I love the Tampa area with all my heart, but want to focus more on the high speed action. It is even possible I can bid out the A-Line between Uceta and near Plant City to other builders to make this a group effort.