Tampa Terminal Back in Business after SP1 Snafu

I am glad to say for the most part all the missing dependencies in the CSX Tampa Terminal route (aka "CSX Tampa-Winston-BV") have been since resolved. Since I moved to a pooched TS12 SP1 installation, I lost some files when trying to back up my content, and when I reinstalled the game to the correctly installed SP1 they showed up missing. A couple of obsolete signals of mine and dispensable assets from others show faulty but I think with those being removed or replaced, (and with a new signal system slowly in the works from yours truly), the route is back on track to be released in the future.

The missing dependencies were mainly textures that aid strongly in speeding up the routebuilding. The color textures form an atlas roadmap of the area which allows roads and infrastructure to be pinpointed easily.

Ryan's Railroad Crossings Due For Release

Ryan V's (Ryanstrains) crossings which adopt the Safetran style will be put out on partner site SAXRT within the next couple of weeks in a big release. The go ahead was recently given for the signals to be broadcast over the Trainz community. I find this wonderful news and am extremely happy to see this happen.

I am affiliated with this project well because of my cantilevers. My Lincoln Industries cantilevers, which are all over CSX tracks nationwide, will be adopted to hold the scripting needed and will be integrated with his lights for inclusion and release.

Here are the family of signals slated for the first release.

And the cantilever integrated with the gate.

Service Pack 1 for Trainz 2012

Auran/N3V has recently released a new service pack with fixes for Trainz 2012. Improvements, on paper, include better working splines, improved multiplayer and sessions; in-game means of downloading; better physics and a slightly improved CMP.

However, from what I hear it's a buggy service pack. It's causing some content to derail, and most importantly, some Jointed Rail content doesn't work.

Auran identified the derailment issue, and Jointed Rail has provided content hotfixes for the SP1 glitches. (more information http://jointedrail.com/content/updates/JRSP1Updates.pdf)

My two cents. I feel that a service pack shouldn't be downloaded until all of the glitches are weighed. Upgrading the game is generally a choice for the owner. I feel that while there needs to be people testing the ropes of the pack, it is wiser to hold back and see how much reception the pack gets. Technically upgrading can run the risk of having to re-install the game in the unlikely event your machine fails to boot up the game.

Some people in my Skype chat are having quite a number of issues. But, I really hope the issues get rectified and upgrading can be smooth. I am nonetheless looking forward to the improved features that SP1 is out to deliver.

Plant City

Back after a little break in Trainz. Plant City is now continuing to grow in Trainz, with me building outwards of the diamond. Much of this has been inspired by my recent trip to Plant City a couple of weeks ago.

84 Lumber is shaping up at Park and US 92. This is a steady customer along the A-Line. You can even see the beam cars from the intersection.

At best it could be said that I improvised this high school. The property was recently detailed last week.

The NW corner of the "Improvement League" per Google Earth has also been textured.

Areas like Oaklawn (above) and Calhoun (below) are also beginning to shape up. I caught a few trains at Calhoun St in particular so I was quite motivated to detail the crossing.

There remains a whole lot of work to do. Much of the balance of it is to get Plant City to Auburndale completely finished. Also, before I graduate I hope to have quite a bit of S-line trackage towards Zephyrhills textured.

Y322 Mini Ops Session

Did a little switching around the Miami Terminal on the mostly blank boards of Y322, the Downtown job. Did it the old style if you want to call it that, first down to the spur then to East Rail. You can see me working Family & Son and then SALCO.

West Rail and Y220 Mini-Op Session

As can be seen in this video,

I have begun fancying the vantage point at Hialeah Market Station for the likes of O721, Y322, and Y220 as well as the usual melee of Tri-Rail trains.

The area is part of what defines Miami. The market next to me bears some classic resemblance. West Rail and the rail side of Hialeah Market have been, unfortunately, mere shells of what they were in the past. Back in 1995 or so, it was a bustling yard. Now, a house track became a Home Depot parking lot, the east track's customer stopped taking in rail shipments, and only one customer remains: Antique Brick and Stone.

Traditionally, on a lucky weeknight, Y220 will take freight to the customer.

Combining these factors has allowed for me to make and sim a mini Y220 in the area. Here are some pics:

Departure from Hialeah Yard

4quads at work NW 71 ST

Approaching East Rail

SALCO

After its work in East Rail, Y220 shoves to 46th St and to work West Rail

Back Home

Lakeland

Another railroad town is finally in progress in Trainz... This one being beautiful Lakeland, FL.

The city has numerous lakes and ponds around it and features Winston Yard out west, a big hub for BV ops.

Downtown feels like an old, classic town. Been there, done that. I railfanned the area several times lately which allowed plenty of images, videos, and knowledge of the area.