After many days of daydreaming and imagineering an appropriate scheme, and a sizeable repainting effort, I have managed to create a 16-unit strong fleet* for what I intend to become my flagship railroad, the Great Northern. Below are some images of the GN’s fleet “at anchor.”

This is only about half of the total roster I intend the GN to have, and most of these engines still have little details I need to put right, but it’s the most locomotives I’ve painted into a single scheme–ever. So I’m proud of it.

*16 models, that is. Each locomotive model (with the exception of the MP15DC on the end) is scripted so that each instance of that model will display a different number within a specified range. The spreadsheet I’ve been using to create this fleet tells me that between the fifteen models so equipped I have just over 2,900 individual locomotives.

Since moving to college I have, understandably, had somewhat less time to devote to Gardaka and the various undertakings contained therein. However, I have been able to complete certain sections, like this one at Thompson Ridge. The station I had been using was all one piece, including a road bridge over the railway, and the bridge didn’t have enough clearance for double-stacked well cars. To fix this, I removed the station, and replaced it with one made from a variety of assets, located more toward the center of town. Below are some comparison shots:

Station and bridge before.

Bridge only after – scenery not yet complete.

Center of town before. Note the single-direction crossover on all three tracks: it was replaced with a universal crossover on the two tracks nearest the camera.

Station/center of town after. Universal crossover is visible near the compass marker. Scenery not yet complete.

One thing I’ve always wanted, but have never been able to have, is a rail system just as widespread and heavy as the American system, but with a wider gauge. Russian railways employ a gauge of about five feet instead of the standard 4 feet, 8.5 inches; India can run double-stacked containers on flatcars on their 5 foot 6 inch – gauge track. But neither of these I find to be quite right. While Indian practice is interesting, I felt their gauge to be just slightly too wide, while Russia’s doesn’t go far enough. So I’ve adopted the Irish gauge of 5 feet and 3 inches, and I’ve just made some track to that gauge in Blender. Once I texture these rails, Dertinia will finally have the track she deserves.

Looking down the rails:

On the shining trails of tomorrow.

If there’s one thing I cannot get enough of, it’s hard-working diesels slogging their way up exotic, mountainous terrain. And China’s got plenty of it. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find videos of Chinese trains–unless you know where to look. And this video is one of those places.

The video below showcases one of China’s most well-known lines, the Jitong line–which you may notice is the same line I’m recreating in my Evolution of a Route series. Yeah, this video is a big reason why.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy “The loops above Reshui…”

(Video not taken by me. All rights belong to the creator of the video.)

Early mornings in Sondia are renowned for their beauty, and this day is no exception. Here on the banks of the Yatazha, we sat for almost an hour listening to the world awake.

Then Pacific Southwestern train S-MDLT14 broke through the mist, and our cameras snapped as it clomped across the bridge.

One of our photographers gained access to a farm just across the river, and took this gorgeous shot of the train through the trees.

Yes, it’s been another year since I first bought Trainz 2012, and our love-/hate-affair began. Here’s a recent picture of how far I’ve come:

Here’s what I started out doing (with bridges):

I think the top one’s a little better.

I’ve not posted here in a while, I know, but I’m back now and I have pictures! Mwahaha.

The following are Blender renders of a model I’m working on, the Zamboin CF39U-1 diesel locomotive. Specs for the nerds among you are forthcoming, so for now just enjoy the pretty pictures. 🙂

Ok; now I shall show you ’round Iron Mountain Pass. This tour will come in a few parts so that I can keep the number of pictures in a single post to a minimum (5). So, here it is: Iron Mountain Pass in Trainz: A New Era! (I love the new massive draw distance.)

Map of the entire route. North at top.