[Genma Saotome]

So Cal is a desert so you need to be careful with how much green you put into your route. Lawns (and the trees that grow there) get watered but everything else does not. Native trees (or naturalized imports) are quite distinctive: Western Oaks, Palms, Eucalyptus dominate and all are rather distinctive in their appearance -- small, leathery leaves well suited to hanging on to moisture in very dry climates. Non-watered property is going to be dirt or dried grass (except Jan-May, when it should be green).

Think southern Italy and/or Greece and you won't go too far wrong.

[Zecora]

It's nice to see that we're finally getting a proper Pacific Electric route to run Tim Muir's PE electrics on. I might just have to get this route when it comes out, because I do I have a soft spot for the Pacific Electric even though I know very little about it.

I hate to ask the worst possible question in the world, but when do you think it'll be finished? I'm not expecting it by the end of the week, I am just wondering.

[Pery Scope]

Dear friends,

Thank you for your praise. Also for critical comments for vegetation. I'll change that a bit.
As for the release. Until now, only the Watts Local Line exists. The route is a bit short, the Interurban lines to Long Beach and San Pedro should still be added. So it will take a while.

Still a few screenshots of the further building state...


An three car train during the rushhour at Oscar's Junction


Also at Oscar's Junction


At the Washington Street Yard, a storage yard for electical maintenance


At Amoco Junction


The famous Signal Tower at Amoco Junction


At Vernon Avenue. The LATL Lines V Line crossing here


Also at Vernon Avenue. An old City Map show a Church there.

Best wishes
Pery

[Mike B]

:sign_thanks: and :drool3: More! More!

If you are looking for photos of the area, I ran across some (as well as general information) today while searching on another subject.

Tour of the Watts Local line: http://www.uncanny.n...el/describe.htm
PE pictures concentrating on rolling stock and San Pedro: http://www.railwaypr...om/SanPedro.htm
Railway Preservation Resources general web site (streetcar focus): http://www.railwaypreservation.com/
Electric Railroad Historical Assn. PE main web page: http://www.erha.org/pe.htm
Ride on the Long Beach line shortly before The End (1961): https://www.youtube....h?v=ebboO52In1w
(No idea what's with the time code in the frame.)
Contrast with the modern Blue Line along similar alignment (yes, light rail trains do have turn signals!): https://www.youtube....h?v=5iEqe_v2H4U and https://www.youtube....h?v=RAQd1GXhm3U
1933 earthquake damage to Dominguez substation: http://www.shorpy.com/node/20522
Lynwood depot: http://www.loc.gov/p...es/item/CA0276/
1981 Caltrans Inventory of PE Lines: http://libraryarchiv...y-of-routes.pdf
And just to show you anything can happen, here's evidence of a test run using one of LA's narrow-gauge streetcars (LA streetcars were 3'6" gauge, PE was standard) on the PE Watts line using borrowed standard gauge trucks from the SF Muni. http://www.pacificel...h-out-of-water/

Fun! And I do look forward to the PE route!

[atsf37l]

That's a fantastic piece of work Pery Scope! Lots of detail and Tim's great electrics. How are your frame rates holding up? By the dimensions of your screen shots it appears you are using MSTS. Have you tried Open Rails? :bigboss:

[thegrindre]

Fantastic work! I sure am enjoying this thread. http://www.elvastower.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/dance.gif
Please keep us posted. http://www.elvastower.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/good2.gif

http://www.elvastower.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/oldstry.gif

[Pery Scope]

It is true that I still use the good old MSTS. I test between always the framerates, that there is no problems there. So far everything is still good. Only the world next to the tracks is modeled. Behind this are backdrops for the depth effect.
OpenRails is too demanding for my notebook, because the device is too much load. If there is a new one, then OR is also used.

Best wishes
Pery

[conductorchris]

Pery, a suggestion: you might want to release an early version, a public beta or something. Perhaps when the Watts line is finished. It will serve as something of an insurance policy in case you are unable to complete the work. And by giving people something to play with now, it can serve to draw in others who might want to make rolling stock or otherwise get excited at wha you are doing.

An example of this is the just released Long Island railroad. The route is not finished, both in geographical scope and lack of interactives. But now a public beta is out for our enjoyment and excitment. (And it's going to spark some repaints, which I can say because I'll do some).

Christopher

[Pery Scope]

And continue with the Pacific Electric...


At Butte Street Yard


Overview of the Butte Street Yard. For reasons of performance I reduced it to ten tracks for the PE and four tracks for the SP. Whether the small workshop complex exisiterte, I do not know.




Exit Butte Street Yard


Encounters on Vernon Avenue


At Slauson jct.


Enter the Wingfoot Branch




so much for today.
@Mike: Thanks for the links. Some I already knew and used as a source for the construction.

@Chris: I've been thinking about your suggestion. When the Wingfoot Branch is ready (and that will soon be ready), there is the first beta release. This will soon be the case. Then you have the first fun while driving on the track. :derisive:

Best wishes
Peryscope

[Pery Scope]

Dear friends,

Now it is time! A first version of the route, the Watts Local Line, is available for download at www.trainsim.com.
I wish you much fun with it.



Best regards
Pery Scope