It's also a somber reminder that we're coming up to the 24th anniversary of 2,958 people going to work and not coming home to their families. With my wife and I both having had roles to play in the aftermath while at American Airlines, it's not a day that just blends in to the others each year. I personally do a bit of a media blackout this week because I don't need to see reminders or documentaries, nor do I have to have the constant reminder that there are people who still push the myth that this was all staged and an inside job.
That makes it a good week to sit down and write a very overdue update on the what's been happening around the site, and maybe do some deferred maintenance...
Sometime this month, the site will see the latest version upgrade from vBulletin to version 6.1.4, which is a minor release to address a few back-end issues and introduce functionality not used at this site yet. The purpose in staying on the latest version, even if we don't use all the features, is because it's a lot easier to get support from the software vendor when things do go sideways. While I understand those who are willing to keep Windows 7 or even Windows XP "because it works", that's not an easy proposition for running a website that people expect to be up and available on a 24/7 basis. Hopefully, you'll understand when there's a quick maintenance outage on a Tuesday night. And even more hopefully, you won't notice at all.
- Most recently, there's a new GP60 pack offering nine different locomotives in Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific liveries. Yes, I know... the last two.... maybe we can chat more on that later. These represent some of the last two-axle modern power built by EMD, and you'll find many in service today on branch and local jobs where six axle power isn't practical.
- Going back to mid-July, a set of 25 UP coal hoppers was made available, including UP & CMO owned cars, and a variety of leaser cars including TILX, CEFX, and FURX. When you have 100 car coal drags, having those 25 individual cars makes it a lot easier to randomize your consists.
- Also in the mid-July timeframe, a CSX "heritage" SD45 set was released, with nine locomotives showing early CSX and transitional liveries for Clinchfield, Seaboard Coast, and Seaboard System. As someone who lives near enough to the Clinch River and the Clinchfield, it's great to see a roster of actual heritage locomotives instead of just the commemorative versions on modern frames.
As of last week, they've initiated a renewed Social Media presence on Facebook. It's said they may also be adding a monthly podcast and increased videos on YT as well as TikTok. Personally, I think that's a great move, as all of these are a good way to engage and grow their audience, and as long as it's not just a one-way conversation, helps bridge what's been a bit of a void between the company and its user base. I don't post links to Facebook as a general rule, but you can easily search "Run8Studios" to get to and follow their new page.
I'm hoping this might be a lead-in to Version 4 and showing some of that progress. Certainly, users are ready for it, and we'd all like to see what is in store for us when it is actually launched.
In my last article, I'd hoped we might see some progress on OpenRails v1.6, however that too hasn't gotten fully out of the yard. Release Candidate 8 is out and still in testing. For those interested, there's more discussion about that over at Elvas Tower.
And I won't lie, I'm enjoying sitting on a tractor and trudging thru the woods carrying a chainsaw.
I know some of you might welcome that lack of constant change (and the occasional visit from the "Fudgeup" Fairy), but never fear, as things settle out here and winter sets in, that stability will come to an end, and the normal state of chaos will start to return. Especially if my Packers don't keep winning.
For those who didn't know, we have a place here for non-simulator conversation -- The Yard (also depicted in the image above).
There are sub-forums for North American news, Worldwide news, and an entirely off-topic area called the Roundhouse where just about anything goes. As with all of our conversations, dissent and disagreement are welcome, but try to remember we're friends with a common hobby first and foremost.
I alluded to Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern pursuing a merger earlier. We've also seen that neither BNSF or CSX are interested in following suit. The only thing certain is it's going to be a slow and drawn out process -- at least 18 to 24 months. Most of us here are enthusiasts and railfans of varying intensity, but some of our colleagues work in the industry and might be affected one way or another by the industry shift that might be upon us. I need to ask that everyone be respectful and patient, especially with folks whose opinions might be a little less aligned with yours.
On that note.... Thanks for being a part of this site and this community. We wouldn't have it if it weren't for our First Class Members, and there'd be less reason to visit if we didn't have our content creators.
If you've been visiting for a while and haven't considered a paid membership, I do hope you'd consider one so that we will be here for years to come. Running a high-availability website on modern software has a cost, as does providing the disk space and bandwidth to support the average of 1200+ downloads a day from the library. If you can't consider First Class, there's also a one-month FastPass for less than the cost of a combo meal at your favorite drive-thru. More details are available at the Membership tab above.
And please, do take a moment this coming Thursday to pause and remember all those who had their lives taken, the families who were forever changed, and most importantly, those who ran into the buildings to try and save others.
Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you're here.
Uh, Eric, sitting on top of a CNO&TP Tunnel a few miles north of Oakdale, TN is not in the Smokies. That is part of the Cumberland Mtns. to us TN guys. (I'm born & bred in Nashville). Vanderbilt, 60 & 63. There is safety equipment for using a chain saw - I recommend you get some, mainly chaps that protect the legs.