The Siskiyou Route - last version/version history?

[dyanisus]

Hi all:

Would anyone happen to know the last version of The Siskiyou Route by Dale Rickett? It's been a few years (I know), but the last version I have is dated 12-01-2020 (setup-20201201.rar). I've tried looking around (a lot) for a version history. Also, is there a way to get the latest version since the site is parked? I've already checked the wayback machine...

Thanks for any insight.

[eric]

That might be correct for the last update.

Before people ask... Freeware from sites that have gone away can be uploaded here provided credit is given to the original owner/author. The owner also has the right to ask for it to be pulled.

It's really not clear to me if Dale pulled the route from circulation or if he simply let the site go away. If it's the latter, then uploading the work in progress would fall within our "fallen site" rule.

[CSRX]

If I am thinking of the right author and route, he pulled the file because too many people complained about the scenery items and such for being "default" items.

[ChandlerBranchRailfan]

That might be correct for the last update.

Before people ask... Freeware from sites that have gone away can be uploaded here provided credit is given to the original owner/author. The owner also has the right to ask for it to be pulled.

It's really not clear to me if Dale pulled the route from circulation or if he simply let the site go away. If it's the latter, then uploading the work in progress would fall within our "fallen site" rule.

No offense Eric, but isn't it that even if the site is gone, one must still ask permission from the original author if possible?
Because IIRC n8phu on Trainz had to request permission to reupload SPORBUST content.

[R. Steele]

If I am thinking of the right author and route, he pulled the file because too many people complained about the scenery items and such for being "default" items.

Maybe so...however, I remember reading the threads at Elvas and Dale was feeling overworked and stressed, because no one was volunteering to help with the project, so finally he threw in the towel. But both of our memories of the situation at the time are academic now.

Would be nice to have the route, whatever shape it is in...many folks liked it....perhaps someday it could be finished... very much up to the route creator...don't hold your breath! 😉

[eric]

No offense Eric, but isn't it that even if the site is gone, one must still ask permission from the original author if possible?

As I said, we have a Fallen Websites rule as of last summer... not everyone likes it, but sometimes preservation takes priority.

If Dale objects, we'll remove it.

So far, I've only had one author from UKTS decide his work should go down with the ship, so to speak.

[dyanisus]

I emailed Dale back around December 2020 when first learning of the project, and he was overall very helpful. I was amazed at the amount of work and time that must have gone into it. I had planned to volunteer, but life took some twists and turns (especially after having Covid and it's lingering effects). Unfortunately, I don't have a contact email other than <admin@siskurail.org>.

I think there may have been an updated March 2021 version (more added roads and vegetation scenery), but I can't seem to locate if I had it or not. I have the additional packs (wagon, engine, and etc) as well even though I'm not sure which version they completely align with. If anyone knows Dale's current contact info or if the version I have can be uploaded, please let me know and I'll see if he gives permission or otherwise.

[ChandlerBranchRailfan]

As I said, we have a Fallen Websites rule as of last summer... not everyone likes it, but sometimes preservation takes priority.

If Dale objects, we'll remove it.

So far, I've only had one author from UKTS decide his work should go down with the ship, so to speak.

Good idea, I'm sorry Eric.

Thanks for letting me know.

[CSRX]

Maybe so...however, I remember reading the threads at Elvas and Dale was feeling overworked and stressed, because no one was volunteering to help with the project, so finally he threw in the towel. But both of our memories of the situation at the time are academic now.

Would be nice to have the route, whatever shape it is in...many folks liked it....perhaps someday it could be finished... very much up to the route creator...don't hold your breath! 😉

That wouldn't surprise me either. The burnt out when it comes to route building is sadly real.
I could also be thinking of countless other route builders that packed up and moved on due to the complaints from those that never bothered to learn how to build a route or offer help making one.

[asteph627]

Actually, there were 4 updates that were done by Dale after the 20201220 update that I know of. I doubt if they were ever released. I have them but do not know if I can release them because of Dale's copyrights

AJ

[CSXT Q-317]

Since I had downloaded it from his site before he vanished, I have no better term for it. Here is an excerpt from that EULA.

The Siskiyou Route — Copyright© 2014 Dale Rickert — All rights reserved.

************************************************** *********************************
LICENSE AGREEMENT:

Carefully read this agreement. If you do not agree to comply totally with the contents of this agreement, then do not install this software. By installing this software, you agree to comply totally with the contents of this agreement.
Even though this software is copyrighted, it is free for all to download and use provided that...
(1) you download and/or receive this software ONLY by downloading it from www.siskurail.org.
(2) you use it only on your own computer(s).
(3) you do not share it or any part of it with anyone. If anyone wants this software, you agree to inform them that they can access it only by registering and downloading it from www.siskurail.org.

As for now, it will take the author to get it uploaded, but it is very clear to me that he wanted it only on his website.

[eric]

(1) you download and/or receive this software ONLY by downloading it from www.siskurail.org.
(2) you use it only on your own computer(s).
(3) you do not share it or any part of it with anyone. If anyone wants this software, you agree to inform them that they can access it only by registering and downloading it from www.siskurail.org.

All hubris and ego, and how stuff like this gets lost forever.

[CSXT Q-317]

All hubris and ego, and how stuff like this gets lost forever.

Completely agree with you on this. Hopefully, it will change.

[geepster775]

Like I said on another thread,

To me, the route was almost too long for what amounted to a branchline traffic base. Trains of TBox high cubes, centerbeams, and a few misc freight traversing a corridor that was about as long as MLT Cascades and TS Shasta routes combined end to end in length. Lots of miles with very little traffic diversity.

A heap of lonely miles out there without the traffic mix common on the adjacent mainline (no intermodal, no unit oil, or grain, or pipe trains) makes the cause of joint development efforts of routes like this doomed from the start. You have to be a hearty soul really interested in developing low traffic lines to succeed, of which 90% of the train sim user base does not meet the standards of. Such a wide army of volunteers to help with route building is fiction.

[asteph627]

I doubt if anything on this route will change. When Dale quit his website, he was about 75 years old and as a former volunteer working with him, he was very disgusted that his 15 years of working on this was not appreciated more and the constant criticisms were too much for him to accept. The last I heard, he was in poor health battling cancer and heart problems and I haven' t been able to contact him in over 3 years.