A big thank you to TrainSimulations and a question

[wwhall]

I just purchased the CSX Heritage SD45 Pack from TrainSimulations during their Black Friday sale. A big "thank you" to them for continuing to produce quality content and for conducting occasional sales for the simming community.

Now, my question--well, actually two questions for the TrainSimulations folks:

First, the question that I know many simmers are justifiably reluctant to ask: what are the chances of the new Sand Patch route being released within the next few months or is it still well farther off than that? Not really joking here, some of us oldsters are curious if it will be released while we are still breathing!!!!

Second, and likely less controversial--in a number of the screenshots for TrainSimulation products (the CSX Heritage SD45 Pack is just one example), what is the route background used in those--a nice flat field with actual authentic looking corn? Is there some "Plains and Prairie" route being planned for the future?

Thanks again to the folks at TrainSimulations for all that they do for the OpenRail simming community.

[ossie]

When Andrew posted his recent "wow factor" video, I did notice his signature had jumped progress from 30% to 65%. That bought on a smile!

[eric]

I believe they've said in the past that there's an in-house generic test route they use for promo screenshots.

[tarrant75]

what are the chances of the new Sand Patch route being released within the next few months or is it still well farther off than that? Not really joking here, some of us oldsters are curious if it will be released while we are still breathing!!!!

I would love to say yes, but realistically we haven't got all the trackwork in yet, so the next few months would be pushing it, but more likely nigh impossible. The scenery alone would take a few more months as there are lot of custom structures that need to be built.

At this stage the Shasta expansion will be the next to be released, and unfortunately we don't have a timeline on this one. Still a few more custom assets to do. There are a few items of rollingstock and locos that will need to be done too, but we'll get it done. We just need those extra 5-10 hours a day to work on things

Thanks for the comments on the SD45's... Andrew and Jason (and Sean with the physics) really knocked it out of the park.

[wwhall]

Thank you for the candid answer, Chris. Getting it right has to be more important than getting it fast. I remember this old saying posted on the wall of my automobile mechanics shop:

We have three kinds of service here: Fast, Good, and Cheap
You can have good service fast, but it won't be cheap.
You can have good service cheap, but it won't be fast.
You can have cheap service fast, but it won't be good.

[Big Boy 4014]

I too would like to thank the team at TS. The quality of their content is outstanding!

[johnnyboy99]

Jason's work is outstanding. Hard to believe he was a designer all the way back in the summer of 2001 with new SD40 and SD45 models. He's still going on strong

[rrdiesel87]

First, the question that I know many simmers are justifiably reluctant to ask: what are the chances of the new Sand Patch route being released within the next few months or is it still well farther off than that? Not really joking here, some of us oldsters are curious if it will be released while we are still breathing!!!!

As Chris said, the Shasta Expansion is the current route priority and next in-line for release.

Regarding Sand Patch, as of right now the entire main between the Cumberland Narrows and about a mile west or Rockwood is mostly complete. That leaves about 40 Miles of track left to get to Connellsville. I don't expect this section to take very long considering its very rural. However, both of the towns at the ends, Cumberland and Connellsville will take a significant amount of time. If I had to throw a timeline out there it would possibly be late 2026 at the absolute earliest. Time will tell.

[jbtower]

Thanks Andrew and Chris