Two new releases at the Siskiyou Route

[dmrick]

Howdy... Just want to let everyone know that we have just released a new version of the Siskiyou Route.

We have also just released our latest project... "Creating Siskiyou Activities for Open Rails". This is a comprehensive document filled with all sorts of diagrams and explanations showing how to create all sorts of AI shunting operations. This was created for people running the Siskiyou Route, but this manual also pertains to any route you're working on. Along with the document are Siskiyou activities that demonstrate each of the shunting operations inside the manual. There's also all of the needed data for you to create each of the activities so that you can experience "hands-on" learning. You'll also find videos actually showing the activities being run.

Needless to say, if you want to download and run the activities you'll need to have this new latest version of the Siskiyou Route.

When you go to the website, click on the [ TSR NEWS ] button at the bottom of this page. The TSR News page has the links to the new version of the route and a link to the new project and all of its files. Click here to get to the website.


Things are getting really crazy out there... so PLEASE... "Stay safe"

Much thanks... Dale R.

[Don6218]

Hello, I just loaded the new "update" for this nice route. The trackage is very well done and included Rolling Stock and Locomotives is a great idea!
I was hoping to see some scenery installed in this new version, but I also see that there is a Siskiyou Folder to download a spreadsheet of Route Objects, does this tell us where to install the included Shape Files for the Warehouses, Trees etc?
The only scenery I have seen are the Propane Tanks at the Switch Heaters, and of course the Car-Spawners with the Highways and Roads.
Thank you for this fine route!

[dmrick]

Much has changed since the last release that isn't going to "hit you in the face"... That is, much isn't that obvious. For example the yard at Cottage Grove has changed significantly so that it is more versatile when performing shunting operations. Follow the tracks east out of Cottage Grove to Dorena and Diston... Tracks at the Dorena Mill changed from a couple of sidings to 15 sidings that once again, make things better for anyone creating activities. I'm surprised that you failed to mention the thirty some miles of forested hills through Cow Creek Canyon. Track at both the north and south ends was extended so that it made things better for activities. Changes were also made out at Yreka, California. There were as always hundreds of "fixes" including even such things as a missing signal that was needed to protect the yard at Winchester. Even with all of these things being added, I worked every day with AJ (one of my volunteers) to release an extensive guide on creating activities for the Siskiyou Route as well as for any route. This included not only an extensive manual with a great number of diagrams showing how to create all sorts of AI shunting operations, but it also included activities that demonstrated each operation... and even included videos showing each activity as it performs each operation. Releasing a new version of the Route wasn't in itself all that important, however, since there are 27 different activities that demonstrate 27 different AI shunting operations... and they won't work on the Route unless you download and install the new release. It wasn't just the route either... changes were made to numerous consists and engines and wagons... and to a great number of items that support the route like maps, etc.. I'm sorry that the Route doesn't have more scenery items, but 99.5% of the work on the Route is being done by one person. By the way, now that our DEM file project has been released... and the Activity project has been released... I'm currently foresting the mountains up on the Siskiyou Mountains. Now that winter is here I'm planning on making more trips down along the Siskiyou line taking pictures that I can use to texture structures. This is a "winter" thing because the trees have lost their leaves that usually block the view of many of the structures. I'm anxious to hear from people as to what they think of the "Siskiyou Activities for Open Rails" project... Stay tuned... more to come...

[Don6218]

Yes, there are always the things we do not see right away when doing something like this. By running the first Activity included, I figured that would be the most completed, most attractive part to show it off. As it stands the route looks great!

I just wanted to be sure that I was not missing something. I have not gone through Cow Creek Canyon yet. Now I am looking forward to it.
Thank you for this information.

[dmrick]

First, let me say... "Thanks for your positive comments." My concern was that you wouldn't see things like Cow Creek Canyon. Now that I have those two major projects that I mentioned finished it shouldn't be as long until the next upgrade. As I said, I'm busy adding forests up on the mountain... and I'm doing it where there aren't a lot of structures... so it should go rather fast. Take care and stay safe...
Dale

[dmrick]

In response to someone mentioning a spreadsheet showing objects...

First of all... please understand that the Siskiyou Route is a "work in progress"... and as such, I will continuously be releasing updates to the Route. What this means is that if you decided to modify your copy of the Siskiyou Route, you might find that my next release will overwrite what you've made for changes. Kind of like the old "Lost in Space" TV series... "Danger Will Robinson...!"

Next... The Siskiyou Route is free to anyone who wants to download it. It is, however, still copywrite protected. The copywrite explicitly states that you are not allowed to share it with others... none of it. On the website I clearly ask that if someone sees what you have and also wants it, that you DO NOT share what you have, and instead point them to /Domain Expired/ where they can download it to their hearts content. If you want to modify what you have, then I have no problem with that... but you can not share what you've done if it is part of the original Route. This is especially true for items like engines, wagons, consists, and even the scenery items. I say, "especially true" because many of these items are included in the Route only because I was given permission to include them by the people who have copywrite protection. I DID NOTICE... that in another post dealing with the Siskiyou Route that someone attached some path files for others to use to see the scenery on the route. (I guess they forgot that a Path needs a Service file.) Even though they were well meaning and supporting my work... posting those files goes against the copyright and my asking you not to share. Please respect what I am asking... I have spent thousands upon thousands of hours over the past 12 years creating this Route and making it FREE to all. Is my asking you to respect my wishes too much to ask?

Now then, back to the scenery and the spreadsheet issue...

If you go to the "Downloads" page on "/Domain Expired/" you will find a link that lets you go to an "Object Documentation" page. When you go there, you will find a link that lets you download a rather large file... RouteObjects.rar. This file containss 34 folders... each one named the same as the objects are listed in the MSTS Route Editor. For example there is an ACCESSORIES folder, a BRIDGES BOX GIRDER folder, a CLUTTER folder, a STRUCTURES folder, and so on. Inside each folder is a "Web Inventory" folder. Inside these folders are images of all the objects in that category (the reason that the file is so large) . Also there is an Excel file that you can open. It will have a list of the objects by name (as found in the Route Editor) and if you click a name, it will bring up an image of that object. Some objects, such as trees and other vegetation will also show a vehicle with the items so that you can get a better idea of the size of the tree, etc..

I DID NOT put these items here so that you can add them to the Siskiyou Route... As I mentioned, your placing objects on the Route will add that object to one of your World folder's files. If I release a new version of the Route, it will likely overwrite what you added. I DID provide these objects so that you can add them to your own routes... but insist that you do not share them. I was not given permission to give you permission to distribute things to others.

If you are considering adding objects to your copy of the Siskiyou Route... wouldn't it be better if you added your name to our list of Volunteers?... so that as a member of our team, what you create can then be made available to everyone.

[joaquimfrias]

Go ahead with the route, much encouragement.

[Don6218]

Yes, continue on! Please.
Clarification like this sets everything in perspective. Thank you for this.

[asteph627]

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know that the trees are beginning to grow on the Siskiyou Route. Also, for you intermodal fans, Dale has some new rolling stock as in Double Stack in J.B. Hunt and Schneider. He also created some spine cars but I haven't seen them yet. I've included some screen shots of Dale's work below. I think it is outstanding.

[asteph627]

Forgot photos of intermodal equipment