SP Shasta Route Expansion

[TrainSimJack]

http://www.valleypass.com/Sales/Sales.htm

That's a link to their website but it doesn't state the release dates/textures sizes used.

[eric]

You can look at the bottom of the page for the release year. I don't think Gaetan or Rick have ever advertised texture size or quality because their models speak for themselves... some of the best renditions of the 1950s-1980s.

[TrainSimJack]

Thanks Eric! That helps - the pack I own from them is the CNW pack, which I see predates some of the other packs by as much as 10 years.
I'll keep collecting!

[PerryPlatypus]

Time for a loooooooooong overdue update. We are nearing completion of this first expansion (this expansion will include all of the added route areas I mentioned in the first post of this thread as well as a selection of locomotives, rolling stock and activities, and a later second expansion is planned that will include additional locomotives, rolling stock, and activities). Below are just a few teaser pics of the yard facilities in McCloud - particularly the locomotive shop - featuring a pair of ditchlight-era SD38s. Very intense research has been employed to accurately represent the facilities and industries in McCloud circa mid 1990's. Still need to make some texture tweaks to the loco shops, but nearly there!

I will plan to post much more frequent updates over the coming weeks.
Open Rails 2025-08-24 09-38-06.png Open Rails 2025-08-24 09-38-32.png Open Rails 2025-08-24 09-40-21.png Open Rails 2025-08-24 09-41-42.png Open Rails 2025-08-24 09-44-08.png

[SD40-2]

Very, very nice so far Sean. The McCloud hasn't gotten much love for how weird and wonderful it is, so it's nice to see some quality content for it, especially SD38s. Hopefully the SD38-2 they owned will also make an appearance.

I await screenshots of the BN stuff.

[niknak]

That's great news Sean. I've been keeping an eye out for news of the expansion pack for a long time.

[Coonskin]

I'm envious of that distant mountain.

LOL!

Andre

[Coonskin]

http://www.valleypass.com/Sales/Sales.htm

It's great to see Geatan still in business and producing a wonderful array of equipment.

He's truly good guy and a pleasure to work with.

Andre

[pschlik]

About time we get some SD38s in. All the tractive effort and none of the power, can't wait to go uphill at 7 mph.

[Big Boy 4014]

I am highly anticipating this release!

[jbtower]

Nothing like the sound of SD38's in run 8. Having lived a 1/2 acre from to the EJ&E for 15 years that was the sweet sound 4 to 6 times a day!

[PerryPlatypus]

Very, very nice so far Sean. The McCloud hasn't gotten much love for how weird and wonderful it is, so it's nice to see some quality content for it, especially SD38s. Hopefully the SD38-2 they owned will also make an appearance.

I await screenshots of the BN stuff.

Thanks Parker! At this point the SD38-2 is unlikely due to it being a one-off and that we are already including quite a bit of other content in this pack. All three SD38s will make an appearance. It's always possible we may include an SD38-2 in a future product, but that is yet to be determined.

[PerryPlatypus]

About time we get some SD38s in. All the tractive effort and none of the power, can't wait to go uphill at 7 mph.

I've done a few "load tests" on the grade, and it's definitely interesting to see just how much tonnage you can lug up the 4% grade with these SD38s without dipping into the red zone for too long. Crawling along in that 6.5-7 mph neighborhood, roots blown prime mover screaming, throw in some rain or snow and it gets pretty exciting! This railroad is such a far cry from the mainline ops that most of train simming focuses on.

[CSRX]

I've done a few "load tests" on the grade, and it's definitely interesting to see just how much tonnage you can lug up the 4% grade with these SD38s without dipping into the red zone for too long. Crawling along in that 6.5-7 mph neighborhood, roots blown prime mover screaming, throw in some rain or snow and it gets pretty exciting! This railroad is such a far cry from the mainline ops that most of train simming focuses on.

That is why I always liked when I had 4-6 GP38-2's on a train over the Green Mountain Line versus two plus an SD70M-2. The sound was always amazing through the mountain valley's.

I'll be curious about running these SD38 units. Obviously just a GP38 with six wheels versus four. haha.

[CSXT Q-317]

Some nice work there, patiently awaiting this one.