Microsoft Train Simulator - Plymouth to Detroit

[JustinB]

Hey guys im currently working on modeling the CSX Detroit sub and the whole plymouth area in Train Simulator, and i just wanted to show my progress so far, below is the start of North Yard in Plymouth. Suggestions welcome!

[SD80MAC]

Cool! Nick Rose is doing the Plymouth sub from Grand Rapids to Plymouth for MSTS.

[JustinB]

yeah, were working together to get GRR - Detroit, hopfully we will be able to combin are routes.

[TrainNut85]

When are these routes gonna be done? I would like to see these on train-sim file library, plus I'm looking for any Michigan routes to have for MSTS.

[JustinB]

they will proably be fully complete by summer mabe longer, no telling for sure, very time consuming project

Below progress at plymouth junction. With the Frame plant in the background

[tsinoms]

got ensel?

[JustinB]

Below is track i just layed at Haggerty road, thats as far as i am out of plymouth right now....

[GrandTrunkFan]

Ensel as it appears in a 1995 CSX track chart (Minus what Ive noticed with some recent trips out there):



I still need to redo plenty of Lansing. I mismeasured the trackage distance to Throwbridge so it needs to be rebuilt. Also, if you look carefully in the 2nd pic, I made a replica of the CSX yard office building right off MLK Ave. This route will have plenty of detail.

[GLC 392]

that is pretty kool you are very talented i wish i was able to do that.

[Hogger1225]

Hate to tell you, but it the second pic, the diamond that you have which enables CSX to switch Heart Truss is no longer there. Just eliminate the diamond, and visualize two switches, the one coming out of Heart Truss west of where the diamond used to be, and then another one about 100 yards or so west of that heading to the CSX. In order to swtch Heart Truss, the CSX crews have to contact the Hugart YM in GR and get permission on our "Belt Line Main" between the two switches.

[Hogger1225]

Here is a link (I hope) to a Google map of the area at Ensel I was talking about. You have to look really close to see the switches. The switch off the Belt Line Main to the CSX is more like maybe two hundred yards west of the Heart Truss switch.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q ... 4&t=k&om=1
Hope this helps.

[GrandTrunkFan]

So, to try and get this straight, is there a switch that goes onto the NS line and then go off to bear truss? And what is the large collection of hoppers just west of the yard, a gravel quarry?

[Hogger1225]

Yes. Let's say that you were on an eastbound train coming at MLK. They divert you into the siding that parallels #2 main, I beleive they call it LO7 now. It goes all the way to Turner St. You go maybe 25-30 cars lengths into the siding and encounter a facing point switch that will take you onto the NS Beltline Main. Go about 150-200 yards (guessing) east on the Beltline Main and encounter another facing point switch that leads directly into Heart Truss. That location you asked about west of the yard is some some of stone place, you'd have to ask a CSXT person the name of it. I beleive they have or lease their own unit. Gregg P should be able to tell you all about that place, he's very much more up to date with info like that than I am. Heck, I just run trains, and steam engines on occasion.

[RailCanon]

The stone place west of Ensel yard is Third Coast Distributor's Lansing quarry.
Yes, the do have a locomotive on lease to switch their yard, during the stone "season" in the summer months. GLLX GP18 #921, AKA "Miss Scarlet"

[GLC 392]

will there be a way to download this after you are done.

[JustinB]

Yes there will, self installers also.

Below is the Southeast Detroit - Toledo Wye with the cement company off to the west there.

[GLC 392]

kool looks good, will this be a free download and how long have you been working on it.

[JustinB]

Well i started it about a year ago, but i ended up loosing that computer when i moved, so i had to start over and i just recently had time to work on it.
Yes it will be free, when it is released i will host it on my website.

[GLC 392]

kool please keep me updated

[GrandTrunkFan]

My route is going to be free as well. The Lansing Subdivision is under the name of a little group known as ESLW. When I get the Plymouth Sub done, the whole project will be on Justin's site. I hope to release a pack through ESLW (www.eslw.org) that contains common locomotives and rolling stock common to Michigan in a few weeks. I will tell you, ownership of some Maple Leaf Tracks products will be needed. Ill keep yall updated.

Greg,
Would that quarry happen to be fairly new? Its not on my charts. Theyre only about 12 years old. And I was wondering what that loco was for. My friend Tony (Whom you met when ya saw me in Lansing) and myself were wondering about that unit.