Quick sketch on copy paper.


My first step was to sketch out the plan on a piece of 8-1/2x11-inch copy paper. Then I used one of my favorite tools to develop the plan. This is a big pad of quadrille paper. I blocked a sheet into 1”x1” squares, each representing a baseboard in Trainz. A baseboard is approximately a half-mile on a side. With a rectangle measuring 16 squares (about 8 miles) by 10 squares (about 5 miles), I had 160 baseboards to work with – more than enough to keep me busy for quite awhile.

I had a rough idea of my layout in mind when I began sketching. Once the basic line was in place, I looked for baseboards that could be eliminated. I eventually trimmed the layout to 101 baseboards. Of course, this is only a starting place. Things are subject to change as I build, but at least I have some plan that will enable me to place markers and know where I am while building.


Larger sketch on 17x11-inch quadrille paper.


The line is double-tracked all around, even though shown as a single-tracked line in the large sketch. The “center” or major population location is at the Junction. To the left of the Junction the line splits, passing the major yard and eventually reconnecting in a more remote location. The route is essentially circular, serving mostly the island from the perimeter. The center of the island will be scenicked with cliffs and generally uninhabitable terrain.

This scheme enables continuous running and easy visibility of trains, especially from the water side. The small work sheds at various locations along the ROW hide portals, which enable me to populate short sections of track with trains. I’m counting on this approach to be less resource-demanding than having a lot of AI trains in constant circulation.

One thing I haven’t included yet is some sort of power plant to energize the line and an AI freight operation to bring coal to the plant. This may or may not be a part of the final version. At the moment, I see it as icing on the cake.

Cheers,

Al

Article and screen shots �2010 Alfred Barten. All rights reserved.

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