A Great Idea for Portals

I am always learning something new with Trainz, even though I have been working with Trainz since it first came out. Recently Al Barten came up with a new idea for portals (see Bearpaw Lumber Company, Barten 8 August 2007). He sticks the portal at the edge of a route allowing it to hang out there in space! I didn’t know this was possible! Using a portal with Al’s method allows you to add a portal without having to add a baseboard. It really is a super idea.

Portal Operation

You might want to read Operations on the Rockbottom & Beatte Railroad (D'Angelo, 15 June 2007) for additional background on portal operations. Basically I use the portals to generate mainline operation, and deliver and pickup cars to the local freight yard. This is a simple operation where the yard will receive reefers for the fish factory in South Jamesport. An SW7 is at the siding in Jamesport awaiting the delivery.

Trains are generated at 10-minute intervals from the portals and travel through Jamesport to the opposite portal. Passenger trains stop at Jamesport station, load passengers and move on. Only the westbound freight train will stop, drop off fish factory reefers, and pick up any filled reefers for movement to Riverhead.

That’s the overview. Here are some screenshots of the route in action:




Jamesport Shuttle arrives at Jamesport Station.


Shuttle arrives at South Jamesport.


Eastbound passenger train arrives at the Jamesport Station.
SW7 Awaiting the Freight Train.


Westbound Freight arrives at the freight siding.


Westbound freight drops a reefer.

(Continued)

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Article and screen shots �2007 John D'Angelo. All rights reserved.

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