Download gold

1920s-style gas station.

First, welcome to Download gold, a new feature of our journal. In this section we will bring you articles that deal with items you can download from the Trainz Download Station to enhance the realism and enjoyment of Trainz. We will supply a screen shot of the items we choose. There may be a single scene with a number of the items included in it, or individual screen shots of major items such as locomotives. At the bottom of the article we will include a listing of the KUID numbers so you will have no problem in locating and downloading the gold from the Download Station if you would like to use it on your route. Each issue of VMRJ will have a new "Download gold" section with new download “nuggets” for your digging pleasure.

        Adding character to your route is always fun. For my Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad I decided to place the age of the route in the 1920s to 1950s period. One item I found at the Download Station was a great looking 1920s style gas station. I set up a scene using that gas station as the focal point. In the scene I also added other items from the Download Station to add to the 1920s character I wanted to achieve.

In this scene the old cars have been created by The Jalopy Jungle. I’ve included only two cars of many vehicles from the 20s and other eras that The Jalopy Jungle has at the Download Station. You can even find the infamous 50s style “Christine,” the killer Plymouth Fury of Steven King fame in the lineup. The garage attendant is actually a Station Master figure that I recruited to work as a station attendant. Note the excellent detail in the pumps and the Coca-Cola machine; they are included with the gas station building. The pumps are illuminated for night scenes and give the station a great look when the sun goes down.

In the background there are some colorful characters. On the left is an animated logger. He swings an axe up and down. I have used him as a logger to cut down timber, which is his normal job, and also as a ship builder to drive pegs. In this scene he is smashing up an old rusty hulk of a car, and he LOVES smashing up the old wreck. To his right is a pair of men taking a lunch break and enjoying a game of checkers. These folks could be playing checkers just about anywhere. Put them on a station platform, in the blacksmith shop, or anywhere that you like and they will add life to your scene. Here is a close-up to show you the detail they have.

Checkers break.

As they once said, “Thar’s gold in them thar hills!” there is also gold in that thar Download Station. With just a little digging you can come up with some fine nuggets you can use to add that extra glitter to your own route. Here is a listing of the gold for today:

In each future issue of VMRJ, we’ll point the way to a number of finds that we feel will add to your enjoyment of Trainz.

OK pardner, have fun and happy prospecting to ya!

John

Article and screen shots ©2004 John D'Angelo. All rights reserved.