Message Areas - "Rockaway Branch"

Train-Sim.Com Message Areas

"Rockaway Branch"

Email this topic to a friend
Printer-friendly version of this topic
Bookmark this topic (Registered users only)
Previous Topic | Next Topic Conferences MSTS Route Design (Protected) Original message
CactusBoy (141 posts)
Aug-21-01, 07:50 PM (EST) "Rockaway Branch" It's odd that I'd post this...given the fact I live in south Georgia. Some time ago, I ran across the story of an illfated branch line that the NYC transit once used. The "Rockaway Branch" This branchline ran some distance, having a few FAMOUS stations before ending at the Rockaway shore. It was at best, a tourist line. But, it folded and the track was left to rust. In places, the old third rails still have their wooden covers; and the old cantery poles still stand. (Designed by Penn Central I'm told).Here's my idea: One, find the DEMs for the rockaway, and two: Create this old branch as it would look had it survived to this day. It's an above ground line for the most part...so that should make things somewhat easier. Now, you yankees in New york (don't take yank personally); if y'all can offer any help or any advice, or even any criticisms...feel free. Sure would help.
Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Rockaway Branch staplerman Aug-21-01 1 RE: Rockaway Branch CactusBoy Aug-22-01 2 RE: Rockaway Branch staplerman Aug-23-01 3 RE: Rockaway Branch CactusBoy Aug-23-01 4 RE: Rockaway Branch jkcooney Aug-24-01 5 RE: Rockaway Branch CactusBoy Aug-24-01 6 RE: Rockaway Branch Xacto Aug-24-01 7 RE: Rockaway Branch jerseycentral Aug-25-01 8 RE: Rockaway Branch CactusBoy Aug-25-01 9 RE: Rockaway Branch wildh0rse Aug-26-01 10 RE: Rockaway Branch CactusBoy Aug-26-01 11

Lobby | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic
Messages in this topic
staplerman (19 posts)
Aug-21-01, 08:42 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Rockaway Branch" I don't take the yankee crack personally (besides, I'm a Mets fan!)I believe the branch you're talking about was actually a branch line of the Long Island Rail Road, and, if I still remember my facts, I think they gave the line to the NYC subway system who took it over and made it part of the "A" subway line to Rockaway. In either case, I think it was a 3rd rail set-up, no catenary, since no other portions of the LIRR used catenary.Hope this helps!Mike Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
CactusBoy (141 posts)
Aug-22-01, 08:45 PM (EST) 2. "RE: Rockaway Branch" Yep, helped a good deal.I'm looking for that website I read about that branch; see if I can dig up a topo map or a dem for the branch. Dunno why, but something about that is calling me. There's one problem.I've only gotten one route (a test model of a hump yard) to work in msts. None of my others will load...any ideas why?
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
staplerman (19 posts)
Aug-23-01, 01:11 PM (EST) 3. "RE: Rockaway Branch" Have you created an activity, even just a simple point-to-point movement, for the other routes? I've found that if there are no activities a route will not appear in the "Drive a route"list.I'd love to see your model of the hump yard!Hope this helped....Mike Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
CactusBoy (141 posts)
Aug-23-01, 08:15 PM (EST) 4. "RE: Rockaway Branch" heh, that hump yard is one switch and a hill. (just had it to test if it would work) I've been considering building an accurate model of one...but it'd be impossible to get the thing to work right. or would it...I wonder if it'd be possible to have several cars, starting in string that would take diverging routes; starting at different times. While the player wouldn't be able to control them....theoretically you could have a working yard. I'll play with that a bit, but I don't mind putting the branch on hold (since my source can't get me a topo map) to work on the yard.
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
jkcooney (426 posts)
Aug-24-01, 09:27 AM (EST) 5. "RE: Rockaway Branch" Yes, you need to "Create an activity" for every route you create. Unless you do (even a simple point to point run for inspection purposes) the route will NOT show up in the game when you run it. When you have created an activty such as "Inspection Run" you don't need to use it since when the game loads it will automatically create an "Explore Route" option for you (so you will, in effect, have two activities: the one you created and the one the program automatically creates. If you know how to use the activity editor one suggestion... keep the activity you design simple. That way when you want to delete it later you won't miss it.
Joe Cooney Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
CactusBoy (141 posts)
Aug-24-01, 11:13 PM (EST) 6. "RE: Rockaway Branch" thanks. I'm working on a hump yard atm...thing's growing exponetiantly (SP) it would seem. (working the plans on paper first that is)
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Xacto (338 posts)
Aug-24-01, 11:46 PM (EST) 7. "RE: Rockaway Branch" I don't know if you saw this already, but here's some pics of the abandoned portion of that branch http://www.lirrhistory.com/rockpics.htmlCliff Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
jerseycentral (288 posts)
Aug-25-01, 00:06 AM (EST) 8. "RE: Rockaway Branch" correction..the MANUAL says you need to create an acitivty, i say you just need to make a PATH...thats what i do...see how that thing makes you waste time and increase your chances of ruining your route Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
CactusBoy (141 posts)
Aug-25-01, 10:18 PM (EST) 9. "RE: Rockaway Branch" actually, it was that site and oldnyc.com that got me wanting to do this. Right now, I'm working with oldnyc.com using their subtalk tour to figure up the route as best I can. Here's what I have (yes, i can work on two routes at once Multitasking brain).
The branch wasn't just a passenger line...though, a bridge burning down shortly after the abandonment curtailed all freight through the area. I've heard tell of a mike backing tender first along the line dragging a freight load...and with the usra tender now avail, and a mike supposedly in the works....well
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
wildh0rse (178 posts)
Aug-26-01, 08:33 AM (EST) 10. "RE: Rockaway Branch" Ever? REally? That I did not know for sure.I do know that the Rockaway Branch of the NYC transit system was purchased from LIRR, and there was a double fare to get on and off - they'd make you pay a fare to get off, and double to get back on, effectively doubling the fare for the trip.If you take the "A" train to queens these days, you'll come to a part that elevates abruptly to pass over an old concrete viaduct; look to your right, and there's a switch that leads to this viaduct, and another for the opposite direction.If you look of to the left of the (eastbound) train, you'll see that the viaduct extends in the other direction for a considerable distance. This was the old rockaway branch of the LIRR also, but these tracks are not in use I beleive.My suggestion is to look for historical LIRR maps. Inidentally, this is the only rail 'link' between JFK Int'l airport and NYC; they're fighting over the issue of a direct rail link right now. As it stands you have to take a shuttle bus. Hope this helps, and now that you've piqued *my* curiosity, I'm going to look myself, I"ll let you now what I dig up. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
CactusBoy (141 posts)
Aug-26-01, 03:40 PM (EST) 11. "RE: Rockaway Branch" While doing my research, I ran across this cool little snippet...and it also explains just why the Rockaway and LIRR were 3rd rail.ok, this goes back a while, but pensy ran trains across the trackage, mainly freight, using their DD1. Ok, to best explain what a DD looks like...take that sjlitt da, and then remove the pantographs, link two back to back, and add a third rail shoe.Got that mental picture? Well, that's a dd...basically.Well, when you reached the main line, some of the trackage was cantery, and some was third rail...and some was /both/ (this may be on the main LIRR...i'm not sure at this point and too tired to check...I'll update after I do)Along this route, there was a point where there was the ONLY Elec to Elec change over. (remember reading about the diesel to elec loco changes on the NEC...same thing, but using two elec locos.) Only one in the country as I'm told. Thing is, it's funny since there was EXACTLY one loco length of track that was both Cantery and Third rail. no room to play there I don't know if I can simulate this...or if it's on the same line. But, it's a funny picture when you imagine a 100 foot stretch of track that has that. ( I also picture some dd engineer getting stranded when he overshot the 100 ft mark)
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Lock | Archive | Remove

Lobby | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic