Message Areas - "Further Clinchfield Progress"

Train-Sim.Com Message Areas

"Further Clinchfield Progress"

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
landnrailroader (181 posts)
Mar-30-02, 09:10 PM (EST) "Further Clinchfield Progress" To the kludgers, kibitzers, directors & assorted politiciansYour locating and construction engineers have successfully operated the first loaded grain train from Erwin, TN as far east as Sevier siding where the track crew not only halted the train, abut stole the grain.. In these parts grain is considered to be currency among the local "brewers". Using new-fangled technology, some screenshots were made, and here they are. The Engineer got away with these, and his life intact, but we haven't accounted for the train yet--------.This first shot is of the train approaching the north portal of Blue Ridge Tunnel (Ridge Tunnel in later years). Great skill is required here, because when the engines exit the south portal, they are on a descending 1.2% grade, while most of the train is still going up a 0.5% grade. It must be balanced, and then dynamic brake applied carefully. MAXIMUM SPEED UP OR DOWN IS 30 MPH.In this next scene, the engines have exited the south portal of Blue Ridge Tunnel, and a buzzard flying alongside, contemplating his next meal, gets a view of both the train, AND THE NEXT LEVEL OF TRACK SOME 8 MILES DISTANT.In this third scene, the engines have exited the south portal of Upper Bridal Path Ridge Tunnel, and the Buzzard notes this and the next level, SOME 6 MILES DISTANT, and on which the train will move right to left as it enters Lower Bridal Path Ridge Tunnel by way of a deep cut.A southbound train will be in Dynamic Brake for the best part of 25 miles on this grade. In this 4th scene, the Engineer takes a look to his right - and well it's a long way down to Pepper Creek if the train isn't under control.In this 5th scene, the engineer has brought his train through all of the upper level tunnels, and just after passing through Byrd Tunnel, he looks across the upper horseshoe curve and sees a speck on the hillside, which when construction is complete will be the North Portal of 1st Rocky Ridge Tunnel. (Orignally there were 4 tunnels on Rocky Ridge, but #3 was daylighted in 1977 in order to extend Rocky Siding.)Finally, just before entering 1st Rocky Tunnel, a quick look back across the same horseshoe allows the first visual inspection of the train since cabooses disappeared.Thanks for your indulgence. Have a good, safe Easter weekend.J. H. Sullivan, P.E. (retired)
Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Further Clinchfield Progress DKlemm Mar-30-02 1 RE: Further Clinchfield Progress flarrfan Mar-31-02 2 RE: Further Clinchfield Progress NickF Mar-31-02 3

Lobby | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic
Messages in this topic
DKlemm (1340 posts)
Mar-30-02, 10:12 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Further Clinchfield Progress" Very nice looking. Specially like those rolling hills.David Klemm
Illinois Central Route
Illinois and St Louis Divisions
Ver 0.7 uploaded
Decatur IL 51% done, off playing with trains and doing research for the next update!
Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
flarrfan (542 posts)
Mar-31-02, 08:41 AM (EST) 2. "RE: Further Clinchfield Progress" HILLS??? Those are the Blue Ridge MOUNTAINS, and if you've ever been at the Clinchfield Loops overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you would not call them rolling! Would expect that comment from a real mountaineer, not a prairie flatlander who's toughest route challenge is putting his IC route through the ROLLING HILLS of Little Egypt! Great work, Jerry...any news on fixing the boundary issue between Erwin and Spruce Pine? Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
NickF (809 posts)
Mar-31-02, 09:22 AM (EST) 3. "RE: Further Clinchfield Progress" Mountains? If they don't hit at least 12,000 feet they're just hills. Nick
Workin' on the Rio Grande Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Lock | Archive | Remove

Lobby | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic