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I would like to declare a challenge, just to see what users can do with a limited amount of time, and a limited amount of space. So, I'm going to declare a little challenge here, a bit of a game (which I hope the mod will see fit to make sticky so others can see the progress.)Here's the deal:With the following rules, I would like people to create a small route, and submit it for download. Since I can't give you anything, it's all in fun, but let's see what you can do.The rules are as follows.1.) All routes submitted MUST be backward compatitable. IE: if you use TRS, please make it so UTC players can use the route.2.) Custom Content must be limited to a total of no more than 3 megabytes.3.) All content must be freeware. No payware bridges or track.4.) The routes may not excede 3 baseboards.5.) All routes must be equipped for loop running. (signals optional)6.) Details must be kept to an extent that it does not cause an excessive slow down on systems. IE: plan for the little guy with the slow comp.7.) All routes must be submitted to the DLS before JULY 4, 2004. (some exceptions may apply, just ask.)8.) Routes do not have to be historically accurate.9.) Stock track should be used. 10.) All routes MUST include one of the following, but not all. :Engine terminal, Passenger Yard (terminus), Railyard (freight), or a sizable industrial district. (note, interchange yards, and anything under 4 tracks, does not count as a Railyard.)So, that's basically it. Anyone up for the challenge? Myself, I'm starting work tonight, just to see what I can do. Oh, one more thing. Please reply with your route's name, country location, and if it's real or fiction.Mine is the :Althamaha Southern, Georgia, Fictional.
Route Name: BNSF Aurora Sub, West End; Mainline based on the BNSF Aurora Subdivision (BN's Racetrack). Downers Grove-Belmont-Lisle-Naperville-Aurora, Illinois, USA. Can we use HoTTrack, and other add-in tracksets?
Since you asked, yes. While I'd like to see the stock track used, that's part of the allowance under the "3rd party content" limit. I've considered using some 3rd party track myself
georgi55_activatedMember since Sep-8-03 · 103 posts
RE: A challenge (also on the Trainz Forum)
For 1), that will mean that users who only use TRS would have to install UTC and make the route in UTC because more than likely a route made in TRS will never work in UTC.Also I think allowing custom track to be used will really make a great difference in quality
Well, I'm well on the way to building the route. I did a quick rebuild and in the process found out something rather funny. In fact, kinda interesting.A large portion of my route is based on a shortline that interchanges with a main line that allows for 40 car stack trains (yeah 40. Yard even handles those.)Well, messing around, I decided to make life hard on anyone switching the shortline. So, in several places (guarding a 90 and 45 degree crossing for example) I placed "Derails" Basically short switches that stub off within a scale 3 feet or so of the track.While messing around, I accidentally switched one of my ai trains onto the track with a derail. I noticed it just in time to see a wreck. Or so I thought.Hard to belive, but the AI train recognized the derail and stopped short of it, patiently waiting for me to reset it so the train could continue its merry way.Now, if I could just make it work with signals...