Recently I have been traveling around the states of GA and AL, and it came to my attention that SC4 lacks depots. Not huge commuter depots like others have made. But older ones from the 1800 or 1900's, no small town in the South or Midwest for that matter does not have one.
During the Late 1800's and 1900's small depots proliferated across the Southern states. A region still crippled (as it would stay until the 1960's) from it's failed fight for independence was becoming well connected by railroads. the L&N (Louisville & Nashville RR) built depots in every small town it went through during this time periods, and many other railroads did the same (such as the Central of Georgia). Most all of these depots remain intact, even if the railroad is no longer present.
During the 1980's and 90's mass abandonments in the South by CSXT and Norfolk Southern reduced the railroad mileage in these states by more than a half. Most of said depots were sold to the towns, where most were left to rot.
In light of this, I have started this project in order to bring a lot of these depots in to Sim City 4. I have many depots planned, and this project could take some time to complete. But in the end, I expect 30 to 40 depots to be released, allowing many choices for your small towns.
My most recent ventures took me to Eufaula, Alabama. A beautiful city located next to Lake Eufaula. Once a sprawling railroad hub, it is now serviced by a single shortline railroad that only makes a couple of trips a week. I took one picture of it, the other two are not mine.
Taken in late July of this year (or early August...I don't remember)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR035.jpg&hash=6dfabee597244e158e072a20a826648d7354db13)
This is not mine: (Shows the renovation of the depot..)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FCoGa_Depot_Eufaula.jpg&hash=591093428b663c49fd382d3f68c0334a94e983fd)
My favorite shot, taken in the early 1980's before the Southern RR abandoned it, the line used to run from Eufaula to Montgomery, but it was abandoned. to the left leads to the E&O (Eufaula & Ozark) interchange (which was also owned by the SOU). Only a mile or two of the former E&O is still in operation and is owned by NS, but is leased to the GSWR (Georgia Southwestern RR):
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2Fpictures_8150_EufaulaAL372.jpg&hash=62182610421159c9118f766897d1af77129ad730)
Anyway, I began modeling the depot, I plan to make both the new renovated depot (the red and yellow) as well as the older CofG (Southern) one. You may recognize these from my BAT thread, but the depots will now be posted here exclusively.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FEufaulaDepot1.jpg&hash=083d8c3a1f42db11bf7b5744e6d7a3b28d64a466)
I textured it to the CofG scheme first:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FCofG.jpg&hash=ae5f5e8171f0704b51625750584423ac41641527)
Here's what it looks like on a temporary lot in game:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FExclusive-Mar.20001187835508.jpg&hash=5a6082ab1f3178a4c561c022c1c5497d3a0a05a4)
Well, I hope this project will fetch some sort of interest in my fellow SC4 Community members. As always comments and criticisms are welcome.
If you would like a depot BATted, and it is in AL, GA, SC, FL, MS, LA, TX, or Arkansas (I forgot their abbreviation) feel free to post pictures here so that I can take a look. Exceptions will be made if I feel that it fits in with the project.
Thanks,
Frankie
That is looking great, Frankie! Wonderful work! :thumbsup:
It is a very nice work, sadly almost none of it could be seen from game point of view... &ops
Well..I was a bit disappointed since most of the most difficult details won't even appear in the game..
My next in line depot is located in none other than my hometown of Dothan, Alabama. They city boasts 3 different depots. A former Central of Georgia depot, Atlantic Coast Line (now CSX) and The Bay Line Railroad. The latter's depot is used by the fire department.
I started with the ACL depot. It is a fairly simple structure that is under-going renovation as we speak.
Here is a "front" view of it:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homestead.com%2FStagmiesALRailpics%2Ffiles%2FACL_Dothan_Depot__Copy.jpg&hash=3401f51bf598f983a56e93ddcc6f1f2689144d17)
I may post the other views a little later..Anyway, I started modeling this one as well. I did not texture it yet, but I did get the ground level finished..
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FACL_Dothan.jpg&hash=8c9caa1aa68a54cf0bd435a564a2fa89e6e9b68b)
I have not decided how I will release these depots yet, and I think it's a bit early to be deciding. I am not very talented at lotting depots such as these, so I may just release this as a prop pack and allow the user to make their own lots..let me know what you think about that.
Looking good frankie!!!!
Frankie,
Your depots look great! This week I will get around to photographing the Gulf, Mobile, & Ohio passenger depot and freight house, as well as the Illinois Central "Union Station" for your consideration.
And I've been playing around in LE lately and I'd be happy to have a go at turning your models in great looking stations. Send me a PM.
Cheers,
Kevin
Quote from: Frankie on September 01, 2007, 01:55:17 PM
Well..I was a bit disappointed since most of the most difficult details won't even appear in the game..
Welcome to the club..... :P
I think that is very common feeling amongst the batter.
Looking like a good start. Is this your first bats ?
JosefBrisko135: Thanks!!
BigSlark: I'll be waiting :') And I will be happy to let you lot my depots. Normally I would do it myself, but for some reason I'm not very good at lotting buildings like this. (my lotting skills are rusty anyway, it has been at least 3 months since I sat down to do some serious lotting.
vester: Well, these aren't my first BATs, I've actually got about 70 BAT/gmax files on my PC (no joke). Most of them were just failures or experiments. I've put out a couple of BATs, but I honesty hate them all...my warehouses...older grain elevator..they need serious work or makeovers.
Ok, well yesterday Glenni was kind enough to give me some textures to try out, and I now have time to do so. My goal for today is to finish both versions of the Eufaula Depots, (I want to redo the back wall). I also want to do some experimenting with the Dothan ACL Depot and try various textures on it. I was having some troubles with the roof on the ACL depot..but I'm working that out as I post this message, :P
I'll have some nice pics in a few ;D
P.S. Does anyone have a dirty/worn shingled roof texture? Similar to that in the shot of the Eufaula depot in the 1980's?
Frankie this is looking wonderful i soo hope you release these once done - pat
Thanks, Pat, for your support :thumbsup:
I reworked the roof on the Eufaula depot, the original seemed a bit off.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FEF1.jpg&hash=8f0551d2c7e1d4b46a2aa5ddb26918926c3f999d)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FEF2.jpg&hash=dcc94465ff42600655c9f109acccb78f0ddd7401)
None of these textures are final except the white walls, top of the platform, and the grey parts. The roof still needs work though. After texturing, I believe this one will be ready for rendering, I just gotta tweak a few parts of the model..
As always, comments and suggestions are more than welcome.
Many thanks,
-Frankie
Addendum: What I am going to do is, after finishing each depot, I will attach the file to a post so that they can be tested, more of a hands on review if you will. Unlike some of my other uploads, I intend to take this one slowly and get it done right the first time. The idea is I will BAT has many as I can until I get 10MB worth, then I'll bundle them up and upload. (usually anything over 10MB can be a pain to download).
Frankie its my pleasure to keep on coming back in and seeing your wonderful work and dont change a thing on this one....
Looking great Frankie- I especially like the textures on that last depot. :)
QuoteAddendum: What I am going to do is, after finishing each depot, I will attach the file to a post so that they can be tested, more of a hands on review if you will. Unlike some of my other uploads, I intend to take this one slowly and get it done right the first time. The idea is I will BAT has many as I can until I get 10MB worth, then I'll bundle them up and upload. (usually anything over 10MB can be a pain to download).
Sounds good to me. :) Keep up the good work and drop me a line if you ever need any technical assistance. :thumbsup:
this is looking great Frankie :thumbsup:
this kind of depots/stations were very common here in Uruguay. nowadays, many of them are out of operation (as 1/3 of the rail net) but the buildings of the stations still remain.
this one is in Colonia del Sacramento (SW of the country, 246km via rail of Montevideo-the capital- 177km via road)
as you can see, this one is one of those ex-stations:
patfirefghtr: Thanks again :thumbsup:
Travis: Thanks Travis!
figui: Sadly most of the railroad networks of the Americas are disappearing more and more with each passing year. I'm not quite sure on the specific stats, but here in the US, only about half of the original rail network exists. Most low density lines are sold to shortlines, and when those shortlines fail it's the end of the line (no pun intended, lol). That station you posted looks great, there are a few on my list that have that stucco look to them, and I think you will enjoy them when you see them :thumbsup:
Anyway, onward with the update. I have put aside the Dothan Atlantic Coast Line depot for a bit (I want to restart it..). My next one will be a former ACL depot in Enterprise, Alabama. (Where that tornado was early this year, I have family in the area and I went for a visit over the summer).
The depot actually has a semaphore signal on it, one of the last in the nation still on an active railroad. (but notice that it has been turned 90 degrees so that railroaders don't confuse it as an active one). I took these pictures while I was there.
Here's the semaphore:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR011.jpg&hash=73f0aa49c043b609f88888a334e6aaedfaefcf19)
This one is looking toward Daleville and Dothan, I didn't care to get the roof in this one, these are reference photos not works of art, :P .
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR010.jpg&hash=32831ef25654e92ad3c36636fe5b32c87bad703d)
The organization that takes care of this depot:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR012.jpg&hash=00daf63ae234f04e4a953325451ba25a91825c29)
The opposite side:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR013.jpg&hash=18b13166ca038fd986f5e763c0aa51bd8e6803e2)
The history of the depot:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR009.jpg&hash=115e0f3224e724e2dad65354cf7f53f66e450699)
The hopper cars that prevented a better shot of this depot:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR007.jpg&hash=e805b3348c2bb3d66e275ce9d9854ae528148865)
Looking towards the depot from the parking lot - yet another bad pictures due to there being too many cars, light posts, etc.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR008.jpg&hash=9aedc5a82b16254c936d8efd0587e9c053f3e510)
The lone ranger of a locomotive that was parked near where the tornado went by. The Wiregrass Central Railroad (G&O Property) uses this locomotive for the sole purpose of switching - it rarely does road jobs.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCR014.jpg&hash=f5e50cc278f57411279745029653a0258397ea44)
Anyways, I'm going to start BATting this one now, should have some pics up later this evening or tomorrow afternoon.
As for the Eufuala Depot, 1980's Version, I will do a medium render and make it a prop, then attach it to this post for those of you wanting to be "beta testers" or scrutineers.
Ok, I attached it. Feel free to give it a try, let me know what you think. If you download it I expect either some good feedback or criticisms. When the depot set is finally released, you will be asked to delete them. (Although I won't force you to if you like them that much.. :P )
you gurantee im firing up LE right now to take me a peeksie... hell i might even through a lot together with it right away... let you know - pat
OK i finished lotting and testing it just now lol man im tired but i wanna show pics of what ive done and how i used
Eufaula Train Depot.... and i do have a list of only 4 dependency's also a generic readme lol if you are intrested in it Frankie and btw i did a little TE'ing too ;)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg212.imageshack.us%2Fimg212%2F6096%2Fcastiamtnheightsaug2613jz2.jpg&hash=8e5d77008c82533f39c2e8686a47c50d2aab12bf)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg490.imageshack.us%2Fimg490%2F4%2Fcastiamtnheightssep1612ed8.jpg&hash=dbb06e0749680b07d11261af4ec682396e0085a7)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg293.imageshack.us%2Fimg293%2F1025%2Fcastiamtnheightssep1114ep0.jpg&hash=6432aa9fbbe0dfd4e6082fc442d2af194d8abb6e)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg101.imageshack.us%2Fimg101%2F749%2Fcastiamtnheightsjan2113ta1.jpg&hash=0f502e21b33b76cb2cb863ad0d44abe40bf2dd2b)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg209.imageshack.us%2Fimg209%2F2989%2Fcastiamtnheightssep1313zo7.jpg&hash=fc190affbd9cc66dabc5fcc1451973d5f0a01bd5)
OK as Vester suggested and used flawlessly Infraviewed these newer images into Jpeg.... ;)
Frankie,
I took a much more "laid back" approach to lotting Eufaula station than Pat did.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Fdepots%2520for%2520frankie%2Feufaula4.jpg&hash=8e75d499f8e37b2569e6672d2dac569586bd1506)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Fdepots%2520for%2520frankie%2Feufaula3.jpg&hash=4100034d233ddfa72081ec52e26c809d1fd00a96)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Fdepots%2520for%2520frankie%2Feufaula2.jpg&hash=05072b7b15df8737be0951eca7f5bb5033d9ac3e)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Fdepots%2520for%2520frankie%2Feufaula1.jpg&hash=4575b4237be79ffacee0f246f64ef81c0caab6f2)
I TE'd it along one side for passenger rail and did a single street entrance. I TE'd it like I have so that any one plopping the station will know which side is supposed to face the tracks. I could just as well transit enable it like the standard Maxis station if you like. I need to fix the dirt parking lot texture and add a few more parked cars, overlay textures are always the hardest for me to get right. Also, is the little stoop at one end another door? I wasn't entirely sure what that door was used for. Should I enable this as a freight truck to freight train station as well? Or, there could be a freight version AND a passenger version. I have discovered that TE editing is very easy with SC4Tool! I also need to remove the taxi generator as I imagine you wouldn't find a line of taxis awaiting the arrival of the local from Montgomery... ;D
In West Alabama, where I went to high school, Log Trucks would park in any area large enough to hold them if the driver wanted to stop for cigarettes or a flat tire or a beer, which is why I added the one by jestarr to the parking lot. I used all BSC props (okay, well, I used CP trees too), for ease finding dependancies and I figure that anyone who is a regular SC4D downloader probably has them.
Cheers,
Kevin
Kevin that is very good im impressed what you did compared to mine lol...
Looks great.
Pat: Please convert your pictures from png to jpg. For this you can use IrfanView (http://irfanview.com/). Its free.
By converting the pictures you can cut down the filesize a lot. Lets take one of your pictures (http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2214/testjul5011188895724ak5.png). This one is 1.08 mb. Converting it to a jpg the save quality set to 70 % its only 96 kb (http://img7.myimg.de/testjul5011188895724020f9.jpg).
Or you could use IrfanView as a Screen Capture, straight into jpg without that irritating pop-up.
OK kewl thanks Vester
Thanks for converting the pictures.
The page loading time is so much quicker.
Pat: I like the layout of the lot, however I believe that your lot would match the second version of this depot. (the renovated version that is now a CofC). This particular one is more suited for heavy duty service, while the other for aesthetics. I believe your lot would fit well in to a small downtown that uses the depot for offices, or like Eufaula a Chamber of Commerce.
BigSlark: I like the more hardcore industrial look of these - well suited for industrial or warehouse districts of smaller towns. The trucks and props you chose fit well and complement the building. Especially those oil barrels and tank on the end of the lot.
Vester: Thanks for stopping by :thumbsup:
Well, I realized that I forgot to make the radio antenna pole that was common on these depots. During the 80's railroads used them quite frequently. Remember that during this period (1981 and Before) things were a bit different. This was before the huge "mega-mergers" that make the railroads we have today. (CSX, NS, BNSF, etc.) So they relied on cheaper equipment and more efficient practices. (since every penny counted on this smaller railroads).
I will finish this pole and attach it after I make sure it looks right. It is now attached.
I also began BATting the Enterprise depot late last night...I didn't get that far, but I will get some pictures later.
OK sweet Frankie... I cant wait to get ahold of the second version so i can update the lot then... Hey Kevin could i get your lot pease lol....
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FEnterpriseDepot2.jpg&hash=295f7fe5f2e6169d2a855e54a7c2b54f846e6d19)
I have to say that, in addition to the great looking BATs, the way they look on different lots is really good. I almost think you should combine the multiple lots together for more variety (I know it is possible to do it later in the LE, but to have the diversity of selection from the get-go would be a great touch. The start of the new station too looks promising. For whatever reason, the roof texture of the Eufaula station looks a bit flat from higher zooms (though is quite nice, and realistic to scale when seen close up). I don't know if you plan to re-texture, but perhaps a slightly larger shingle would give the roof a bit more dynamic look. If not, it still turned out quite nice.
All right Southern Small Town Depot followers, here's my much updated lot for the Eufaula Freight Depot:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Feufaula7.jpg&hash=88a38ec23f6671f3776036be214bb69d54c9b378)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Feufaula6.jpg&hash=914335ca774a4a3fddecb897beedce8ac89373bf)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi152.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs196%2Fbigslark%2Feufaula5.jpg&hash=782922b865eb69953882eed0804b0a226ad318c0)
What do you all think? I like feedback!
Also, I ran it through SC4Tool's dependency checker and it seems the curbs are from an source, so I have taken them out and will put something else there.
Cheers,
Kevin
PS-I was too lazy to run clip2pic tonight...so in game camera it is.
Frankie wow that is starting to look real good and kevin dang i like that lot alot.....
-kevin (bigslark)
In my comments, I'm referencing the last pic:
-Overall it seems very well done.
-The grassy area at the bottom seems to end too abruptly on the left where the textrue on the side of the road appear to be blank. I would suggest either expanding the grass to the edge, or adding a defined barrier that would give it a reason to be cut off so cleanly.
-The curved path to/from the side (main?) door seems a bit awkward. For a station, you would expect people to take the most direct route in (perhaps a straight path along the side of the building), but I can see where the curve might occur: if that car is usualy parked there. However (and this may not be worth going through the process of changing it) the path still seems to swing wide in front of the car coming in from the parking lot. Perhaps think about decreasing the gap between the car and the start of the path.
If any of these suggestions seem unclear, please let me know and I will clarify them. But as I said earlier, it looks great overall.
I get the feeling htat your elements are just a bit too big.. windows, doors are too wide and probably too tall as well. It is qute ovbvious when you see cars next to them in game...
Quote from: threestooges on September 04, 2007, 10:49:28 PM
-The curved path to/from the side (main?) door seems a bit awkward. For a station, you would expect people to take the most direct route in (perhaps a straight path along the side of the building)
I'd like to point out that this depot was not intended for passengers. Eufaula's passengers were served by a second depot a couple of blocks away.
BigSlark: The only complaint that I have is the yellow truck has no space to pull out. Other than a base texture tweaking, I do not believe the lot needs anything else. Great job :thumbsup:
marcszar: Thanks for the advice, I know the roof is pretty bad, but I couldn't find an appropriate texture, and I have no artistic ability or know how when it comes to photoshop. I have no idea why my windows messed up. I assure you there are no black elements to the model. I used a transparent with a gray piece behind it. It rendered in a rather ugly way I guess...
Pat: Thanks again!
SimFox: Well, during the time period in which these types of depots were built, oversize windows and doors were very common - I attempted to recreate this effect in my model. I have stood next to the Enterprise depot personally to get an idea of the height..the windows were quite large compared to me, and I'm 5'11''. I could scale it down a little bit when I finish, but like I have said, nothing is set in stone..yet.
Anyway, I hope to finish up the Enterprise depot later this evening, I have only one more wall, the roof, and the semaphore to BAT.
Hello all,
First, watch this space for the "final" lot in the next few hours. I just finished putting on the finishing touches and checking the Transit Switches.
I made the path the way I did as I figure that the boss and motorcyclist like to park in the same place every day, so any truck drivers would pull up and walk around. That and I have every texture pack under the sun installed (well, not every one, but it feels like it when I'm searching for something) and there isn't a path to fit that spot. Maybe I should make one...
I changed the driveway so there's a loading bay for 48 ft. trucks and transit enabled it. I also removed a vehicle that came from who-knows-where and replaced the concrete curbs with old railroad ties, which I thought was fitting for a freight depot.
In case anyone is curious, I read a post made by Cerulean or Simgoober a couple of years ago that recommended that props are meant to tell the story of the building. I have attempted to follow that philosophy in making this lot and hopefully others if Frankie (or anyone else) would like assistance.
I'm looking forward to something "pretty" to lot with the Enterprise passenger station, Frankie.
Cheers,
Kevin
Quote from: BigSlark on September 05, 2007, 05:57:52 PM
Hello all,
First, watch this space for the "final" lot in the next few hours. I just finished putting on the finishing touches and checking the Transit Switches.
I made the path the way I did as I figure that the boss and motorcyclist like to park in the same place every day, so any truck drivers would pull up and walk around. That and I have every texture pack under the sun installed (well, not every one, but it feels like it when I'm searching for something) and there isn't a path to fit that spot. Maybe I should make one...
I changed the driveway so there's a loading bay for 48 ft. trucks and transit enabled it. I also removed a vehicle that came from who-knows-where and replaced the concrete curbs with old railroad ties, which I thought was fitting for a freight depot.
In case anyone is curious, I read a post made by Cerulean or Simgoober a couple of years ago that recommended that props are meant to tell the story of the building. I have attempted to follow that philosophy in making this lot and hopefully others if Frankie (or anyone else) would like assistance.
I'm looking forward to something "pretty" to lot with the Enterprise passenger station, Frankie.
Cheers,
Kevin
I like the idea of using railroad ties instead of a curb. And I'm glad you are putting such effort in to this, I personally would not think up the little details, and like I said I do not lot well when it comes to depots.
Also, I did some work on the Enterprise depot, took me quite a bit longer than I expected. (I was distracted..had to work, etc) Anyway enough excuses. I plan to re-texture pretty much everything you see here, so don't get used to the textures:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FEnterprise.jpg&hash=fd9a9f7c285d11366b9cda24330ccad236bef812)
looks nice!
are you thinking a darker roof texture or even maybe a tin roof style?
Quote from: patfirefghtr on September 05, 2007, 07:44:08 PM
are you thinking a darker roof texture or even maybe a tin roof style?
Well if you mean the Eufaula depot i plan to put a better roof texture, no tin though. As for the Enterprise depot, it has no texture yet...still working on that.
-BigSlark
I know what you mean about texture hunting. I have nowhere near the number you likely have but still, it's tough to find just what you are looking for. It looks fine as it is though so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Perhaps move the car closer to the start of the path so that it is the reason the path starts where it does. I agree about that statement about props telling the story of the lot, and you tell it well.
-Frankie:
Thanks for the information about the Eufaula passenger depot. I would be interested to see what it looks like, and what you can do with it in the BAT. The Enterprise station looks like it is coming along nicely.
No no frankie i was meaning about enterprise roof.... dont you dare change Eufaula roof i love it as is
That building is looking wonderful (so far), Frankie!
ohh heres a bit of a teaser shot what ive done with Eufaula.....
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg247.imageshack.us%2Fimg247%2F5082%2Fnewcitymar5171189104072wz2.jpg&hash=18521ce528e27384c1a47c3abcfe91eba48fe8d0)
a special thanks goes out to Filasimo for helping me out in instructing me step by step
with a pic to do that wicked spur lol.....
that looks really good pat some suggestions i may add....in NCDs spur pack theres a really good asphalt texture u should replace the black asphalt with it has a weathered look on it and also make sure to add track switches as well..its coming along real good and i cant wait til u show the finished product
OK now i just have to zero in on that texture and will do... about switchs i will have to discuss further with you later but im off and running to bed now but thank you again for your help on the M front its a total amazement to me thank you a karma for you - pat
As for my Eufaula lot, I'm having some problems. Two overlay textures are refusing to display in game. They're there in LE and SC4Tool and Reader before I load the game. They aren't there when I'm playing and when I open the lot in LE. This sounds like a problem BarbyW would know the answer to. I got hit by RLS last night and I have class and work from 9 until 5:30 today, so I'll have something to show later this evening.
Pat:Your new oil depot is looking good. I have one suggestion, though. I would add some scrub to the grass and have it mowed around the tanks and buildings. Across the tracks from the parking lot I would imagine to be pretty grown over.
Besides, I also I want to see what foliage you use! ;D
Cheers,
Kevin
Kevin lol my thought exactly here and its still a work in progress and that was on my list of minor details... I too had a problem with a conflict of texturing in LE to Tool to game and even a ctd... i wonder if tweaked something to hard or even something from Eufaula i dunno but its hard to tell as we are testing the heck outta these for Frankie and he might know as well too? the problem with my texture is i had key word had a gate... field gate by Jes and one gate was purrrrrfect and the other was blobbed up and uuuuugh... lol thats the only way i can describe it...
threestooges: If only I had pictures of it - I did not think about it while I was in town. I was in a hurry and naturally did not remember it. The depot is rather rundown though, hasn't been as well maintained as the freight depot. It has enormous doors and windows on it though. I need to remind myself next time I'm in the area to get some pics of it.
bat & pat: Thanks!
patfirefghtr (at second comment) I like the lot so far, however I think it needs more details and a lighter more weathered asphalt texture (as filasimo suggested).
BigSlark: RLS has hit me as well, being on call is no fun at all. Kept me from working on any BAT projects yesterday.
patfirefghtr I cannot test these readily as my game does not load any more. However, the issue is most likely not the station model, although I could be mistaken. One of the other reasons I wanted to attach the individual files is that the game stopped loading early this week, and I cannot test, nor do I have the time to fix my game.
Anyway, in light of this, I have not been BATting today or yesterday. RLS has really taken its toll on me so far. I was planning on finishing up the Enterprise depot the other night, but that of course did not happen. There is a depot in Florida that is next on the list, if I finish the Enterprise one.
Depending on how much time I have, I may or may not BAT tonight. I'm still on call until about 10 p.m. EST. So there is still a good hour in which I can be called in to work until midnight or so...what fun.
Ok, I'll stop complaining now, and see what I can do with the BAT :D
WOW
This is some really impressive work. I hope all of these will be released to the community one day. Very, Very impressive.
---Gaston
Thanks Gaston. Hopefully Frankie will still be churning out depots and Pat and I will putting them on different lots.
Frankie, it must be terrible to have a job where you're on call. My 8-5 drives me crazy some times! The 'rents are coming in town tomorrow so I'm cleaning the house like a madman tonight. When you put off mopping the hardwood floors for a month it becomes a much bigger project...
Cheers,
Kevin
Baaaaaaad Kevin waiting to the last minute to clean oh wait thats me.... on the other subject of on call it does suck speaking from my volunteering activities lol.... Im having a hard time finding grass props i wanna use... i have a wicked idea but uuugh.... i know i love coming up with a contrasted lot compared to your Kevin it gives a spectrum of goodies....
Frankie i think it was something i used and not related after all i changed the black ashpalt texture and redid the TE'ed road entrance and no CTD's or blurred gates.... I cant wait to see how you finish up enterprise and awaiting to tackle that bad boy... lol
Wow. These look great. The lots are pretty good too.
Wow, I'd looked at this a few weeks ago when I had some time, and the progress looks great. I personally have a great appreciation for rural areas, so I am quite interested in what you're working on here, but I notice on the Eufaula station that the roof texture is very 'flat'. The model on the whole is absolutely beautiful and I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished and released, but given the dimensions of the building and the low slope of the roof, the roof itself takes up a very large portion of what one sees on the final render which makes it very important for this particular model, and a gradient on that roof texture would make a night and day difference on the quality of it.
I have some experience with this kind of thing and I'd be willing to rework the texture for you if you sent it to me, if you're interested(check my profile for my email), just let me know the dimensions on the roof and what tiling settings you have for that texture on each roof sections at present and I'll send the results back to you.
Really looking forward to this.
Chris
Quote from: Chrisadams3997 on September 11, 2007, 10:13:02 PM
Wow, I'd looked at this a few weeks ago when I had some time, and the progress looks great. I personally have a great appreciation for rural areas, so I am quite interested in what you're working on here, but I notice on the Eufaula station that the roof texture is very 'flat'. The model on the whole is absolutely beautiful and I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished and released, but given the dimensions of the building and the low slope of the roof, the roof itself takes up a very large portion of what one sees on the final render which makes it very important for this particular model, and a gradient on that roof texture would make a night and day difference on the quality of it.
I have some experience with this kind of thing and I'd be willing to rework the texture for you if you sent it to me, if you're interested(check my profile for my email), just let me know the dimensions on the roof and what tiling settings you have for that texture on each roof sections at present and I'll send the results back to you.
Really looking forward to this.
Chris
Thanks! I do plan to change that roof texture, but first I need to find a decent texture for it.
As far as this project goes overall, I have taken a temporary stop to it. (which is why there have been no updates in a while). I plan to start back at this again in the coming days. I lost another model I was working on (the feed mill) and the loss of it killed my BAT morale.
I did, however happen to find a picture of Eufaula's other depot:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2F1408.jpg&hash=e02a9074fe3956ad89dad88b11abb9a2c1aed2a2)
This one is located on the old Eufaula & Ozark mainline. Which belonged to the Central of Georgia, and eventually the Southern railroad. Its current owner is Norfolk Southern, which leases it to the Georgia Southwestern Railroad under the Thoroughbred Shortline Program.
I hope to have a formal update soon enough.
-Frankie
I'm sorry to hear about the feed mill, I've been watching that over at ST. As for the textures, unless you were planning something drastically different for the roof, I can work with the one you already have, that's nothing. Only other thing I'd add is that if you sent me the model as well(don't worry about any of the other textures for it) it would help me with getting the scale right.
Chris
Ohh wow Frankie i didnt realize that there was 2 depots for Eufaula...
Pat,
Eufaula is a decent sized town, I'm not surprised at all.
Frankie,
I'm still figuring out what's wrong with the lot that I have made for the Eufaula freight station. I think I might have too many props, I went kind of crazy with tufts of grass. I'll look at it tonight and let you know from there.
Cheers,
Kevin
Chrisadams3997: If you'd like to see what you can do with the roof, I will send you the model. Just PM me your email and I'll send it to you.
Pat: Eufaula had two different railroads, plus Eufaula has always been a very large town, and very influential in the area since its founding. Not really suprising that it would have 2 depots (I think it actually has 3). Dothan, AL (population 60,000) has 3 depots.
BigSlark: You can never have too many props :D
Well guys, sadly I seem to have totally lost my BATting motivation. I guess I'll have to re-inspire myself. In the mean time, for you train lovers out there, I have a couple of pictures ("scans") that are rather poor quality, but are very rare.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCRKelly007.jpg&hash=c57a6438fb9a9f6dfe8b70b92bef7ddc6b6c6d45)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FWGCRKelly004.jpg&hash=43d4fb08c96b30645bd7ece91771df84ed9000a3)
Most of these locomotives were cut up for scrap, or repainted and sent elsewhere. I will go in to detail if someone is interested, but I'll just leave it at that for now. (Still trying to get my BAT mojo back)
Would you happen to know which railroads picked up these pieces of history?
Don't worry about the BATting feeling... inspiration will come. If nothing else, go sit by the tracks for a bit and wait for a freight train to come rumbling by (or passenger if you are lucky enough)... always helps me.
Frankie im very intrested in knowing more about them...
I like all railroads and engines, so would also like to know more about these Frankie. How about trying your hands on modeling one of these historical engines?
Frankie,
Great pics, from what I can tell the lead unit in the bottom pic is a Seaboard System geep. As for the top, is that a shortline locomotive?
Cheers,
Kevin
Well, I'm glad there is general interest :D.
The railroad these were taken on is called the Wiregrass Central Railroad. It is owned by Pete Claussen (Gulf & Ohio Railways). The Wiregrass Central RR runs between a CSX connection at Waterford, AL (near Newton, AL) to Enterprise, AL. The line used to go to Clintonville, however, the tracks were taken off the very end to repair the Enterprise-Waterford route, and eventually they took so much from it that the line stopped outside of Enterprise.
Pete Claussen owns several railroads in the Southern states. Claussen quickly abandons or sells non-profitable rail lines. This makes his railroads have an extremely diverse roster, and locomotive storage was not uncommon.
Starting with the first picture. There are three visible locomotives in this shot. That red and white locomotive (GP9 I believe) came from the Laurinburg and Southern RR in North Carolina (Bought by Claussen in the early 1990's). The loco was moved to the AGLF in Southern Georgia where it went through extensive repairs and rebuilding. However, Claussen sold the AGLF to RailNet and 3 ex-Laurinburg and Southern locos were transfered. (among other things)
The other two units (the two black ones) are rather difficult to distinguish. Both of the black ones were eventually completely repainted and now serve Claussen's railroads.
In the second picture, BigSlark was right on the money with the SBD geep. ex-Seaboard System 3059 spent most of her life in the South. She served various railroads, including the Pinebelt Southern (now defunct) as well as a shortline based out of Troy, AL. Claussen bought the shortline in Troy, and the SBD unit came with it. However, it was tranfered to the Wiregrass Central. As of this posting, it was patched (so it no longer shows SBD paint) and is now a drifter on another railroad.
I believe the brown loco immediately behind it came from the AGLF. She was an organ donor for G&O Geeps. Her fate is unknown to me, she was either scrapped or re-painted.
The next one is a black G&O locomotive. It has "Georgia" written on the side. It was repainted in bright blue and now serves another shortline.
Behind it is another locomotive from the AGLF. It is no longer with us, she suffered the cruel fate of being scrapped. The next two red and white striped locos came from the L&S. They were sold, and their current locations are still un-known.
The next one is a red/oxide Wiregrass Central RR (The last WGCR loco to bear red paint). This one was transfered to another G&O property in Mississippi.
The last one is NREX 9424. ex-IC. It was the last one to leave, sold to another railroad. It came to the WGCR from the shortline in Troy.
Traffic on the Wiregrass Central, and need for the siding at Kelly have prompted the removal of ALL stored locomotives (most unfortunately). If I had known these locos were to disappear so quick, I would have taken many many more pictures, and with better quality. I might post some pictures of all these geeps if I can find some suitable enough. (which means they won't be mine, lol)
Quote from: Serkanner on September 19, 2007, 01:01:00 AM
I like all railroads and engines, so would also like to know more about these Frankie. How about trying your hands on modeling one of these historical engines?
That is a definite possibility ;)
frankie wow that was awsome to learn so much history and thank you soo very much for being detailed there.... I hope you find that batjo soo again cause man i do love your work...
btw welcome over to page 4
To start off, I'd like to thank everyone who has commented thus far. :thumbsup: It really means a lot to see encouragement when in a BATting slump.
Anyway, I started texturing the Eufaula CofG depot for the newly renovated Chamber of Commerce version (which should blend with small town downtowns as opposed to the other one which appeals to small town warehouse districts).
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk294%2FFrankie_117%2FCofC.jpg&hash=580cdaf963625c3e0133968453f73a5605669c60)
Textures need a lot of work, which is why this is just a preview so that everyone can get a feel for it.
looking very good frankie....