Challenge 1

[Diggis]

At the request of Governor Lynne work began on the new Route 10 through BorderTown from Balnavia to West End.  Beginning in the area known as Watsville the road heads south through The Forks before heading east through The Midlands into Fishburn where it intersects with the proposed rail line before heading southeast along the river through The Lowlands to Filsdon where it connects with West End.



At the time this was being done, Governor Fred requested the rail link from Watersford to West End be constructed.  Planning for this was handed over to the engineering dept of TFB (Transport For Bordertown) and the unimaginative head engineer JP Hayden.  Rumor has it at the very first meeting JP placed a ruler on the plan and said "I want a rail line from here" and drew a line on the plan.  Unfortunately his fingers were hanging over the edge of the ruler and so the Navvies built the line with 2 strange bumps.

Whether this is true or not he was soon replaced with the slightly more imaginative D Edgren whose rail design was more sympathetic to the terrain.  This change in command is clearly shown in the difference between the rail line to the north and south of the river.



One of the features of the rail line to the north were the tunnels.  The design intent of dead straight lines meant 3 tunnels were necessary, one in Watsville and the other 2 very close together in the region of Cheviot.  This is one of the more scenic portions of the trip before heading into the plains of southern BorderTown.

[mrbisonm]

Now that you posted your pictures, you are not allowed to change anything anymore. We made copies and judge the originals only.

We also will not make any comments in this thread besides the judging once it is finished by Wednesday next week, but we will make useful and friendly comments in your regular thread of GRV. Points will be given 3 to 4 days after the challenge is finished and will be posted in the Pointage Sheet (Thread not yet created).
Also your points only together with an explanation and comments why we gave you these points, will be posted here at the end of this challenge.

We would like to see a picture of Tile M in Mayormode and in view 1. Thanks.



mrb/lynncanox

[mattb325]

You are a funny bugger  I had a great chuckle with that - now if only I were in charge of bonus points

[Rayden]

Rumor has it at the very first meeting JP placed a ruler on the plan and said "I want a rail line from here" and drew a line on the plan.  Unfortunately his fingers were hanging over the edge of the ruler and so the Navvies built the line with 2 strange bumps.

In fact very funny, it's that bit I miss, I'm terrible at story telling

[Diggis]

In fact very funny, it's that bit I miss, I'm terrible at story telling

I can't lay claim to that quote unfortunatly... it came from QI and was about the orient express line I believe.  Still makes for a good lie.

[Ennedi]

Yes, there is a problem to find good engineers, there are sometimes very stubborn 
Very nice landscape!

Adam

[Pat]

Shaun great gag here err I mean update!!

[mrbisonm]

Just a reminder: Don't forget the picture of Tile M in Mayormode and in view 1 that we asked you earlier, please. Thanks.

mrb

[Diggis]

Got it right here. 

The coastal portion of Route 10 is one of the favourite sections of the drive.  Many families stop off here for a picnic and a swim on their way through to West End.

[mrbisonm]

Thank you.

mrb

[tooheys]

Nice start Shaun. Of course if you get too far ahead of me I can always close the border with Balnavia to cut off supplies 

Goodluck mate

Dave

[newsimaddict]

I really like your presentation - with the other bordering tiles greyed out in the background. Good luck!

[mrbisonm]

First of all let us congratulate You. You have made it through the first Mayor's test.
On the picture below, circles with letters will indicate what was important in your region for this challenge. If we say we don't like or we like, it doesn't mean that it's the same for others. We are judging to our lknowledge and what would be the most logical thing to do in our opinion, remember this.

A. and B.  Like I said to several others, building in mountains always cost more than elsewhere, not only for construction but also for maintenance, so this wasn't a good idea.
C.  Excellent choice to cross the river, one of the best places to do so.
D.  Very good choice to have a crossing here.
E. and F.  Well, what can I say that I haven't said before, this is almost terrible. you could have saved up to 30% of construction costs and almost 15% of maintenance cost by simply contouring the mountains. Although this is eyecandy, but a real mayor looks at eyecandy only in the last decisions.
G. I liked the idea to have crossed the little river there.
H.  Finally this is what I liked most and also looks real. A road following and contouring the shores can be seen all over the world. This alone is 2 points to me.
Generally good work. Congratulations and good luck with the next challenge. Nice terrainmod.

Lynn and Fred