I don't know exactly how to start this, but welcome to my biggest project yet. But first see for yourself. This is the network I am currently working on. As the name suggests, the central point of the route is Euskirchen. From there, the S23 line on the Voreifelbahn winds its way to Bonn Hbf and the RB23, also known as the Erfttalbahn (which was a continuation of the S23 before the flood disaster) to Bad Münstereifel. At the same time, Euskirchen is one of the largest stations along the Eifel line, which is shown here from Hürth-Kalscheuren to Kall. The lines RE22 (Eifelexpress), RB24(Eifelbahn) and the RE12(Eifel-Mosel-Express) run on the Eifel line. Due to the map data and the flood disaster, I will try to recreate the 2020 status. Here is an insight into the Lidar data: Furthermore I would like to model the class 644, 620 and 622, but I don't have the skills for this, so if someone is interested in helping me with this project, both for modeling the vehicles and for objects, you can write me a DM. Of course I would also be very grateful for pictures, I was born in the area (Mechernich ) and lived there for many years, but unfortunately I no longer live there. A few marginal data: Erfttalbahn: 14 km 60 km/h single-track Voreifelbahn: 34.2 km 110 km/h partly single-track and partly left-hand traffic Eifel line: 53.3 km (Hürth-Kalscheuren -> Kall) 130km/h double track ~102km Current status: I am currently working on laying the tracks on the section between Kall and Euskirchen. First of all, I will of course only work on this project when I have time, as I also have a lot on my plate. And again, if you want, you can contact me and maybe help me with the construction, but as a little surprise I have already made a recording of the first test drive, there you can not see much except elevation data (lidar) and the tracks xD Have Fun Feel free to write me in the thread what you think. Ideas, suggestions for improvement and constructive criticism are always welcome.
Finally a new project! A few notes. 1. BR 644 - I know it's not the exact same model and there still is the problem that the BR 644 is a DMU, but at least from my experience I can say that the ÖBB 4024 from S-Bahn Vorarlberg surprisingly worked very well when I tested it on my route, pretending it to be a BR 644. I think at least for a freeware project and premise it does work, the ÖBB 4024 could be used as a substitution. I don't exactly know what an EMU keeps running only on a track which is meant to be a EMU track in Train Sim World. I don't think the OHLE is the requirement as rather something in the track properties, otherwise I couldn't used it in my case. But not quite sure though how this differs between different game modes. If I recall correctly, some users said in the past that they could use an EMU on DMU tracks under certain conditions, but in others not (just like in reality). But yeah, at least it worked in Play In Editor for my demo project. 2. Since your tracks are running close to the Ruhrgebiet, as happened before, I can see lots of people coming here demanding your network to grow. But be careful. Your project already is very ambitious. My advice is to even replicate a short section first and then moving forward. When everybody's in the laying track stage, lots of people underestimate the work necessary thereafter and just extend and extend networks. Better build a short section completely first and then extend the network once you ready. 3. You're very lucky that your routes just comes close to the border of Rheinland-Pfalz, but not crosses over it and keep on NRW territory. Unfortunately, Lidar for Rheinland-Pfalz is a big problem. At least yet at the moment. I hope it changes soon. Good Luck for your project, cadeshr6s! If you have any others questions, just ask me.
Mega dass du daran arbeitest! Ich kann es kaum erwarten! Ich war heute heute morgen total überrascht, als ich ein Video dazu sah von dem lieben kiru#6503, darum wollte ich es hier auch mit euch teilen:
I wish I could help somehow, but sadly I can't due to Abitur and programming skills, but maybe pilot21, nourthelokdriver or Maik Goltz could give you Tipps or could also support you, but otherwise I am really happy that you started to work on the most important route to me
Something that might somehow help to create the route could be a full ride Video of the Route (Trier-Köln) Otherwise what type of pictures do you need to recreate the route? In my freetime I could travel to those places you want to recreate
A funny feature you could add to the route as a mastery archivement (only if you want) could be to unlock a custom loco with a "Eifel" livery
1. I have actually thought about this. Unfortunately, there are some differences between the vehicles, but that's something I'll deal with later. 2. Yes, I realize that, I forgot to include it. Phase 1: Euskirchen - Kall Phase 2: Euskirchen - Bad Münstereifel Phase 3: Euskirchen - Hürth Phase 4: Euskirchen - Bonn 3. yes exactly, I only wanted to build as far as Kall anyway because I know the area very well However, I have heard that this will also change All right, I'm currently trying to get the hang of getting the tracks to lie smoothly so that the inclination and gradient don't occur so jerkily, do you have any tips for this?
Klar meine Heimat soll ja auch mal vertreten werden Allerdings, es kann sich um eine sehr lange Zeit handeln bis die Strecke fertig ist. Ich werde allerdings hier versuchen bei Fortschritt zu berichten
At the moment only as far as Hürth, because Köln Eifeltor and Köln Bbf are currently too much for me. But I'm thinking about building as far as Köln-Messe Deutz at some point. But without a guarantee.
What about sound recordings? I don't know a lot how to record the sounds for the trains the best way, but I have a daily chance to record the sounds for the Br620/622 and I could also get the sounds for the Br644, only problem is, that I can only record with my phone, but the quality is fine
I think the major point is to lie tracks in a way that the locos can run smoothly on it and of course not derail. Sometimes even Lidar is not accurate enough or you have a bit of trouble align it perfectly to the landscape. Since tracks do have priority and I personally want to avoid these weird upward and downward knits which can occur if two track segments do have a bad angle, consider to shape the landscape to your tracks instead of the other way around. The landscape tools can help you very well to do that. Also consider this tutorial: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/gradient-plotting-mini-tutorial.76169/
In my experience you must use vertical curves so the gradient changes are smooth. It's dependent on the train speed and the gradient change, whether you will experience jerks while driving over them. So if the speed is slow and the gradient change is small you won't notice any jerks. But TSW ist very sensible regarding this so better use vertical curves. Also use vertical curves only at the very end. It's possible to revert vertical curves but its not good.
Ah okay thanks, how does the tool work for junctions? If I create the by just laying down track they get really wierd?
I'm looking for an answer, but I found some nice feature, that you can implement the Google Maps map to recreate the route a little bit easier (he showes it in the end, but maybe mentioned it in the beginning how to do it)
This might help: "If this is your first time painting your landscape, the landscape tile you selected will go black. Go back into Landscape Mode, and in the Target Layers window, you should now see your various layers. To create the information the editor needs, next to each of your textures, select the + icon and select Weight-Blended Layer (normal). In the new window, make sure your route content folder is selected and click OK. We are now ready to paint with the new textures (brushes) we’ve created. Select the texture you want to paint with. Above your Target Layers are the Tool Settings and Brush Settings. Alter these to your requirements and begin to paint. NOTE: Before and while you paint, don’t forget to click the Save All button and Save Current. There is much more information about painting landscapes I highly recommend following this video from 8:44 onwards. (1) How To Paint Landscapes in Unreal Engine 5 - YouTube in the following video #9 How to Create a New Material in Unreal Engine 4 | Unreal Engine 4 Tutorial for Beginners - YouTube, Game Dev Academy - YouTube starts to talk about creating new materials, but I would highly recommend watching the tutorials he’s posted from the very beginning." I found it on https://docs.google.com/document/u/...jUyCb1jPX13D1AbdYm3PapxTof-Q-7RdG3C/pub?pli=1
If you travel between Euskirchen and Mechernich every day it's really similar to the real route! Can't wait until it's finished!
What a great route, I'm so happy that sb. started to work on it. I'm really looking forward for your progress!
That‘s true, it really has similarities to the real route even though it‘s just the track layering and terrain
So, I just tried the Vertical Curves Transition tool for the first time now. It's cool that you can have vertical bended tracks. I didn't know that I can do that. However, the tool is a bit weird to use and just like some other tools in the Editor, seems to be a bit buggy. One thing I noticed is that I can't move the node in the "Change Node Height" submenu anymore after I used the transition tool. I need to delete the tracks, then create new ones, if I want to have a different height for the node. Don't know if this is a bug and is restart-resistent, but at least that's a disadvantage of this tool for me. Needs more details and maybe screenshots to showcase this. Could be that we even talk about different tools. In regards to the black tiles: Yes, I had that, too. Basically it's like that. If you create your first layer in Landscape Paint Mode, all at the current moment loaded landscape tiles get the same color/pattern as your first layer automatically. However, if you move on and the Editor loads new landscape tiles, these landscape tiles are blacked out. But it's not a big issue. Just adjust the Radius value to its biggest value and then repaint these tiles with the first layer material. It takes some time, but in comparison to many other issues in the Editor, not a big deal. If anyone knows a better way to get a tile immediately painted in the color of layer material, feel free to give advice to us. And yes, the preview of the landscape material is always black in the folders. I don't why that happens either. That's seems to be bug but does not hurt your project. It just seems to be an error of the preview icon. The landscape material works fine.
For now I suggest, that you could use the Br628 and the Br218 (when it comes out) as place holders , otherwise those trains got layered on the Eifelstrecke before the 620 completely replaced them
But talking about modeling trains nourthelokdriver does a really great job on modeling the ICE Velaro D for example, maybe he could Support the project Eifel too, when he has more time
Where can I find vertical curves? I fixt it if I everytime I see black tiles, I delete the layers and create them again, that workt pretty well for me. And for the othe problem I found a solution
Sadly yes, but it could also be an okay train to use otherwise I kind of hope, that DTG could somehow support this project with making the trains for this route
Yes the vertical curves tool take a bit of getting used to. It has a few "hidden" functions. If you look at official routes. almost every gradient change has a vertical curve. So vertical curves are almost everywhere. It took me a while until I fully understand the tool but I managed to put them everywhere on my route, too. Regarding the node height not working. That's why you should do it at the very end. But you can also revert the vertical curve back to a normal track curve. You don't need to delete it. There is a button for that right next to the apply vertical curve button. My tip for using the vertical curve tool is to have the gradient change as little as possible. Meaning the gradient is exactly the same for as long as possible. You should be conscious of the points where the gradient of your route changes. Only there apply a vertical curve.
The tracks between Kall and Mechernich have now become very smooth - there are one or two places that are still not quite optimal, so that you don't notice anything, but on the whole the tracks there are finished. Now we continue with the section to Euskirchen. Does anyone here happen to know how exactly I dig tunnels?
From this post onwards, we discussed the "dig" process only. Light baking is a very different thing and way more complicated.
It looks really nice so far, when I'm done with my "Klausurphase" than I can join your project and could work on details like houses, trees street, etc. I still have to get into the modelling part but I absolutely want to support this project
