Comments and Requests

We still have all the old comments and requests from the old website, but we've chose to keep those items private. If you like anything you see here, leave a message.

AP's Thomas the Tank Engine Trainz

After a few attacks on the old site, I've moved the content over here to keuneville.blogspot.com. Also, we've updated to the new Trainz 2009 World Builders Edition. The graphics have been stepped up again, and the simulation seems to run a bit smoother with more graphic elements in view.

We might do an upgrade of some content after a bit, but we'll keep all the existing stuff 2004 compatible.

The iPortal feature seems to add a new element to operations, especially with multiple players... hmmm... could the Skarloey Railway be made into pieces??? Perhaps. Stay tuned.

Skarloey Railway is Operational

After a lot of hard work and total support from Sir Topham Hatt and the Thin Controller, we are happy to announce that the Skarloey Railway is operational.  We're still adding a few industries and activities, but here's a quick rundown.

The station and freight yards at Crovan's Gate are always busy with activities.  Here the engines haul general goods, workers, water, fuel and gunpowder up to the Slate Mine.  There's a small yard, passenger station and freight depot here.  This is also where the little railway connects to the main line that runs across the Island of Sodor.

Just up the valley is the station at Cros ny Cuirn, which also meets a cross road from Ballahoo.  Continuing north is the station at Glennock where villagers are able to pick up a ride on the line.  Trains then pass through the tunnel where Peter Sam lost his funnel when running into a low-hanging icicle.  Traveling further north is one of the more scenic spots on the line, the station at the divided waterfall... Rheneas.  Across the bridge at the waterfall and up the hill brings you to Lake in the Woods.

The featured area of the Skarloey Railway is the mine owned by the Crovan Slate Company.  The engines are kept very busy taking consists of slate down to the freight depot at Crovan's Gate... and bringing empty cars back up to the mine.  Once drivers are given instructions up and down the line, the operator can concentrate his/her efforts on loading slate at the mine and opertating the incline.  It takes quite a bit of coordination, but is simple enough for the average 5-year old.

Pictures of the line are below!  Also, if you're a Trainz 2004 user and would like to try your hand at operating the Skarloey Railway then send us a comment!

Research and Development

Aaron and I have been working on doing a little research.  We've realized we did not have all the videos in the Thomas collection that have to do with the Little Railway.  But, thanks to eBay, and a few successful bids, we've now aquired a few "lost" episodes of Thomas and his adventures on the Island of Sodor.

We're carefully studying freeze frames of the shows... and comparing the original written stories to determine locations and different points of interest along the Little Railway.  There is definately some continuity errors in the programs (but that's what happens when the producers/directors are creating a show for those under 5 years old... how do you spell con-tin-u-ity?)

We're continuing to work up a full-scale route of the Island of Sodor developed with HOG for Trainz technology... complete with "as-accurate-as-can-be" topography, etc. 

If you'd like to share any tid-bits of info regarding locations of scenes/buildings/bridges/etc., please drop us a comment here.

Sodor Little Railway Features

AP (Aaron) and I, along with Mr. Noodle's help, have been putting together a list of "features" to be included on Sodor's Little Railway.  Here's what we think to be a list of the "industries" we'd like to include.  Are we missing any?

Cargo to be carried up the Little Railway to the Slate Mine:

Cargo:	Vehicle:	Industry Building(s):
People	Coaches	Pavillions, Stations
Coal	Hopper Wagon	Coal Storage Bunkers
Drinking Water	Tank Wagon	Water Storage Tanks
Diesel Fuel	Tank Wagon	Fuel Storage Tanks
General Goods	Slate Wagon	Station Platforms
Gun Powder	Powder Wagon	Station Platforms

Cargo to be carried down from Slate Mine:

Cargo:	Vehicle:	Industry/Building(s):
People	Coaches	Station Platforms/Pavillion
General Goods	Slate Wagon	Station Platforms
Slate	Slate Wagon	Mining Area

Sodor's LR Slate Wagon

UPDATE: January 29th, 2006 - We're wrapping up the Sodor Little Railway Slate Wagon. We're planning on this package including automatic couplers (trying to get this worked out), a "slate" product and a loadable slate wagon for all the little engines to pull up and down the line. The slate wagon has been designed to run on 24" narrow gauge track.

In other news... Rusty has been doing well, racking up the operating hours. He's been back at the works for a few modifications to his proportions, the conversion to 24" gauge wheels and the like. Pictures will be posted soon.

We've also been working on a Trainz route for the Island of Sodor. It's approximately 1/3 scale of the dimensions found on the available maps of the island. The full size island was feesable, but the final filesize would have prevented internet distribution. We have the entire topography of the island finished and we've decided to start laying track at the Little Railway! The waterfall, lake view loop and the slate quarry at the top of the line are all in place, but there's still lots of work to be done!

Feel free to ask any questions. You can catch us on the Trainz Forum!
Thanks for your interest - Ralph & Aaron (rkeune on the Trainz Forum)

Rusty Version 1.0

UPDATE:  March 13, 2004 - Rusty version 1.0 is released for beta testing.  Special thanks to Mr. Noodle!

Look for him in a shed near you!