Custom assets/Trains

[Legion]

Is it possible to make custom assets and add them to your route?

And is it possible to develop some new trains as well?

The reason I ask is because I wanna create a 1930s-1950s fictional route that takes place in the Northeast USA.

I'd like to create some classic streamliner engines for it as well and was wondering if it was possible/

[OldAlaskaGuy]

Anything is possible. You will need creator tools and start from scratch like Smokebox does. It will take him several months to create one locomotive. Option 2 search for rolling stock from 3rd party suppliers and purchase and add to your Railworks folder. Remember that if you want to publish your route on Steam you MUST use only content purchased from Steam for TS2017.

[Glenn]

DTG use 3DS Max to create custome assets. I use the same. There are a number of software packages that you can use, some which are freeware etc. I have created a lot of custom assets - my own 3D Track, many buildings and bridges etc, some fairground rides like coaster and wheel etc etc. So yes it is possible.

Now here is the crunch: If you have never created any 3D models before, be prepared for a very steep learning curve. To create something as complex as a Loco' would require a lot of learning, a lot of time collecting data (about dimensions, power outputs (for which you will need to learn to use the blueprint editor) and other shapes and sizes), and a LOT of time learning the software used and then the time to actually create the model. You will encounter many failures, much hair pulling, a lot of cat kicking and many all nighters!

But it's a great feeling of satisfaction when you reach the end of a creation and it works.

You will also encounter problems if you have plans to release any custom asset (or route containing such assets) to general public. But there are ways around this, up to a point. I have created a number of assets for a couple of people and also a handfull have been uploaded to UKTrainSim. Should you have any plans to do something similar, I have a copy of an e-mail that Matt Peddlesden, Head of Third Party (DTG) sent to me some time ago, and I will share it with you if required.

Wish you lots of luck.

[Legion]

Thanks for all the help, I have a long way to go before I can add anything to the game myself, I just wanted to know if it was possible.

Whats the reason for not being able to share your assets, routes on steam?

[Glenn]

Mostly DTGs rules - i.e. can only use assets that are supplied by themselves.

[Legion]

Originally posted by Glenn:

Mostly DTGs rules - i.e. can only use assets that are supplied by themselves.

Dang that sucks.

Any good books or somrthing on railroad design/terminology/etc.? I plan on making my own routes but I'd like to learn as much as possbile about railroads and all the things that go into them.

Any good reference material for such a thing?

[OldAlaskaGuy]

Originally posted by 1st LA Legion:

Originally posted by Glenn:

Mostly DTGs rules - i.e. can only use assets that are supplied by themselves.

Dang that sucks.

Any good books or somrthing on railroad design/terminology/etc.? I plan on making my own routes but I'd like to learn as much as possbile about railroads and all the things that go into them.

Any good reference material for such a thing?

You can create scenarios with any asseta and post on RailworksAmarica (RWA).

[Glenn]

Can't really help you with the books thing. You are in USA & I am in UK, so considerable differences will apply (also, I can't say that I even know of anything here in UK either!). I would suggest that you search for railworks tutorial on that YooToob thingy - you will find squillions.

[Texas Midland]

Just Google it. Amazing what you can find and access on Railroads worldwide. Here in the United States almost everything related to the Railroads is documented somewhere and much of it has been modelled by hobbyists. For terminology and how stuff works, check out Trains magazine.