[OTTD]-DanMacK's Early-Years OTTD Screenshots

[DanMacK]

I've fopund myself playing Open TTD much more lately due to a number of factors. Not the least of which is earlier start dates. Pikka and myself have been working on the North American Renewal Set for some years now, and the lates version uses early start dates to its fullest. Some of the industries are inaccurate (ie oil in 1831), but this will be revised soon.

I'll likely chronicle other OTTD games in here, but at the moment, may I present the Southern Railway & Canal Company.

The year 1831 was a boom time. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and railways were new and exciting. The Steam Locomotive was in its infancy, but technology was advancing in leaps and bounds. Now, people could travel at unheard-of speeds, a rollicking 20MPH between towns!

The Southern Railway and Canal Company was definitely interested in taking advantage of this new form of transport. D. MacKellar, having made his fortunes in canals in other parts of the state of New Pottsylvania invested in a small railway line between Bonnhaven Park and Stanhead. The company also built a branch serving the Bonnhaven Park oil wells. Motive power was 3 small 0-4-0 Grasshopper-beamed locomotives. The company soon added a line from Aberlow to Baberg, and another pair of Grasshoppers soon found their way to this line. Lastly, the company built a line connecting the towns of Muley, Nenstable Park and Grecombe Cross. All 3 of these lines were isolated, with the hopes of eventually connecting them.

[DanMacK]

A few more screens from the early years of the Southern Railway & Canal Co.

[DanMacK]

In the year 1838, the Southern Railway & Canal Company was approached by the Norris Locomotive Company. They were offering a 4-2-0 steam loco that was much more powerful and faster than the tiny grasshoppers the line was using. Interested in this new loco, the SRCC purchased one for the Muley-Nenstable Park line. Soon passengers were speeding along between the two towns at 35 miles per hour!

[Ameecher]

Playing this game must be verging on the painful!

[DanMacK]

Yeah, actually went bankrupt becuas I had my loan set too low

New one starting soon... lol

[DanMacK]

Like many companies of the period, the Southern Railway & Canal Company met with forclosure, but undaunted, another company was soon set up. The Fatchester Falls Railroad began construction between the towns of Fatchester Falls, Dunford and Presdingwood. Management decided to concentrate mainly on freight business this time, and avoid loaded trains going uphill whenever possible.

With this in mind, a much better base was built up. The line was soon hauling coal from the Dunford collieries to the nearby power station, and grain from a nearby farm to the Fatchester Falls brewery. Kegs of beer were soon being sent to Presdingwood and passenger trains were plying the rails between the three towns.

[DanMacK]

Some more shots from the Fatchester Falls Railroad. The company decided to approach the Norris Locomotive Company in 1837 for a new locomotive. The answer was the 4-2-0, which was much faster and more powerful than the tiny 0-4-0's. Also in 1840, the company built a new passenger car, riding on 2 four-wheel bogies as opposed to the small stagecoaches they had been using. Soon many more people were taking the train and profits were rolling in.

[Dutchman on Rails]

I'm very happy to see developments going towards the 1830's, which indeed is when the railways started. It should be quite an adventure, both in programming the changing economic model (town growth, for instance) and playing it...

In any case, I will be closely following this thread, both to see your adventures and looking for clues to more sets joining in...

[Rainer]

Hi,

if you go for historical correctness: The first electric power plant was founded in 1881...

cu
Rainer

[DanMacK]

Yeah, I know. the industries grf hasn't been updated yet to reflect that Hopefully soon. So for the moment, my area's 50 years ahead

Meanwhile, some more shots.

The company continued to invest in newer power and rolling stock. All of our carriages were upgraded to 4 axle cars, and a new 4-4-0 arrived from the Rogers Locomotive Works in 1849. The company's modest profits wouldn't allow us to replace all of our Norris 4-2-0's at once, but slowly but surely the big 4-4-0's arrived.

The line also pushed north to Tillybourne from Dunford, routing trains from Presdingwood and Fatchester Falls directly through Dunford.

The next decade or so was spent improving rolling stock and continuing in relative obscurity. 1869 brought a new freight locomotive in the form of the 2-6-0 Mogul, slower but more powerful than the 4-4-0, it met the needs for the Dunford Colliery line.

[kettel]

That is a really great idea!
As you mentioned there was an economic boom in the middle of 19 century. I'd like to reproduce it in my games therefore I'm very interested in this project.
I have a question though: are you planning to develop other "ancient" means of transportation like clipper or paddler boats (I've seen those in Locomotion as far as I remember)?

[DanMacK]

Thanks for the comments Yes, we are planning to add other versions of transport (horse wagons are in progress), and sailing ships, paddlewheelers and canal boats are all planned as well.

[kettel]

Awesome!

Is there a development thread where people can track the progress?

[DanMacK]

There's a dormant North American ship set in the TTDP graphics forum... and Zephyris is working on the horse wagons in the Generic Vehicles thread.

[sirrliv]

Magnificent set. One thing I will comment on is that the so-called 2-6-0 in that last pic looks quite a bit like an updated, coal-burning 4-4-0, possibly circa 1880-1900. Just my observation. Also, have you and Pikkabird considered a similar revision for the UK Renewal Set?

[DanMacK]

Thanks for the support

I do admit the third driver is a bit hard to see, but it is there. It's loosely based on a late 1860's/ early 1870's
era 2-6-0. The mogul was designed to look a bit "bulkier" than the early 4-4-0. There is another generation of 4-4-0 planned for the 1880-1900 period.

I know Pikka has toyed with the idea for UKRS, but it's not in the immediate plans to my knowledge.

[DanMacK]

As I'm playing with various elements of this set, I decided to start an arctic game circa 1870.

The Canadian Central Railway was chartered in 1870, and construction began in earnest from the mountain town of Whitehorse to the town of Prince Rupert on Rupert's Lake. The line was planned to extend to the town of Old Crow, where a coal-fired power station was located. Beginning service with several hand-me-down 2-6-0's on coal trains and a pair of new 4-6-0's from the Brooks locomotive company, the CCRy was off to a good start. An additional 4-6-0 and two 2-6-0's were purchased in late 1870 and arrived via steamboat in early 1871.

The line currently rosters 3 4-6-0's (No's 10-12) and 4 2-6-0's (No's 50-53). The route map can be seen below. The line's proposed new routes are shown in red. The line is also primarily single track with numerous passing sidings along the route. The main shops are located in Prince Rupert, halfway along the line.

[DanMacK]

The CCR elected to follow the terrain when built, preferring to avoid expensive bridges when possible. The line curves around numerous scenic lakes and rivers, offering passengers an amazing view. Navigation companies are looking at expanding operations in the area as well, and soon more riverboats may be plying the lakes.

[Ameecher]

Beautiful stuff, NARS is looking good, as is the ottd replacement arctic graphics.

[DanMacK]

A couple more for this round.

The line branches off just north of Whitehorse to the town and the Whitehorse coal mine. Whitehorse Junction will have a track running across the front between the bridge and the passing siding when the line is extended to Gander. Due to the location of Whitehorse, trains are going to have to reverse to head south towards Gander. The gander branch will be extended off the current coal branch.

The exact routing of the Ottawa Branch is still being surveyed. The management expects both the Ottawa and Gander branches to be in full service by 1874.