Australian Railway Stations

[GarryG]

Found a few errors in some of my stations and the odd footbridge wasn't available .. that my biggest trouble when sit tooo long at computer I don't see some mistakes I make, some of it in graphics and some in using same ID twice which prevents some from loading.

So here is all the Station sets again.

[GarryG]

Some changes I made ..

The Suburban Platforms some had a fence where the fence shouldn't be.

In the More Footbridge a few footbridges were missing.

The Catenary for the City Bitumen Platform had a few graphic issues.

The More Buffer Stops have been amalgamated into the AuzFreight Buffers.

[GarryG]

A project I would like to work on before any of these sets are put on Bananas is to change all the Footbridges.

I have visited many stations past few months seeing how the footbridges are.

Single sided platforms the Footbridge isn't on the platform but to the side like in this pic. So I hope to do the same .. this way the one footbridge set can be used for all platforms.
Like this on at Awaba.

AwabaFootbridge.png (475.35 KiB) Viewed 6070 times

And some stations have the platform right at the end of the platform like this on at Sandgate.

SandgateFootbridge.png (315.18 KiB) Viewed 6070 times

So I been working on ideas to do the same and hope can arrange a few different footbridge designs.
One I like to try is this one at Fassifern which also has a lift.

Fassifern Footbridge.png (542.4 KiB) Viewed 6070 times

Not sure how long it will take me as get some ideas and find it not work, so back to drawing board and try again .. but I hope win eventually.

Cheers

[GarryG]

What I like to do with footbridges hope to end up something like this.

NewFootbridge-1.png (41.15 KiB) Viewed 6015 times

The one size fits all.

The Footbridge will probable need a fence between it and platform as well. Old Footbridge will have old fence.

When finish this idea instead of Footbridges be scattered in different menus to go with the different platforms, they can all be placed in one menu section.

Cheers all

[Silverx50]

You did the pictures you posted justice.
they look real nice, different from what we've been used to with footbridges for sure.
nice work on these.

[GarryG]

Hope to do 3 versions of this old style bridge to include fences that go along the platforms.

This pic give you an idea .. if also shows a fix to bridge from previous image as the station signs was floating in top of the bridge.

I place a fence along the footbridge. Just need to change the fence at bottom of footbridge to match the platform fences.

NewFootbridge-2.png (29.03 KiB) Viewed 5943 times

[GarryG]

I received a PM suggesting if when I make new station and platform sets if I could separate the 4 parts into:

Part 1: Normal Platforms
Part 2: Single Sided Platforms
Part 3: Island Platforms
Part 4: Non Track Stations and Platforms


I know some players like the normal platform type only . those players will only need to Load Parts 1 and 4 into their game.

If Like me I like Single Sided and Islands, then not need to Load Part 1.

Many Single Sided Platforms can also be used to make Island Platforms.

Island Platforms will only be those that Single Sided Platforms can not make.

What do you think if it be worth making these changes?

[SimYouLater]

I received a PM suggesting if when I make new station and platform sets if I could separate the 4 parts into:

Part 1: Normal Platforms
Part 2: Single Sided Platforms
Part 3: Island Platforms
Part 4: Non Track Stations and Platforms


I know some players like the normal platform type only . those players will only need to Load Parts 1 and 4 into their game.

If Like me I like Single Sided and Islands, then not need to Load Part 1.

Many Single Sided Platforms can also be used to make Island Platforms.

Island Platforms will only be those that Single Sided Platforms can not make.

What do you think if it be worth making these changes?

Sounds good.

[GarryG]

I'm working on reducing the platforms and changing some to non-track tiles.

Mainly the ones with Station Signs and Lighting so in long run will have a larger variety what can do with them.

PlatformSigns.png (32.1 KiB) Viewed 5903 times

Using a non-track sign gives you a variety of choices what platform type you like in front of the sign. Can be a nothing seats, flowers, trolleys. walk way between platforms, subway entrance or any of the 5 different platform types.

The signs come with 3 fence types as well.

The lights I have 2 types old style and a more modern style and you have the same variety to use them with other platforms.

[Quast65]

Well, a reorganisation to a structure that you are going to stick to cant hurt, as the set has grown explosively in the last year or so.
I am just not sure if this should be done at GRF-level or at Purchasemenu-level...

If you are going for GRF-level, then choose the names of the GRFs wisely. Make sure they are clear about what is in them and think about what you are going to do if one of them is full and you have to continue in another GRF.

Personally, I would first go for a reorganisation at Purchasemenu-level.
First, you dont have to worry about the GRF-names too much (You could split up in 3 main GRFs, for example, Auz-passengerstations Part 1-2-3-etc, Auz-freightstations Part 1-2-3-etc and Auz-waypoints Part 1-2-3-etc).
Then you can go for a much more detailed Purchasemenu-structure, for example starting off with making separate structures for your platform-types, example:
- City Bitumen, normal platforms
- City Bitumen, single-sided
- City Bitumen, Island platforms
- City Bitumen, overlapping platforms (those for getting switches inside stations)
- City Bitumen, etc
- Suburban, normal platforms
- Suburban, single sided
Etc Etc Etc for the other platformtypes

Then add non-track stationbuildings

Then add non-track tiles (maybe split those up, depending on if you already can see certain groups/types within those)

Then add non-track overlaps

Finally you could add other things that might not fit into the above categories (also in the future for new ideas), like cargo-aware things.


You may then end up with a long list in the purchasemenu, but I think that a player then can find things easier and you can add new things easier (and place/add them in their categories easier).

But this is my personal view, I like having a large purchasemenu structure, where certain types/groups of things all have their own menu, others may certainly disagree

Also I think that you will eventually end up with a rather large menu-structure anyway, so splitting it up first in GRFs that may not be filled or can get confusing when they do get filled, isnt that great of an advantage/improvement...

In short, I think a well structured purchasemenu is more important, think/discuss about that first. Then you can choose if you want to put some of those into separate GRFs.

[STD]

I read what you wrote Quast65. I fully agree with all that has been said in terms of the future development of different sets of railway stations from Australia .

Actually, for a start, we should divide into the following types:

(You could split up in 3 main GRFs, for example, Auz-passengerstations Part 1-2-3-etc, Auz-freightstations Part 1-2-3-etc and Auz-waypoints Part 1-2-3-etc).

And so on. The most important condition is that it is convenient for each player to look for the desired type of station in the selection menu .

[GarryG]

Thanks Quast65 and STD for feed back.

I think you are right with the purchase menu ID. Shall see if can make it looking better.

All the station pieces take up 4 GRFs at moment. Industries 2 GRFs but one of the also has Waypoints share so might be good idea to separate the Waypoints.


Speaking of Waypoints .. much thanks to Quast65 allowing me to use one of his ideas .. he has a Catenary set called "Qatenary".. and some of this is waypoints to get a different effect, so I tried his idea with my Catenaries and come up with this.

OverheadWaypoints-1.png (66.04 KiB) Viewed 5795 times

If cross 2 tracks only they look really good, but cross more than 2 get a glitch with some wires. Might need to make bounding boxes higher.

Unfortunately I can not code these into my Track set as one is coded in NML and other NFO. These will be included it my waypoint set.

Cheers all

[GarryG]

Started coding in the new footbridges. Done 2 so far.

NewFootbridge-4.png (43.45 KiB) Viewed 5734 times

Done the stairs facing SW and SE, but having problems with the stairs facing NW and NE.

The stairs to the left are 1x1 non-track tiles .. the stairs and bridge section is a 1x1 non-track tile with overlapping.

Still to make the Island platform pieces.

[GarryG]

Adding a Coal Stage to the station sets.

CoalStage2.png (38.37 KiB) Viewed 5596 times

Still got the ramps to add and also make a set with Coal Hoppers and a Wagon with Sand.

So far comes in 3 parts .. the End piece with the Buffer Stops, Middle which you can add as many of these you like and the end with the sand chutes.

I have a set of Coal Stages in my object sets but not as nice as these. Plus the object ones I forgot to make them a bit wider so employees can walk between the hoppers and edge of the stage.

If all goes well might have these finished in a day or so.

Still working on the footbridges and subway stations. Having a few graphic issue ideas with those projects. So I doing other things until I get ideas on how to finish them.

[GarryG]

Got some more done to the Coal Stage.

CoalStage3.png (73.72 KiB) Viewed 5570 times

Now have a choice with or without the Hoppers and sand truck.
These work the same as a Island Station. Trains can go either side of the Coal Stage.
Can make it as long as you like.

I've split the stations sets into the following groups:

AuzStations_Part1
AuzStations_Part2
AuzStations_Part3
AuzStations_Part4
AuzFreightStations
AuzMoreFreightStations
AuzWaypoints

A big problem I have is I forget to add the changes to the Change-Log Files

Been finding a few graphic mistakes with some of the platforms and stations. Fixed some and still a few to fix.

Try and get them fixed in coming days and with luck will put the new files here when done.

Not sure when be put on Bananas as still some unfinished projects with these sets to complete.

[GarryG]

Making more changes to the Station and Freight sets.

Several people suggested I remove the ballast from some platforms so that they will look better for those who use different railway tracks .. this I am in the process of doing.

To compensate for this I added a new railway track to my AuzTrack set. There is now a Marshalling Yard and Siding rail track that have the crushed ballast and have a speed of 40 km/h which I think is fast enough for trains entering and exiting sidings.


Many moons ago I started making a model of Sydney Railway Terminal and during construction lost power and corrupted the file so I gave up on it. Yesterday I started the process of rebuilding it and this where I up to at the moment.

Sydney-2.png (53.92 KiB) Viewed 5456 times

The section under the clock tower isn't long enough .. realised after I did that I missing a couple of doors and the section to right that I was working on this morning also about 8 pixels short.

Need to go to Sydney as soon as weather allows to get some more photos of the buildings. Hope to do that next week.

Cheers

[Alberth]

Sydney station looks splendid already Garry, and it isn't even finished yet!
I am too much of a transport engineer to ever add such decorations, but it sure looks good.

When it is finished, you need anther of your vacations to play with your own set instead of drawing pixels

[GarryG]

Thanks Alberth,

Appreciate compliments.

Been working on the left wing most of day .. made a few mistakes in image above as it wasn't long enough.

I have a big vacation coming up in September (I hope it be that month) and finish all medical tests and stuff and hope to return to be with fiancée and kids again. Than I get less done as have to share my computer with the 3 kids

Might get the left wing finished tonight.

Cheers

[Quast65]

Cool that you are working on Sydney station again!

If I may give a little tip/suggestion:
Draw the Sydney Tower first with just the shaded textures.
Then add the darker lines at the edges as an extra layer.
Make that layer partly transparent (the amount of transparency is up to your taste).
That way it will get the texture a bit from the layer under it and it will blend in a bit more, look more like part of the building and will look a bit more subtle, rather than being so sharp right now.
This picture shows that those edges of the tower are rather subtle (depending on the amount of sunshine ofcourse ):

central-railway-station-sydney-australia-new-south-wales-84315728.jpg (97.13 KiB) Viewed 5392 times

This is a handy technique to use for getting lines/features into a structure that has the same type of brickwork/texture.

[GarryG]

Before I can do much more to Sydney Terminal I need to go to Sydney when weather allows to get a few more photos. Hope that will be Thursday next week.

In the mean time I started work on the Foot Bridges again this time with better luck in the design.

I intend to replace all the previous grey footbridges for Single and Island platforms and Waypoints with this design.

I want the stairs to be on a non-track tile each side of Single Sided Platforms like they are in real. (At least in my country.

Will design these to go with all platforms except the City Tile and Suburban platforms. Will re-design modern footbridges for all City Platforms and the Suburban Platforms.

Also like to design the stairs so at the ends be able to place stairs in what ever direction we wish (at least I hope I can do that).

The fence comes with the footbridge stairs. This new design of platform fence based on what was at Fassifern and a few other stations many many years ago. Will make some more for rest of platforms when get chance.

Some thing I might change on those footbridges is remove the middle Lights as I seen photos of old foortbridges with lights only above the stairs.

Cheers all