A Google Sketch Project in Brooklyn and Completion of all Brooklyn Trackage

[vince]

Google Sketch is the prefect tool (to me) for modeling trackside structures.

First check out the actual photos of the area that I have just completed. The building(s) are shown on maps and photos here: http://arrts-arrchives.com/vdyd.html
 
Now take a look at how it came out in MSTS. 

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?p=1588321#post1588321

[Ernie]

Would you please post another place for us who do not have TrainSim accounts?

Thanks!

[NYandW]

Would you please post another place for us who do not have TrainSim accounts? Thanks!

Vince sent 'em to me. Here they are:
http://www.trainsarefun.com/temp/AT_Vanderbilt%20CarltonView%20West.jpg

http://www.trainsarefun.com/temp/AT_Vanderbilt%20FreightView%20West.jpg

http://www.trainsarefun.com/temp/AT_Vanderbilt%20ShapeView.jpg

http://www.trainsarefun.com/temp/AT_Vanderbilt%20View%20East.jpg

http://www.trainsarefun.com/temp/BR_SouthPortal%20EastNewYork.jpg

[vince]

Thanks Steve!

The first 4 pictures are the Vanderbilt Ave (formerly Carlton Ave) Yard which had heavy freight operations in 1950

The Last picture is the South Portal of the Bay Ridge East New York Tunnel.
Three tracks were in use, 25Kv catenary in 1950
Here is a link to the model I used to construct the model of the portal and the abandoned ENY station of the of the New York and Manhattan Beach RR.
This is a photo taken sometime between 1920 to 1927. The line was catenary electrified in '27 and there are no wires in the photo. So built in 1914, smoked up for maybe 5-10 years worth it looks like . ?
 
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/bayridgeLIRR/ziel.eny.jpg

Here is a link to the Bay Ridge photo story where the above picture resides

http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/bayridgeLIRR/bayridge.LIRR.html

halfway down the page.
This heavy urban scenery is taking forever because I have to construct all the trackside buildings, and the special tunnel portals.  It's sure not like smacking down miles of treelines and a town here and there I'll tell 'ya!
But I am making progress. No estimates to completion.

[RGlueck]

Very nicely drawn work.  Is it compatible with MSTS programs?

[vince]

I'm not sure I understand your question;   

I shall try to clarify what the pictures are.
The model pictured at:

 http://www.trainsarefun.com/temp/AT_Vanderbilt%20ShapeView.jpg

is the model as displayed by ShapeFileViewer (SFV)
The other pictures kindly hosted by Steve are MSTS screen grabs of the Vanderbuilt Yard near the Flatbush Avenue Terminal. (No I will never call it 'Atlantic Terminal')
So yes, the models are compatable with MSTS as is the other picture
of the Bay Ridge division East New York south tunnel portal.

Each model is a single shape I built with the freeware modeling program, Google SketchUp.
The GSU model was exported to an MSTS shape file using the exporter written by Paul Gausden (Decapod)
It is available here: http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/

Google Sketch is an absolutly easy to use VERY user friendly 3D modeling program that is just perfect for making trackside structures. 
You can use photos of the structures to 'paint' the model. 
Is so just perfect and I wouldn't be a-building the LIRR without it. Just look at the McCauley Potato building(s).
 A unique set of three buildings that took a few hours to cobble together into a 248 poly model.

If you want to make accurate models for your TrainSim route and were afraid to get into 3D modeling, well, you don't know what you are missing. The true joy of being able to build those little models that make a route complete.

Get SketchUp and also download all the Materials Libraries that go with it.
Then, and this is important; You MUST run through the Tutorials.
Do this and you are on the way to making models with the first (not kidding here) Truly Intelligent 3D modeling program that actually tries to 'help' you as you draw!
Enjoy!

[LIRR Agent - Retired]

I agree with Vince, it will always be " Flatbush Ave. - Brooklyn"

[Ernie]

Vince: You captured the place very well, must seem like you are there in sim-world. Thanks for re-posting (but I joined trainsim anyway).

On a related note, have they torn down the Carlton Ave bridge? Half of it is missing in Bing Maps aerial view (certain views).

[vince]

Vince: You captured the place very well,

Thanks Ernie.
Thats what taking so much time! Track is easy. (if you don't count the database meltdowns) But getting the scenery right as I know the area and there is the curse of Google Earth that forces one to get it right, or at least close enuf for guv'ment work.

Re; The bridge. It looks like it was getting ready to fall down. Built in 1905?  More that likely not much attention paid to maintenance which is typical for C of NY. 100+ years of salting it in the winters did that. I'm surprised it lasted this long. Remember the WillyB debacle?  SS,DD 

[Murfunit]

Vince,

Awesome work.  I admire the realism.

Murfunit