I am upgrading the TA Southern main with new models supplied by Peter Newell, Brian Bere-Streeter, Matt Austin and Chris Nelson at the moment.
Lots of custom terrtex tiles, new signals and many of BBS'S buildings its going to be a biggie, Sorry but thats how it goes, the more detail the larger the download.

It is going up as freeware with default paths as per its original release BUT if you Own or are considering buying the TA ad60, 36 class and the 38 class I am creating a whole swag of activities containing all the locos and rolling stock from these packs.
Mind you I am using a few pieces of freeware which are my own models anyway as traffic trains.
Like pick up goods, through freighters and passenger operations.


Because I didnt add a lot of items like siding markers in the original it was a hard one to write decent activities for, But now I understand a little more like better signal placement to prevent Spads whilst shunting it is turning out to be very activity friendly.

The route will be freeware as I mentioned but because I think the TA NSW steam packs cant be faulted and look sensational I recommend thinking about purchasing the set.

I know most of you have these anyway and to you people thanks for the support. It is you fellows that enable us to obtain more reference material which as we know costs an arm and a leg plus your first born to purchase.

You are the people who in reality by supporting TA are also supporting freeware because as you know I make both freeware and payware and just look at how the quality of models has increased.
All in reality to your kind support.

Cheers to all our supporters Russell Beer

Russ, Thanks for the info with the upgrade to NSW Main Southern, I'm really looking forward to any Activities made for the Route as I have the TA packs mentioned the upgrade sounds nothing short of sensational.
Regards,
Robert.

That's excellent news, Russell.
Dunno about you or anyone else. This is something I'm really looking forward too.

If you don't mind me asking. The route will only be as far as The Rock still, correct? Only just new objects?

Sounds great Russ, looking forward to running some great activities when this is finished.

At the moment it stands from Kapooka to Harden as it was, with the other tracks still in.
It is just looking sooo much better.

I have found that most people get a bit bored with really long activities and I thought that I would break them up as in Pickup Wagga to Junee, Junee to Coota, Coota to Harden.
The more faster through trains Say Wagga to Coota and Harden to Junee with a couple of right through ones for the diehards.

The current act I am working on and just testing at the moment A C36 Starts on the Junee Roundhouse TT proceeds into the yard picks up the train follows a Express gds until it shunts at Marinna drops off picks up Shunts at Ilaabo Picks up Proceeds into Bethungra refuge and is passed by the up Riverina Express on the main follows out shunts drops off picks up and gets a helper as well, Picks up cattle at Frampton proceeds to Coota yard cuts off runs around and stables in the servicing facility.

This takes 2 and a half hours! I thought it would only be a quickie!

The traffic trains there are a lot!

Fair enough,
Speaking of New tilings, Did you had in thoughts of adding a Spring Season Tile Image of the Canola Crops that grow in the Spring?
Back here in the Souther NSW, At this time of year now there's heaps of Canola Crops around. Maybe at some parts of the tiles on the route would be good to see some canola crops around.

So far have made custom Terrtex Tiles All the way from Bethungra to Marinna with Dirt under the ballast and green grass to the fence lines under all the roads and track along with Ploughed fields and wheat crops.
As well Coota Bethungra and Junee all have Better looking ground textures all around, Its much more belivable.
As Big Kev used to say "Im Excited"!

Its really looking That good Im blown away by the difference new buildings, tweaking and the new ground cover has made to an old route.
Im currently on Dial up at the moment (Because of the kids with too much warcraft) but on the 25-9 I will put up some shots.

As I said its probably going to be a much bigger download than the original because of the new content but I think its going to be well worth it.

Cheers Russell

Hey, Russell.
Speaking of new objects. The AUTOPOLES that are on the default routes are Victorian styled.

Would you like new AUTOPOLES on it (NSW styled ones) I'd modeled them and got them on TSM file.

They would be a great replacement but wait until my net is uncapped on the 25-09.
By the way canola is a modern crop so I wont be doing that texture.
Its just too much to ask as Mosaic is extremely time consuming.

Hi Russell,
"I am excited" about the upgrade my self.

Regards Geoff.

This is the results of an over exuberant use of Mosaic.
The Southern Main is really turning into a piece of art.
What can I say other than I am really impressed that i decided to give it a makeover.






Its only about a third done at the moment from Harefield to the top of the spiral but I think the 200 to 300 or so Megs that it will add with the Terrtex tiles is going to be worth it.

Cheers Russ

WOW, Wonderful stuff Russell.
I had a feeling I'd pictured it was gonna show some Green and Yellow texture into it.

Absolutely good.

Russ, I'm stunned! That is superb work, my friend!

Living within half an hour of the spiral, I can say that it looks spot on.

I'm gobsmacked.

Cheers,
Matt

Russell,
WOW.
I did not think it would look like that.
Looks Stunning.
Can you post a pic from the drivers point of view please?

Regards Geoff

Russ,
I've always enjoyed running on the Southern Main, but the textures you are doing in the makeover is absolutely brilliant I'm greatly looking forward to the release.
Regards,
Robert.

Great pics and an Awesome effort there Russell,
The cuttings and embankments have come up fantastic, but the roadside/trackside textures, fields and dirt roads all look as equally spectacular.

Russel, I notice that you've got a proper dining car (ABS?) in your RUB/HUB set did you get it from if you don't mind me asking?

Hi Geoff it comes with the TA 38 class pack.
Cheers Russ

Absolutely stunning work there Russell.

I think you should have some blackend textures to represent a fire that has gone through for the summer.
because in the pics above it looks like a fire had been through the area.

Hmmm, I'm glad there are no black textures. Those of us who were involved in the 2006 Junee bushfires aren't in any hurry to be reminded of it!

Cheers,
Matt

i am not condoning arson, the fact is that fires happen and alot of them are caused by steam trains,
as a volunteer fireman i fought the black saturday fires this year.
even been back to visit some people that i helped

The Darker areas are actually real Eucalyptus forest textures.
Beats the USA default ones hands down.
In the pics above the demarcation line is showing, Im working on smoothing the transition out.
It looks like its going to come in a lot smaller in download size than I first suspected.

No worries, I'm not impyling as much. Bushfires are a reality of life and very much a part of rural life, as are droughts and the occasional flood. I'm saying that I'd be happy to run a route without thinking about fires. Thanks for your service

If you look at Distant hills and Forests in AU they have a distinct Purple haze due to the Eucalyptus Oil that is given off into the atmosphere by the native vegetation.
I have tried to capture this effect.