New SorGun

[coolwiththecool2 827]

happy 30th birthday!

you guys grow up so fast lol

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Another thumps up for another great update.

[vivapanda 422]

The story line is build up so extremely well!

[Benedict 3,119]

This is a fantastic new update - I really like how you are taking a nice slow detailed route with the growth of the city and region, as well as with the story.

 

And congratulations, you're back at number one on BTT.

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Lyhoko: The railroads of this time do need coal...

 

Lyhoko: Hopefully everything turns out fine for New SorGun.

[figaro_black 0]

I love this CJ. It is really inspiring, seeing the region grow and develop. The only problem...my plugins folder is growing exponentially with each update!

 

p.s. How do you get your houses to look the part? 

[SimCoug 5,972]

@CityMaster, TayMay, Aaron, Vivapanda, Benedict, and Lyhoko:  Thanks for all the encouraging comments
 
@figaro_black:  Thank you.  I have personally lotted pretty much every residential lot that grows in New SorGun.  I've put together a few house sets that you can download on the STEX.  Just search 'simcoug' and you should find them.  Hope that helps

I've been a little busy with a certain project, but I had time to get a little teaser image made...

Next up:

Nudging nature
Finch & Myers Railroad rolls along.
*Click for full

[simlink 1,098]

Wow - looks stunning. Great effects with the photos!

[Fox 1,444]

Love that picture, it looks amazing! Great explosion.. you can almost picture yourself in the era.

 

I missed a few updates.. but they looked great. It's good to see the railway being built now.

[coolwiththecool2 827]

wow nice photo. the sepia makes it lok even better too!

[Superbacon 380]

I have a question for you, Coug. What's the region you're using? Is it available anywhere?

[figaro_black 0]

I have a question for you, Coug. What's the region you're using? Is it available anywhere?

 

I thought I read somewhere that it was an altered version of drunkapple's Townsville?

 

I play an altered version of that map myself. The original is HUGE, but with a bit of bitmap editing and cutting away some of the top mountain regions it is really lovely.

[SimCoug 5,972]

I thought I read somewhere that it was an altered version of drunkapple's Townsville?

 

 

Yes, it is indeed the - but it hasn't been altered much - just a few minor terraforming tweaks - the size remains the same (for future expansion)

[SimCoug 5,972]

Thanks folks!

 

 

 

Update 31

 

A Coal, Sir, If You Please

 

1878-1879

 

 

Coal.

 

 

Industry was revolutionizing the modern world, and coal was fueling the machines of the new era.   From steam locomotives to factories, everybody was depending on black gold to keep the fires burning.

 

 

Eastman T. Finch witnessed this first hand during his days in San Francisco.  Coal ships hauling their cargo here and there, were a constant site on the bay.  It became apparent to Finch that there was a lot of money to be made – not just in the mining, but in the distribution of coal. 

 

 

It was no easy task getting those black rocks from the mountain mines to factories, ships, and homes.  But then again, empires weren’t easily built either.  When coal was first discovered years earlier in the hills near New SorGun, Finch knew it would make a lot of folks rich.

(click for full size)

 

 

Once Finch was able to pull Anthony Myers onboard, he knew he had a chance at creating his own financial empire.  Not only would he have to battle the San Francisco bankers for the loans, but Mother Nature would prove a worthy foe as well.

 

 

Hills had to be leveled and gaps needed to be crossed. 

 

 

All in all, it was over 13 miles of track, weaving up into the hills of New SorGun. 

 

 

Foxton was the final destination.  The tiny town was limping along as best it could, but the logistics of getting the coal from the mines to market proved difficult without a rail connection.   But that was all about to change.  As the rail line snaked through town, the first passenger station was hastily erected.

 

 

The rail line drove deep into the hills, right into the center of the mining operations.  New shafts were dug, and new installations were built to take advantage of the new lifeline.  In the first year of the little line’s operation, coal production from the Foxton mine grew tenfold.

 

 

The sleepy town sprung to life.  The Finch & Myers rail line was shipping coal out and bringing new residents in.  Like many coal towns before it, Foxton was off to the races.

 

 

The dawn of a new decade was fast approaching.  As the summer of1879 gave way to cooler nights and orange hues, A sense of optimism filled the air around New SorGun.

 

 

As Finch and Myers sat in town admiring the autumn evening, the hustle and bustle of New SorGun could be heard all around them.  Coaling ships were berthed along the piers loading their precious cargo, as seagulls squawked overhead. 

“Eastman…” said Myers, “Good Lord, what have we started?”

“A foundation, my friend” Finch replied.  Raising his glass, he continued, “Here’s to what rises from it.”

“Cheers, my friend” said Myers, giving a small chuckle. 

[Wraner 335]

Brilliant!

[Superbacon 380]

Awesome.

[rubberduck3y6 45]

Great work! I really love all your attention to detail in the pictures - really brings the story to life!

 

I've got a feeling that things are going a bit too well for New SorGun and the Finch & Myers Railroad though. I can't see the big rail company being too pleased about a rival line operating in the area.

 

Where are the seawalls in the last picture from?

[simlink 1,098]

Your cities are really fantastic - I'm loving watching them grow. I'm definitely still on the builder side of SC4 so growth of cities is definitely sparking my interest. But your MMPing is awesome.

If you ever get bored and feel like MMPing an entire region for city construction... LOL [jk] 

[coolwiththecool2 827]

wow i just love watching new sorgun grow, i remember so far back when there was no foxtown

[Swordmaster 50]

Aha, rails! Very good. The construction pics will be very hard for me to do any better. (Probably the other ones as well!)

 

 

Cheers

Willy

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

God I love this city Journal, Keep it up. It's so perfect!!!

 

I wonder what 1900 will look like on this city Journal.

[Benedict 3,119]

Another great update.

 

Congratulations on your Trixies!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to New SorGun in 2013. I mean late 1800s.

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Lyhoko: Good, they have an operational train line up and running.

 

Lyhoko: Congrats on your Trixies!

[simlink 1,098]

Congrats on your Trixies, SimCoug! Very much deserved. Look forward to what comes up next.

[vivapanda 422]

You're an awesome CJer SimCoug, I truly enjoyed reading the stories I missed while I was away!

[SimCoug 5,972]

@Wraner:  Thanks!
@Superbacon:  Thank you.
@ruberducky:  Very true - Northern Pacific will not be happy with the developments in New SorGun.  Those are . 
@sim_link:  Thanks for stopping by.  Well if growth is what you are looking for, the 1880 census should be right up your alley
@TayMay: Thanks!  
@swordmaster:  Yep, trains galore from here on out - I have no doubt you could come up with some pretty amazing pics construction pics.
@Aaron:  Good to see you around again.  No worries, the 21st century will be upon us in no time (and your BATs will be a large part of it, I hope)
@Benedict:  There will be plenty of changes over the next few decades.  Advancing technology and the western expansion will play a large part of that - I just hope I can capture it all.
@Lyhoko:  Thanks!  
@sim_link:  Thank you - and congrats right back at ya.
@vivapanda:  Thank you - I'm glad you were able to get caught up

Here's a little sneak peak at what's in store for next week:

Its 1880! A new decade, and that means a new census. Stop by next week as we get caught up on developments across the entire region, starting with some big news out of Steamer Bay.

[packersfan 666]

I'm going to ask this question here.  What are your favorite grass textures to use as bases...I really want to unify the base textures of my city...I mean even the Maxis parks can't seem to agree on a grass texture.  Seems like your houses seemlessly integrate with the terrain.

[SimCoug 5,972]

I'm going to ask this question here.  What are your favorite grass textures to use as bases...I really want to unify the base textures of my city...I mean even the Maxis parks can't seem to agree on a grass texture.  Seems like your houses seemlessly integrate with the terrain.

 

The BSC TexturePack Cycledogg v01 is my main workhorse... I also use various textures and overlays from the MTP & SPAM superpack, but since I use the CP Columbus terrain mod, it blends very well with his LE textures.  

[simlink 1,098]

Ooh, census. Look forward to it! And that's a pretty modern building you have there... NSG is really moving up in the world! 

[Fox 1,444]

Wow .. loved the last update and the recent teaser!!

 

I'm going to be rich with all that coal being shipped out of my mines!!

 

Love the details as usual, like the under construction bridge and mine settings and the coal dock... fantastic!

 

Congrats in the Trixies  too!!