Catenary Replacer

[Tim The Terrible 586]

Introduction

With the much appreciated help of @boformer I managed to make the beginnings of a mod that aims to add more customization to the existing Train Tracks network. I'm currently testing to see what others experience when using this mod. Anyone who has me as a friend on Steam can subscribe to the Beta. I update daily as I keep encountering small issues. With your help I can speed up the process and get the mod ready for release sooner. For your information: I don't know how to code, all current lines of code are taken for the Bus Stop Replacer mod (by @boformer)

Aim

The aim for this mod is to give players full control over the visuals of their rail network. I plan to do this by adding as much variety as possible. I'm thinking of all standard catenaries of most major countries. Along the way I can also make (generic) requests. On top of that I want to give you the ability to submit your own models, which I can then add to the mod. Unfortunately, you cannot do this yourself as you can for Network Skins, as I try to keep this mod simple. However, this might change in the future as Network Skins is still undergoing development.

How it works

The mod will include several 'Styles' you can choose from in the Mod Options. Changes are applied when loading a save from the Main Menu only (again: keeping it simple). The mod will then replace all vanilla props with custom props. This includes vanilla Station Tracks, but also all tracks from Extra Station Tracks and One-Way Tracks. Until Network Skins is updated, you cannot change props per segment.

All changes are visual and will therefor not break your game. When anything goes wrong or when unsubscribing, the game will simply load the vanilla props.

While it's in Alpha, I still advise to avoid testing on your favorite city, but that goes for every mod you try out.

 

Roadmap

All will be optional

• Add more variety to the props (example)
• Add random track-side junk (e.g. rails & sleepers)
• Add random track-side props (e.g. powerboxes)
• Add signals at intersections
• Add End-of-the-line prop (example)
• Add custom Buffers (per style)
• Add custom wires (per style)

Current Issues (September 15th)

1. When switching styles, props disappear when loading new save from main menu (prop = null) (Thank you @boformer)
2. Changes are not applied to all neworks (inconsistent) (Fixed myself)
3. Props big in file size (1,8mb) even when all source files together are 500kb
4. Sometimes props have a +2m offset to the left or right at intersections  (Magically disappeared) 
5. Props have an offset of 2,4m (might be from the asset editor) (Thank you @boformer and @Ronyx69)

Help me please!

Like I said: I'm not familiar with coding in C#, so every bit of help is much appreciated. I'm doing all I can to teach myself, but I've been unable to find CS related tutorials. At the moment I have Notepad++ and Microsoft Visual Studio. If you know any good sites or documentation, please let me know. If you can help me with testing, or know how to fix an issue, please leave a reply. I check the forums hourly.

Thank you all!

 

Screenshots

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[donoteat 478]

oooooh goody, was looking for an excuse to do some PRR bowties...

[boformer 3,169]

4 hours ago, Tim The Terrible said:

While it's in Alpha, I still advise to avoid testing on your favorite city, but that goes for every mod you try out.

It's only a visual change and 100% safe to use.

[Ronyx69 2,413]

I might be interested in creating japanese themed assets for this mod. I'll add you on steam.

[whitemsv_simtropolis 10]

Looking great. Added u as an friend an will gladly test the mod for you.

[Delta2k5 311]

Looks promising! Keep it up  

[Tim The Terrible 586]

6 hours ago, whitemsv_simtropolis said:

Added u as an friend

What is your Steam name? I haven't seen a request yet :/

[Tim The Terrible 586]

Update

Added German Style

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[agunter999 200]

This looks very promising, I cant wait for a UK style with the ability to select different bits fordifferent stretches oftrack

[Acc3ssViolation 81]

Looks great! Too bad we don't have any german signals yet. I should make some.

[whitemsv_simtropolis 10]

@Tim The Terrible Zonnegod is my current username on steam. Tried adding u again but got an error while adding u as a friend :S Will try again later

[Robban040 1,091]

Wow!

Looking forward to seeing more!

This is a must have for me!

[Tim The Terrible 586]

Thank you everyone! I will continue to work on the mod on Monday as I spend the weekend with my girlfriend.

@Acc3ssViolation Would love to see more signals! I really like the Dutch ones you made!

[Distanced 114]

This is awesome! Love to be able to customize my networks.

[Tim The Terrible 586]

Update

Added American 'Pennsylvania Railroad' Style 

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[donoteat 478]

FFS I just finished my version ten seconds ago you bastard

 

goddammit

auuuuuuuugh

[Tim The Terrible 586]

@donoteat very nice man! I was planning to make a version like that too, but now I don't have to anymore

I'm still working on custom wires (so we can put them on the telegraph poles) and as soon as that's done I will add your model as PRR C version (I have a B version in mind too)

[agunter999 200]

Shame this mod doesn't edit the rails into something less round and more rail like

 

[Tim The Terrible 586]

9 minutes ago, agunter999 said:

Shame this mod doesn't edit the rails into something less round and more rail like

My plan is to also customize the wires, and I think I can use the same code to customize the rails too. But I don't know anything about C# so it's a matter of time unfortunately.

[agunter999 200]

At least you might try lol

 

[alkiskan 4]

Will the replacement of the tram wires and their supports be possible, because they do not look good.

[Tim The Terrible 586]

1 hour ago, alkiskan said:

Will the replacement of the tram wires and their supports be possible, because they do not look good.

It's possible, but I want to understand the Wire Shader first before I begin with that. I also have finish some older projects first

[Avanya 2,605]

This is so cool!

[Brownie Bear 2]

Is it possible if you could also create these types of catenaries? They're from New Jersey Transit's Essex and Morris Lines.

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[Acc3ssViolation 81]

With more ideas for styles popping up, it might be an idea to have them be configured via xml files, sort of like the way Network Skins handles light effects for custom streetlights. That way other people could make their own styles as well!

[Tim The Terrible 586]

48 minutes ago, Acc3ssViolation said:

With more ideas for styles popping up, it might be an idea to have them be configured via xml files, sort of like the way Network Skins handles light effects for custom streetlights. That way other people could make their own styles as well!

Yes that would be ideal, but that would have been too code-intensive while I aimed it to be a simple mod. @boformer however said I could try to integrade it with NetworkSkins right away, so we'll have to see where it goes. 

[Tim The Terrible 586]

8 hours ago, Brownie Bear said:

Is it possible if you could also create these types of catenaries? They're from New Jersey Transit's Essex and Morris Lines.

I will look into it. I had a style planned that look like those. I'll let you know

 

[Tim The Terrible 586]

Update

Added additional Pennsylvania Railroad variation

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Added detail to the Dutch A & B props

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Also fixed the alignment of the Single Track props of the Dutch and German styles.

[Distanced 114]

I love it! I also have a question: would it be possible to somehow integrate signals like these into the mod?

I believe you mentioned adding signals add junctions and whatnot, so these would be pretty cool!

[Tim The Terrible 586]

@TransitAuthority I definatly have a plan for what you are showing, but not for the mod. I will make complementary rail assets soon, like signal gantry's, wide catenary 'bridges' (for wide tracks), rail-side junk, custom buffers (will be added to the mod), and many more!