Updates to Barge and Ferry

Some dimension attributes of couplers were changed in the TRS2006 version of Trainz, and rolling stock fell into the water before coupling to the barge or ferry was completed. This required amendments to the coupler positions on the ferry and barge models.

The diagram shows how couplers and bogeys must be positioned in models for operations in TRS2006. This has reduced slightly, the available deck length for rolling stock. The updated models are available, and operate in TRS2004 and TRS2006:

Rail Ferry
Rail Barge

Operating Standards

Earlier static and drivable ships are placed relative to the sea bed, but all models for cross river transport operate on track placed at ground level.

Ground and track level zero (0 metres);
Water level -3.0 metres; and
Seabed at -10.0 metres.

The critical dimension is 7 metres between seabed and water level. This allows enough water depth for realism, and a 3 metre river bank is sufficient to allow wharf details to be used, without the terrain transition from -10 metres being too steep.

Operating in TRS2006

There are some advantages in using 2006.

• My invisible track is now visible in the Minimap for navigating;
• Using the tag disable-extra-track-sounds 1 in the traincar file eliminates the click clack track sound;
• The use of the Move Turntable command makes the operations of turntables and transfer tables very easy (refer to the Oil Tankers and Rigs project page for details on using this command).

New Tugboat

This is the tugboat Yelta, based loosely on the ship in the South Australian Maritime museum in Adelaide. It operates on invisible track at ground level (3 metres above water level) and has smoke and an interior.

It is suitable for use with the barge transfer tables.

Download Link:
Tugboat Yelta

New Operating System - Transfer Tables

The original operating system uses the barge or ferry as a train car, to which the rolling stock couples. This only allows a single track on the deck, and has the limitations mentioned in the first cross river web page, the rolling stock moves on the deck.

The new system uses transfer tables. A transfer table may be used for a moving object (barge or ferry) with a number of tracks, transferring rolling stock from one bank to another. The model is a fixed object however, and does not allow the user to change the destination, the operation or the distance traveled.

The barge moves over 800 metres from dock 1 to dock 2 and return, transporting rolling stock.

Barge 1 - Start Point

The transfer table concept allows rolling stock to be loaded at both ends of the barge model, unlike the earlier ferries and barges.

This is the start point of the transfer table, at dock 1. Note the red arrows to operate the barge, it travels in a straight line to the second dock about 800 metres away. The docks are part of the model, not placed separately.

The Barge 1 model has an attached tugboat as part of the model.

Barge 1 - Tugboat

The tugboat is attached to the barge with hawsers (ropes) and is not separately drivable. The barge will travel to the other side and return under the control of the Red turntable arrows, there are only two operating positions for this model.

The barge must travel in the reverse direction back to the first dock. This would require the attached tugboat to also travel reversed, somewhat unrealistic . Animation has been added to the model so at the halfway point of travel, the tugboat reverses its position to the other side of the barge. This restores some realism to the travel direction of the tugboat.

Barge 1 - Mid Point of Travel

At the mid point, the tugboat drops the attached hawsers, and leaves the barge to travel in a circle to join up on the other side.

This means that the tugboat will be reversing the barge into dock 2. At least it does not travel all the way in the reversed direction.

Barge 1 - Tugboat Rejoining the Barge

The tugboat is rejoining the barge on the opposite side, re-attaching the hawsers, and reversing the barge into dock 2. This animation is part of the transfer table and cannot be controlled by the user.

Download Link:
Transfer Table Ferry Barge

Barge 1 -Dock 2

The barge and tugboat are approaching dock 2, note the tugboat is traveling reversed.

On unloading or loading rolling stock, the red arrows at the dock 1 end of the model are operated to return the barge to dock 1. Again the tugboat travels forward to the mid point of the transfer with the barge, then reverses its direction for the remainder of the travel to dock 1.

This is a simple model, that is easy to use, and has interesting animation.

Barge 2 Transfer Model

This is a second version of the barge, with three tracks, that does not have an attached tugboat. A separate tugboat can and should be used - the tugboat Yelta is suitable for this operation.

The model has additional attached track on the side of the barge, shown in blue, and this moves with the barge. Short lengths of fixed track shown in green at both docks join with the blue moving track. This allows the user to connect other invisible track to the green track on the model, and drive a tugboat onto the moving barge transfer model. The tugboat is then transferred with the barge, as if it were moving the barge itself.

Barge 2 - Track Placement

In order to use a separate tugboat correctly, track needs to be placed by the user, to allow a tugboat to join and to be driven on to the transfer table. Invisible track shown in red is placed by the user at both dock 1 and dock 2 ends, joining to the green track that is part of the model. Note the green track is fixed in position and the blue track moves with the barge.

The arrangement of track shown allows the tugboat that is transferred with the barge to be turned around at either end by the user, so it is traveling in the forward direction at all times.

Barge 2 - Track Placement at Dock 2

Place the red track at the dock 2 end to join with the green track of the model. when the barge arrives at this end of the model, it will occupy the position shown.

The tugboat may then be driven onto the blue moving track via the green fixed entrance track, or a tugboat already on the transfer table may be moved off the table or turned around.

Note: I have a replacement switch lever available modeled as a navigation buoy. It places at water level, offset to the track, so it clears shipping.

Barge 2 - Alternate Track Placement

Instead of a Y junction for turning the tugboat, a circular path may be placed at a terminal. An example is shown at terminal 2..

The tugboat may be driven in a circle to change sides of the barge.

Note: I have made different coloured invisible track avaiable, you may choose any colour you like when laying track, the examples show different colours for clarity in the diagrams.

Download Link:
Transfer Table Ferry Barge 2

Ferry Columbia Star

This is a transfer model based on the original Holgar Danske ferry model. It is a transfer table, allowing two tracks and rolling stock to be driven on or off both ends. The travel distance is approximately 800 metres.

The model has four terminals, and a four part animation cycle.

It has automatically operating bow doors that open correctly when the ferry docks. It operates similarly to the barge models, but of course does not require a tugboat for operation.

Ferry Columbia Star at Dock 1

The ferry is initially at dock 1, the ferry has the bow door open to load or unload rolling stock.

Ferry Columbia Star at Dock 2

Dock 2 has a ramp the operates, it is initially raised at an angle and lowers to the correct level as the ship approaches. when the ferry arrives, the bow door is raised automatically.

Download Link:
Transfer Table Ferry Columbia Star

Ferry Columbia Gold

This is a second ferry, different texture, and is similar to the Columbia Star, but has a more complicated path for the transfer table, see below.

It has four docks for unloading. Docks 1 and 4 are visible in the picture.

Columbia Gold Travel Path

This is the path the transfer table follows in four steps. It starts at dock 1, dock 2 has an animated ramp, dock 3 and 4 have static ramps and dock 4 is near dock 1. The ferry must follow the reverse path back to dock 1. It is not possible to go from dock 4 to dock 1 directly in this model.

Note the diagram is not to scale, the distance across the river is approximately 800 metres.

Dock 3 allows track to be placed at an angle, instead of at right angles to the river. Again, the positions of the docks cannot be changed.

Night View of Columbia Gold at Dock

The docks have simple night lighting.

Download Link:
Transfer Table Ferry Columbia Gold

Danish Ferry Odin

The Odin is a 70 metres car ferry, but the model has been set up to take two rail tracks. The length of the model is 650 metres. It is in Scandlines colours. There are two versions available, the Scandlines colours shown, and the original colours as Odin II.

Download Links:
Transfer Table Ferry Odin
Transfer Table Ferry Odin II

Danish Ferry Dronning Margrethe II

The Margrethe has three rail tracks on deck, and has a length of 1300 metres.

Download Link:
Coming

Placing the Models

The models are found in the Scenery menu in Surveyor, and are easily placed at ground zero. Slight adjustment to model height or ground level may be necessary.

Place the river bed at -10 metres or deeper - deeper assists in making steep banks that may better suit the placement of the models. Move the model as needed so it aligns correctly with the river bank. Attach track on land to connect to the transfer table model.

Place water at -3 metres. There is no need to place invisible track over water for most models, except for barge 2, for the tugboat operation as explained above.

Operating the Models

After placing rolling stock, in Driver, drive the cars on to the deck of the barge or ferry and uncouple the locomotives as necessary.

Operate the models by clicking on the red arrows at the dock 1 end of the models. Because of the long length of the models, returning from the far end to dock 1 to operate the arrows is a nuisance. Install and use the Move Turntable rule to operate the table more easily. See the information on this rule on the Oil Tankers and Rigs webpage.

Model Downloads

All models are available on the Auran Download Station, see the links above for download.

The transfer table models should be used in TRS2006 only, for the following reasons:

• Long transfer tables have problems with the moving table (ferry or barge) vanishing in TRS2004. The use of the tag use-parent-bounds 1 should prevent this happening, but it does not. The table operates correctly in TRS2006;
• The ferries and the tugboat have smoke attachments, which do not move correctly with the ferry in TRS2004;
• The Move Turntable rule is very useful but only available in TRS2006;
• Invisible track shows in the Minimap in TRS2006 but not TRS2004.