[Connor]

Great start to your new MD, I look forward to seeing how this develops 

[DaveN]

Very good updates. Well presented and "told" story. You can see that it is alive. Nothing is static. I look forward to further developments.

[RickD]

Previously on Empire Bay:
After the first settlement is established it is about time to start digging the first mine. This the reason for being here after all.

Prospect Mine

Several scout teams are sent out to find promising locations for opening the first mine.

4.1

There is a huge coal deposit in the northeastern part of the region under Justice Peak. Empire Mining decided to open the first mine there.

4.2

Geologists have picked this location for the mine because it will be the easiest to reach the coal from there. It will be transported to Simnation by ship. But the fjord under the mine is too narrow and shallow for larger ships. And the coast is too steep for building loading docks there.

4.3

The plan is to build the harbor at the nearest possible location where the water is deep enough and connect it to the mine by rail.

4.4

The harbor will be located here at the fjord's eastern shore.

4.5

Several months later Prospect Mine goes in operation.

4.6

The coal is being loaded directly onto the train cars.

4.7

The mine's powerhouse and water tower.

4.8

The miners live in a small village across the Fjord. They call it "Justice" after Justice Peak, the nearby mountain.

4.9


4.10


4.11


4.12


4.13

Main street with the saloon, a hotel, drugstore and gun shop.


Next on Empire Bay:
We will follow the rail line towards the coal harbor in Update 5.

BTW, I am experimenting with Lowkees's HD Terrain Mod. I like it very much so far and considering switching to it. I currently use Meadowshire and I think it is too green. But as I still have several updates in stock, it will take a while until you see it.


Replies:

So a bar has better priority than the houses, right?
The landscape colours are very nice and I really like the bottom of the sea. Keep it up

Sure. As I said, it is important to get the priorities right. 

Hi Rick,
Your new MD is really fantastic. I like the pictures as well as the story background. 
I can see how Murphy´s law is ordinary in Murphy´s bar... 
And i can´t wait for the next update!
Greetz, Carl

Thank you Carl. Yes, this Murphy is an unlucky fellow.

Nice update once again, I look forward to the next chapter of the story.

Hope you liked it.

Hello, Rick!

You've done some good job with the first settlement. That little harbour is looking already nice. I hope it will develop into a major international seaport in the future.

And I am looking forward to building that seaport. I have big plans.

Interesting... I'm curious to see how this town will develop further!

Hey, thanks, Ioan.

Nice small town and the cloister too.

Glad you like it.

Exciting start of your new MD !
My favourite update was the number two with the isolated monastery,
The atmosphere is very unique, sad and disturbing, and I love it !

Keep up the good work 

Thank you very much.

Great start to your new MD, I look forward to seeing how this develops 

Thanks for your comment. I hope you'll keep on reading.

Very good updates. Well presented and "told" story. You can see that it is alive. Nothing is static. I look forward to further developments.

Thanks. That is what I am trying to achieve.

[apeguy]

Another great update, I like the small stream winding through the forest.

[Ricky112233]

WHAAAAAT?!

Did I really not see the start of another wonderful MD?!
Well, better a bit late than never, I suppose!

Awesome updates ya got there!
And I'm sorry to have noticed that Santa Barbara has come to an end!

Looking forward to seeing some small towns grow into a hopefully large town (or maybe even a HUGE metropolis! But hey--the choice is yours!)

-Ricky

[nbvc]

Great planing and execution of the mining scene and the village.

[AcoG000]

I love this. Nice region, and some good ploppable creek use there. Can't wait to see even more!

[Dantes]

Nice village  All the best and keep up 

[RickD]

Previously on Empire Bay:
The first mine is in operation. But the coal needs to be transported to Simnation. A rail line connects the mine to the nearest harbor.

From the Mine to the Harbor

5.1

We are following the rail line from the mine towards the harbor.

5.2

The track had to be build fast and cheap by only a few dozen workers. No tunnels, no viaducts, keeping it as simple as possible. The result is a curvy line along the coast. This is a mixed freight train driving from the mine to the harbor to collect building materials and supply goods.

5.3

The line is single track except for this passing section in the middle.

5.4

The only other connection between the harbor and the mine is a narrow dirt path.

5.5

A telegraph cable is running along the track. It allows for quick communication between the mine and the harbor.

5.6

The track is operated by the newly founded "Empire & Kinbasket Railroad" (reporting mark: EKR). It is named after the bay and the mountain range.

5.7

The harbor which is merely a dock where the coal is being loaded from the train on a ship. Like everything else it had to be built fast and cheap. The Empire Mining Corp needs to make profit as soon as possible.

5.8

A bulk freighter is being loaded.

5.9

A small facility for maintaining the rolling stock.

5.10

The rail fleet consists of some old steamers and diesel engines that have been decomissioned at other mines. Well, at least they were cheap.

5.11

A pier for the small passenger boats that bring the workers in.

5.12

There are also some barracks for the harbor workers.

Next on Empire Bay:
The settlement on Empire Bay keeps on growing fast. See the new developments in Update 6.


Replies:

Another great update, I like the small stream winding through the forest.

Glad you like it. 

WHAAAAAT?!

Did I really not see the start of another wonderful MD?!
Well, better a bit late than never, I suppose!

Awesome updates ya got there!
And I'm sorry to have noticed that Santa Barbara has come to an end!

Looking forward to seeing some small towns grow into a hopefully large town (or maybe even a HUGE metropolis! But hey--the choice is yours!)

-Ricky

I'll opt for the huge metropolis. 

Great planing and execution of the mining scene and the village.

Hey, tanks. 

I love this. Nice region, and some good ploppable creek use there. Can't wait to see even more!

Thanks! I hope you'll like what I have in store for you.

Nice village  All the best and keep up 

Thanks, Dantes. 

[JonM]

This is incredible! so realistic looking, I am blown away! Can't wait to see more   

[io_bg]

Great new update! Very realistic stuff indeed; I particularly like the rail line. I'm eager to see the next update too

[carlfatal]

Hi Rick,
wonderful pictures for every rail geek! 
But You´re much too fast for me as i missed to comment the last update...   
Keep up the good work,
greetz, Carl

[art128]

Hello there, Rick!

What a beautiful update you have there, everything is very well placed. The only thing I don't really like is that giant slope for the railway on the 5.3 picture.

[Dantes]

I like the dirthy harbor  Great LE-Work  The railway ist fantastic created 

[bat]

Great work on the mine and harbor! Looking forward to the 6th update...

[rooker1]

I really like this logging community you have come up with.  The way that you have put it all together makes it look very believable.
Great work!!
Robin

[noahclem]

Nice job on the last updates    I particularly like the rails 

[Swordmaster]

Yeah, awesome work here! Nice little yard there and industrial line through the wilderness. Although I have to agree with Arthur concerning that slope there. Maybe a more restrictive slope mod?

Cheers,
Willy

[jgehrts]

I'm absolutely stunned by the detail. You're really outdoing yourself!

[Ricky112233]

Huge metropolis, eh?
I guess I know what to expect in 10 updates or so.

Anyway, I like how you made that railroad, and the harbor too!

I love how you thought about the villagers' "needs"

-Ricky