This project was completed some time ago, but I understand that the models are still useful. The individual components are to make a Hydroelectric dam facility.

These include:

• Dam walls, spilllways wet and dry, and tailrace splines
• Special water effect models
• Pipelines, intake towers, concrete slabs, wire fences
• Power station building, transformers and wiring
• Matching connections to HT an LT power line splines
• A picnic area

All models function in TS12 and many have been upgraded to improve textures and water effects and appearance for examle, and are available on the Auran Download Station.

Pictures show a spline for a large dam wall, and connecting splines for spillways either dry or with flowing water. The wet spillway shows the water effects applied as a fixed object placed separately at the base of the spillway (splines themselves do not support smoke/spray effects).

A second spillway spline with the spillway gates closed (spillway dry), is included as an alternative addon. The dam wall has lights, and there are two wall heights available.

There are no tracks on the top of the dam, rail track or a road can be placed separately over the dam wall. Since the wall is also a spline, it is easier to place the track or road away from the wall, adjust the height then move the nodes over the wall top into final position.

The water effects are separate objects. A semi-transparent base to represent water at the base of the dam spillway has a number of smoke attachment points above and on it. The object can be placed in front of the spillway and height, rotation and position adjusted so the water (smoke) appears to emit from the wet face of the spillway.

There are three placeable effects for the dam of different heights, 20, 38 and 78 metres high, and an additional Waterfall effect for general use. The translucent base may be exposed above the water level, or sunk so it is invisible. The second picture shows the effects by themselves, to show the action,  the Waterfall effect on the far right of the picture emits more water (smoke) and is for general use on other waterfalls you may wish to construct.

The Water outlet shown is an object to simulate an overflow from the dam, it has the smoke effects already part of the object.

Note that smoke effects have a negative effect on the frame rates in Trainz, so they need to be used judicially.

The Power Station building can be used make a Hydroelectric power plant.

The pipeline is a spline that can be run from the dam to the building or elsewhere.

At the back of the dam there is usually an intake tower, this is a spline, height adjustable.

To construct a power substation a number of concrete slabs as splines are available, the narrow one can be used as a concrete path, a wider slab is plain concrete and the lit version has lights that light up at night. These are visible in the first picture.

Suitable containment available as wire fencing and gate splines, can be added to make a secure substation. The basic enclosure is completed with the addition of a spline for the electrical overhead wires distribution system.

This has supports and overhead wires, and is placed so the wires extend over the electrical transformers in the switchyard. It does not actually connect to the transformers, but simulates the intricate wiring necessary. It can be raised to any level and may be bent to a suitable shape.

Eight different transformers can be used to make a believable substation and switch yard, transformers are individually placed. The various ones available are shown in picture 3.

The switching station may be connected to a power line using the LT or HT connection models (Low Tension or High Tension voltage). These are objects, placed so the support frames are in the switching yard. They have a set of power poles or transmission towers as part of the model.

These match two of Auran’s built in power line splines, and they will connect to these. For best connection, keep the initial placement of the splines aligned with the LT or HT assets.