In December 2019 I created a series of 3 lots to make a Christmas train for the BnS Challenge #221. Some folks liked the idea of adding additional lots to expand the train. Then I had an idea... how about the community collaborating to create The Orient Express (‘murder mystery’ train)? With the support from many talented simmers, this idea developed into reality. Inspired by actual photos, participants created and decorated cars for this train, as well as others. The Alpine train is fictional so designers had more creative freedom. See the destination posts below for details and links to all the creations.
I also hoped to have a special world to showcase the trains. Due to the interest received, and with the CAW talent of Jessabeans, this became a much larger project. We created a world built around the journey of the OE from London - Paris - Venice. Each destination has a station to showcase the train cars decorated by community participants. Players can have their sims 'travel' around the world by moving their sims to the destination train engine cars (or other residential lots) as desired. Each destination also includes a wonderful mix of residential and community lots reflecting popular landmarks and architecture for that city. A great backdrop world for story-tellers as well.
Over a year later we were still building and coping with the impact of the Covid pandemic. Jessabeans, world builder, bowed out to take care of her family and eventually only a few participants remained active. This project was put on hold until March 2024 when KarilynMonroe2 offered to help finish off the world base. A few remaining TS3 creators came on board behind the scenes and we diligently worked on wrapping up unfinished builds and abandoned claims while the world was being tweaked.
Hotel Danieli is my version of the real life hotel in Venice. It once served as homes to prominent Venetians in the 14th century and was later converted to a luxury hotel in 1822. It's decorated in gothic Venetian decor and features a lavish hotel lobby, a tea room, a wedding venue, a restaurant, a games room, a spa, a library, a basement pool and gym, resort tower and 10 VIP guest rooms. This hotel can be used in other worlds as well, e.g., Lucky Palms, Dragon Valley and Monte Vista (pictures of what it looks like in those worlds are in my picture album). Everything is upgraded and there is no CC.
Club house with balcony viewing, dining, lounging and washrooms. Flying broom arena with themed supporter stands. Other activities inside and out for a fun visit. Created for the Orient Express collaboration. By soocoolsim. No cc.
NOTES for anyone downloading and installing the train cars!
If adding train lots to a different world (already included in The Orient Express)....
For the best train effect, before placing the lots for the train in your world, simply add several 24 x 15 custom lots in a row using the “Add Any Lot Size” mod available from ModTheSims. The train engine at the head goes on a bit larger 30 x 15 lot.
Paris: British Pullman Orient Express ***** More info here and here and here. Engine + 7 multi-use = 8 cars Each car features plush armchairs in open-plan saloons, arranged as intimate tables for two each side of the aisle. At one or both ends of each Pullman car is an enclosed 4-seat compartment or 'coupé'.
Paris Gare de L’est station — soocoolsim (completed)Download / Pictures
British Pullman base car shell — Romagi1 & Sandraelle (completed) Download
This world is such a great idea and the builds look wonderful! I somehow didn't notice that it was being made on the old forums. I would definitely love to play in it - I have a Hercule Poirot, Miss Lemon and Arthur Hastings household that currently lives in Roaring Heights, but an Orient Express world would be perfect for them!
Modelled after the Rialto Bridge in Venice. The pedestrian stone bridge market features displays for browsing. The buildings house a nectar shop, bookshop (you can optionally add sales registers) as well as self-serve dining and washrooms.
WORLD BUILDS by destination (NEW! = released July - Aug 2024)
LONDON (entertainment area) - COMPLETE! ✅
Plant list: Chinese Elm, Slippery Elm, Oak Chestnut, Oak, Red Poppies (monte vista), Ranch Weeds, Cherry tree, Chinese Lantern plant, Bamboo used on lots (near Battersea Park area)
Oz Big Show Venue 64x64 (rabbithole) by Jessabeans — Placed in world base
Koko’s Music Machine 30x30 (live show venue) by Hidehi — Download / Pictures
NEW! Tower of London 64x64 by Sandraelle — Download
NEW! Tower Bridge of London 64x35 (OE version) by soocoolsim — Download
Tower Bridge of London 64x35 (Any world version) by soocoolsim — TBC
NEW! Trafalgar Square Tube Station 10x10 by Sandraelle — Download
NEW! Docklands Tube Station 10x10 by Sandraelle—Download
—————————————————————— PARIS (shopping area) - COMPLETE! ✅ Plant list: Red Oak, Oak Chestnut, WA Lavender, Red Maple, Chestnut Tree, Cinnamon trees on the outskirts, WA Olive Tree
NEW! Paris Outskirts Metro Station 10x10 by Sandraelle — Download
NEW! Champ de Mars Metro 15x10 by Sandraelle — Download
—————————————————————— VENICE - COMPLETE! ✅ Plant list: Italian Cypress, Chestnut Tree (Monte Vista), Juniper Tree (Monte Vista), Olive Tree (Monte Vista), WA Olive Tree, Red Poppies (monte vista)
Wow! That's much bigger than I was anticipating. I was thinking the lot size would be much smaller and thinking it would be possible to do a 4 width, so 6 or 8 wide would give a lot more maneuver room. Are you sure you want such big lots? Realistically, of course, the train cars are much longer than they are wide. So, if it's 8 wide, the 26 length would be good. I just wonder if the lots should be narrower, but I'm a fan of making lots as small as possible so they'll fit anywhere. Whatever you think works best!
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