149 replies to this topic

[Steve Franks]

Greetings,

Sadly, my father passed away last Monday. Long drives to the hospital, and now taking care of his estate, has caused me to interrupt my work here for some time. As things work themselves out, I'll be returning to RCT. I had been doing a few coaster upgrades over the last few weeks to help while away some of my free time and keep my mind distracted from sadder thoughts.

My father was a fellow RCTer since 1999, and had only just purchased the last expansion pack to RCT3 a little after Christmas. Those little steamboats captured his heart. I kept him well stocked with coasters and starter parks to work on over the years.

He was also crazy over trains and loved MSTS.

Hopefully, we can ride some of those great coasters in heaven when we meet up again. There must be a few good, old, wooden coasters in heaven!

[JV7]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Steve. I too, lost my Dad and I know how it hurts. Keep the faith!

[Steve Franks]

Greetings,

Thank you for the condolences at this time of great loss for both my mother and I.

I am reminded of an old joke about the man busy arranging the deck chairs on the foundering Titanic when all about him were screaming passengers, all scratching to get to the life boats. I have found the simple routines of daily life can do much to prevent a person from going completely mad when his part of the world seems to be spinning out of control.

I am eager to immerse myself in RCT again.

Edited by Steve Franks, 19 March 2008 - 04:24 AM.

[Steve Franks]

Greetings,

Well, I have finally finished up Puritas Springs Park. Just when things looked good, I'd get another photograph from the Historical Society which would cause me to rethink a building's architecture or placement. But, it is done and is so well detailed that Puritas Springs Park will likely be the jewel of my new collection of benches and scenarios.

Once the coaster pack is wrapped up over the next few days (photo selection and doc edits), I can finally direct my thoughts to the necessary text and changes to my pages here. After that, some uploads can be expected.

I thank you all most kindly for your patience. Hopefully, it will have been worth the wait.

[Upperlevel the great]

I can barely wait to see!I can barely wait to see!

Edited by Upperlevel the great, 06 April 2008 - 06:05 PM.

[Christian Benvenuto]

Steve, any new progress on the bench or the rest of the things you promised. I miss your updates!!

Post when you get the chance too, and sorry for the bump mods. I loved your stuff when you were active and would love to see a Franks return!

[Woodpecker]

Though RCT has played in my thoughts from time to time, it was not until Woodperckersdelight recently emailed me requesting an old track that finally got me back into the saddle again.

I'm known as Woodpecker and not Woodpeckersdelight on these forums, but thanks for the acknowledgement

[Woodpecker]

Am looking forward to seeing all of your new benches but especially Ocean Park!!

[mintliqueur]

Any news on this?

[Woodpecker]

Any news on this?

Yes. Steve and I have been collaborating on the Ocean Park bench, which is coming on nicely, but there isn't much progress at the moment. Steve is quite busy after an anti-virus programme caused problems with his computer and both of us have real life to deal with.

Giant Dipper and High Boy roller coasters are done, as is the Shoot the chutes and Egyptian Ballroom. The funhouse and auditorium may need a little tinkering but are basically there as well. There are still some buildings and play testing left to do. If you've downloaded Steve's RCT1 "Ocean Park Coasters" from here:

http://www.rctstatio...ranks/m-q.shtml

you'll find that the newer versions are much better, especially in the case of GD which no longer looks like HB.

The RCT Station archive of Steve's trackpacks has several which weren't update for RCT2, and may be worth a look:

http://www.rctstatio...om/stevefranks/