Romanian Railway Infrastructure - Modern Catenary System
Following up on my classic railway set, I’ve developed the modern electrification system currently used for upgraded mainlines in Romania. Unlike the older concrete pillars, these modern gantries are defined by their galvanized steel H-beam structures and more intricate tensioning systems.
This project was a major technical exercise in modularity. I focused on creating a high-fidelity representation of the modern cantilever arms, insulators, and steady arms that are now a standard sight on rehabilitated European corridors. The goal was to achieve a professional PBR look for the metallic surfaces, reflecting that specific semi-matte galvanized finish that we see in real life.
Built specifically for RoMapProject, these models are fully optimized for the ETS2 engine, featuring clean topology and custom baked Ambient Occlusion for seamless integration into the game world.
Main render of the modern H-beam catenary pole (Long variant). Focused on the industrial look of galvanized steel and technical accuracy.
Real-life reference from an upgraded Romanian mainline. Having these side-by-side helped me nail the proportions of the new metal structures.
Detail shot of the modern assembly. I paid close attention to the insulators and the tensioning clamps to ensure they look realistic from a driver's perspective.
The short cantilever version. Part of a modular set designed to cover all track geometries found in the map editor.
Closeup of the short cantilever arm, showcasing the clean bake and the metallic PBR material setup.
In-game implementation on a rehabilitated curve. The modern poles significantly change the atmosphere, giving the railway a "European Corridor" feel.
Front wireframe view. Despite the complexity of the support arms, the polycount is carefully managed for real-time performance.
Side wireframe showing the slim profile of the H-beam and the alignment of the overhead line supports.