Scenario Update: 19/04/2014

Its been a while (actually a few weeks since my last update).

This scenario has undergone a few big changes, mainly in terms of motive power on some of the trains that will appear in this scenario. As well as a couple of AI trains added into the activity.

Originally I was going to have a GCR O4 2-8-0 and a LYR Class 5 2-4-2T appear at the start of the scenario. But I have decided to replace them with 2 different locomotives. The Radial Tank has been replaced with an LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 (going in the direction of Altrincham) and the O4 2-8-0 replaced with an LMS Crab 2-6-0. I wanted to add a little bit of Midland Region motive power into this activity.

Miserable weather in industrial Manchester

Waiting to depart

Got more crabs?

I have also started to add some electric traction into this activity. This includes a train of mineral wagon empties on the goods line just past Valehouse Signal-box. This is made up of assorted wagons such as the recently released Meshtools Mineral Wagons (Available for £2.99 from Steam). So instead of mainly 16T Wagons, we have those, 21.5T Wagons and 24T Wagons. This combined with the book 'EM1 & EM2: An Illustrated Historical Review of the Manchester, Sheffield, Wath Electric Locomotive - 76's & 77's' have allowed me to attempt to recreate formations of freight trains during this period.

Thanks for the brilliant wagons Meshtools.

There is still a lot more to be done, this is just me pointing out that I am still working on this scenario. The 1970's Woodhead Route Scenario is currently in development hell (I think that's what its called), but I shall return to it in the near future.

But for this scenario, the AI stock needs to be completed and final tests need to be done (Unless Payday 2, Duke Nukem 3D and Chivalry get in the way)

Til next time, catch y'all later.
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I need a better sign off line, this one sounds cheesy as hell.

Scenario Update 02/04/2014

After a few weeks away from Train Simulator, Its time to work on a new scenario for this simulator (or game if you want to call it that).

So i've returned to The Woodhead Route to look at more possibilities for scenarios. But ultimately not 1 but 2 ideas for scenarios were thought up. Both were inspired by 2 books which I will note in this blog post so that you might want to look up what I came up with.

The Merry-Go-Round passes Dinting

The first scenario is set in the 1970's and features you taking an empty Merry-Go-Round Train to Wath Yard from Godley Junction. The motive power of course is 2 Class 76's and you will be hauling 30 wagons behind you. Its rare to find a Woodhead Route Scenario set in the days of Railblue (Even more difficult thanks to the recent demise of IHH)

Long train is long

Inspiration for this scenario came in the shape of a book called: 'Woodhead: Countdown to Closure' by Graham R. Jelly (Thats his name, honestly) This book provides images of The Woodhead Route which would prove very useful for both modellers and Train Simulator.

My failed attempt at recreating the cover of: Cinerail Archive Series Vol.1 - The Woodhead Route

Work has been slow on this one, mainly due to the fact that work on the other scenario for this route has just started. This next scenario uses a great piece of source material.

Taking you back to the past

Set in the VERY early days of electric workings on The Woodhead Route (1954 to be exact). Your task in this scenario is to take an Express as far as Penistone using an EM1 (Later Class 76). Before you ask, why to Penistone? I have my reasons for this curious location to end this scenario.

Its looks a little too nice at Penistone

When I went to the Keighley Model Railway Exhibition at Victoria Hall in Keighley, I recently got my hands on the book 'EM1 & EM2: An Illustrated Historical Review of the Manchester, Sheffield, Wath Electric Locomotives-76s & 77s' by John Hooper. I read that between June 14th 1954 and September 20th 1954, Woodhead Electric Passenger Services from Manchester to Sheffield saw a locomotive change to Steam Power at Penistone. So I thought, why not make it a subject of a Train Simulator Scenario.

I decided that the weather looked too bright and cheerful for this activity, so I made it miserable by using one of the weather effects that came with the route.

Much better.

I've started adding AI stock to this one so expect another update sometime in the future. All books mentioned are avaliable either at a railway bookshop or the internet.

Til next time, catch y'all later.

Lending a Helping Hand out now!

After a month or so of delays, I've finally gotten round to finishing a releasing this scenario for you all to play in your spare time.

The premise if simple:

A Black Five 4-6-0 has been struggling with a boat train. A pilot engine in the shape of an LMS Compound 4-4-0 has been attached at Dumfries for the rest of the trip down to Carlisle. Things could only get better...Right?

Stock required.
Payware
Digital Traction LMS Compound 4-4-0
Digital Traction MR 3F 0-6-0
RSC LMS 8F 2-8-0
RSC Western Lines of Scotland
Digital Traction/Armstrong Powerhouse MK1 Coaches
Digital Traction Wagon Pack
Making Tracks LMS P3 Coaches
Digital Traction LMS 2P 4-4-0

Freeware
UKTS File Number: 23516 5 & 7 Plank Wagons Reskins
UKTS File Number: 23517 Standard Van Reskins
UKTS File Number: 27139 UKTrainSim Freeware Pack - UK Wagons 1
UKTS File Number: 28205 LMS P3 Full First with BR variants
UKTS File Number: 29220 12T Coke Wagon
UKTS File Number: 31044 WD Austerity 2-10-0
UKTS File Number: 31048 WD Austerity 2-8-0
UKTS File Number: 31502 LMS Crab 2-6-0

ENOUGH CONVO, HERE IS THE URL:
http://uktrainsim.com/filelib-info.php?form_fileid=32470

Til next time,Catch y'all later.

Scenario Update: 20/01/2014

Sadly, I haven't been working on the Scenario with the Compound. This was due to quite a number of reasons:

2 trains passing near Racks.

1. The first being work experience (hopefully, I'll get into full employment this year)
2. Secondly, I recently got Payday 2 gifted to me during the Steam Sale. Its a fantastic game to play (make sure you have Skype and 3 friends to play with)
3. Finally, I moved the computer to my room. This will allow my Family to enjoy watching the television in peace.

But there has been some progress, notably with a change of rolling stock. The DT/AP BR MK1's being replaced with Making Tracks/Matrix Trains great LMS Period 3 Coaches.

Blood and Custard LMS P3 Coaches replace the BR MK1's. In with the old, out with the new.

I noticed that when you move seats in the Period 3's, the camera goes to track level. Error or something else, you decide. But overall, these a great coaches that go well with steam era routes. If you want to try them before buying, there's a free FK coach on UKTrainSim you can download.

Look, I'm a Diglett!!!!!!!

After minor tests with AI Stock, all that's needed is the static stock adding (Kingmoor Yard didn't exist during the period this scenario is set in, makes my life easier). I'll try to get this done this month, but that's if nothing gets in my way.

Til then, catch y'all later.

Scenario Update: 20/11/2013

Since TS2014 was released, I've been mainly been taking a break from Train Simulator to play a couple of other games (Grand Theft Auto 5 and Pokemon Y). Now I've decided to return to Train Simulator to do a few more scenarios. Beginning with this one set on The Western Lines of Scotland.

When in doubt, get a Compound.

The story of this scenario is simple. An LMS Black Five has been struggling with a boat train from Stranrear. So at Dumfries it is decided to add a pilot engine to the train, the pilot being an LMS Compound 4-4-0. The Compound is available from Digital Traction whilst the route is available from Steam.

Setting it all up.

This scenario might sound simple, but I've decided to add a little obstacle to the proceedings. This in the shape of a slow moving coal train with a WD 2-10-0 (a freeware model from UKTrainSim) at the head. This will be a minor obstacle between Eastriggs and Gretna where it will be put into a loop to let you through.

Thanks for slowing me down.................idiot.

All that's needed to be done is the adding of AI trains, testing of the scenario and the rolling stock in the sidings, then it shall be released for you lot to enjoy (thats if the snow does'nt get you all first)

Making sure that the train does not sneak off with the coal.

Til then, catch y'all later.

One Last Job: Avaliable to Download NOW!!!

Lemme freeze my nuts off and shunt a train together.

After a month of Binding of Isaac and a week in which the battery on the motherboard died, One Last Job is now avaliable to download from UKTrainSim.

Why would you stand in the middle of a blizzare waiting for a train?

Synopsis
The premise is that you are to prepare a freight train at Radstock and take it to Bath Green Park. Once you've arrived at Bath, you need to drop the wagons off and put the engine to bed.

When you are too close to lights then you might not live long.

Additional Stock:

Payware
Meshtools 3F Jinty 0-6-0T
Digital Traction Western Region 4MT 4-6-0
DT MK1 Coaches

Freeware
UKTS file number: 21715 BR 2251 0-6-0
UKTS file number: 23516 5 and 7 Plank Wagons
UKTS file number: 23517 Standard Van Repaint
UKTS file number: 27139 UKTS Freeware Wagon pack

Thats all you need to know about the scenario. Here is the URL
http://uktrainsim.com/filelib-info.php?form_fileid=31686

Til the next update, catch y'all later.

To the shed and then back home because i might have frostbite.

Scenario Update: 03/09/2013

We've moved into Autumn now and work on the scenario has sped up a little bit.

The first major update is that the scenario ending has been changed. You now have to deposit the wagons in a siding before heading to Bath Shed. This meant changing the end destination and adding a few more instructions to the task list.

"Thomas was heading home after a long days shunting"

The second update is that with that i decided that the brake force from the original consist wasn't sufficient enough in my POV. So i added a couple of fitted open wagons to the train. This has meant that i have had to rearrange the task list so that the open wagons are first and the mineral wagons are second.

Remember, this is for your own good

The next major update is that after doing some thinking, I've decided to add some western region flavor to the route. This is due to the fact that the SDJR (Bath to Templecombe section) entered Western Region ownership in 1958. So its a good idea to have WR rolling stock on the route. So I've replaced the Black 4MT 4-6-0 with a Green 4MT 4-6-0 (both payware from Digital Traction)

When I said go green, I don't mean get a new pain job.

I've also added a Bristol bound passenger service, this is hauled by a GWR 2251 0-6-0 (a good model created by Kevmt which is available from UKTrainSim)

 

The test performed has been successful so the next step is to get the static stock added and create the preview video to put on Youtube. This will all be completed by the end of the week, thats if Binding of Isaac gets in the way again.

Til the next update, see y'all later.