Coalburn Trench

New Screenshots

2012-01-08T16:40:00.000Z

Happy New Year

2012-01-05T17:34:00.002Z

Hello everybody. Welcome back to life after the gluttony of the festive period. I hope you all had a great Christmas and finale to 2011 and that 2012 behaves itself for you.

This is just a quick post to wish you all the best and that the route is still being done up - slowly but surely as usual. The screenshot below is meant to represent the possibility of a new dawn - a fresh start - a cheesy metaphor for 2012. Have a goodun!

A Cab Ride

2011-11-28T16:13:00.001Z

This short video (without sound) is made covering the few miles between Alming Head and Hollingbury Park. Enjoy!

All Hallows Eve (Halloween)

2011-10-31T14:26:00.004Z

Well some screens at 'Marlingwood Pass' in Halloween style.

Using the Halloween DLC Scenario pack assests and light mod for the 66.

Click for some bigger screens :)

Well im off later tonight to play some Amnesia :) Also some more video's are in making.

Chris

2011-10-25T21:32:00.003+01:00

Well Hello to all since being my first post, here are three videos on the route from 'Little Stow' which i hope all are enjoyed. Filmed on all high/highest expect partical effects at 1920x1200 with 8xAA and 8x MLAA etc.

Shall post some more screens over time and from a small activity im currently making.

Take One!

2011-10-25T10:35:00.002+01:00

This video has been made with the help of Chris Harrison, my newest tester who will also upload some videos of his own shortly. There has been an account made on Youtube for the route and the blog has also been transferred to this account instead of my own private one.

Welcome to the blog if you're new here! I hope you enjoy your browse and I encourage you all to get involved by commenting, contributing and emailing in anything you feel like saying. Thanks!

The Other Side

2011-10-16T17:07:00.004+01:00

Hello again! Nice to see you back for the first blog entry since the big update.

Here's a screenshot of a 421 zooming along the coast at 85mph, the lighting looks superb thanks to the new features.

I have also recruited a new tester who has already started to capture screenshots for the blog and other places, as well as going over the scenarios and infrastructure with a fine tooth comb. The screenshot below is courtesy of him - Christopher Harrison. Welcome aboard!

Meanwhile I am continuing to add scenery, check signals and the third rail to the places it's needed in. A slow but steady progress will see us home eventually. As always, please feel free to comment or email in any ideas for scenery/scenarios and I'll do what I can to accommodate them.

With some more help from Richard Scott, I have also got some more signs in the route now and have almost completed a substation model to be used along the route where the third rail is used. It's already feeling very southern and that's no bad thing!

Still Here

2011-09-22T14:54:00.003+01:00

Sorry to any regular readers for the pathetic lack of updates on here as of late. I've been busy at work and this week, now that I'm on sick leave for a dodgy infected bite, I've managed to get on with things on the route again just in time for TS2012 to ruin it all!

I promise to post again within the next few days with some more up to date screenshots, hopefully with the shiny new lighting and weather effects!

James Woodcock has an almost pantwettingly good video when he was lucky enough to visit their offices to preview TS2012. It can be viewed here.

Although we should be grateful for this fantastic update, this is probably the last good chance to BACK YOUR ROUTES AND WORK UP (just in case... what could possibly go wrong?).

Nostalgia

2011-07-25T22:20:00.002+01:00

How about this for a trip down memory lane? You don't have to reach that far into the dusty vaults of the mind to remember this sort of scene, from times when windows actually opened, seats were comfortable and the air was breathable.

I have just treated myself to the new 4CIG and I have to say I really like it. It'd be nice if it had a green livery as well although I'm sure someone will make one soon. The two main bad points are the clicking sound (something to do with the compressors I hear) every few seconds - it's too loud, far too loud, plus there is no passenger view. RSC have been a bit stingy lately with quite a few models coming out without a passenger view. It won't take much, surely...

Anyway, an update on the route's progress... it's slow again now as I have finally got a summer job to fund the beer and other luxuries that help me through the long nights on things like this. I am also dubious about cracking on with the scenery when the next update could make life so much easier. I can't help think though that it's cheating somewhat; what do you think? I'll do my best to keep you informed, I promise you I have been doing things every now and then though!

Please feel free to comment and so on. Oh and one last thing, the 4CIG will NOT appear in the route to drive for legal reasons, however, I plan to release some free scenarios with the main route that contain some extra paid DLC for those that wish to use them, for example the 4CIG, Tornado, NSE 47 Pack, 08 and some of Digital Traction's masterpieces.

Advertising!

2011-06-21T23:43:00.002+01:00

Here are a few snaps of some of the adverts to be used in the route.

Cutting Edge

2011-06-18T02:17:00.005+01:00

Today marked the arrival of the promised third rail assets and I've spent about 20 minutes before going to bed in placing them in the route. These screenshots feature a cutting between Maze Green and Hillwich on the route (based on real life stations in South East London, no prizes for guessing which!) including the discarded junk thrown onto the line from above over the years.

I've also started to create my own items for the route, meaning lots more exclusive signs (e.g. car stop signs, large station signs, adverts and more) to see and use in the route and hopefully your routes too, later down the line. The screenshot below shows some of these on offer so far, although the textures do need a bit of work first. I've also made a more region-specific and era-related circular whistle sign consisting of a white disc with a black W in as has been present for at least the last 50 years in the aforementioned cutting.

Going Live!

2011-06-02T23:12:00.004+01:00

Well, not the release, but Coalburn Trench will now be released with almost full electrification via third rail conductors!

A custom third rail asset is being made and the vast majority of the route apart from obsolete branches, old yards and freight routes are being electrified. This will finally complete the jigsaw of the Southern-themed route which just isn't right without it. Justified at last!

A huge player in this decision was thanks to the kindness of Richard Scott, who again has allowed me permission to package with the route his superb EMU pictured below and was the turning point in this decision. Of course I've always wished to have it electrified but until now it was beyond possible for various other reasons.

I've written a new update on UKTS, click here to view it. Comments/replies are welcome both as a reply to that thread or on here (or via email etc. should you have the details).

I hope this news is greeted with as much of a sigh of amazement as it did for me when I heard the news that it could be possible, although understandably I'm far more charged up than I should be (probably the nostalgia that drives this high)!

The exams are over (hurrah) so work can continue at a faster pace, although this lovely weather we've been having lately isn't helping the cause!

Enjoy!

Get that City Feeling

2011-04-25T17:01:00.003+01:00

I've spent a couple of hours a day lately doing some of the city up. Longchain Cross and Newgore feature here and are based on real life stations. Thanks to JT for the new items of course! Progress will speed up after my final exam at the end of May.

Chalking More Off

2011-04-04T02:19:00.002+01:00

A few more screenshots of areas nearing completion. Above, screenshots of the area around Crowhaven can be seen. The granite walls of the freeware version are likely to be phased out by the more region-specific chalk hills. Thoughts are welcome as always!

Progress

2011-04-01T22:00:00.005+01:00

Hello all. This is my first post since I've had my urgently-required items made for me by JT. Screenshots of some WIPs have been sent to them for release soon, but here are some that may not be included. Enjoy!

... Due to Congestion in the Newgore Area

2011-02-23T23:00:00.006Z

Big clue as to what the area is based on if you commute in London regularly... I've been putting a few things into place here and there to replace the resource-draining old scenery. Enjoy these shots of the large viaduct and some period traffic (both the Tornado and 101 are not included in the route blah blah...) in the mean time!

Swallowhill Reach

2011-01-21T23:47:00.006Z

There has been some progress lately in the area surrounding this station. It's just up the line from Hartermist Road as featured in most of the previous post's pictures but unlike Hartermist (based on Farningham Road in Kent), this one is fictional. This station doesn't have a footbridge or subway, instead it relies on a line crossing with gates, adjacent to a coaling stage for locomotives. The trains must block some of this crossing when refilling, hence the wooden gate.

The station lies between two forks which meet to form a triangle and there's an exclusive village around it.

Happy 2011

2011-01-09T12:20:00.005Z

Well another Christmas has been and gone and New Year's resolutions are already failing to be kept. I hope you all had a good one in whatever you ended up doing and that 2011 serves you well. Progress on the route accelerated somewhat over Christmas, so here are a few more pictures to show you I've not completely succumbed to the zealous festive gluttony!

2010-12-23T10:14:00.005Z

I haven't given up! These are some new screenshots from some areas I've been working on now that uni has temporarily come to a halt. I'll be posting later today again about what I've got up to. Fear not, I've not disappeared and the Trench is very much alive and well. Sorry to keep you waiting on new pictures, I hope these "modern" ones suffice - NSE ran all over this sort of scenery throughout my youth and is therefore a fond set of memories. Since these trains look in the right place, the scenery must also be suitable! If only we had a usable 3rd rail in the game...

It's a Sign!

2010-10-13T20:58:00.003+01:00

A sign of progress and things to come. With huge thanks to Tom Cowan and Mike Banfield, I have now got some BR Green Totems for my stations created. More will be coming and will, I'm sure, be very useful to other routes come the time.

This picture is of Arkadia (Kingsgate) - the penultimate station before Artillery Row in the heart of the city.

Progress on the route has been slow lately due to the start of university, but I will be getting on with things as and when I can. In the mean time, please enjoy this shot of the rear of the Tornado (NOT included with the route in case there were any people wondering! It's the old 'if I buy this car... maybe I'll get the lady' situation!) as it leaves Hollingbury Park.

Update and Scenario Testing

2010-10-02T00:27:00.004+01:00

These are a few screenies of the area around where the mine used to be. It's now a colliery and the terrain has been improved and ruralised. The night time shots come from a scenario that one of my testers (Tony) has been creating. It's still in the testing stages but if everything works out then it's set to be something special. Utilising SAD's weather pattern (thanks again for the permission to use your items!), wheel slippage, 2 mile+ brake applications and a top speed of 35 if you're lucky, this scenario really tests your control as a driver...

Teeing Off and Competition Update

2010-09-25T00:05:00.003+01:00

Hollingbury Park has been through several track upheavals in the year or so I've been working on the route and is the oldest terminal in that sense. The surrounding area is a tranquil park with weekly events hosted. A challenging 9-hole golf course has been constructed towards its southern stretches as shown by these WIP screenshots. Still lots more to do here (and elsewhere) but it's really starting to take shape. In other news, I have chosen the winning entries of the competition hosted by JustTrains. They'll be announcing this soon - until then, I'm saying nothing other than thank you to everyone who entered!

Yet More WIP Shots

2010-09-18T02:22:00.003+01:00

The 'worn' looking platform is courtesy of Karl Chapman. The Class 08 and NSE 47 (and its coaches) are separate payware items and will not be included in the route. Just to be clear! Enjoy.

Suburbia with LMS Coaches

2010-09-17T18:31:00.006+01:00

Here are some screenshots of some of the additions to scenery at Yarding station. Spot the new advertising (will be included in the pack), created and painted just for the route. Stealing the show, however, are Mike's new P2 LMS Coaches (disclaimer: these are a separate payware item and will NOT be included in the route. These are 'display-only' screenshots) available at www.rail-sim.net. These are a complete bargain and ooze quality - enjoy these screenshots and Mike's demo version (try-before-you-buy) and then look forward to including them in the game. Several people on UKTS have already shown a richly-deserved interest and Mike is taking the time to answer any questions/concerns on t his thread.

Route List for Timetabling and Scenario Creation

2010-09-09T12:13:00.004+01:00

Here is an almost definitive list of all of the common services in the route. Most of which will feature on authentic timetables in the manual and player-controlled services will have this timetable customised per task. Click it to enlarge. The usual 'subject to change' jargon applies.

Ringing the Changes

2010-09-09T01:15:00.004+01:00

To those of you who downloaded (or still have a copy of) my one and only freeware release (pre-publishing knowledge) may find the first and then every other screenshot familiar. Literally every tile is going to be scrutinised and changed, so to all those poo-pooers out there that reckon it'll just be a "finished" version of the (frankly shoddy) Christmas release, here's some proof that I'm giving everything a major facelift. In trying to ruralise and give the South Eastern feel to the route, here's where I got up to today.

Competition Closes

2010-09-01T19:19:00.004+01:00

The end of August has marked the end of the competition I'd organised with JustTrains.

I have written a piece for their site to show my gratitude to all entrants, but to reiterate this point here won't do any harm. I will make no apologies as I repeat myself here.

The interest was very impressive, I couldn't have imagined I'd get 100 individual entrants, let alone the 200 or more names I have to mull over! I would like to thank every single entrant for taking the time to submit a name. The full list of station names is shown below.

A few names crop up more than once, but this is just to illustrate how popular certain suggestions have been.

It will be a very difficult task to choose just one name for this station. JustTrains and I have therefore agreed to further the number of winning entries and copies from one to three, with the two other names going towards pre-existing stations. Scenery is non-existant in these locations and will therefore be controlled by the name I choose. I'll be in touch with the winning entrants (come the time) to say thanks and ask whether they'd like to dictate any specific scenery instructions.

I hope that by involving the community throughout the development of the route, this will prove to be a popular addition to our favourite Simulator that truly offers something more playable, inspiring and indulging than those already out there. Please spread the word!

News is due on their site some time tomorrow, all being well.

Some of the station names suggested are already in use in the route (e.g. Greystone) and had been named long before the competition opened. That's not saying the suggestion won't count for anything; the very fact that somebody suggested a name I've already got is comforting and they can assure themselves that they have helped me permanently name each respective station.

Good luck to every entrant, I will have a hard job picking the winner! Here is the list of all 227 names:

Abbots Barton

Alton Heights

Amidale

Anguscraig Station

Appleby

Aresbrook

Arlesdale

Ash Wood

Ashcroft North

Astravile

Aylesham Halt

Bagillt

Ballastone

Barnhurst Hill

Beaching Gardens

Beaching's Cutting

Berkleys Bank

Bexton-upon-Weald

Bickington Quarry Lane

Biddleworth

Biggin Hill

Black Rock Turn

Blackall Valley Station

Blackgang Station

Blackstone

Blake Clough

Blastmans Halt

Brokenstone Flats

Brookcroft

Burnside

Buxted

Camberwick Green

Carlsborough Main

Carnborough Quarry

Caslton Junction

Castle Rock

Central Halt

Chalk Face

Chamenster

Chipperton

Clifton Drop

Clifton Green

Clinkerton

Coalburn Common

Coalburn East

Coalburn Halt

Coalburn Quarry

Coalsville Central Station

Coalville

Cobbleworth

Coffs Harbour

Colburn

Coldhorten

Colliery Bank Station

Coniston Cold

Copper Bottom

Coreston Town

Craggy Vale

Cranbridge

Crometon Park

Crowborough

Crowden

Crowhop Vale

Crushed Rocks Heights

Cuxford

Daphe Vale

Donningford Quarry Halt

Drizzlinton

Duddlytin

Elham Junction

Elsbridge

Farndean

Fieldsview Station

Flint

Flint Ridge

Flintrock

Forest Grove

Forest of Dulham

Fregton

Frogholt

Girdensey

Granite Glens

Granite Narrows

Granite Vale South

Greenstones

Greentown

Grenshaw

Greychain Cross

Greystone

Greystone Pass

Grynding Halt

Harking Berry Halt

Heppleworth

Hetherington

Hilliston

Hillshire

Hillside West

Holgate

Hopstor Junction

Horsten-in-the-Wold

Ingmare Dales

Jagged Hill

Jeckenham

Jellybournesbycombe

Justice Place

Korffs Harbour

Krinshley Lane

Larsen

Likklesworth

Little Milton

Littleton

Longburn Station

Lower Fremar

Lower Grimsbury

Makepeace

Mason's Halt

Matchington Dale

Mayfield

Mid Central Station

Middle Quarry

Midway

Midway Valley

Milngavie

Misty Moor

Montmore

Morawelon

Mullerton

New Quarry

New Quarry Pass

Norman's Stop

Nossington Bassett

Nowton

Oakwood

Oreway Halt

Oswalt

Paddy Fields

Pine Cliff Gardens

Pine Mount

Pine View

Pinehill Junction

Pinetree Halt

Piperton

Porting

Quarey

Quarry Approach

Quarry Halt

Quarry Hill

Quarry Hill Junction

Quarry Junction

Quarry Lane

Quarry Mount

Quarry Pass

Quarry Road

Quarry Stop

Quarry Woods

Quarrydale Station

Quarrystone

Quarrystone Town Lower

Quasnam

Rainfury Hill

Red Rock

Redstonegate

Riggington

Rock Fall Junction

Rock Quarry

Rockcliff

Rockstone Station

Rockton

Rockwell

Rockworth

Ronstock

Sanderton Village

Sandrock Valley

Saxby-All-Saints

Scratchwood

Shirestone

Slate Hill

Sleepy Nook South

Sleepy Willow

Smithton

Southerton Vale

St. Havens

Steamborough

Stone Hill

Stone Point

Stonegate

Stonehaven

Stoneleigh Halt

Stonybank

Strawberry Field

Struggling Heights

Suttle

Sutto's Junction

Sweet Dream

Talke Pitts

Tandon Hain

Teplington

The Junction

Tilly

Tralleston Hill

Truggington

Uphill Downs

Upper Coalburn

Upper Twostokestow

Upton Park

Valley South

Vauxhall

Wainworth Halt

Walingford

Wealdstone Cross

Wellington Isle

Westbury-on-Allonbay

Westwood

Whelhurst

Willow-on-the-Pond

Wolstenholme

Wood Vale

Update

2010-08-26T00:34:00.003+01:00

Just to let everyone know that I have taken a few days' break from RW due to personal and computer-based reasons. I will soon get back into it and one of the first tasks will be to try to replicate this picture and its area after having to remove a lot of non-default items.
I have also linearised and tidied Oldhaunt Isle, the largest station in the route with 17 platforms. The following two screenshots show a before and after and it's a work in progress still, so as ever, it's all subject to change.
In case it wasn't clear, here's a bit more information about the new layout. It's the same screenshot, just with notes.

Coalburn What?

2010-08-12T23:34:00.002+01:00

To justify my naming of the route, I thought it'd be a good idea to spice up the area after which it is named. I might post some before and after shots soon but here's a sneaky peek at the area in question.

Some more information about it: During both World Wars, this high security complex was dedicated to the arms and munitions production. Its high walls offered impressive defence in the event of invasion and its inner ring of elevated workshops, warehouses and offices overlook the widest stretch of the river. Now though, in the mid 1960s, the gates have been removed to allow constant access for freight trains on their way to the power station (hence the name) and the occasional local passenger service for workers.

The dockyard in this picture is just a tiny area for a regular ferry which would take the produced arms to the nearby docks at Highbarn Oak Water and bring in new raw materials. The railway is also linked to the docks, however it is not the most ideal route in. The complex has been modernised somewhat and its appeal has tarnished even during the Cold War, however its desolate and haunting aura still spooks even the hardiest of drivers as they charge through.

In the background of the image is a truss bridge - this elevated line is the two-track mainline service that bypasses the docks, power station and ammunitions factory, whilst the three lines in the picture are for the local freight and passenger services.

Oh for the wonderful power of imagination eh!

Progress Update

2010-08-11T01:35:00.003+01:00

Here are some newer, better shots of the areas of concern as of late. I've also tried making 'Coalburn Trench' more iconic to justify the naming of the route; screenshots of this will follow later in the week.

Growing Up

2010-08-09T19:41:00.003+01:00

I've spent the past few days tearing up some shoddy scenery on the main line stretch to give it a much more Kentish feel. These screenshots fulfil my specifications and high standards (and beyond!) and I'm delighted with how they've come out. I just hope that people can run that part without their machines slowing down. Screenshots include the new NSE 47 pack (well worth it) which is NOT part of the route, although this livery would have zoomed through such scenery just a few years ago.

More Goodies

2010-07-29T21:38:00.006+01:00

Yet another very kind and generous author has granted me permission to use their items in the route. Tom Cowan and his team at Digital Traction have given me the go-ahead regarding the use of their excellent Class 25, Prairie and brake van freeware models. Notice also the dirty 47 in one of the pictures - yet more reskins and models will join Richard Scott's railcar in this release. Please join me in thanking the authors. See also: Acknowledgements

These screenshots also show off my latest area of work, designed to capture the feeling of a well-used London station. Brownie points to anyone able to identify it! Its game name shall be revealed later on as it might give the game away. It's a work in progress so please excuse the messy scenery!

New Length Map

2010-07-24T01:26:00.001+01:00

This is just a short post to alert people to the size of the route which has been heavily debated on places such as UKTS. Hopefully this clears things up!

A Pool with a View

2010-07-23T15:36:00.004+01:00

This rockpool overlooks the seaside town that is Greystoneweald-on-Sea. The urbanisation is coming along nicely with the attention to detail being key to create such atmospheric shots.

It is a screenshot taken in the latest scenario to be made as I test it for durability, signal problems and all sorts of other issues. In this scenario, you drive this deltic on almost all of the route's track calling at just 4 (out of about 70 in the route) stations on this tightly-scheduled 142 mile (229 km) trip. Is 2 hours 50 minutes too long for a scenario like this? Thoughts in a comment please!

A Touch of Nostalgia

2010-07-20T01:42:00.004+01:00

These screenshots of today's scenery work have reminded me a lot of certain Underground lines as well as many suburban railway locations. Progress is slow but satisfying!

Milestone

2010-07-19T12:01:00.004+01:00

This morning, I completed laying the mileposts on the main line. They originate from Longchain Cross in the South West and this 64 mile marker is just outside the seaside town of Greystoneweald-on-Sea. The longest stretch of the route is more than 65 miles (considering the second terminal to the South West and the mountain line) but this is the main high speed route. Amazingly, the signals all performed on my way in to this station so I am learning something!

Moving Out of Town

2010-07-15T12:12:00.006+01:00

I've been putting some scenery in on the outskirts of the main city these past two nights. Here are a few shots of how it's all shaping together; notice the subtle transition from business-residential-storage-suburbs-rural as more shots are uploaded later this week (hopefully!).

Another Note of Thanks

2010-07-08T12:45:00.002+01:00

Subscribers to Just Trains' newsletter and some forums may have noticed the announcement of the route. It is now on their In Development page and I have since submitted my list of exclusive items to be released with the route.

This is an ideal opportunity for me to extend my list of acknowledgements to the same contributors as before (Mully, Tony Harrison, Will C, SAD and RScott) and welcome some more kind volunteers aboard.

Special thanks to Darren Kent (for permission to use the very handy box tunnels), Karl (gtfcfan, for repairing many of the signals and offering some invaluable advice), dparry (for creating some superb maps and submitting more ideas into the melting pot), Alex Ford of Just Trains and his team (for making it all possible in the first place) and everybody else that's left feedback. I'm sure this list will continue to grow in significance and size as the project bulldozes its way forwards and that can only be a good thing!

Watch this space!

Making Tracks

2010-07-08T12:36:00.007+01:00

Progress

2010-06-25T23:21:00.005+01:00

Here are some more teasers that reveal some of the ground I've gained and moved around to create a new station or two on the revised line to the quarry, around Trestlebridge, Newgore or Artillery Row. Nothing is finished yet and I'm not keen on the large clocks but it's enough to go on for the time being. Thoughts and comments welcome!

Going to Town

2010-06-12T19:05:00.003+01:00

Here are a few more screenshots of recent changes in the city to the South West, including the first glimpses of the new southern terminal, a revamp of Newgore and a vastly improved Longchain Cross.

I will be away in Norfolk until late on the 18th of June but please don't hesitate to get in touch/leave comments if the need arises!

Bringing the Hills to Life

2010-05-24T01:33:00.003+01:00

Here are a few pictures of the major transformations occuring near the top of the mountain track. If any visitor would like to name a station in this region, please leave a comment!

Earth Mover

2010-05-21T18:00:00.004+01:00

I've been doing a bit of work on the mountain track. Previously, the 1 in 40 gradient stretched for 10 miles. Having made some of the track less steep for the less experienced drivers, some extra mileage has been added.

More of the same will occur and scenery will be added in due course.

A New Leaf...

2010-05-16T00:38:00.005+01:00

A couple of hours' work in a smallish area slightly more uphill to the screenshots at the bottom, taken between Silvalence and Miscreant's Demise. Some new scenery here, it's not complete but it will help me to put the finishing touches onto the route. I'm not sure if I like these shops being above the road but I might turn it into a bit of a warehouse area at the back so that it has some sort of realistic purpose to go with the local pub.

Route Information

2010-05-15T13:23:00.004+01:00

It's probably time I put up a few bits of information about the route. These are subject to change but some are more certain than others.

Era: 1963-1968 - this means the best of both worlds (steam and diesel) are present
Mileage: 200-250 miles of track - have a look at the map below
Scenarios: 12+ (at least!) - driving various locos on different tracks and tasks of varying difficulty
Extra content: Thanks to SAD and Richard Scott for their contributions so far and Will C for some exclusive reskins
Location: Fictional Southern England
Terrain: Mixed, city in the south with a few towns along the route separated by rolling hills, valleys and farms with a relentless 1 in 40 climb up into the mountains to the south
Main stations: 4 termini and 5 larger stations
Custom content: Not to be announced for a while but there will be some extra items
Basis: Some parts of the route are modelled loosely on stations near where I live but are not intentionally meant to be copies
Due date: Not sure yet, perhaps late summer but it could be later
Want to help? Leave a comment and I'll get back to you! Thanks

An Important Note of Thanks

2010-05-13T22:10:00.008+01:00

Richard Scott's Railcar and SAD's Strawberry Loft seen near Inningbury OrchardSince this blog is now up and running, I want to publicly thank the following people for their various contributions to my route.

Mully - For helping me get started
Tony Harrison - For testing, consulting and helping out
Will C - For the reskins, driver's input and feedback
SAD - For permission to use some excellent scenery items
Richard Scott - For permission to use the railcar
All previous authors who contributed to the freeware release at Christmas
Various members of the community for providing feedback

This list will continue to grow as time goes on. Some people have been deliberately left out for the time being (they know who they are!) and others may unfortunately have been forgotten. Do let me know if I've forgotten you.

Your efforts have combined to help me lay down the foundations of what's sure to be a classic. Please give credit to the relevant authors and contributors where due, I am not claiming ownership of their generous donations. Contact details can be found on UKTS or through me. If you would like to suggest ideas for this fictional route or offer some items, please get in touch!

Feel free to comment and thanks for visiting!

The same authors' contributions combine with default assets and a bit of creativity to make the perfect rural setting

A Sign of the Times

2010-05-13T19:58:00.004+01:00

Another teaser of a shot half way up in the mountains. It's the late 1930s and this rather moody shot captures the essence of the rural highlands quite well. Expect to see some changes when the route is released as the clock speeds us ahead to the early 1960s.

Route Layout

2010-05-13T12:33:00.000+01:00

This is roughly complete now but it is subject to change. Here's a map of the route as it stands, lots of track and many many miles to play with! The branch to the bottom of the screen will be changed due to the 1 in 40 gradient for 10 constant miles. This will make that part of the route to the top right corner almost 90 miles.

Work in Progress

2010-05-13T12:18:00.000+01:00

Some pictures to get the first blog entry out there. This area is WIP and won't be worked on again until after my exams finish in a few days' time.