Routes with no scenery whatsoever

[XPTE]

Do you download and play routes which have no scenery whatsoever? Comments please.

Me, I do download routes which have no scenery, but only if they're based on real routes. It's great fun to set up and drive activities based on real timetables. GNEReastcoast and Southampton-Woking being two notable examples. I've travelled on the east coast mainline before, but only between Doncaster and Newcastle, and not the bulk of the southerly section of this line. But when GNEReastcoast route was released which was initally released with no scenery atall, I was completely fascinated by the route and had me addicted. I was equally impressed with the Southampton-Woking route too.

So routes without scenery I do download and play, but only if they're based on real routes. If they were entirely fictional routes with no scenery, I probably wouldn't bother.

[FuNky2k]

I dont mind, as long as they have plenty of scope for activities. They must have long sections of fast running with at least 2 large stations, some branch lines that dont have to be very long and a must is at least 2 large yards.

[simont]

I often download them if they represent real world routes that interest me, although they don't old my interest for very long compared to non-sceneried routes.

[LucaZone]

I assume the authors put them up to be downloaded, so they can egt feedback on the progress of the route sofar.

I cant really see any other point in releasing or getting hold of an incomplete route, other than to test it for future releases.

So the poll really should ask, if those who download unfinished routes, actually give feedback to the author.

[XPTE]

Surprised by the results of this poll. Many of you saying that you don't download routes even if they're based on real routes.
Allthough if you take a look at the download for the London-Southampton route for instance, it currently stands at 890. I think the GNEReastcoast BETA A route also had similar statistics too. So it does show that many people do wish to download and drive routes even if they do feature no scenery. Both these routes are great fun to drive even without scenery.

What has to be taken into account though is the sheer amount of time it takes to scenerise routes. My route for instance will be in the region of 180 miles or thereabouts and I dread to think how long it will take to fully scenerise - probably a year if not more? Route authors make up their own mind whether to release their routes either as fully 100% completed with scenery, or initially without scenery so that they and others can get on and drive the route and get some activities created. I too have taken the latter option.

Incidentally, the Glasgow North Electric route also features no scenery whatsoever and was uploaded over a year ago now. Anyone know if this route is to be completed with scenery or has the route authoer decided to just leave it as it is?


As for people who leave feedback about MSTS stuff,as has been found by me and many others, the ratio of people who leave feedback in comparison to the download counts is very low. So if a route doesn't recieve enough feedback then the route authors should monitor the download counts for activities created for the route to access whether or not the route is popular or not.

[buffy500]

I will not download a route with no scenery, to me it appears pretty pointless.
In the defence of GNER East Coast, I remember that much of the scenery was there, (maybe not stations), but for general running it looked the part really well.
It was good for taking screen shots for new models.

[martinhodgson]

I don't download non-sceneried routes, they are just too boring. GNER East Coast wasn't fullt sceneried, but was pretty good, and only between Retford and York was it actually totally blank, which made it acceptable for me. But frankly, apart from when beta testing I see no points in unsceneried routes. Even real life routes, people tend to remeber scenery on them (stations and landmarks etc) rather then just the trackwork.

[ianmacmillan]

I usually delete any route without scenery or back it up to CD and wait for an upgrade.

The only routes I have kept is Glasgow Electrics which has stations and Carlisle to Glasgow which is being worked on. Both of these routes I know and work over.

If anybody is thinking of uploading an unfinished route I would only be interested if it has accurate track and gradients with at least level ground and a hint of surrounding landscape hights. I hate those neverending embankments.

It must also have platforms and sidings to allow activities.
A few bridges and lineside buildings to give an idea of where I am is also helpfull.

[meagain]

"Empty" routes (i.e. no scenery, little track) are useful for plopping scenery onto for testing. Why wait forever for a fully-detailed route to load, when for that purpose a short 1-tile route will do nicely?

Of course, for actually testing the running of a new loco model, nothing beats pulling them into a more "complete" route which actually has some scenery in it.