Recommended routes

streamline · Post by **streamline** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:03 am

Hallo!
Now that I'm getting the hang of things as the line below my user name says I'd like to ask the forum members if they could recommend me some freeware routes i can download. O.K. the default Settle-Carlisle route is a good testing ground for new engines with its bank starting at Settle and good for running detailed trains with a good framerate. But since I got Mersey Rail on my PC there's a new standard of quality for me. I'd like to stop committing the sacrilege of running Peter Harvey's fine LNER engines on LMS tracks, always using the lame excuse of locomotive exchanges for test purposes. My goal would be having one route of each of the "Big Four" on my PC because I'd also like to see my LNER, GWR and Southern trains in their appropriate environment. Can you give me some advice, please?

Keep on steamin'!
Dietmar

sp762 · Post by **sp762** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:12 am

If you want freeware, then:

GWR Paddington - Penzance or Bala Hub
SR: problematic, because most of the SR routes are unscenicked. London - Southampton might be your best bet.
LNER - Don't know. Maybe Tim Court's mid east

thenudehamster · Post by **thenudehamster** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:29 am

MidEast is the only LNER area route with a decent mainline run, unfortunately (it's a great route, but it is the only one right now).

Scottish Central is regionally right, but isn't really a highspeed line.

Yorkshire coast is due for release 'soon' and a commercial ECML is a 'forthcoming release'.

All the south of England freeware routes (including the mainline GWR ones) are still only partly scened, I believe - I'll be happy to be proven wrong

qzdcg8 · Post by **qzdcg8** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:38 am

sp762 wrote: SR: problematic, because most of the SR routes are unscenicked.

Watch out for the BlueArrow Southern - not mega long but great for a whizz along with SR Stock!

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:12 am

Quick plug for my route CD...

http://www.trainsim.org.uk/mtsroutes.html

or my Blackpool tramway 1.3 (upgraded by members of the community) on a UK Trainsim CD if you want something a bit different.

johndibben · Post by **johndibben** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:03 am

Wish I had a route to plug

1) The Cambrian

2) Swanage

3) Bala Hub

Message to Peter Holton:

I've found Sunshine Desserts at last

hooverman · Post by **hooverman** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:30 pm

For East Coast speed, the updated Mid-East by Tim Court is fantastic (IMO) now you can run from Kings Cross. If you want something a bit more 'branch line', Vern Moorhouse's latest '6 on 1' CD via the site has an excellent 'South Tyne' route. This was an unexpected bonus as I got the CD for the upgraded West Highland and North Scotland routes (both great if the area suits your purposes - I'm a diesel fan so I have a bit more flexibility).

Paddington 2 Penzance V2.3 is great for GWR but due to it's size you may have problems restoring saved activities (I've posted something on this in the Beginners section). If your PC can cope, there's high speed and branch line all in one 'route'.

streamline · Post by **streamline** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:45 pm

Hallo!
Thanks to all for your prompt replies. I think I'll be a frequent member of the download queue the next time.

Keep on steamin'!
Dietmar

Fodda · Post by **Fodda** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 2:16 pm

You'd be better off ordering the CDs from teh CD Ordering section on the front page. All the ones mentioned above are Â£4.50 per CD and come with the route, stock and activities and are easily installed.

Also with each CD you'll receive one months free Premium Membership which will give you unlimited downloads at any time so you can get all the extra stock and activities that you want.

As for routes, for GWR totally sceneried, Bala Hub or in the download library the Swansea-Carmarthen route is worth getting.

As for decent steam routes, you can't do better than Skipton 1920 (or the earlier Settle-Carlisle 1930s) which are available on the main page somewhere above CD ordering.

Other good download routes (which you can get easily with one month's free Premium Membership) are Thaxted Branch, Seaview 4, PO&N v9 (USA fictional route but excellent) and Blackpool tramway (Fylde).

For your Southern steamers, then I'm afraid the best option is payware, but excellent payware... The London and South East route from Making Tracks (and I'm declaring my interest in this route as well so I may be biassed

).

thenudehamster · Post by **thenudehamster** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 2:44 pm

Fodda wrote: (and I'm declaring my interest in this route as well so I may be biassed ).

Fodda? Biased? naaaahhh

45002 · Post by **45002** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:02 pm

BLACKPOOL V1.3 AND BALAHUB V4 ARE A MUST TO BUY

Mole259 · Post by **Mole259** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:25 pm

And also a plug for a forthcoming Southern railway route

http://www.e-rail-online.co.uk/projects.html

lateagain · Post by **lateagain** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:15 pm

streamline wrote:Hallo!
Thanks to all for your prompt replies. I think I'll be a frequent member of the download queue the next time.

Keep on steamin'!
Dietmar

Hi Dietmar,

If you buy any of the recommended routes that are available on UKTS CD's (Â£4.50 each) you also get a months free premium membership with each CD. No queues for downloads. IMHO Premium membership is as good if not better value as any Commercial Route.

Once you're hooked you'll see what I mean.

Geoff.

welshdragon · Post by **welshdragon** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 2:13 pm

Let's not forget the outstanding Thames - Mersey V 3.2 CD by Dave Corfield and Brian Bere-Streeter.

The amount of rolling stock alone is worth the Â£4.50. I know it's mostly available in the UKTS Library but it's all set up and ready to go.

Plus the first class service by Dave when any problems appear.

Coming from an ex Western man, what more can be said

Atomic Systems

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