Cannock chase

[dean1986]

Hi been thinking about getting this route for a while now. Its a shame there is not a part of this forum where you can read reviews about this route which gives information on how big the route is how many activities there are etc Anyway can someone give me backround on this route? How big it is, what era it is in, how many activities there are etc.


Thanks

[emrhd01]

Hi Dean,

Like all 'Bigant's' Routes (Don Hinton) it is brilliant, expecially if you like the 1950 - 1960 era which is the period it is based, although there are some Activities written for a later period to run on this Route. If you buy the Community CD it includes stacks of Rolling Stock (Steam and early Diesel) and has huge amount of Activities for you to enjoy, plus there are a stacks more Activities that you can add from the UKTS Library.

Don's brief description for the Route:

Cannock Chase 5.1 covers an area from Stourbridge and Smethwick in the south to Standon Bridge and Barlaston in the north, also includes the northern part of the South Staffordshire line to Wychnor sidings the last station being Barton & Walton. Now also includes Castle Bromwich, Water Orton, Tamworth and it has 15 collieries, 5 Power Stations, 2 main Steelworks, 2 oil terminals and over 800 sidings.
All the connecting branch lines with at least 80 stations belonging to the LNWR, GWR and Midland railway companies with about 600 miles of track should ensure plenty of scope for activities.
Built using Xtracks and based on the lines available in the late 50's to mid 60's, some trackwork has had to be omitted due to how MSTS works, a few stations being reopened to improve activities are included in the route .
Parts of it are semi fictional as I dont have all the trackplans and not many photographs of some parts of the area.

If you decide to buy this and like that era you will not regret it and will have hours and hours of enjoyment with the Activities that Don, Mickrik and others have written for CC5, some quite challenging to complete. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Tonysmedley]

Many miles of route - but not including Birmingham, which would be very difficult scenario - many well modelled industrial sites with miles of sidings to shunt. Passenger stations galore, many with interchange connections. Most of the line with good scenery. Over a hundred rolling stock items. What more could you want for the money?
And, most importantly, fun and interesting to drive the route.

[Bigant]

Hi
Thanks for the plug Rob and Tony.
.....quote "but not including Birmingham" the latest CC5 clone named Black Country 1 does cover Birmingham and has linked up all the lines to the north of Brum, still a lot of scenery to do, but 99% of track laid. Will have to post some screeenshots when I've competed some area's.


Don
PS The Cd is for CC5 but there is a download patch to version 2, BUT get the main route working first.

[emrhd01]

Hi Don,

I nearly said something about Birmingham, but didn't want to 'let the cat out of the bag'.

[ianmacmillan]

My favourite route.

Most of my wagons are inspired by this route with loads to suit the industries.

The activities make you feel you are doing usefull work. Most of the freight runs involve shunting and there are always other trains to make you watch the signals.

When you do get an easy run there is plenty scenery to watch.


Glad to hear there's more to come.

[Tonysmedley]

And now I can't wait for Black Country! Hope it won;t be too long; it's my 86th birthday come the 20th!1

[dean1986]

Many thanks for the great advice as ever I have puchased it.

Dean

[abclare]

And now I can't wait for Black Country! Hope it won;t be too long; it's my 86th birthday come the 20th!1

Happy Birthday Tony and may you have many many more well done.

[mickrik]

Hi there,

Also the route will have the first freeware ex-LMS Stanier 8F since January 2006.

Fingers crossed and all goes well with the final bits of it.

Running tests are now being conducted in the sim.

mickrik

[johnmnstl]

Hi there,

Also the route will have the first freeware ex-LMS Stanier 8F since January 2006.

Fingers crossed and all goes well with the final bits of it.

Running tests are now being conducted in the sim.

mickrik

Hmmmmmmm!!! Thought mailbox was quiet great news Mick