Atomic Systems

Jon Bilton started a useful thread listing known additional routes "under construction" for MSTS. There has been a temptation to refer to those routes which we wish were under construction. I suspect that a thread on that topic could go on for ever but I will stick my neck out and speak of some things thatv I would like to see. It so happens that they are all connected with narrow gauge.

Before I put these down I know that the construction of a route is hard work and the final detailing after the hard grind of making a working route makes it very difficult for authors to go the last mile. By that time they are probably fed up with the whole thing; I would be! Better to issue the route so that it can be used than to wait for enthusiasm to return for putting in the final touches.

The Ffestiniog route is almost perfect but still lacks detailed scenery at the top end. That would be the icing an a gorgeous cake.

There was a promise of a Welsh Highland route and I believe it had advanced quite a way before it was put on hold. I would like to see a MSTS version; the rollinmg stock is waiting!

The Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion route has a bug a few hundred yards after leaving the Smithfield road terminus. All locos tenmd to stall here unless the section is charged at excessive speeds. It would be great if this could be fixed.

The Manifold Valley line would be a delight - a reasonably short length. a nice standard gauge/ narrow gauge station at Waterhouses, attractive settings up the valley, a few stiff gradients and intriguing locomtivea and stock. How about working transporter wagons?

That's all for now, and no - I could not do any of this myself - I am 86 Q! It would probably take more than my lifespan

Well now my wish is to complete the task I set myself of creating a TRAINS folder that when I open it I can immediately see what's what. This is as much a result of my ignorance in terms of relating train numbers to train classes.

My dumbest thing was to go to a locomotive with a 60xxx number thinking it was a Class 60, but it turned out to be a BR steam loco. It was one of the many faux pas that set me off and running - hopefully not in circles.

My next wish is to be able to create an activity - my efforts with mending broken paths in activities ended in disaster.

Next on the list is perhaps do what others have done, and enhance existing routes with little personal touches.

And then comes the "biggy" - can I create a route?

Ruf

PS Mustn't forget creating stock, cabviews and sounds. OH MY ACHING HEAD!!!!

I'd like to see the North London Line before the wires went up!!

I'd like to see the North London Line before the wires went up!!

I will second that... preferably long before the wires went up...
All those little freights fussing around from yard to yard...
So many yards...
Early morning fish train into Broad Street...
LNWR and LMS emus... and the steam hauled passenger for Bow, High Barnet, Potters Bar and even Tring in the rush hour...

Second thoughts...
Maybe you couldn't do the route and scenery ... and intensity of service, justice without making making MSTS explode!

The North London line I think would be a good route for some one to make,I used to live near Twickenham,and I can remember going to see my uncle at Leyton,we either went by train to Waterloo then the Drain(Waterloo and City Line) to the Bank,and Central line to Leyton, then a Trollybus,or we would go via the North London Line to Gospal Oak,change there onto the Barking Line which went through Leyton,so maybe it could go that way at Gospal Oak.Or it could go via Camden,Dalston Junc, to Stratford,even better carry on from Stratford,and have the branches into the London Docks.

Mind you if it went into the docks it would have to be a steam / early diesel route, as most of the docks were closed in the 70's mainly thanks to Jack Dash and the strikes he kept calling,and also the increase of container ships.I think the container ships were realy the end for the docks,and they will probably have closed any way,just a bit later.

If you were to extend the route a bit further west,it could go from Feltham Marshelling Yard via Hounslow to Kew,Willesden Junc and onto Temple Mills Marshelling yard at Stratford.

Maybe it could be called Dorset Coast 7 another challenge for David,or one of the other great route writers who are around,thanks to all of them who have kept us going over the last few years.

Michael Hendle

At one time, there was a user on here called metroshed who was attempting the North London Line and the pics he posted on here were really good.

Perhaps it might be worth seeing if he's still active and what became of the route. I for one would have loved to see it done.

Although it's three years since his last post, he was around just three days ago, so it might be worth a PM.

Ash

Tonysmedley wrote: The Ffestiniog route is almost perfect but still lacks detailed scenery at the top end. That would be the icing an a gorgeous cake.

From what I remember, Tony, the top end scenery was nearly complete, in the last released version. It was the area around Pehnryn that was never fully completed.

I really must reinstall it again and have another run up the line.

Cheers,
Kevin

Personally i'd like to see my home route of Clacton - London Liverpool Street done in steam days.

And as i am a steam fan, some more preserved railways would have been great, like my personal favourite, the Watercress line, or others such as the Great Central Railway, Bluebell Railway, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, North Norfolk Railway etc i could go on and on! And something a little different, the Moors Valley Railway has always been a place i've enjoyed visiting.

It is amazing what is available for MSTS, compared to say three to four years ago, but I must say that I was very dissaponted when Kerr Mackintosh abandoned finishing the Scottish Central route to Dundee. This would have been one of the best routes ever done, if it had only been finished. I know Kerr is now involved with Making Tracks and has been concentrating on the Scottish Capitals Route, which I think is due to be released shortly.
The Scottish Central with the marvelous Forth & Tay Bridges, is devoid of scenery for three quarters of its length, a great shame really, if only Kerr would give permission for someone to finish it, I'm sure it would be very much welcomed.
Another part of the same system that has never been done, is the East Coast Main Line from Newcastle to Edinburgh. Mid East Plus will give us the ECML as far as Newcastle WHEN released, but Newcastle to Edinburgh would really finish this route off from London to Edinburgh. I am surprised that it has never been done for MSTS, as it is one of the Main Line Routes of Britain.
There is still lots yet to do for MSTS and now that MSTS2 has been given the thumbs down, MSTS may still have a longer lease of life than we could ever imagine.
Okay KRS is slowly coming together, after its initial launch but it has still a long way to go, and it hasn't really gelled with me I'm afraid.

Geoff

I would have liked to see LSE extended further south to the Kent and Sussex Coast..........

Apart from the part offered from KRS, did anyone ever do the S&D for MSTS?

dee4141 wrote:I would have liked to see LSE extended further south to the Kent and Sussex Coast..........

Would it not be good if Making Tracks were to produce a payware upgrade of LSE,
using the new skills they have from Great Eastern and Evesham..
Regards Ross

Hi

3DTS have announced on their site that they are doing the S&D route as payware for MSTS - and that this will be their last MSTS project in the UK. But that was before MSTS2 went down the tubes, so maybe there will be more MSTS routes after all. Certainly if they all turn out to be as good as Cambrian 2, that has to be something to look forward to......

Dave

I would like to see Great Eastern extended to Norwich and include the branches to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth...

I also wish my line to Hertford East was included but I don't think anyone will do it to the standard of MT.