Paddington to Penzance - Version 2

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:08 pm

Release date is getting close - probably about 6 weeks so here is where we are and what is and isnt in Version 2.

1. Track 100% complete - now totalling 1600 miles
This includes all mainline track from Paddington to Penzance (and both routes from Cogload Jncn to Reading) plus all branch lines that existed in the 1945-1950 period.

2. Terrain 100% complete.
Track elevation is accurate and so therefore are gradients.

3. Stations 100% complete
All stations that are shown on RA Cooke's 1947 Atlas of the GWR are in place and have platforms. Additionally, many stations from Version 1 have been re-done.

4. 'Major' scenery (hills, valleys, coastline, rivers, etc) 100% complete

5. Signalling 90% - should be finished in a week

6. Interactive Items (coaling towers, diesel pumps, water towers [Yes - GWR had diesel locos in 1950]) - 70%

7. Yards - 100% This includes extensive yards at Laira, Bristol, Swindon and Old Oak Common. Many smaller sidings at other locations.

8. Major features 100%. These include St Michaels Mount, Tamar Bridge, Bristol Temple Meads, Paddington, Swindon Works, Box Tunnel, etc

9. Roads (including level crossings) 50%

Our release strategy has always been to release Version 2 when all of the above are 100% complete. What is NOT there is detailed scenery along the whole route in the manner of the SVR. In fact, there are stretches of line where is there isnt even a tree. The problem is size. Assume that it took the SVR team 48 weeks to produce their beautifully detailed 16 mile route. (I dont know if that is accurate but it seems sort of reasonable). Anyway, that works out to 3 weeks of work per mile of route. The distance from Paddington to Penzance is about 320 miles so it would take us about 960 weeks of work to make it look as detailed as the SVR. That is almost 20 years !! and doesnt include branch lines.
After release , we intend to upload patches which will upgrade the scenery. We will be guided here by you - the users of the route. It is our hope that you let us know what scenic improvements you want - and we will make them.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:42 pm

Great news, I'm looking forward to driving this new version.

longbow · Post by **longbow** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:48 am

Re your scenery shortage, you could offer individual stations or tiles up for development by other route builders for incorporation in a later version.

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:08 am

That offer was made well over a year ago, but there were no takers.

PJAMES · Post by **PJAMES** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:35 pm

I'm sure the scenery can wait a little longer. After all, we only tend to get a fleeting glance anyway while flashing past on the Cornish Riviera......

Incidentally, do the new features include the china clay mining area around Lostwithiel/Fowey ?

Paul........

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 12:50 am

We will have china clay "hills" in the St Austell area so it will be no problem to add a few between Fowey and Lostwithiel.

Derick

pcelt · Post by **pcelt** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 5:15 am

Greetings Paul J
Re China Clay Works----I think that , in fact, the major clay works in central Cornwall were situated on the granite hills NW of St Austell. What did exist between Lostwithiel and Fowey (and between Par and Fowey)-- and very importantly for the china clay industry-- were branch lines for the transportation of clay to the v. good port facilities at Fowey.

Like you --very much looking forward to this excellent route

Cheers
Dave

PJAMES · Post by **PJAMES** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 6:30 am

Thanks, Dave, I stand corrected !!

Getting my 'mucking words in a fuddle' again !!

What I meant to put down was whether the release and despatch roads in Lostwithiel were to be included. When I did that previous post, I was looking at an old b/w photo of the disused goods shed, etc, in Lostwithiel.

Do you have any recent pics of freight activity in Lostwithiel/Fowey area ?

Paul.........

Iluka · Post by **Iluka** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 8:42 am

This updated route is going to be great - the existing version is just fine but this one is just the bees knees!!

I will really enjoy picking up the China Clay and delivering it all the way to Stoke so Royal Doulton can make a fortune from all the miners in Cornwall!!

I am really looking forward to your new route.

Kindest Regards

Mike

PJAMES · Post by **PJAMES** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:44 am

Me too. There are a few wagons on UKTS sit that can be used for the odd 'Clayliner' trains.....

Derick - 2 questions :-

1. Has the St Blazey area been modified ?

2. Are the Burngullow, Parkindillick and Drinnick Mill areas included ?

Please note !!

Not being demanding. Just curious.....

To be honest, I didn't realise that an update to this route would be coming out so soon. Looking forward to this one immensely......

Paul........

pcelt · Post by **pcelt** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:58 am

Hi Paul---Re China Clay trains and lines, I would recommend:

"An Illustrated History of West Country China Clay Trains" ------------ John Vaughan 1987---- incorporating over 200 illustrations/photos and covering the whole period from the beginnings of rail distribution of clay up to 1987.

Best Wishes
Dave

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:25 pm

Paul,
1. Some changes have been implemented at St Blazey, mostly in the track configuration.
2. Following are additions:
Sidings have been added at Burngullow
Short branch line at Drinick Mill
However, on my map, Hernick and Parkandillack appear as no more than halts. Any photos specifically of those areas?

Derick

PJAMES · Post by **PJAMES** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 6:21 pm

Dave - I'll keep an eye out for that book - my local library has a couple of books on china clay, but only covers some of the products made from it, no rail movements at all. All souvenirs and photos obtained from my visit to the area in the early '90s have long since gone during 2 house moves I've done since......

Derick - I'll do some digging for those pics - must've been a bit risky taking pics in those areas anyway !!

Incidentally, I saw a pic of a Western loco shunting milk tanks at St Erth in 1975. Does anyone know if there was a dairy farm/creamery there at all ?

Regards,

Paul.......

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:59 pm

To the china clay hauling folks...
I have added sidings and spurs at the following locations on the Burngullow-St Dennis branch:
Burngullow
Crugwallins
Bercon
New Capella
Drinnick Mill
Kernick
Parkandillack

On the St Dennis-Meledor Mill branch, sidings added at Meledor Mill, Melangoose Mill and a few more places.

Derick

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:52 pm

Mike,
Thank you for your kind words. One point in your post I need to be clear on.... when you say "delivering it all the way to Stoke ", which Stoke did you have in mind? If its Stoke-on-Trent, then our route doesnt go there.

Regards

Derick