Happy birthday Fict ECML!

Timcourt1 · Post by **Timcourt1** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 1:15 pm

Just thought I would stick this post Up, well its been a year now since Fict ECML was first ever uploaded as Build 2!

Build 2..... Totally fictional although the place names were real and the route had a good ecml type feel to it.

Was made entirely of Default objects except the SR pway hut, red phone booth and the Japan signal conversion to 4 aspect.

My effort by todays standards one year on was quite frankly ., I loaded build 2 up last night for nostalgia's sake and really had a laugh!

Build3...

A better effort and much more realistic, more non default objects, better and more prototyical signalling and the Nene Valley and March branchlines, new track texture too!

Build 3.1

Improvements to trackwork, access to the main line from the fictional branchlines.

Build 4!

A Name Change to MideastUK, 3 timmes bigger route, mixed 4 aspect lights and semaphores, completely infrastructured route with branches and loops.

And a few more things that will push the MSTS envelope even further I hope!

Finally, I hope all of you who have had the route in its various forms over the last year have gained as much enjoyment out of it as I have in building it, I will be carrying on building it all the time the demand is there.

Tim

eddief · Post by **eddief** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 2:40 pm

Timcourt1 wrote:I will be carrying on building it all the time the demand is there.

Looks like you will be on for a long time then Tim. Happy Birthday Fict-ECML/Mid-East, roll on the next year on improvements. You've done MSTS proud with your route Tim.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 3:31 pm

Happy birthday ECML!

You should re-upload Build 2 as a collectors item.

If your review of Build 2 was "cr*p" then what was Build 1 like?

I have a fairly humourous collection of screenshots of Highworth over the months - an early shot shows Stratton as a default Kuju platform, a run round loop and 2 sidings on a flat green plain being shunted by a Version 1 GWR #13 loco and Richard Scotts blue S&D 4-wheelers (no disrespect to the loco and coaches mind!)

I recall being really proud when I took that screenshot!

Timcourt1 · Post by **Timcourt1** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 4:10 pm

Know the feeling, I was really over the moon when i drove build 2 and it actually worked!!!

I think it was for about 6 months that Modern england and fict ecml were the only 2 non default UK routes available for MSTS

Which one came next?? can't remember now- think it was steves woodhead route?

MikeMKD · Post by **MikeMKD** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 5:41 pm

Happy birthday

It has given us all a lot of enjoyment over the year.
Well done Tim.

Mike.

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 6:07 pm

It was the first UK add-on route I got and I have had a lot of fun with it since and still do. I must get the latest version. Is version 4 avaliable on CD? I can't get broadband where I am so downloading routes can be a problem.

Timcourt1 · Post by **Timcourt1** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 6:56 pm

The new version will be out shortly, I am at the satge of signalling the route, after a few tests i'll be sending copies to the activity boys so they can get those done and beta tested too.

The new route will be CD only and is not an addon to the existing route, it contains about 50/50 default/3rd party objects and is completely different from the original and as a consequence will not be available for download.

RAARAA · Post by **RAARAA** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 6:59 pm

I could build some activitys Tim.

DaveR · Post by **DaveR** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 11:27 pm

Looking forward to build 4 Tim, I have had hours of fun driving previous versions

spinemaligna · Post by **spinemaligna** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 12:39 am

Congratulations on your anniversary. You and the other pioneers provide the impetus for us mere mortals to continue the battle against RE and other impedements to try and emulate your efforts.
More power to your elbow

Ross

mikesimpson · Post by **mikesimpson** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 3:05 am

Happy Brithday to the Fict ECML Tim and good luck with your endeavours in the future.

pgmetcalf · Post by **pgmetcalf** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 6:42 am

Yeah I totally love this route. For me, I doesn't matter whether it's exactly accurate - what matters most is quality....and this is superb.

I like routes to resemble the real thing, but building an accurate route is nigh on impossible anyway.

Good work

Paul

qzdcg8 · Post by **qzdcg8** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 6:58 am

Timcourt1 wrote: Which one came next?? can't remember now- think it was steves woodhead route?

Rother Valley might have sneaked out before Woodhead...

Even Woodhead is now 9 months in the making (Started Oct 2001)...

I remember downloading Modern England last year on 18th September 2001 and thinking, I can do this...

My first ever downloads for MSTS were the original Empire State Express from 3DTrains and Tim Booth's Class 47 on 19th July 2001 (still holds up well against today's stuff).

MichaelGreenhill · Post by **MichaelGreenhill** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 7:02 am

Why did Trainsimfiles (in its original form) go down???
I arrived too late to find out what happened...

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 7:44 am

MichaelGreenhill wrote:Why did Trainsimfiles (in its original form) go down???
I arrived too late to find out what happened...

It was a free site. The owner was snowed under by operating costs and the stress of same. That's why this site isn't 100% free.

I'm sure you did not intend it Michael but would follow-up posters blease not turn this happy ECML birthday thread into another argument about free vs pay sites. The historical evidence is there to see why 100% free sites don't work.

Atomic Systems

Happy birthday Fict ECML!

Happy birthday Fict ECML!

Re: Happy birthday Fict ECML!