South African Steam route announced: Outeniqua Choo Tjoe

[michaelhendle]

The 24 is a vast improvement compared to the 6E in the Natal route,the thing that worries me will be the coaches and rolling stock,as the freight trains were mixed,it should have some vans as well as opens,the South African Railways nick name for the Van der Biljt tenders were torpedoes because of the shape of them.The only steam locomotives they made for MSTS,were 2 Garrett's a Class 25,class 19D,the experimental Red Devil,so I think this 24 is a New Model.

The original line went beyond George it went via Outdshoorn to Mossel Bay,there was one through train a seek from Johannesburg,left Friday night night and returned Sunday,it ran via Mossell Bay,from Mossel Bay to George was either aGMAM Garrett or 2 24's,this of course in the pre Transnet era,since Transnet took over thousands of route miles have disappeared,Transnet are only interested in freight,Shosh Alozi Myel are the passenger side for long distance trains,which on some routes are down to one train a week,even on the two main trunk routes The Cape Main Line and The Natal mainline don't have daily trains now.
There is talk of sometime in the future of upgrading these two routes to High Speed Mainlines using Standard Gauge Track,like the New line between Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Sorry rambling on abit.
Mike

[michaelhendle]

Hi
Just had a look at the coaches and they seem to be a good representation of secondary/branch line wooden bodied non corridor coaches,also the colour looks quite good,
Mike

[Trev123]

Out now. http://store.steampowered.com/app/37693 ... _151_150_1

[michaelhendle]

It looks good,there is representation of the reflection of the train going over the bridge,and water refilling gantry.
I will have to wait until payday on Monday before getting it.
Mike

[michaelhendle]

Hi
I've just run the route and it is typical of that area of South Africa,it's a secondary route so no high speed running just a steady plod along at 30,the bungalows are typical with their tin roofs.

The class 24 is a good representation from the outside,best to run head out,To get a more realistic train I would swap some of the freight cars with some from the Natal Main Line ones,whats missing still is a FB Box Van and a V8 Brake Van,with passenger compartments.,also could do with a SAR Class 33 or 34 diesel locomotive.

What's lacking well there is no through running train scenario's

just these 4, 1 is split into two parts,it's a pick up freight,Then there is a stranded scenario where you have rescue a failed train,and lastly there is just to make up a train and shunt into platform.

I would give a possible 8 out ten,mainly for the missing freight stock to create a proper mixed\freight train,2 only 4 scenario's,good points realistic route,excellent class 24 steam loco and excellent secondary/branch line non corridor coaches,good scenic route along the wilderness coast,Knysna looks fairly accurate,with in the constraints of being a sim you can never get a 100% accuracy.
Maybe I'm being a bit nick picking but seems a shame they didn't also include the freight wagons from Natal Mainline,that's the problem when you used to work for the SAR.

[roballen555]

Sorry to say,its just plod thru the wilderness with an MSTS loco and stock,,not up to RW2017 standard.

[rabidcirquefan]

I grabbed the route yesterday and am overall pleased with it.

I didn't get to explore much of the George-Knysna line because I fell into a black hole of trying to change the Class 24's whistle to a proper higher-pitched chime whistle. After 4+ hours of tinkering with it, I put the 24 on the West Highland Extension and ran a tourist service from Glenfinnan to Mallaig.

The cabview and sounds of the 24 leave a little to be desired. But I have to admit it's a handsome locomotive to look at.

Another screenshot
Another screenshot
Another screenshot

[equiglobal]

Hi
Just had a look at the coaches and they seem to be a good representation of secondary/branch line wooden bodied non corridor coaches,also the colour looks quite good,
Mike

Have bought the route & it seems quite good, but Michael I need some tuition on controlling the class 24 down that long incline out of George to Victoria Bay & Wilderness - I found it impossible to maintain the speed limit - any advice would be most welcome Michael. Thanks in advance

[JohnM1945]

Michael H wrote:-

What's lacking well there is no through running train scenario's

True, but there's a free roam from Knysna which allows you to pick up a rake of coaches and head for George...
And, yes, the route plan is essentially the same as its freeware standard-gauge predecessor but the scenery is greatly enhanced.

I like this, and look forward to conversions of some of the other SA routes produced in standard gauge by this team.

And, of course, to a metre-gauge Garratt...

Kind regards,

John M

[michaelhendle]

Its a case of juggling the brakes on and off,on the down hill section have cut off at about 25%,regulator closed,if you have to increase speed open regulator up to 15/20,when you get to 25Kmph,close the regulator,at about 28Kmph start braking again,just carry on doing that until you get tk the gradient bottom,I don't think the 24 is a remake of a MSTS model,as that one is a 19D
Besides the GMAM,there is the smaller GF Garrett both would be Ideal for this route and Natal Mainline,the GF were based at Mason Mills,and Durban,,the Durban ones were used on the North Coast route.
Mike

[equiglobal]

Its a case of juggling the brakes on and off,on the down hill section have cut off at about 25%,regulator closed,if you have to increase speed open regulator up to 15/20,when you get to 25Kmph,close the regulator,at about 28Kmph start braking again,just carry on doing that until you get tk the gradient bottom,I don't think the 24 is a remake of a MSTS model,as that one is a 19D
Besides the GMAM,there is the smaller GF Garrett both would be Ideal for this route and Natal Mainline,the GF were based at Mason Mills,and Durban,,the Durban ones were used on the North Coast route.
Mike

Thanks for driving advice Michael - it certainly takes some driving to maintain the speed limit on that long stretch out of George - thanks again

[michaelhendle]

I had a look on Steam work shop and there's a scenario for the route
Mike

[michaelhendle]

Hi
Ive just run the 24 on the Pietermaritzburg Ladysmith route where you can really open it up,I had it up to the max speed 80,for the route,also there is no continuous braking.

If you want make a scenario for this route,for the steam hauled trains use the coaches thatt ccame with 24.and the Maroon 6E, the electric hauled Passenger ttrains would only stop at the main stations like Ladysmith Colenso Mooi River Pietermaritzburg,and would haul the corridor coaches

Atypical steam hauled would be 24 sub brake 1st sub 2nd sub second sub brake 2nd,sub brake,subb2nd,sub1st sub brake 1st,the 24 could also be used on freight trrains using freight stock ftom both routes,and you can also use the converted MSTS GMAM,on heavy freight trains.
Please excuse spelling but my eyesight is going,so have problems with this size print

Mike

[Trev123]

You can change font size upper right hand corner, above your name.

[SAR15F]

This was my first Payware for my TS2017. I am really happy with it. I could be on this for a whole day. My finger's are crossed for more routes and more steam locomotives and rolling stock. Plus I have to say a big thank you to everyone who made it. Truly a great add on.