Great Western Main Line: The Extension

[chrisiveson]

If you're not really interested in US routes then, unless NEC goes out really cheap, ( and it is a cheap route much like DP, but that's another story in another thread ) in a sale then I would suggest not bothering with it.
There'll be so much more to take your interest when JB's finished, ( if it ever is, the way bits keep getting added. ) that a trip in and out of tunnels to a single underground type platform is probably not worth the extra expense. ( the route WILL work without NEC )

[jivebunny]

Yes, it'll work without NEC just as it'll work without WCML-N - but it will detract from the overall feel of immersion when you pull into Windsor and find your train is crossing the Thames supported by nothing more than a gentle breeze

Anyway, fancied a change from route building this evening (says he at 3:30am...) so I've been putting together a scenario in which the New Measurement Train is standing in for Network Rail's unavailable Class 950 and has to be driven from Paddington to Windsor via Old Oak Common and the Greenford branch... Then I did a bit of Photoshopping. It isn't final, note how there's a convenient empty space left of Reading West Going to have to change that font though as it seems to have gone a bit wobbly at a 30-degree angle...



JB

[Kariban]

Perhaps use First's corporate font instead? I think I already posted part of my replacement gui, I can't even remember what the current default one looks like anymore.

I finished the gasometer & then Max chewed the stairs up - and while I was working on that I discovered that whoever did the model I used as a guide put too many sides in, so ... a little time off from building I think. Doing it with less sides wasn't a terrible nightmare but there might be one or two odd extra verts around I didn't want to argue into submission ( ie, it's a kludge ).

[ihavenonamenoreallyidont]

This extension/remodelling looks absolutely amazing.

[chrisiveson]

The splash screen looks great JB.
shame about the wobble, but it's hardly noticeable.

Chris.

[Kariban]

Wait, I just spotted Northolt. There's no room for the line from there to Kings Sutton with that huge logo in the way!

[haddock1000]

Split posts from the KR Appreciation Soc. at the request of Jivebunny. Continue the awesome wrk!

thanks,

haddock1000

[SouthernElectric]

Nice splash screen JB and continued great work.
Simon

[rabid]

Again, fantastic work!
Henley-on-Thames anyone (4.5 miles)?

[jivebunny]

Thanks Haddock!

Kariban, any idea what First's font is called and / or if it's generally available? I'm going to experiment with various fonts to see if I can find anything similar, only 50-odd text layers to alter in Photoshop I'm sure the number of sides to the gasometer wouldn't be noticeable, it's not like we're generally a bunch of engineering rivet-counters

Extending past Northolt and modelling the South Ruislip to Banbury section of the Chiltern Main Line would be possible and quite a nice line to have (and would no doubt lead to an extension a few miles in the other direction to Marylebone), but as it's a 65-mile distance it definitely won't be for the first release of the extension!

The Henley branch from Twyford however had been forgotten and has duly been added to the list, lovely little place. I'll wait before starting on that though as I've currently got the Hammersmith & City, Central, New North Main, Greenford and Windsor lines under construction, which I think is enough lines at a time

Thanks for the comments guys,

JB

[Kariban]

Seems to be Helvetica light, although I'm not sure what the First bit is in yet. Font sites tend to have a "try before you buy" test where you can just put in some text and it generates a gif, if you don't have any version of Helvetica. Normally I'd say "use arial" but the G is pretty distinctive.

I wasn't serious about the GCR/GW joint yet it's not really that interesting these days - although much more than it was 20 years ago - ( and I bet I'd end up attempting to model Marylebone which would take ages... )

Edit: "First" seems to be some form of Helvetica Black with the dot on the i removed.

[stuart666]

If it uses NEC, I think im going to have to treat myself to that as some point, because Ill certainly be downloading this.

Incidentally, ive got one of those Quail track diagrams for the former Western Region, so if you need anything for reference Ill try and look it out.

I think Henley and Twyford WOULD be worth doing.

[Kromaatikse]

I've got the complete set of Quails, as it happens. Of course they are only accurate for reasonably modern eras.

I got reasonably close to the First logo on my Mac by using Helvetica Bold and Light, and tightening the kerning a couple of notches. I suspect that the "First" part is indeed using a Black variant rather than a Bold, and may also be slightly condensed. I believe the Unicode set should have a dotless i somewhere. If you don't want to slavishly copy the logo but just get the text-look right, just use any Helvetica variant plus tight kerning.

[bGriff]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is this going to be released via Steam?

[jivebunny]

Once it's closer to completion I'll have a sit down with Keith and RSC to see if we can get it onto Steam as a new free route, it's a TS2012 upgrade of core content after all. It'll be available on UKTS first though, as a thank you to the members who are helping out and also to support the site.

Thanks for the Quail offers, I'll give you a shout if I come across any areas where I need further info

JB