Steaming over Beattock

[brysonman46]

The West Coast Main Line (WCML) was, and still is, one of the busiest rail lines in Europe. In this project the section between Carlisle and Glasgow is portrayed in the 1950s. Many intermediate stations and signal boxes were still in operation, and so too were many goods yards. The modelling is based on the DLC "WCML-N" by RSC/KeithMRoss, but regressed from the 1990s by about 40 years, with OHLE and motorways removed. The project was started by "Carinthia", and is described by him here https://carinthia.sftt.co.uk/routes-cg.php. Since he is no longer able to complete it, I have taken it over (with his guidance). It is still a "work in progress", with the first phase being from Carlisle to Carstairs (where many passenger trains split for different destinations in Scotland) and on to Law Junction (where many freight trains split). This is expected to be published late April/early May 2017. Further phases will see the regression on to Motherwell, and then to Glasgow Central.
The DLC requirenents are keithmross\WCMLNorth (plus included RSC\UKLEDsignals01 and RSC\APStation), RSC\Woodhead, and RSderek\WearValleyRailway. A number of Freeware assets are also required - many will be bundled with the permission of the authors, whilst others are easily obtained. A number of scenarios have been prepared (including Quick drives from Carlisle and Carstairs), using a wide variety of stock.
Images of progress so far are on my Flickr site https://www.flickr.com/photos/113166928 ... 0212808871

Nick

[michaelhendle]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for letting us know that you have taken over making this route,just had a look at your screen shots and they look great.

It's nice to have another back dated route,now set in the 50/60's,and we will be able to let a Duchess open up on this route,the Matrix LMS coaches will be ideal for the route,and they're not to expensive on market place.

Maybe by the time the route comes his Phase L.M.S 1&2 coaches will also be ready.

This will definitely be on my next to get list.

Also my thanks go to Carinthia for originally starting the route.

[michaelhendle]

Hi Nick
I was just wondering where you plan to release phase 1 of the route,will it here or on steam workshop?
I'm really looking forward to the release.
Mike

[brysonman46]

Hi Nick
I was just wondering where you plan to release phase 1 of the route,will it here or on steam workshop?
I'm really looking forward to the release.
Mike

Hi Mike - neither. It will be on Carinthia's site https://carinthia.sftt.co.uk/routes.php

Nick

[michaelhendle]

Nick
Thanks for your reply I'll keep looking for the release of the route.
Mike

[brysonman46]

Nick
Thanks for your reply I'll keep looking for the release of the route.
Mike

Mike

I will announce it on the various forums

Nick

[scorpion71]

Nice one, I'm more of a diesel and electric guy than a kettle fan but the era of this route would be very suitable for BR Green

[black8]

Really looking forward to this. Very nice that you have taken this project over; it really desrves to get finished. Steaming over Beattock, woow.

[brysonman46]

I hope to release by the end of next week. Final tweeking taking place, a number of scenarios being tested, and the manuals being finalised.

Nick

[michaelhendle]

Nick,
Many thanks for the information about this route,looking forward to getting it when it's ready.
Mike

[brysonman46]

Having some problems with scenarios - they point out problems with track/signalling. These are being resolved, so not long now

Nick

[michaelhendle]

Hello Nick,

No problems waiting for the route,take your time to finish,any chance you could give us a hint of what locomotives and stock we will need to run the activities,so that we know whether we will have to buy anything extra.

Mike

[black8]

....any chance you could give us a hint of what locomotives and stock we will need to run the activities...

Good question Mike!

[brysonman46]

Along with WCML-N, the DLC required is Woodhead, and Wear&Tees, so the stock with these features a lot. Also, the UKTS Freeware Stock Packs. All the ex-LMS kettles will find a place (as supplied by RSC, keithmross, DT and ike, for example). Also the early Green diesels (locos and DMUs). Of course, with the Quick Drives supplied, one can use anything one wishes (except electric stock - all the OHLE has been removed). I have generated a large PreLoad folder of stock for the QDs. I reckon over a dozen scenarios will feature in Pack 1, with many more to follow.
And one can always swop out stock not got with RWTools.
I do not have any of the stock originally supplied by Lord Voldemort, but Carinthia does and has written a large portfolio of scenarios with them included. As some of the track and markers have changed over the last couple of years, some may be broken. I will supply them as a package for those who wish to get them working. Roland has managed to do 4 of them already.

Nick

[brysonman46]

I hope to complete Phase 2 shortly, and send it out to the beta testers for comments, etc. The WIP line will be from Gartsherrie to Law, inclusive of Motherwell, which will include the WCML, the Wishaw and Motherwell Deviation lines, the Central Scotland (North British) route (heading towards Stirling), and several suburban lines in North East Lanarkshire. I still need to regress some of the housing stock. I have used some of Kevin Newbuoy's Ironworks pack (http://members.uktrainsim.com/filelib-i ... leid=36721), as there are at least 8 iron/steelworks in this area (and at night the furnace flames look very good!). Scenario production will continue a-pace