Ok, I said I wouldn't do it, but I thought I'd share some screenies of a route that I am determined to finish and get to the download stage. The route is called "Through Limestone Hills" and will be a recreation of the freight lines between Buxton and Hindlow/Briggs sidings and Buxton and Peak Forest. I am trying to get things as accurate as possible in terms of scenery, gradients, signaling etc. Naturally, some compromises will have to be made in terms of using stock RW items such as bridges etc, but hopefully these won't detract from the whole effect too much. The whole route should be around 15 miles or so. Not massive I know, but I wouldn't get anything longer finished!
For those who don't know the area, Buxton lies at the end of a passenger only branch line from Stockport, approximately 26 miles long and is the highest town in the UK, lying 1000 ft above sea level. The line was constructed by the LNWR in 1863- ish. Buxton is a terminus for the line from Stockport, but up until the 1960's, had two stations (LWNR and MR) side by side. The Midland Railway route from Derby terminated at Buxton, with another LWNR route heading out over the moors to Ashbourne and Uttoxeter. The line to Uttoxeter was singled and cut back to Hindlow/Dowlow to serve the massive limestone quarries there.
Similarly, the Midland route to Derby was closed between Matlock and Blackwell Mill, leaving a single line from Buxton to Great Rocks junction, to serve the huge limestone quarry at Tunstead. The line continues to Peak Forest and onwards towards Manchester. The whole route is dominated by steep gradients. 1 in 90 from Blackwell Mill to Peak forest summit and 1 in 62 from Buxton to Hindlow.
As of today (2/7/10) the track laying is about 50% complete. The single line from Buxton to Hindlow/Briggs sidings is completely layed and the line to Peak Forest is as far as Ashwood Dale Tunnel. The gradients and heavy trains on this route should make for some interesting driving. For example, the gradient from Buxton to Hindlow is pretty much 5 miles at 1 in 60. I ran a test earlier today using 2 x 37's and 16 IHH 'Summers' hoppers (which are the ICI bogie limestone hoppers in a different livery). Lots of slipping and 13 mph on full throttle!
The route has been created using Rw decal and DEM data, so the terrain should be as accurate as it can be. I've added a few screenies to show the stage that the route is at. It will be freeware and no, I don't know when it will be finished, but as I'm doing a bit every day, hopefully not too long! The route will also incorporate the TMD at Buxton station, rather than the current situation of stabling locos at Peak Forest.
Enjoy the pics, questions and comments welcome!
Jim
Buxton Yard looking towards Great Rocks (line to the left of the signal box) and Hindlow (line to right of the 'box)
Buxton Signal Box
Hogshaw Viaduct over the town centre. Single line to Hindlow
Site of Higher Buxton station. Steep gradients here! 1 in 64!
On the way to Hindlow the line crosses Dukes Drive viaduct, still climbing.
Nearly there! Close to the summit, the line eases to 1 in 200 for a very short stretch, then back to 1 in 62 through Hindlow tunnel
Briggs sidings to the right, Hindlow and Dowlow straight ahead.
Hindlow sidings
Map of the partially completed area around Buxton (although still no station or TMD!)
Map of the area around Hindlow/Briggs sidings
. Looking forward to further developments.
