Great Western Main Line: The Extension

[gypbrc]

Good stuff!

I always wished this route could be bought up to 2012 standards and the work done here looks great! Since we have an upgrade to the default signalling now; what do you think to installing ATP balises so we can make use of Dave B's HST mods?

HST Update of exhaust/brake/ATP/rear sound [216422 bytes] - hst_drb_a1z.zip File ID: 23719 Date: 12 Apr 2010 - 1894 Downloads

Just a thought.

[Kariban]

Yeah JB, it's being made for this route. It'll take a while to put all the annoying walkways & pipes on. Certainly is a big old thing, really not sure how much detail to put on it vs painting and hoping nobody looks too close.

And yes it's about time something use Dave's ATP gear in fact that might make me get round to doing the bits of ATP he didn't do.

[jivebunny]

Hi Rich,

That's a good idea actually, although I'd need to know which sections of the line are ATP-equipped, and we might have a problem in that IIRC the balises are designed for unidirectional track - I'll certainly take a look into it though as it's one more little feature that would add to the overall feel of immersion.

Kariban,

I'd imagine you can probably get away with fairly basic detail, after all most of the time it'll be seen for a couple of seconds at 60-125 mph.

No prizes for guessing which branch line I've just completed the trackwork for...


JB

[Kariban]

Well, there's sidings next to it. Probably won't go nuts though!

I can redo the balises for bidirectional if you need them. Need to go watch the ATP video again, because I'm pretty sure it only works in one direction...

[SHEEP]

I haven't seen it from the air, but it looks like Winsor castle to me

When you 2 have finised on this route, I hear they're looking for someone to sort out the Donna Pass

[michaeldono]

Do you know what, maybe once you and kieith are done with your edits, I might look at extending to Swindon. Its a shame RSC couldnt subsitute assests reasonably and include this in the core!

[jivebunny]

Extensions north to Banbury and west to Swindon are already in the plans, although admittedly they're last on the list as I'm starting from Paddington and gradually working my way west along the route. Wouldn't it be nice if someone came up with a clever GUI to line up two sets of route tiles relative to eachother and then add the information from one route into the other? Paddington to Exeter anyone?

JB

[Kariban]

Sure, take the flat way round I'm still going to push for Newbury... but really what would happen in that scenario is it'd take half an hour to load and then immediately SBHH. Stuart's Western Rails appears to be pushing the limits of route size somewhat.

[stuart666]

Sure, take the flat way round I'm still going to push for Newbury... but really what would happen in that scenario is it'd take half an hour to load and then immediately SBHH. Stuart's Western Rails appears to be pushing the limits of route size somewhat.

It is indeed. Though I think that it may also be a combination of assets used and the 3d track. At least of the former, its my idea to revisit it sometime and cut down on the bits used, I think that may help a bit.

Swindon in the Modern era is a long way, without an awful lot in between. Im convinced thats why Kuju didnt do it. Other than the freight terminal on the outskirts of Swindon (which is disused now I think) there really isnt much in between other than scenery. Not a reason for not doing it of course, but as I say, an awful lot for not much in the way of return. Like to see it of course...

Re Gasometer, first rate work that.

[jivebunny]

The main reason for going to Swindon is that it then leaves "only" 40 miles to complete to Bristol at a later date, giving us the complete GWML. I have to agree though that the route south out of Reading to Newbury would be far more interesting to model, and it's an area I know relatively well having spent my younger years driving around the area as a parcel courier.

Ah, why not?



JB

[stuart666]

If you do Swindon, Id advise breaking up the monotony by putting in wantage road station, which seems likely will be reintroduced in a few years.
http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/hswa ... y_station/

Whether it will happen before they get their finger out and electrify is another matter.

[FoggyMorning]

[snip]Swindon in the Modern era is a long way, without an awful lot in between. Im convinced thats why Kuju didnt do it. Other than the freight terminal on the outskirts of Swindon (which is disused now I think) there really isnt much in between other than scenery. Not a reason for not doing it of course, but as I say, an awful lot for not much in the way of return. Like to see it of course...

On the other hand, it does give an extended high speed run and a more natural ending point for Wales & West services than Didcot

[michaeldono]

I can see people making a Great Western Mainline 2018 in a couple years if the electification starts around that time

[jivebunny]

I was thinking that as well, although the idea of accurately placing gantries all the way along the route is one which I'm not too keen on - particularly when you think that you'd also need to create custom objects such as the Crossrail tunnel portals at Paddington and the new Reading station. One for Keith or Just Trains maybe?

Here's a couple of shots taken during a run from Windsor & Eton Central to Slough, the track just needs signalling and one or two gradients smoothing out and then I can really start on the scenery, which for now is pretty basic (excuse the decals which I quite honestly just couldn't be bothered to hide ).

Ready to depart at Windsor & Eton Central...


The view from the trackside walkway


Heading out over Windsor and towards the Thames...


...where narrowboats are moored for luncheon


Past Eton College Golf Course


Under the A332 and M4...


And into Slough...


...where the platforms have now been extended.


JB

[msdejesus]

Amazing work, JB.

Manuel