bigvern wrote:How's the route...?
Well I've only driven about a third of the way to just beyond the Animas Canyon (having been distracted by the Class 390). The first 45 minutes or so out of Durango are quite straight and flat, with an overall line speed of 20 MPH regretably I have to say pretty boring - I nearly nodded off. That's no fault of the route author of course as the prototype is exactly like that, remember from my own ride on the line years ago particularly on the return journey the incessant trundle back into Durango. We wanted our dinner!! This section of the route also seems to bear evidence of less scenery placement with little ground foliage in evidence, relying on terrain textures.
Above Rockwood and heading off above the Animas the contrast is stunning. Awe inspiring gorge with the train teetering high above the river on a narrow ledge. However at 2 miles in length with a 5 MPH speed restriction this also started to get a bit tedious and I must admit to going a bit faster than the posted speed to get through it. Obviously the real D&S impose the speed limit as they are concerned a. about rockfalls or b. they might kill someone walking this section of line but for simulation purposes 10 MPH would probably suffice.
There's quite a few custom items in the route, e.g. traffic lights and road signs for the area. As I already mentioned lack of signalling will mean scenario potential pretty much limited to one train in steam and I've also commented on the K27 physics.
Certainly worth getting though. Purely for personal use I will probably clone the route and change a few things to make it more user friendly, i.e. up the speed limits and install signals (rumours of standard gauging and electrifying so I can drive the Pendolino up there are purely hearsay, or some might say heresy!!).
Have only had a brief run so far which I spent just pottering about the yard at Durango so I can only comment on this section of the route which is very nicely done as the line runs through the town. I particularly like the way the mountains loom over you which creates quite a dramatic backdrop in itself. Hope to explore the more dramatic areas of the route this evening.
One thing I should point out to prospective buyers is that at present the K27 has no interior cab view and only a 2D exterior as it was ported from MS Train Sim. Not a major drawback for me and I believe it is something that will be addressed in a future update, but worth noting.
micaelcorleone wrote:bigvern wrote:Certainly worth getting though. Purely for personal use I will probably clone the route and change a few things to make it more user friendly, i.e. up the speed limits and install signals (rumours of standard gauging and electrifying so I can drive the Pendolino up there are purely hearsay, or some might say heresy!!).
Be sure that we will consider all customer feedback for the next version/update.
Signals burried underneath the ground to allow AI traffic are already on our list. The speedlimit on the High Line is also an issue we'll think about.
That's good to hear, thank you.
Also, at the current exchange rate the minimum donation of $15 US works out at about £9.70, and from what I have seen so far it is well worth this amount. Once admin costs are covered, profits will go to the Durango RR Historical Society, so it's a worthy cause also I think