Just Trains MML Sheffield to Derby

[theorganist]

This looks interesting, just seen in on the monthly newsletter:

https://www.justtrains.net/product/midl ... ield-derby

It will be good to see some more of the Midlands modelled, and it is quite a scenic stretch of line with two interesting major stations at each end. I imagine it will be set in modern times, I don't know how much the route has changed to run 80's or 90's scenario's without them looking wrong.

Peter

[749006]

The idea sounds good but at 36 miles it's not a long route.

Sheffield has not changed much since they rationalised the track layout between Dore and Sheffield down to two tracks and loops.

Chesterfield changed a few years back when an extra platform was constructed on the Slow lines.
The physical junction at Clay Cross where the Derby and Alfreton lines split was moved north to Chesterfield South Jn, 3 miles south of Chesterfield around 5 years ago.
https://cogloadjunctionphotography.weeb ... 3_orig.jpg

Derby Station was rebuilt this year increasing the through platforms to 7 by removing the bay and the goods lines
Slide the map to see the current line from Derby to Sheffield
https://traksy.uk/live/M+10+DRBY+6/M+38+DRBY+5

Peter

[theorganist]

The idea sounds good but at 36 miles it's not a long route.

Sheffield has not changed much since they rationalised the track layout between Dore and Sheffield down to two tracks and loops.

Chesterfield changed a few years back when an extra platform was constructed on the Slow lines.
The physical junction at Clay Cross where the Derby and Alfreton lines split was moved north to Chesterfield South Jn, 3 miles south of Chesterfield around 5 years ago.
https://cogloadjunctionphotography.weeb ... 3_orig.jpg

Derby Station was rebuilt this year increasing the through platforms to 7 by removing the bay and the goods lines
Slide the map to see the current line from Derby to Sheffield
https://traksy.uk/live/M+10+DRBY+6/M+38+DRBY+5

Peter

Thanks for that Peter.

Yes I agree 36 miles isn't particularly long, however if it is well modelled and detailed then I can live with the length, especially as it is an area which hasn't had much attention paid to it in TS.

Peter

[smarty2]

Yes it is a welcome addition however it would have made more sense to have done the section from Bedford so there is a link?

[rededge]

done the section from Bedford so there is a link?

Yes at first I thought it was a route extension to MML like they did for GEML. Oh, well!

[749006]

I wonder if they will do the line in stages - like Western Mainlines?
It would have been better if the line from Clay Cross via Alfreton to Trent Jn and Derby was included to give more route miles.

But as it's a WI.P there is time for them to add to it - they did all of Marylebone to Birmingham in one go

Peter

[Deano55]

Always a welcome addition to the English rail map so long as I wait to see plenty of screen shots first.
I'm sorry but my opinion of Western Mainlines remains the same as in it's like a map made by and for use THE SIMPSONS...
I fell for all the hype when that thing came out and dove straight in and bought it, oh boy, what a mistake. I have better more realistic routes in my old old old copy of TRAINZ2004.
Hence why Just Trains have not had a penny off me since. I really hoped the Marlybone to Brum would have looked way better but I'm yet to see the evidence to convince me to part with hard earned money. I think it is such a shame as back in the early days J/T were known for high quality work and products. Those poor quality trees and grass etc, are such a let down for me. The cartoon buildings and basic low quality visuals are no longer worth paying money when a free route of much higher quality can be made by a member of the community as a spare time hobby and blow us all away with the absolute precision and attention to detail that can't be beaten. That's what I'll pay good money for.
Off for my curry now a few tins.

[TransportSteve]

This looks interesting, just seen in on the monthly newsletter:
https://www.justtrains.net/product/midl ... ield-derby
It will be good to see some more of the Midlands modelled, and it is quite a scenic stretch of line with two interesting major stations at each end. I imagine it will be set in modern times, I don't know how much the route has changed to run 80's or 90's scenario's without them looking wrong.
Peter

I used to work at Litchurch Lane loco Works with ADTranz, just as Bombardier took over, Peter, I went to Derby Station and surrounding area a fortnight ago and couldn't recognise the place, it's completely changed. If you want to run 1980s scenarios on this route it'll be like driving on a different Planet, 30 years difference is a very long time.

Have you not got the freeware layout by John Griffiths from Bromsgrove to Birmingham - Derby - Chesterfield - Sheffield and then Manchester, although it is set in Steam era days 1950s/60s, it can also be brought in the 1970s diesel period with a bit of manual scenery changes etc, it's an outstanding piece of work and covers a vast area that we've never had represented before in the game, all on one route, it's highly recommended.

Cheerz. Steve.

[theorganist]

This looks interesting, just seen in on the monthly newsletter:
https://www.justtrains.net/product/midl ... ield-derby
It will be good to see some more of the Midlands modelled, and it is quite a scenic stretch of line with two interesting major stations at each end. I imagine it will be set in modern times, I don't know how much the route has changed to run 80's or 90's scenario's without them looking wrong.
Peter

I used to work at Litchurch Lane loco Works with ADTranz, just as Bombardier took over, Peter, I went to Derby Station and surrounding area a fortnight ago and couldn't recognise the place, it's completely changed. If you want to run 1980s scenarios on this route it'll be like driving on a different Planet, 30 years difference is a very long time.

Have you not got the freeware layout by John Griffiths from Bromsgrove to Birmingham - Derby - Chesterfield - Sheffield and then Manchester, although it is set in Steam era days 1950s/60s, it can also be brought in the 1970s diesel period with a bit of manual scenery changes etc, it's an outstanding piece of work and covers a vast area that we've never had represented before in the game, all on one route, it's highly recommended.

Cheerz. Steve.

Hi Steve,

I feared that might be the case, it isn't an area of railway I have explored really despite being relatively local. I know that BR controversially knocked down Derby's VIctorian station building in 1985 and replaced it with a carbuncle.

I have plans to get the John Griffiths route, I love the steam period too so happy with that, I agree his routes are excellent, I still have SDB installed. I am replacing my hard drive around Christmas as it is getting so slow so won't be adding any routes till after.

Thanks,
Peter

[gptech]

at first I thought it was a route extension to MML like they did for GEML.

They didn't extend GEML though, just added scenery and detail to a huge bare bit.

From the JT page about it...

If you own the Great Eastern Main Line London-Ipswich Route Add-On and have noticed that the part of the line from around a mile outside of Manningtree to Harwich Town is track only and has no scenery or detail, Just Trains brings you the missing parts to make the Mayflower line shine in glorious detail!

https://www.justtrains.net/product/the- ... ch-upgrade

[Oldpufferspotter]

Best not to do Bedford to Leicester yet.
Electrification work is going ahead from Bedford to Kettering and Corby, and Market Harborough station is being drastically altered; you won't recognise it when it's been done (eliminating the S curve through the station and providing new longer straight platforms). The new track bed is lower than the present main lines, presumably to allow extra height beneath an overbridge at the north end in readiness for electrification (when it eventually comes), and then there's the existing rising gradient to clear what was the Rugby Peterborough line (closed 1964 or thereabouts). The existing line then decends before rising again towards the north. I do wonder if they will eliminate that "flyover" and provide a more even gradient and easier high speed curve there as well, but that hasn't been mentioned anywhere so is pure conjecture on my part.
When electrification to Leicester is eventually carried out there is also going to be a massive problem with the London Road bridge at the very end of the platforms, very restricted height at the moment with various main sewers, water supplies and other essential services passing not very low underneath the track! Not to mention the existing kink in the track causing a 15mph speed restriction. It has been conjectured that the platform heights might need to be altered in any solution...

[Iskra]

Always a welcome addition to the English rail map so long as I wait to see plenty of screen shots first.
I'm sorry but my opinion of Western Mainlines remains the same as in it's like a map made by and for use THE SIMPSONS...
I fell for all the hype when that thing came out and dove straight in and bought it, oh boy, what a mistake. I have better more realistic routes in my old old old copy of TRAINZ2004.
Hence why Just Trains have not had a penny off me since. I really hoped the Marlybone to Brum would have looked way better but I'm yet to see the evidence to convince me to part with hard earned money. I think it is such a shame as back in the early days J/T were known for high quality work and products. Those poor quality trees and grass etc, are such a let down for me. The cartoon buildings and basic low quality visuals are no longer worth paying money when a free route of much higher quality can be made by a member of the community as a spare time hobby and blow us all away with the absolute precision and attention to detail that can't be beaten. That's what I'll pay good money for.
Off for my curry now a few tins.

This is pretty much my opinion. Bought Western Mainlines, but haven't touched anything from JT since. The quality really needs upping. Perhaps that's why they are doing a shorter route, so it can be more detailed?

I'm glad to have a route involving my home city (Sheffield) as we are lacking in Yorkshire routes.

36 miles is a decent route length if it is well detailed. Riviera Lines and South Wales Coastal Bristol-Cardiff are similar distances and I enjoy them.

Even though not the longest there is quite a bit of variety on this route; EMT/XC expresses using 220/221/222/HST, EMT & Northern semi-fasts using 158/156/153, Northern stoppers using 142/150 heading to Dore, TP 185's (you could substitute a 170 from the AP pack) to Dore and then various freight and Network Rail Trains.

If they could extend the route a few miles at any point that could add on more fun, ie towards any of Hope/Meadowhall/Nottingham/Burton/South of Derby.

I will be reading lots of reviews before parting with my cash though. Once bitten...

[sandy130674]

I'm afraid I have to agree too with regards to the quality of Just Trains routes. My first purchase was Western Mainlines, and whilst the route was far from perfect, with bouncy track and jarring linear vegetation, it was forgiveable owing to the enormous scale of the route. Next up was Edinburgh to Newcastle which I found to be very unstable and even bouncier, with inconsistent superelevation, but hey, it was the last section of the ECML with no alternatives, so I put up with it. After experiencing a very dated rendition of the Scottish ECML and an inexcusably bad Chiltern Mainline offering I vowed never to buy another Just Trains route. I know it sounds harsh, but it's my hard earned money and I've experienced the wonders of the excellent freeware routes available now - Just Trains definitely do need to up their game.

[smarty2]

https://i.imgur.com/gxuM60O.gif

[twirlycactus]

I'm afraid I have to agree too with regards to the quality of Just Trains routes. My first purchase was Western Mainlines, and whilst the route was far from perfect, with bouncy track and jarring linear vegetation, it was forgiveable owing to the enormous scale of the route. Next up was Edinburgh to Newcastle which I found to be very unstable and even bouncier, with inconsistent superelevation, but hey, it was the last section of the ECML with no alternatives, so I put up with it. After experiencing a very dated rendition of the Scottish ECML and an inexcusably bad Chiltern Mainline offering I vowed never to buy another Just Trains route. I know it sounds harsh, but it's my hard earned money and I've experienced the wonders of the excellent freeware routes available now - Just Trains definitely do need to up their game.

If it's only 36 miles, the trackwork better be perfect, and the scenery should be detailed (no kuju houses, roads, trees etc!)
Look at DTGs Cardiff - Swansea route!
Would have been better if they had done a bit more, like down to Leicester & Nottingham.
The route is quite scenic, but a bit repetitive and short, with just a 30 minute journey time, and end to end intercity services.