Penzance to Paddington

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 8:39 pm

As some of you may know, I and my co-author - Dave Pascoe - are working to create the GWR Penzance to Paddington route as it existed around 1950. So, by way of an update
1. We are still working on the route.
2. All mainline track is layed from Penzance to Paddington, including the Taunton-Bristol-Swindon-Reading loop.
3. Scenery is 80% complete in Devon, 70% in Cornwall and 0% elsewhere
4. All branch lines are in place as they existed in Devon and Cornwall in the 50's
5. Signals and stations are in place (mostly west of Exeter)
6. A review of the mainline track indicates that there are elevation discrepancies - so parts of the mainline are going to have to be re-layed so that we will have correct gradients at the right places. This will cause our original publication date of Xmas to be delayed. However, if there is any interest in getting the route as is, I will ask the powers that be at TrainSim UK if they will distribute the CD. Despite its flaws, it is a very playable route (over 500 miles of track) and will support inumerable activities.
This is a labour of love that may never be truly 'finished' (Did we forget to put 3 milkchurns on Yelverton's platform 1?). However, after we have fixed the elevation issues, and everything west of Exeter is in place, then we will make that available as the 'official' Version 1. The next phase is to finish the Exeter to Reading piece (both routes) which will be Version 2 and lastly, the section from Reading to Paddington which will be Version 3.
Note that this route does NOT have a white-out problem at longitiude 2 degrees.
Attached are a few pics illustrating parts of the route and the excellent models that Dave Pascoe produces.

Derick

Click the image to zoom in
[/img]

Click the image to zoom in

asalmon · Post by **asalmon** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 8:48 pm

Ooh, looking good!

Another route I can't wait to get my hands on!

-Alan

ianm42 · Post by **ianm42** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 9:13 pm

truely gobsmacked

streeter · Post by **streeter** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 9:32 pm

Yes Indeed!!! What a mouthwatering route!!!

What realism in the Tamar Bridge shot - tremendous stuff!!!

I think you should go ahead and burn the first CD - the corrected track elevations could be posted as an "Update" file at a later date anyway! I can't wait to smell "Daw's Creamery" at Totnes again (did 'ee ever pass it when they were a making of the cheese???)

Are you planning, at a future date, to swing the line North at Cowley Bridge Junction for the old LSWR cross-Dartmoor route to Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth? One GWR train daily ran this route to keep the train crews familiar with the alternative route in the event of Dawlish sea wall damage - a regular feature!!!

Congratulations on fine workmanship!!!

phill70 · Post by **phill70** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:02 pm

Go for it, sounds very good, i can't wait

Glyn

GavinW · Post by **GavinW** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:09 pm

Yes, looks good. (And this from an LNER man!) Yes, Yes, Yes, issue it asap! We can deal with upgrades later!!

gopher · Post by **gopher** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:50 pm

I'm looking forward to this one!

isambardkingdombrunel · Wed Oct 30, 2002 11:02 pm

Truely magnificent ,glad you spelt my name correctly on that little bridge i knocked up ,all those years ago.

IKB.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 1:36 am

Fantastic route. Please issue it as soon as you are happy that it's presentable.

Only one question - why the 1950s and not the 1930s (the decade that most people go misty-eyed about the GWR?)

morricom · Post by **morricom** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 1:40 am

only one word to describe this, WOW!!!

Ian Morris

Timcourt1 · Post by **Timcourt1** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 3:58 am

Lovely- brings a tear to my eye especially seeing the married quarters across the water there!

do you want some RN Frigates?? can do those if you want them?

qzdcg8 · Post by **qzdcg8** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 7:58 am

From one route builder to another...

Looks Excellent!

1crick14a · Post by **1crick14a** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 9:17 am

This has got to be better than sliced bread...............R

montylowe2 · Post by **montylowe2** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 10:22 am

Hi all
Just truly fantastic !! I knew you were doing the route a while ago

I just woundered how you were doing , what a Bridge!!
NICE WORK

Regards
Richard Lowe

dwjoy · Post by **dwjoy** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 1:39 pm

To Streeter... That one slipped through the net, but could fairly easily be added on. We do, of course, have the alternate route from Exeter to Newton Abbot via Heathfield should there be choppy weather in the Channel.
To Saddletank ... I suppose I chose the 1950 era because I can remember avidly collecting GWR engine numbers during that period. Several pieces of the route are done from memory, such as Paignton Station with the iron lattice footbridge that every boy would stand on, waiting for the train to depart and be enveloped in steam as the engine passed underneath.
To all ... thank you for your kind comments. We will keep you advised of our progress.

Derick