Bedford Hitchin Branch

[steamnut44]

Very nice Charles, this should be a nice little branch line and set in the era I like. Keep up the good work.

Geoff

[Neptune50006]

Hi Gary

Did you see this last post by Charles.

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 2&t=101359

Happy New Year.

Cheers
Jon

Hello Jon.

Happy new year back to you

Unfortunately that link doesn't work!

[jbilton]

Hello Jon.

Happy new year back to you

Unfortunately that link doesn't work!

Not to worry... he must have deleted it.

Cheers
Jon

[energize]

Looks very good, nearly as good as the Gloucester-Warwick Railway.

Any timescale as to when you'll finish it?

[charles9malcolm]

Good question!

I started in December 08 and had planned to release it about now; but I am far from finished, mainly due to scenery creation taking way longer than I expected and pressures at work.

So far I have all track, roads and signals laid and have created scenery for about half the route. Big jobs still to do include Hitchin and Bedford Midland stations, sounds, car spawners, seasonal and night textures, beta testing and maybe some bespoke rolling stock.

I am pleased with how it looks so far and I’m determined to finish the whole route to the same standard so it may take a while. If anyone's interested in lending a hand I’d be delighted to hear from you, no matter how small the contribution!

Cheers
Charles

[charles9malcolm]

Hi Folks,

A quick progress report on this project:

The route is now about 80% complete with scenery completed from Cardington to Ickleford, I still have to complete Bedford Midland and Hitchin stations. This might take relatively longer than the rest route, simple because of amount of scenery that needs building from scratch. I hope to have a beta version ready for testing in the not too distant future (if anyone's interested in doing some testing drop me a pm). In the meantime hope you enjoy these screenshots.

Cheers

Charles



A sulzer type 2 exits Warden Tunnel with a goods train to Hitchin. This cutting was used as a filming location in 'Those magnificanet men in their flying machines'


The same train passes the remains of Warden Abbey, now a holiday home.


A 2MT tank passes Claypitts Farm on the approach to Southill.


Hustle and bustle (!) at Southill.


Southill station cottage gardens


Just after leaving Southill a 4F struggles up the 1 in 80 to Ireland with a brick train.


Ex Midland Kirtley 1F at the line's summit at Ireland. The building in the background is the Black Horse PH; now a trendy gastropub.


A 2MT and some brank spanking MK1s coasting down the grade towards Shefford.


A 3F shunts livestock wagons in the cattle dock at Shefford



A J15 with a parcels train from Hitchin passes the goods shed at Shefford.

[jbilton]

Hi Charles

Looks a superb route.

Did you see my reply to your question the other day
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 8#p1263868

Cheers
Jon

[charles9malcolm]

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply on bounding boxes. I've been slogging away with mosaic making making lots of field boundaries for the past week or so - I'd actually forgot I'd asked the question in the first place! I'll digest in due course.

Cheers

Charles

[model321]

This route is looking excellent, keep up the good work .

Matt C

[kieranhardy]

I can only echo what i've previously said.

This route looks fantastic.

[dee4141]

This is a great route and very atmospheric too. Loved the greenhouse!

[douglee]

Hi Charles,
Only just seen this (believe it or not).

Multi unit Trainsets have their place but this is a "Real" railway.

Fantistic work.

Saw the comment on the time it has taken. Don't worry take your time it will be better for it.

Good luck
Doug

[charles9malcolm]

Dear all,

Kieran Hardy has been doing some beta testing for me and has kindly posted some more screenshots of the route. Thanks Kieran!

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 9&t=105632

Also, just for fun I've set up a small website about the branch. If you're interested the link is below.

Cheers

Charles

[passedcleaner]

This is exactly the kind of route I love to hear about. Nothing too enormous so my rickety old PC can cope, but packed full of detail and interest operationally and visually! Absolutely fantastic choice of route - I assume the author lives in the vicinity?

Whether this is released as freeware or payware (donation, whatever), I will definitely be after it!

Seb

[charles9malcolm]

You assume right, I grew up in this corner of Bedfordshire and know it pretty well.

Just to clarify, the route will be 100% free and after release i'll put together an asset pack for other route builders to use.