Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:48 am Post subject: Virtual Railway Modelling.
Another favourite hobby of mine, is 'Virtual Railway Modelling'. This differs from Railway Modelling in that my railway excists only on the Harddrive of my computer, and not in actual model form. I do not have the space or money to build a 'real' model layout, so, instead, I chose to go for Virtual Modelling. There are a couple of really excellent Railway Simulations around, my favourite was originally developed and marketed by an Austrailian Software company called 'Auran'. Under the 'Trainz' tradename. However, since the first version was released over four years ago, it has developed into a Worldwide Hobby for literally thousands of people. Much of the content is produced by 'Independant Content Creators', and is available freely on Aurans 'Download Station. However, to access it, you have to become a Registered User. There are also quite a few other Creators who have developed 'Payware' content, over and above what is available on the Download Station. Like any hobby, Trainz is worth spending money on. Since I first discovered it almost four years ago, my computer system has been upgraded many times with state-of-the-art Graphics Cards, Memory, Larger Hardrives ect. until I now use a system capable of running the very demanding simulation properly.
Believe me, if you love railways, you will love 'Trainz'.
A true icon of the industrial age Admin, thank God he didn't know when to stop ! As well as the railways, he turned his hand to shipbuilding,tunnel building,bridge building and host of other things as well
Will we ever see his like again ? I very much doubt it.
Just thought I'd post an update on my Virtual Railways world. In between my online work with Forums and Research, I have been spending a lot of time with my Virtual Trainset!
I am now running a reproduction layout of the West Somerset Railway, but set back in 1952 when British Railways was running it. This gives me a lot of scope to run most of my favourite GWR. steam locos complete with rakes of GWR/Early B.R. coaches, and non-fitted freight trains. Lots of shunting at wayside stations, and Summer Saturday passenger trains to Butlins Holiday Camp at Minehead!
I am now looking into starting an early GWR Broadgauge layout. No cars, just horse-drawn waggons, men in top hats, and old cottages, horses, sheep, and cattle, and of course, those marvellous old Broad Gauge trains.
I shall be starting to build my virtual 19th century world soon, so, naturally this has meant a lot of time researching the net and my own library of railway books.
I hope to have my first trains running by Christmas. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
I don't understand what you mean admin. Do you mean that you have pictures of different sets like the one on the first posting? _________________ Marie
Marie, let me try to explain things for you. A Virtual Railway Sim is a programme written for computers, (just like any game programme), that allows you to 'bring to life' different types of trains and scenary. You can 'run' your own railway system on your computer. You firstly buy the Simulation, and as you go on you can add many different downloaded items to the basic programme. For instance, I now have almost 9gb. of Railway items on my hardrive. These include many different locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, cars, roads, trees, people, animals, that are compatable with the initial programme.
Once you've got the knack, you can use these items to build your own virtual railway. It can be of any timescale, any country, older type steam engines, or modern Channel Tunnel trains. It does help, however, if you have a knowledge of railways, how they operate, and of course, you have to be fairly computer literate to get the most from it.
Can I direct you to the main 'TRAINZ' website, where it will show you the sim, and goes into more detail?www.auran.com/trainz _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Thank you I understand that. It must be the same concept as Sims programmes. I couldn't understand why they were so popular. I may try sims now. _________________ Marie
Sims, are, exactly what they say. They are real life 'simulations' as opposed to 'games'. I have been doing a lot more to my new Broadgauge layout today, and now have enough track laid to run my first train over it. It's a Branchline set somewhere in Cornwall circa 1890, and I'm really having fun placing the horses and waggons in place. I have to keep reminding myself that the period I'm now working with is over 115 years ago, when things were very different. No proper made up roads, no modern buildings, and most certainly no cars.
It's a good job that I know a bit about Social History, otherwise there would be glaring anomalies everywhere. It is difficult though to get everything exact, so, naturally, I am using 'modellers' licence' just a little.
I will try and post some screenshots of my world when ready. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:30 am Post subject: GWR Motor.
This is a 'screenshot' from my GWR Standard gauge layout. It shows a GWR 'Motortrain' just arrived at Norton Fitzwarren, with passengers waiting to board it for the shuttle back to Taunton.
I will post some more pictures later on, hopefully, because I don't find taking 'screenshots' very easy to do.
_________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Well, I now have some Broadgauge Trains operating on my new layout. It is set somewhere in North Cornwall circa 1890, (two years before all the system was converted to Narrow, or Standard Gauge.)
I've got two old B.G. loco's so far, 'Firefly', and a later Gooch 'Single', "Bulkely."
Along with some four wheeled coaches, and some old wagons. I'm spending a lot of time on the scenic effects with this one, as it's not just about the Railway, but I'm aiming to create a virtual world of that era. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Here's an early photo of 'Bulkely', taken from the archives.
As you can see, the old Broadgauge loco's looked rather different to the Standard Gauge ones we all became familiar with.
A further update on the world of Virtual Railway Modelling.
The Broad Gauge layout has been 'converted' into a 'Mixed Gauge' layout. This gives much more operating scope, and helps to sustain interest. Both types of trains can now be used, which makes for a very interesting and varied scene.
I have upshifted the time scale slightly to the year 1891. The GWR were running both types of train by then, and only a very few branchlines still remained 100% Broadgauge.
Still no cars or lorries, everything was still horse-drawn, and the roads were still not paved.
When you model this era, it's astounding just how much our transport network progressed during the last century.
My other main route is of Cornwall, from Plymouth to Penzance. This is set in the early sixties, and again, it gives one great operating scope. Original GWR steam locos, vied for dominance with the early types of Diesel traction like Class 52's, (Westerns), Class 50's, (Warships), and early Diesel Multiple Units. (DMU's).
Mark One coaches mingled with earlier ex GWR/Southern types, and non-fitted freight trains were the standard type of frieght. Semaphore signals were still almost totally dominent, although some early coloured light signals were in place, (if not in use yet.)
Coach colours varied from Crimson and Cream, a.k.a. "Blood and Custard," to B.R. /Midland Maroon or Crimson Lake.
The GWR "Chocolate and Cream" were still much in evidence, as was the S.R. Malachite Green.
No sign of any Blue/Grey British Rail stock, (that was at least five years in the future.) _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
A further update on the Cornish route. I have now reached Falmouth, and, have added a ficticious town of my own called Pendennis. Now, before some Geographical cleaver-clogs jumps up and says, "But there is a place called Pendennis near Falmouth", let me explain what I've done. In reality, this branch ends at Falmouth Docks, but I decieded to place my ficticious town further down the line.
I still have to reach Penzance yet, but as this is the Main Line, it's taking somewhat longer to build and populate.
I have now reached Truro, where there was a busy Steam Shed and goods yard. The City itself is on a hill and the railway runs alongside the hill. I have built the town and placed the Cathedral in situ, also the mainline station. There is now a junction off towards Penzance which will be the end of the line. About another thirty miles to go, (in 1/1 scale), so I estimate that this final section of the line will be open for traffic around May this year.
Besides this line, I'm still working on my Broad Gauge line, which is held up slightly, awaiting new locos and rolling stock, also some passengers in period costume, to fit in with the overall scenario. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Time for a further update. The GWR Mixed Gauge layout is coming along well, I now have more Locomotives and Passenger coaches, including the first "bogie" stock, but still no corridors yet.
I've put in place some "animated" cows that move their heads and swish their tails. These look really good as you see them in the fields watching the trains go by.
I have a Blacksmiths Forge, with carthorses and old farm tools scattered around. The smoke from the forge issues up through the chimney, and you can hear the sounds of hammering and metal clashing if you listen carefully.
I've now got "surround sound" speakers on my computer, and have bought a surround sound Sound Card for it, which Lou will fit when she gets time.
Recently, however, I've got somewhat sidetracked, (no pun intended), and I'm running another layout at the opposite end of the country.
It's set in Scotland and it's the main line from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and Inverness, and it takes you through some wonderful virtual scenary, lochs, mountains, and little wayside Halts in the middle of nowhere.
Great fun! _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Time for a further update on my Virtual Railways. The Cornish main line hasn't progressed any further, as I am still searching for an old Ordnance Survey map of that area to work with.
I've been amusing myself with the Minehead line, (now known as The West Somerset Railway).
I've set this around 1951 (ish), when it was under British Railways control. Makes for very interesting operating. Cattle, Milk, Parcels, and General Goods were very much in evidence. Most of the stations had their own Cattle Docks and General Goods sheds.
I have used "Modellers Licence" to install a single track from Watchet to a quarry hidden in the hills. This line, is freight only now, although it did have a token passenger service which closed over twenty years ealier, therefore the small Halts along the line are still in situ but very much overgrown with weeds, flowers, and long grass. The line itself is rusty and partly overgrown too, although it still has around three or four trains per week.
Sadly, the Quarry is on the verge of closure, then what's left of the line will revert to Nature again.
Minehead is still very busy with Holiday Camp (Butlins) Specials, plenty of freight and a large cattle loading area.
You would be amazed at how relaxing I find this hobby, just the thing to help you unwind after a busy and tireing day. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Well, it's been a while since a Trainz update. Whilst I've been busy online with other projects, I have still managed to make time for my favourite Sim.
I recently downloaded a Trolleybus Layout, based in the City of Nottingham. Makes a change from running trains actually, and it's good fun. Question, just why did local authorities ever get rid of trolleybuses? They were quick, quiet, and non-polluting, they would have been an idea form of people-mover in congested and fume-ridden cities.
Any suggestions?
I can remember riding on the Bournemouth trolleys many years ago, they were great, brilliant colour too, a bright yellow!
I've put the Broad Gauge layout on a temporary "hold" until I can find more time to work on it.
I have tried to post some more screenshots of my layouts, but for some reason the pictures show in a different format which isn't compatable with this forums picture hosting service. Never mind, I shall keep trying. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Here are some Screenshots from my Trainz Simulator as promised. They show two very different parts of the country, West Somerset, And East Kent. Hope you like them.
I had to resize the photos and reformat the them into jpeg mode before I could post them here. It took a bit of time, but using my new Image Software programme, (BIMP), I did it quite successfully I feel.
Here are some pics of my Broad Gauge railway as promised. I still have a great deal of work to do on this one, but I feel that these are worthy of public showing. This layout is set in North Cornwall circa 1890.
Wow! Four months since I last updated this thread. Doesn't time go quickly?
To bring you all up to date with what's been happening in the wonderful world of Trainz.
I have recently been running a version of the "Severn Valley" Railway, from Kidderminster to Bridgenorth. This layout is right up to date set in 2007, and because it's actually a Heritage Railway in real life, it gives me a lot of scope to run a variety of locos and rolling stock that would never have been used on that line when it was still under British Railways ownership.
Besides this, I have also been adding touches and improving my Exeter layout. I have re-instated the Teighn Valley line (Exeter to Heathfield, and on to Newton Abbot.). I have set this around the late fifties, (It was actually closed to passenger traffic in 1958) before Doctor Beeching got his grubby hands on the purse strings! This line was actually closed by British Railways itself. I have always thought it to be a shame, because the line was an alternative to the coastal route that runs along the seawall via Dawlish.
So, as you can see, I am still finding time to enjoy my virtual railways, although it's getting harder to find the time due to being very busy with my other online commitments. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
I've been trying to find the time to continue with my Virtual Railway modelling inbetween other projects, and cleaning, cooking, and bottle-washing.
I now have a very passable reproduction of the Minehead line circa 1890. Yes, it's back to the Broad Gauge again for this layout, it's the full distance from Taunton to Minehead, (around 25 miles). Set in the last decade of the 19th century, again, no motor vehicles, just horses and carts and wagons. I have been putting the finishing touches to Blue Anchor this evening, complete with sound effects of seagulls, waves, and other rural sounds. You really wouldn't believe just how relaxing this project can be. I can "lose" myself in it for a couple of hours at a time, and it's hard, sometimes to come back to the modern world. Oh for a Time Machine!!!
Once it's all done, I'll post some more screen shots of it for you to enjoy.
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