Making Tracks Discussion

And Coming out now is the 14th release:



The Thumper upgrade pack.

The team, with Alec Ralph (rufuskins) taking the lead on this project, is working on a modification of the “Thumpers” (Classes 201 to 207) contained in the Making Tracks project files.  There is quite a lot of work to do and the release will likely be some time off.

As an interim measure, Bob Latimer has modified the Class 201, 205 and 207 Thumpers that were included with Making Tracks’ London & South East route.  The modifications include adding a cabview to suitably-modified rear units and balancing power levels so that the consists can be driven from either end.

Note that these files have the same file names as the originals and will therefore overwrite them.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

Hi Everybody,

As has previously been mentioned elsewhere there is an .ace file issue with the 158s.
Ged has kindly created a patch file that will add in the missing files.
I have uploaded it to the TSSH File hosting site (https://tsshonline.weebly.com/).
I have also added these files to the main installer for those who have not as yet downloaded the file.

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is a surprise 15th release:



A HST livery expansion pack.

Featuring some of the "newer" liveries that were not included in the previous release.

This pack also includeds a major first: the Prototype HST set, modelled as running undertesting in the early days after being fitted with lights.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

Wow this is certainly a suprise, will look forward to downloading this later.

What a fantastic addon pack, are there plans for missing liveries for the other stock??

Hello All!

cgood124 wrote:are there plans for missing liveries for the other stock??

All I can say is that SOME packs MAY receive additional units in other liveries.
Some packs have a whole lot of missing liveries and unique one off liveries that make getting every livery almost impossible.
Also new liveries are being made everyday (nearly), and I do happen to have a day job, so I can't keep up.

On another note, the HST main pack has been updated to match the recently released extra livery pack.
There is the option of re-downloading the whole pack, or I have also uploaded a patch file for the changes.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

Which extra liveries are you interested in ?

Hi Everyone,

The patch for the Class 66 containers has now been uploaded to the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/.

Please note that you do need the re-released Class 66 pack for these files to work, as these are upgraded texture files only, no shape files or wag files are provided.

This is a simple aesthetic patch only and does not alter the performance of the previously released rolling stock in any way.

The replacement ace files are courtesy of Ged Saunders.

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the 16th release:



The Siemens Desiro pack.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

Although I have many of the sets released here,I cannot say how good it is of those responsible including Dave Babb,Justin and Ged for sorting it all out.Very kind.Thank you.

MS302 wrote:Although I have many of the sets released here,I cannot say how good it is of those responsible including Dave Babb,Justin and Ged for sorting it all out.Very kind.Thank you.

The pleasure is ours! I am just grateful for all the help that everyone has been so kindly giving.

Justin

And Coming out now is the 17th release:



Classes 320/321/322 pack.

This pack has been greatly expanded from its original release by Making Tracks.
This pack has the correct logos for the Arriva Metro 321, as well as a large number of new liveries for the 321s.
It also includes models of the 322s in most of their liveries prior to their rebuilds.
Also included are new models of the 320s as used in Scotland.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

Coming soon...

Hi Justin,
That IS good news

I remember when the "Mucky Ducks" were first mentioned on the Making Tracks website and was looking forward to them being released with great anticipation!!

Thank you, and great thanks to Daryn Dunkley who, I believe, is their creator.

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Ged,

10 points to you! Yes Daryn Dunkley is the creator of the Making Tracks 4MTs.

Daryn has decided to join in our merry band of misfits and will be contributing some more models as the time allows.

Justin

And Coming out now is the 18th release:



The MT Fragonset Class 33s pack featuring a set of Mk1 rail tour coaches.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the 19th release:



The MT TEA Tanker wagon pack.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

An oil tail lamp on a class A tank!!!.

Dangerous and not allowed.

ianmacmillan wrote:An oil tail lamp on a class A tank!!!.

Dangerous and not allowed.

Was the oil tail lamp on the rear in the original files from Making tracks?

Yes, Ian is absolutely correct, In reality the lamp brackets were designed, that it was totally impossible to place an oil tail lamp on them.
They would only tale the electric flashing "Bardic" Tail lamps" or similar.
Cheers
Andy

Hi Ian and Andy,

What is actually worse is the wagon that was in the picture was not part of the pack!
It is a MT wagon (I think from the GE2 route) but it does not form part of this pack.
I have corrected the picture now and I do apologize if anybody was after that particular wagon.

Regards,
Justin

My goodness Justin.
That was a quick response!  I have test ran all of the tank cars and they look great, even the rear ones with the correct tail lamp's!
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,

I was able to correct the image and reply quickly as I had received notification about Ian's message just as I finished my diner.
Briefly I thought it was a bit amusing but then when I looked at the image I posted, I thought that something was very wrong.
Fortunately I had left the main computer on as I had been working on some new coaches before diner so the fix was done faster.
After checking the files out from the installer I realized that I had included a wrong wagon into the consist for the photo.
I had corrected the picture on the forum and was just updating the download site when you posted your reply before I could issue my apology.

Regards,
Justin

I would like to say "Thank You" to the crew over here at TSSH for re-releasing the Making Tracks addons. They're excellent pieces of work.

Pleas forgive me for the following, but tf I recall correctly, MT made a donationware Class 89 pack to help save 89001. Will that be re-released?

Thanks,

Parker

Hi Parker,
Welcome to the Forum

Yes, you are correct - I have the Class 89 donation pack.

I don't know if it's eligible for release, as it was created for the AC Locomotive Group and had contributions from Blue Arrow and EuropeanBahn as well as Making Tracks.

I'll leave Justin to answer your key question!

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Parker,

Unfortunately as the original pack involved 3 groups and not just Making Tracks and it was also a special release for the AC Locomotive Group, then the original pack won't be re-released. However that does not stop us from creating a new pack with new models for release at some point in the future.

Just don't ask for a release date... There is a bit of a back log of work to get through.

Regards,
Justin

Thanks for the reply. As I missed out on the original pack (I was young back then, and had no money to my name), I would appreciate some new Class 89 models, even if the Class 89 isn't to everyone's taste.

Take as much time as you need.

Hi Parker,
If you REALLY want a Class 89 loco, there's one in EuropeanBahn's Locomotives & Activities Collection, which looks very similar to the one in Making Tracks' donation pack.

Currently, two of these add-ons are available here :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Locomotives-Activities-Collection-Microsoft-Train-Simulator-PC-CD-ROM/223869398868?epid=1107973141&hash=item341fa7ef54:g:jb8AAOSwhbZeKLx-

Cheers,
Ged

SD40-2 wrote:Thanks for the reply. As I missed out on the original pack (I was young back then, and had no money to my name), I would appreciate some new Class 89 models, even if the Class 89 isn't to everyone's taste.

Take as much time as you need.

Hi Parker.
The class 89 only consists of one loco, 89001 It was built as a Prototype for the East Coast main line, The production loco's were the class 91.
The real class 89 is currently in an advance state of overhaul and hopefully will see service again working charter trains.
The class 89 model comes in three liveries, Inter City Inter City Executive and Great North Eastern Railway Blue. I have the pack and the 89 is my favourite electric loco to drive.
Kind Regards
Andy

Ged,

Thanks. I'll see if I can get some spare cash to pick one of those up. My extra money kinda fluxes around, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

Andy,

My applogies for the mis-interpretation there. I do know there was only one Class 89 built. I was referring to the multiple models representing 89001 at different times in life.

Parker Boots

Hi again Parker.
Have you looked at the ebay link that Ged posted?
There is also a GNER East Coast Express Part One. covering London Kings Cross to Peterborough which would be ideal for running  your class 89 on.
So far Nobody has bidded for it.
This is Part one of four CD's Part two will take you from Peterborough to York via Retford and Doncaster Part three takes you from Doncaster to Leeds and continues
to York via the un electrified route via Church Fenton.  Like Part One, You would have to look on e bay but they are worth having.
Kind Regards.
Andy .

Hi Chaps,
Apologies for moving a little (!) off topic, but ...

I don't know if you remember, but in 2017 (was it really that long ago?!!), I collected some MSTS CDs from a couple of members of UKTS who had moved on to other sims, and offered them for a nominal sum (£2.50), to cover post, packing and my costs.  I still have a few left, one of which is the East Coast Route Part 2. Each of the parts of ECE may be used independently, eg it's not necessary to have Part 1 installed to be able to run Part 2.

If anyone would like it, please contact me using a PM with your postal address and we can exchange details.

I'm unable to link to the UKTS thread as the Forum is still not accessible!

Cheers,
Ged

It is a pity that none of the routes are available or that no one seems to want to upgrade the LSE route with some extra scenery objects i.e trees and houses.I would,but do not have the skill to do so.Having said that,I do have all their routes except the Irish ones.

Hi Peter,
I hope you're keeping well !

This is one of your favourite subjects, isn't it ?

I'm pretty certain that, even if you could find somebody prepared to spend the time upgrading LSE to your specifications, that permission to release it would not be forth-coming! Of course, you could always employ (ie pay!) somebody to do it just for you.

Cheers,
Ged

I've been upgrading LSE for ten years for my own use. It wouldn't be possible to pass it on for copyright reasons. I have used a lot of other people's buildings as well as making some of my own and planting hundreds of hedges and trees.

It's been great fun to do.
Roderic

Hello Ged,yes I am and I hope everyone else is too ! Yes,it is one of my favourite subjects,as it would be nice to drive the route with a bit more scenery on it,especially having travelled down to the real East Grinstead ( for instance) for a Nine Elms reunion day on the Bluebell and seeing how much vegetation there really is.I managed Kidderminstter to East Grinstead and back in the day.Kiddy to Marylebone return was £5.50 !

And Coming out now is the 20th ( ) release:



The MT 'Toffee Apple' Class 31 pack.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

Hi All,

As Steve on UKTS has pointed out, there is an issue with the ace file for the ScotRail Saltire livery units PMS car.
I have uploaded a replacement ACE File to the TSSH file hosting site.

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the 21st release:



The MT Vxx Van pack with Class 31s pack.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the 22th release:



MT VDA Vans Pack with Class 37s.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

As it stands now, we have only one more original pack to go and then all the original packs will have been released.

"So, what comes next?" I can hear you ask. Well, there is the 4MT pack as previously announced which is also nearly ready and then all I can say is Waite and see.

Regards,
Justin

p.s. Yes there is a (very) little hint as to what is coming next using a personal joke that I tend to make...

Hi All,

I have (finally) uploaded the activities that were originally included with some of the original Making Tracks packs.
The 3 sets are available now on the TSSH File hosting site.

I have also given the Making tracks page a bit of a make-over by adding "jump" sections so that you can now click on a section button and it takes you to that part of the page: i.e. by clicking on the "activities" button it will take you to the section where the activities are. There are also buttons to return you to the top of the page.

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the 23rd and final release from the original packs that Making Tracks produced:



The MT Jamie Bowey Tribute VGA/VKA Vans Pack with a RFD Class 31, Class 37 & Class 47.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

As it stands now, we have completed all the original rolling stock packs by Making Tracks.
A big thank you goes out to everyone who has been involved with this mammoth task, with a big thank you to Ged Saunders who has done a lot of the heavy work to get these files released. Also a big thank you to Bob Latimer for doing the testing of the packs, and for putting Dave Babb and myself in contact to get these files saved back in the middle of last year.

"So, what comes next?"
As previously stated the 4MTs are currently in the workshops having their files sorted prior to release, and I have numerous new projects and expansion packs on the go.
So the releases will still keep coming, but at a slower, more as they are developed rate. There is however an increasing amount of modellers joining the team, so things will be coming out regularly from different sources.

Regards,
Justin

A couple of recent items are "7z" files,I cannot unzip them....any help ? Thank you.I should add that I tried to install winzip,but my MSTS computer does not get connected to the internet,which is what winzip wants to do to install.

Erm, ah, eh? Opps!

That would be because I use 7zip to create my exe/zip files and it defaults to .7z for its own version of a zip file which is more compressed.
I have redone and uploaded the files as a normal zip file.

Cheers,
Justin

Thank you for that,much appreciated.

j3801 wrote:...........As it stands now, we have completed all the original rolling stock packs by Making Tracks................................... have numerous new projects and expansion packs on the go. So the releases will still keep coming.................................Regards,Justin

Hi Justin,

If as you say all the original MT packs have now been released, and have new products 'in the works', can I suggest that instead of packaging them as 'MT' products, maybe call them 'Making Tracks + Plus' packs, or similar name that implies extending on from MT. This preserves the legacy of the originals, but also allows moving into the future.

Regards, Brian

Hi Everyone,

I figured it is about time to explain what is happening with things going forward.

The Making Tracks project is heading into Phase 2, which is to get basically all the started in-development Making Tacks projects finished. So far there have been 2 previously unreleased models released. Dave had been working on the Prototype HST125 power car which I managed to finish off and release along with matching trailer cars as well as a batch of new HST125 liveries. The other is the class 320s, which were included in the massively expanded 321 pack. Initially this pack only contained about 15 class 321s. I finished off the 320s, expanded the number of 321 liveries and added the 322 liveries which are based on the 321s.

With regards to heavier “new” pack creation: these “new” packs that will be coming out are still going to be Making Tracks products as they were started (and some nearly finished) during MTs time and will be a continuation of the program in place when MT closed. At this time no “all new, non-Making Tracks models” will be released under that banner. Any of my unfinished projects (and there are a few) that end up being finished will be released under my name.

In addition to “new” Making Tracks packs, there has been discussions held about creating some new activities for the recently re-release packs, as well as for the new packs as they come out. These will be released as “stand alones” and at this time will not be included in the packs being released. This of course may change in the future depending on how things progress.

Best wishes and regards,
Justin

Your  (and others) efforts with this is fantastic,I just need more time to run all these goodies !

Hi All,

Whilst preparing a specialised MSTS/OR setup for specialised testing I happened to spot something missing.
The first HST125 pack is missing 5 consists, 2 for the LNER set, 2 for the VTEC set and 1 for the GWR set.
I have released these as a separate download.

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the 1st of the "new" releases:



MT Ivatt Class 4MTs.
This set was produced by Daryn Dunkley just prior to the end of Making Tracks and it never made it to release.
The files have been sorted and made ready for both MSTS and OpenRails.

With this set comes a new feature by Ged Saunders: a Headcode switching program.
This wonderful program enables you to swap headcodes on the engines with ease so that there is no messing around with eng files and trying to get the light positions correct. A quick how to guide is included for reference.

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin

And Coming out now is the next batch of "new" releases:









British Railways Mk3 Loco Hauled Coaches in BR Blue Grey, InterCity Executive, InterCity Swallow and ScotRail Blue Stripe.
The DVTs are driveable as locomotives. They include the Class 90 cabview which is a close representation of the DVT cab.
These sets (where applicable) include new models and improved models of the following coaches:

• BFO - Brake First Open (normal and rear tail lamp fitted) (ICs &ICe).
  
• FO - First Open (normal and rear tail lamp fitted) (All).
  
• TSO - Tourist Second Open (normal and rear tail lamp fitted) (All).
  
• CO - Composite Open (ScotRail Only).
  
• RFM - Restaurant First Modular (not ScotRail).
  
• RFB - Restaurant First Buffet (not ScotRail).
  
• RUB - Restaurant Unclassified Buffet (Blue Grey Only).
  
• PFO - Pullman First Open (Executive Only).
  
• SLE - Sleeper both classes (normal and rear tail lamp fitted) (All).
  
• SLEP - Sleeper with Pantry (normal and rear tail lamp fitted) (All).
  
• DVT - Driving Van Trailer (ICs &ICe).
  

Available now through the TSSH Download site: https://tsshonline.weebly.com/

Regards,
Justin