Potteries loop line.

The Potteries loop line for MSTS is now available to download on UKTS.

http://members.uktrainsim.com/filelib-directory.php?form_start=0&form_hide=on&form_country=54&form_sim=1&form_path=ty=9,cls=3076

It is a fantastic route, I've done all the acts already, very atmospheric.

One of the DMU's didn't have the diesel smoke effect lines in the .eng file and wouldn't display in OR, but is fixed now by copying the lines from one of the other .eng files.

A patch is available at UKTS. File ID# 35389.

The second patch is available at UKTS. File ID# 35554. It covers many of the issues discussed, and others.

Ged has pointed out an error in the packaging of this. It had "TRAINS" and "NSR Lines" folders in the .zip file, whereas it should be "TRAINS" and "ROUTES" (with "NSR Lines" on ROUTES"). I have corrected this and uploaded it. The content remains 100% unchanged. It should be available again soon.

Patch #3 is now available at UKTS.  It included a three-part activity pack.

Thanks David.

I am searching the web  for lists of locos allocated to the Stoke shed during the LMS period.  Can anyone point me in the right direction?

The site HERE gives the allocation at 1948. You can also get the 1948 allocation from Hugh Longworth's "British Railways Steam Shed Allocations". It might be worthwhile posting a query with the LMS Society.

rufuskins wrote:The site HERE gives the allocation at 1948. You can also get the 1948 allocation from Hugh Longworth's "British Railways Steam Shed Allocations". It might be worthwhile posting a query with the LMS Society.

Thanks Alec.  What I am looking for is pre-1948.  I have contacted the LMS Society but have had no response yet.

Whilst not pre-war I hope it might at least give you an idea of the locomotive classes that were typically stabled there. I'll continue to trawl just in case there's something out there!

The original 5-book LMS Engine Sheds series from Wild swan show allocations for 1945 in the first four books (the English railways books - I haven't got it but I believe book 5 covering the Scottish railways has other years allocations).

ShortNorth wrote:The original 5-book LMS Engine Sheds series from Wild swan show allocations for 1945 in the first four books (the English railways books - I haven't got it but I believe book 5 covering the Scottish railways has other years allocations).

Thanks.  It would appear from this that I am still looking for Stoke LMS allocations for the main part of the  LMS period in which I am interested (pre 1945-1948).

Patch #4 is now available at UKTS. In addition to other modifications, It includes a totally new branch and activities fir this. There are also two BR "Cauliflowers" only available in the pack.

Hi David,
Many thanks for this update to a very fine route

Cheers,
Ged

slipperman12 wrote:Hi David,
Many thanks for this update to a very fine route

Cheers,
Ged

Thanks Ged. I will pass your thanks to Bob who did most of the work.

Hi David.

I installed patch #4 last night and the terrain is all over the place.
Some examples....................








This only happening on the new added section as far as I can see, I have all 4 patches installed, I have overwritten when prompted.

I am using Windows 10 + the latest stable version of OR (MSTS has spat its dummy out so I can't try it with that)

Is it just me or have others got the same thing? any help or advise will be welcome.

Thanks.
Mark.

Ged, could you please check and see if you are having the same problem.

Hi David & Mark,
Sorry, but I posted my thanks before I'd tried the updated route.  Unfortunately, I have similar problems when running the new DMU activity!
I'm using MSTS with Windows 7.

Cheers,
Ged

slipperman12 wrote:Hi David & Mark,
Sorry, but I posted my thanks before I'd tried the updated route.  Unfortunately, I have similar problems when running the new DMU activity!
I'm using MSTS with Windows 7.

Cheers,
Ged

Only the one activity Ged, or do you gave the same with the goods activities?

Hi David,
Sorry, but you'll have to wait a bit for that!

Also, the ttype.dat file has been changed and now uses raeurotrack*.sms instead of EuropeSteamTrack* and ukSteamTrack* files. These are not present in my installation which causes errors to be reported.

Cheers,
Ged

Ged, I have sent you an email.

Thanks, Ged and David.

I have just tried it on the return DMU act, it is the same with that too, I don't think there is anything in an .act file that can change or affect the terrain height in the route.

On the return DMU trip the first carriage is missing, (in OR) it is caused by having the diesel effects lines missing in the .eng file, I know how to fix that but others may not.

Markh5682 wrote:Thanks, Ged and David.

I have just tried it on the return DMU act, it is the same with that too, I don't think there is anything in an .act file that can change or affect the terrain height in the route.

On the return DMU trip the first carriage is missing, (in OR) it is caused by having the diesel effects lines missing in the .eng file, I know how to fix that but others may not.

Mark, can you please send me your email address (I suggest by PM or to my email address if you have it). I will send you two file which I hope will resolve the problem.

Thanks David.

You have a PM.

Hi David,
I haven't picked up your email yet, but here's what I've found, in addition to the missing track .sms files :
1. The LNWR cabviews require installing - UKTS File ID 36443
2. I haven't run the activities to completion, but only two seem to have the terrain problems.
3. NS_Leek - Stoke DMU. starts "underground" - as shown by Mark
4. NS_Birchenwood Duty Part 2. This might not be an error, because I'm straying (using Explore) where I shouldn't (yet!). Travelling beyond Pratt's Sidings, the track disappears beneath the terrain towards Fenton Manor where nothing seems to be complete towards Berry Hill!

Cheers,
Ged

slipperman12 wrote:Hi David,
I haven't picked up your email yet, but here's what I've found, in addition to the missing track .sms files  :
1. The LNWR cabviews require installing - UKTS File ID 36443
2. I haven't run the activities to completion, but only two seem to have the terrain problems.
3. NS_Leek - Stoke DMU.  starts "underground" - as shown by Mark
4. NS_Birchenwood Duty Part 2. This might not be an error, because I'm straying (using Explore) where I shouldn't (yet!).  Travelling beyond Pratt's Sidings, the track disappears beneath the terrain towards Fenton Manor where nothing seems to be complete towards Berry Hill!

Cheers,
Ged

Thanks Ged for you help. We have been working on the patch almost a year and some of my records seem to have gone astray (excuses!)!

Thanks for the summary.

1. Agreed. Will add it
2. Some tiles were missing from the patch.
3. same as 2
3. Missing TERRTEX .

david

Hi Ged.

The stoke - leek act has the same problem, I have fixed the missing effects line in the DMU, so I'll run the act all through, though it won't make any difference to the terrain problem.

Markh5682 wrote:Hi Ged.

The stoke - leek act has the same problem, I have fixed the missing effects line in the DMU, so I'll run the act all through, though it won't make any difference to the terrain problem.

Mark, could you please explain "the missing effects line".

Hi David,
I think Mark is referring to a problem which only occurs with Open Rails!

I'll be turning in shortly, so please don't wait for a response today if your message is after 23:00 (BST)!

Cheers,
Ged

dforrest wrote:

Markh5682 wrote:Hi Ged.

The stoke - leek act has the same problem, I have fixed the missing effects line in the DMU, so I'll run the act all through, though it won't make any difference to the terrain problem.

Mark, could you please explain "the missing effects line".

Hi David, it is the diesel effects lines in the eng file usually immediately after the lighting perameters, if the lines are missing it won't show in OR, it's an easy fix, done by copying the effects lines from the one that works, the position of the smoke is normally reversed (the 3rd number in to position line) just add a minus before the 3rd number, or if there is already a minus there, delete it.

EG:-

The original was...........

)

Exhaust1
(
.600 3.700 8.689
.2 .3 0
0.1
)
Exhaust2
(
-0.600 3.700 8.689
.2 .3 0
0.1
)

)
)  

The amended line for the drivers trailer............

)

Exhaust1
(
.600 3.700 -8.689
.2 .3 0
0.1
)
Exhaust2
(
-0.600 3.700 -8.689
.2 .3 0
0.1
)

)
)

Changes marked in red.

Hi David.

Replied to both emails.

Unfortunately there were missing files in the download of Patch #4. A corrected versions has now been uploaded to UKTS and should be available shortly. Anyone having installed the first version should now install this revised version which will overwrite the original version and correct any problems.

Hi David

I have installed the updated patch #4, it has fixed the terrain problem and now looks good.

The eng file still has the missing effects lines and it does not appear in OR, (though the # versions have the modified lines) not a big problem as it is an easy fix.

Mark

Hi David,
Thanks.
Everything looks OK now, and the .sms file errors don't occur
However, I can't see any mention of the cabview being required for the "Cauliflowers".

It appears that further expansion is planned, as the "main" line from Bucknall & Northwood beyond Milton Junction has the track laid, but currently disappears into the terrain, so I'm looking forward to that

Cheers,
Ged

Mark, Ged, your comments are noted. It is good to hear that the terrain problem is now resolved. The Cauliflower cabview is now installed with the patch. The DMU engine modifications can be added to a future patch.

Potteries Loop is always a work-in-progress. Enjoy!

Hi David,

The Cauliflower cabview is now installed with the patch

Many apologies
I was expecting a note in the readme, or something similar, and didn't think of checking there!! It's an even better solution

Cheers,
Ged

slipperman12 wrote:Hi David,

The Cauliflower cabview is now installed with the patch

Many apologies
I was expecting a note in the readme, or something similar, and didn't think of checking there!!  It's an even better solution

Cheers,
Ged

That's good to hear Ged. The ttype.dat problem was also resolved in the patch. There are two version included in the original release of the route, which are switchable. I had included the non-default one in the first version of the patch.

Bob and I will next be producing an LMS Stock and Activity pack for the Potteries route.

There are both LMS_exMR and LMS_exLNWR coaches available at UKTS.  Can someone tell us which of these is the most suitable for the Potteries area?

Bob and I have not abandoned the NSR Potteries Route! Family matters and computer issues have effected us both over the past few months and progress has been delayed ….....

The main feature of the next upgrade was to be the inclusion of the branch line from Milton to Leek. This was completed a few weeks ago but a change of plan has effected the release of this. We have now to decided to extend this to North Rode. Through trains will now be possible from Stoke to Milton, to Leek, to Rudyard, to North Rode and terminating at Macclesfield!

The upgrade will also include additional LMS stock, a way of changing between BR and LMS periods, many activities both BR and LMS and several other more minor modifications to the existing route.

We hope to have all completed before the end of the year.

Bob and David

Hi David (and Bob!),
Thanks for the update
It looks very interesting, especially the ability to switch eras.
Will the upgraded route be usable in MSTS? Will it contain Open Rails-only enhancements (like operating turntables)?

Well done, chaps,
Cheers,
Ged

Ged, Bob is writing the rote using MSTS tools and he and I are writing activities in the same way. I am also checking the activities in Open Rails. Turntable are another matter. The ones used are not compatible with Open Rails and would need to be changed completely for them to be operational.

Hi David,
That's great, mate
Thanks.

Cheers,
Ged

Good news indeed. This an excellent route, and I am looking forward to the upgrades. Roderic

Version 2 of the route is available for download at UKTS.

Hi David,
Well done to you and Bob for getting v2 completed

I was hoping that I wouldn't have to report any problems, but, sorry, I have two

1.  The 11th file's zip contains a TRAINSET folder, which contains TRAINS and CONSISTS folders - the TRAINS folder contains 11 stock folders.  Anyone copying the 'top' TRAINSET folder into their TRAINS folder will encounter reports that all the consists and several stock items are missing.

2. Two activities, NSP Night Shunting Parts 1 and 2, are expecting LMS_D2069_Plate_Empty.wag, LMS_D2069_Plate_SteelBars.wag, LMS_D2067_Double_LargeBlkGird.wag, LMS_D1949_Double_Rods.wag and D2067_Double_SmallRedTube.wag to be in folder LMS_D2069_Plate_Empty when they are actually in folder NSP_LMS_LongLow_DoubleBolsters. (These are included in loose consists)

Cheers,
Ged

Ged thanks.

I appear to have transposed the folder names "TRAINSET" and "TRAINS" in zip 11 by mistake. Do you agree? When corrected, this should resolve item 1. Dos it? Does it effect your item 2?

I am still investigating item 2.

Ged, on your part 2.

"LMS_D2069_Plate_Empty.wag" should not have been used, it is not one of the stock items in our list of potteries stoke (I believe it is only on my system because Eric used it in one of his activities).

I will correct to consists to show the correct folder. To double-check could you please list the consists in which you find the problem.

I will then re-upload zip 11 with these corrections.

David

Hi David,
Yes, swapping the folder names TRAINS & TRAINSET within the .zip in item 1 will solve that problem.

It won't affect item 2 as that requires amendments to the two .act files, or creating a copy of folder NSP_LMS_LongLow_DoubleBolsters and naming it LMS_D2069_Plate_Empty. I wouldn't recommend the latter as it could lead to some confusion, but would be OK as a very short term solution.

Cheers,
Ged

slipperman12 wrote:Hi David,
Yes, swapping the folder names TRAINS & TRAINSET within the .zip in item 1 will solve that problem.

It won't affect item 2 as that requires amendments to the two .act files, or creating a copy of folder NSP_LMS_LongLow_DoubleBolsters and naming it LMS_D2069_Plate_Empty.  I wouldn't recommend the latter as it could lead to some confusion, but would be OK as a very short term solution.

Cheers,
Ged

Ged, I am in the middle of revising the problem items by using the correct stock folder. I have also taken the opportunity of changing a BR brakevan whci should not have been there. I will emial the corrections in .apk files. Could you please check them for me.

David