TSSH's MSTS Route Directory

rufuskins Wed 06 Feb 2013, 8:21 am

I am about to commit the cardinal sin of repeating part of a post in a separate thread, for wich I hope I can be forgiven!
I am hoping to create a directory of available routes with a precis of location, era, mileage, etc. and an illustrative illustration
If any of the current route builders want to send me a PM with these details I wouldn't object! Wink

This would initially include the majority of UK routes - both commercial and "freeware".
I was also thinking of including a possible track plan(?), and I had been under the impression that a utility existed for creating something like this, and that this was called "Track Viewer". I have seen reference to it in sevral other forums as well as the internet, but so far cannot find a download source. Can anyone tell me whether this utility is no longer available, or alternatively a download source?
Alec

**Markh5682** Wed 06 Feb 2013, 8:28 am

Sounds like a good project Alec Very Happy

Track viewer is on my list of links, here it is again Smile

http://www.uktrainsim.com/filelib-info.php?form_fileid=11918

Good luck with your'e endeavours Very Happy

rufuskins Wed 06 Feb 2013, 10:47 am

Mark
Thanks for the link, and I'll have a look this evening.
Alec

rufuskins Mon 11 Feb 2013, 7:59 am

Hope this picture shows up! Its a preliminary list of routes based on my back-up area. and it can be seen that I have a number of duplications. In addition a number of the routes are currently being updated, extended, etc. Further more vthere are a number of routes being created.

I would welcome any comments as to whether any of these should be removed from the proposed route directory.

It can be seen that this is a significant project, and once again I would welcome any offers to take on the responsibility of putting together a precis description, etc. for any of these routes.

Alec

**Markh5682** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 11:55 am

Hi Alec

The picture does not show on my computer (using chrome) it does not show up on servimg.com either.

Not sure if it is a problem with my computer (don't normally have problems viewing files) or Chrome, or it is a general problem.

**j3801** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:11 pm

Mark,

The picture works fine for me, I am using Internet Explorer 8.

Justin

**Markh5682** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:31 pm

Just tried it in IE, still doesn't show, just downloaded Opera to see if that works, does not work in that either.

Must be my computer Sad

rufuskins Mon 11 Feb 2013, 1:06 pm

The above picture was uploaded in the same manner as my DMU pictures, via servimg.com

Alec

**Markh5682** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 1:34 pm

Hi Alec

Your DMU pics show up OK, so there must be something different, I have just tried it on a laptop, and that spat its dummy out over the picture too.

Not sure what is causing it Question

**Markh5682** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 1:50 pm

Hi Alec

The pic is showing up OK now, Thanks Smile

gswindale Mon 11 Feb 2013, 8:56 pm

Hi Mark,

I think it may have been a server problem as I was struggling to get the site at all at lunchtime.

**Markh5682** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 9:41 pm

Thanks Geoffrey Smile

That must have been the problem that caused it.

bigant Fri 22 Feb 2013, 6:25 pm

Hi Alex
Can you add SCP to your list of routes please, I'm presently working on Stoke Nottingham an upgade to Burton Derby 2

Thanks
Don

NiallGray Fri 22 Feb 2013, 6:36 pm

Bit gutted that version 2 of Glas-Car is in there, not V3! Shocked

rufuskins Fri 22 Feb 2013, 6:48 pm

Oh dear please accept my abject apologies as no offence was meant.

Embarassed

The list above was the only one I had to hand, and reflected the content of one of my external HD back ups. The task has initially daunted me because of the number of routes that are available for MSTS, but it looks like I need to at least put together a revised list.

As I have said on numerous occasions I was hoping that people would submit simple details of any route that they had either created or were creating.

Alec

rufuskins Sat 23 Feb 2013, 3:05 pm

OK then!
I shall start this daunting task later this weekend, and I trust that some degree of latitude will be allowed as I develop it. I currently estimate at least 60-70 UK routes!
The content would include at least the following:-
1. Route Name
2. Location of route
3. Route mileage
4. Route era
5. Brief description
6. Required add-ins; e.g. xtracks, newroads, ukfinescale, etc.
7. Source; e.g. commercial, freeware (UKTS, etc.), etc.
8. Illustration(s) of some sort?

I am not sure yet how best to present this, as it depends on the volume of data in 1. to 7., but it could either be as a powerpoint presentation, or a PDF document or even something else?

This is very much an idea in its infancy and could go through a number of changes before being available.

This will take a fair amount of time as I will need to work my way through the above, and I do not have all of the routes installed yet.

If anyone out there wants to volunteer to assist then please feel free to offer. All I would want is a basic list as noted above, and I will correlate and prepare it for inclusion.

Obviously one of the main questions not addressed is where to upload it, although at this stage UKTS would probably offer the best option, but that is some way down the track so to speak.

I would welcome any constructive comments and/or ideas.

Alec

**Markh5682** Sat 23 Feb 2013, 3:20 pm

Hi Alec.

I think where possible the official route description by the route author(s) could be used, that would save you a lot of work researching and writing out the descriptions, on routes that you don't have but we do, it would be easy for us to pass on the text from the readme (and any other relevant info) to you to include in your list.

Adding pictures will add greatly to the download size of the document.

rufuskins Sat 23 Feb 2013, 3:27 pm

Thanks for the response Mark, and you are right about the potential file size and that will need to be taken into account. In addition I had intended to use the existing route descriptions but in a shortened format.
Alec

rufuskins Sat 23 Feb 2013, 3:50 pm

Here is a preliminary first effort:-
Route Name = Black Country Version 1

Route Author = Don Hinton
Route Location = West Midlands
Route Mileage = 650
Route Era = late 1950s to mid 1960s
Route Description
"Black Country 1 covers an area from Birmingham in the south to Standon Bridge and Barlaston in the north, and includes the northern part of the South Staffordshire line to Wychnor sidings the last station being Barton & Walton. It also includes Castle Bromwich, Water Orton, and Tamworth together with 17 collieries, 5 Power Stations, 2 main Steelworks, 3 oil terminals and over 900 sidings.
All the connecting branch lines with over 100 stations belonging to the LNWR, GWR and Midland railway companies with about 650 miles of track should ensure plenty of scope for activities.
Built using XTracks and based on the lines available in the late 50's to mid 60's, some track work has had to be omitted due to how MSTS operates; a few stations being reopened to improve activities are included in the route.
Parts of it are semi fictional as not all the track plans were available and not many photographs of some parts of the area could be found."
Route Source = from UKTS as an MSTS Mini Route on DVD coming complete with a number of activities and the relevant stock to run those activities (current cost of DVD is £4.80 and that includes one month’s premium UKTS membership).

I suppose one could have a separate area in these forums with a series of posts much like the helpful links thread?
Alec

casperdog Sat 23 Feb 2013, 4:04 pm

Hi Alec,
Once you decide on the format/location of the topic, i'm more than happy to set up my 3 routes. Let me know or post here when you're ready. I could also do Bedford-Hitchen which I have installed most of the time.
Cheers
Clive

**Markh5682** Sat 23 Feb 2013, 4:30 pm

rufuskins wrote:Here is a preliminary first effort:-
Route Name = Black Country Version 1

Route Author = Don Hinton
Route Location = West Midlands
Route Mileage = 650
Route Era = late 1950s to mid 1960s
Route Description
"Black Country 1 covers an area from Birmingham in the south to Standon Bridge and Barlaston in the north, and includes the northern part of the South Staffordshire line to Wychnor sidings the last station being Barton & Walton. It also includes Castle Bromwich, Water Orton, and Tamworth together with 17 collieries, 5 Power Stations, 2 main Steelworks, 3 oil terminals and over 900 sidings.
All the connecting branch lines with over 100 stations belonging to the LNWR, GWR and Midland railway companies with about 650 miles of track should ensure plenty of scope for activities.
Built using XTracks and based on the lines available in the late 50's to mid 60's, some track work has had to be omitted due to how MSTS operates; a few stations being reopened to improve activities are included in the route.
Parts of it are semi fictional as not all the track plans were available and not many photographs of some parts of the area could be found."
Route Source = from UKTS as an MSTS Mini Route on DVD coming complete with a number of activities and the relevant stock to run those activities (current cost of DVD is £4.80 and that includes one month’s premium UKTS membership).

I suppose one could have a separate area in these forums with a series of posts much like the helpful links thread?
Alec

Hi Alec.

Very good preliminary format.

Here are my thoughts with a couple of tweaks (this is just my thoughts and is in no way meant to be critical, but just a couple of ideas to throw into the mix)

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Route Name = Black Country Version 1

Route Author = Don Hinton
Route Location = West Midlands
Route Mileage = 650
Route Era = late 1950s to mid 1960s
Route Source = from UKTS CD ordering (current cost is £4.80 which includes one month’s premium UKTS membership) (link to UKTS could be placed here)
Additional files required to be installed = XTracks (link to XTracks could be placed here)
Route Description =
An MSTS Mini Route on DVD coming complete with a number of activities and the relevant stock to run those activities
"Black Country 1 covers an area from Birmingham in the south to Standon Bridge and Barlaston in the north, and includes the northern part of the South Staffordshire line to Wychnor sidings the last station being Barton & Walton. It also includes Castle Bromwich, Water Orton, and Tamworth together with 17 collieries, 5 Power Stations, 2 main Steelworks, 3 oil terminals and over 900 sidings.
All the connecting branch lines with over 100 stations belonging to the LNWR, GWR and Midland railway companies with about 650 miles of track should ensure plenty of scope for activities.
Based on the lines available in the late 50's to mid 60's, some track work has had to be omitted due to how MSTS operates; a few stations being reopened to improve activities are included in the route.
Parts of it are semi fictional as not all the track plans were available and not many photographs of some parts of the area could be found.

rufuskins Sat 23 Feb 2013, 6:51 pm

Mark
Thanks for the comments. I agree with you about the changes to the format, which I shall incorporate in the next one(s).
Alec

rufuskins Mon 25 Feb 2013, 12:37 pm

We have now agreed a format for the template for the Route Directory, and in the next few days a new thread will be created along the lines of the "Helpful Facts and Links" area, and over the next month will be populated with details of the various routes that exist for MSTS. It will cover both standard and narrow gauge routes as well as a number of tram routes. I hope you will be patient with us, as this is a significant task, but one that believe will be helpful to both those who are established and new beginners.
Alec

PS Apologies to our Gracie - you need to be of a certain age to recall the tune:-
"Wish me luck as I start this big task
Oh my word, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as I start my big task
Not a tear, but a cheer for this day

Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my head while I beaver away
Till I post once again in the thread
Wish me luck with the Route Directory"

rufuskins Thu 07 Mar 2013, 7:49 am

For your information here is a copy of the current list of UK/Irish routes that we are looking to include in the Route Directory:-

Alec

rufuskins Sat 16 Mar 2013, 8:34 pm

As you will see we have now brought the route directory up to 42 routes, and I am very grateful for the help received from Justin and Clive and especially for the excellent contributions from Mark - who pointed out to me how to add the url links in a more professional manner. I hope to revisit some of my earlier entries to improve their appearance.
I have just added Cambrian 2 based on some information that was sitting in My Documents, which I believe was supplied by A N OTHER but due to the reduced number of little grey cells I don't remember who! Embarassed

Please let me know so that I can highlight their contribution!
Alec

mendes Sat 16 Mar 2013, 10:42 pm

Hi Alec,

I emailed you some notes I made about the Cam 2 some two weeks ago so it may well have been me!

Cheers

A N Other

rufuskins Sun 17 Mar 2013, 8:57 am

Thanks Martin, and I will add your name to the RD entry.
Alec
PS Will do it asap in case of another memory lapse! Embarassed

rufuskins Mon 18 Mar 2013, 10:47 am

Number of routes referenced is now 48!

I have another 8 being prepared.
1. Scottish Central - forerunner of Scottish Central Plus, but still a reasonable route in its own right. Later era than SCP
2. East Lancs - availability is now suspect, although it was hoped that it might be made available through UKTS
3. London-Brighton and Brighton-Portsmouth(West Coastway) - these were the forerunners of what became London South Coast. They are still available and can be run in their own right.
4. Airedale and Calderdale - incomplete routes but still drivable with activities available on UKTS
5. Cambrian Coast - forerunner of Cambrian 2 - still available and can be run in its own right
6. Loco Works - a fictional route that is suitable for loco testing, etc.

Alec

rufuskins Mon 25 Mar 2013, 9:49 am

Weekly update:-

Total number of entries todate is 65!

I am currently collating another 25, however these include at least 4 that have been superseded by later routes plus one that is now difficult to obtain. A number of the remainder could be construed as incomplete in respect of scenery but are included for information.
Incomplete routes always offer the opportunity to try one's hands at route development, and if permission could be obtained from the original author they could even be uploaded for the benefit of the MSTS community!

Alec

rufuskins Mon 22 Apr 2013, 8:07 am

It can be seen that we are currently at 83 routes in the RD, plus Mark has added a splendid guide to the method of presentation. There are another 25 that will be added over the next few months or earlier depending on time management, etc. There are also 7 that could be added but are subject to review as to their status.
Of course we shouldn't loose sight of the current batch of routes either being updated or created from scratch.
This means that there could be in excess of 120 routes available for MSTS activity!
Of course this mainly deals with UK routes, and if we consider US, Australian and European Routes then the MSTS world is definately your oyster!
Alec

rufuskins Tue 23 Apr 2013, 7:23 am

Further to yesterday's post here's a list of the routes currently outstanding. I can not say that this is complete, and certainly would be happy to add any UK routes that I have missed off.
Please note that none of the routes currently in development are included in this list, and won't be until they are released.

For those of us who came to MSTS relatively late in its life there is a significant number of routes to explore and activities to attempt!
Alec

rufuskins Thu 16 May 2013, 8:07 am

Here is the latest update on the RD. The first picture shows the routes currently being looked at for a RD entry - please note that the Steyning entry should include a reference to Mendes's contribution.

This second list is of those routes that are still to be reviewed, and of course I would not object to any volunteers to put some simple notes together for me to use as a RD entry!

I have posted this in the hope that we can complete most of the entries to coincide with Niall's "June is MSTS month"!
Alec

rufuskins Mon 20 May 2013, 7:55 am

I have already posted a couple of queries in the Help section about older routes, and I have now posted this enquiry in UKTS about older routes, and rather than repeat it I will include the link to it here.
This addresses queries about the status of some of the early MSTS routes uploaded to UKTS.
Alec

rufuskins Mon 24 Jun 2013, 7:45 am

Like the HFL area I have not yet completed the entries for the routes noted in the first screenshot above, but will endeavour to complete them before I go on a short holiday in the first week of July. Hopefully I'll be able to cope with the withdrawal symptoms!
Alec

neanderthal Mon 24 Jun 2013, 10:01 am

Hello again Alec,does your holiday include Trains in anyway,mine always seem to and usually leave me disgusted with the state of our once great BR.On an earlier holiday this year for the first time ever I actually found it impossible to get on the Train- Sad

(one coach DMU).Enjoy yourself,regards-Roger

rufuskins Mon 24 Jun 2013, 12:19 pm

We're saying in a B&B on the Lincolnshire coast near Sutton-on-Sea, and there are not many lines in that area unless you include Cleethorpes Light Railway. Unfortunately we're going Monday to Friday and that operates on weekends at this time.
We'll concentrate on getting away from it all with a few walks with Rufus and plenty of watching the world go by with an ample supply of tea - buttered scones will be necessary for Rufus who is very fond of them!

Alec

dforrest Mon 24 Jun 2013, 6:04 pm

rufuskins wrote:We're saying in a B&B on the Lincolnshire coast near Sutton-on-Sea, and there are not many lines in that area unless you include Cleethorpes Light Railway. Unfortunately we're going Monday to Friday and that operates on weekends at this time.
We'll concentrate on getting away from it all with a few walks with Rufus and plenty of watching the world go by with an ample supply of tea - buttered scones will be necessary for Rufus who is very fond of them!

I won't say that I "remember" Sutton-on-Sea but I remember the area well and know that I visited the beach there with my parents. That would have been the late 40s. I was borne in Louth and we lived for the first five years or so of my life, in Skendleby Psalter.

Relax and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.

David

35005CP Mon 24 Jun 2013, 6:30 pm

Hi Alec,
I hope Rufus, the good Wife and your Good Self enjoy your little holiday/break! Put you're feet up you deserve it! Then again maybe not, having to walk the boss (Rufus)
My Border Collie is Chester and everyone takes the mickey out of me and calls him "The Prince" Razz

No, In all seriousness! have a good one!
Best Wishes
Andy

rufuskins Mon 24 Jun 2013, 7:11 pm

Many thanks for your kind wishes.

Alec

neanderthal Wed 26 Jun 2013, 7:37 pm

, Before and after, TSSH's MSTS Route Directory Sutton17

,lovely little station in the day,anyway I hope its the correct station,have a great time.

rufuskins Sat 13 Jul 2013, 12:49 pm

OK, here is an update on the RD. You should all have noted that in excess of 100 entries have been made. I am currently completing three more and Mark has two NG routes to complete.
Once I have finished the three I will peruse the download sites for any obvious UK routes not covered, although several have already been discounted. However at some later date they may be looked at again.
As we are all aware there are a number of routes that are currently in various stages of development, some of which may be uploaded for our pleasure. If and when that happens then they will be added to the RD.
I do have a request to make of anyone who has a copy of the PEAK RAIL route sold by the RRPG. Would they be prepared to put together a basic description in the format of the typical RD entries and forward that to me for inclusion? I haven't got a copy myself and after our recent holiday funds are a little light!
I very much hope that the RD is proving to be of interest and value, and I have found it fascinating to look at the number of views for each route - who would have thought that the route with the biggest number of views would be Loch Ness! Shocked

rufuskins Tue 16 Jul 2013, 6:40 am

Following a simple review of what's been done against what's available has identified another possible 20 routes that can be added to the RD!
These were either missed or had initially been discounted.
It's just amazing that so many routes have been made available to us; the majority of which are freeware!! Admittedly several are devoid of scenery and a few more are incomplete, but to me that offers a challenge to try and add scenery and amend track - certainly a means of learning the art of route editing!
It also means that the scope for activity creation is, to say the least, significant.
Still waiting - hopefully not in vain - for a volunteer to write a few words, and provide a supporting picture, about the RRPG Peak Rail route?

NiallGray Tue 16 Jul 2013, 10:40 pm

I really like what you've done, Alec, it's been a really good idea and I've seen a few routes that I'd never previously heard of.

Remind me when Glas-Car is done to update the V4 entry I sent you, it's been modified a bit since!

Niall

rufuskins Wed 17 Jul 2013, 6:32 am

Niall
Thank you for the kind words, but of course we shouldn't forget Mark's significant contribution as well as Justin's. In addition a number of others have helped including yourself, Clive and Martin.
I imagine it's been an eye opener to a number of simmers in particular myself.
Don't worry, when V4 of Glasgow-Carlisle appears I will remind you to update or change the RD entry.

rufuskins Tue 30 Jul 2013, 8:08 am

The Route Directory (RD) has just increased by a further 2 entries for Peak Line and Peak Rail, both of which were prepared by Ged - thank you Ged!
That now leaves the following on the TO DO list, although NWTrains appears to be no longer available on UKTS.

My aim is to try and upload the majority by the end of August but can't promise anything.
One could argue that "The Tunnel" route and the HS1 route both lead us on to the continent, but I'm not sure that I currently fancy going there!
If anyone wants to volunteer to produce notes for European, US, Canada, etc. then I am more than willing to act as the focul point for upload. The format for the entries is as the existing ones, although I can probably cut and paste relevant notes.
Alec

rufuskins Wed 31 Jul 2013, 3:02 pm

Please note that the entry for Crosby Valley Railway has been updated to include for the Keilder Mountain Railway.

rufuskins Tue 06 Aug 2013, 10:56 am

A further five (5) entries have been added to the Route Directory (RD) bringing the current total to 112. I have included the reference routes for both UK FineScale and XTracks as providing valuable information and illustration of these track systems.
This will leave some 16 entries to be added bringing the overall total to 128 give or take, and this should give a vast array of opportunities for driving trains, creating actvities and being stimulated into route creation be it fictional or real!
If you were to factor this up for continental, antipodean, asian and american routes one's mind is likely to boggle! Shocked

I just can't imagine ever getting either bored or without some route or other to drive on!
There should be no problem finding a route on which to develop simple activities for ACTOBER!

rufuskins Wed 14 Aug 2013, 11:30 pm

Well we have now reached 121 routes in our Route Directory, with a further batch uploaded - including two tonight. That leaves one waiting for some comments and then five more, all of which need careful consideration of their status.
The most recent is the South Devon Main Line route, which is an updated version of GWML V2. Within SDML there are .bat files that appear to allow switching from one to the other and hence allowing some GWML V2 activities to be used. We haven't actually reviewed the GWML V2 route and hence can't comment on it.
If anyone has any experience of the two perhaps they might like to PM me with their thoughts, and this would allow me to tighten up the review.
This route along with a number of others gives plenty of scope for trying one's hand at route editing, and perhaps finishing these routes and expending the range of complete routes. From this the scope for activity creation is almost limitless - let's all have a go and upload something for ACTOBER!

35005CP Wed 14 Aug 2013, 11:37 pm

Hi Alec and all,
For Actober I think Ben and myself have come up with a brilliant plan. It involves 34046 'Braunton' and will most probably be a very long Activity indeed....

rufuskins Mon 19 Aug 2013, 11:21 pm

After another three entries this evening we have now reached 126 routes, which leaves me one to do before the end of August!

I shall then take a deep breath and start to look at HFL entries!

Please note that I have changed the title of this thread as after 126 entries I think that we have gone beyond proposed! Shocked

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