Another Section of ECML for TS2014?

[jon91]

RSC yesterday released a screenshot of a WIP route from what appears to be a section of the East Coast Main Line:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151737004418091&set=a.378783058090.160999.258680273090&type=1&relevant_count=1

What I was wondering is whether the layout shown, which seems to be slow-fast/fast-slow, typical of the ECML, can be found elsewhere on the real network?

The only evidence I've seen so far that leads me to think it is actually the ECML is the use of headspans but seeing as they aren't necessarily exclusive to that route it would be interesting to see what others think.

 

[GNERman]

The thread on UKTS suggests that this is between Hatfield and Welham Green. I think we can deduce that it is the ECML, from this screenshot and the images of Peterborough Station (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...0.160999.258680273090&type=1&relevant_count=1) and a Class 91 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151743970158091&set=p.10151743970158091&type=1&theater) in development.

I'm looking forward to this, fingers crossed RSC will do a good job of it. In the short term, (we can only presume the Class 91 will come with the route), we do have a Class 317 and an AP 321 is in development, as well as HST. All we can hope for is a 365 and, i'd love to see it happen, a 180.

 

[causton]

Oooooh! Yes, that does look quite like the south end of Hatfield... if it is, the gantry is for the southbound-only Marshmoor crossover - just behind the 'camera' is where the Hatfield crash happened...!

 

[jon91]

I think we can deduce that it is the ECML, from this screenshot and the images of Peterborough Station (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...0.160999.258680273090&type=1&relevant_count=1) and a Class 91 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151743970158091&set=p.10151743970158091&type=1&theater) in development.

I'm looking forward to this, fingers crossed RSC will do a good job of it. In the short term, (we can only presume the Class 91 will come with the route), we do have a Class 317 and an AP 321 is in development, as well as HST. All we can hope for is a 365 and, i'd love to see it happen, a 180.

RSC revealed that it was the ECML just a few hours after I started this thread...

As for rolling stock I'm sure someone will do a mod of the 465 to increase it's top speed to that of the 365. It'll be passable for scenarios set before the 365s got their smiley faces. The 91 will be a much needed addition, especially now we have most of their home turf covered.

 

[96tommy]

I'm really happy about this as it is a line I know exceptionally well (so will be looking at every detail...... )

I hope the Hertford Loop is included as well. I'm starting to think what the scenarios will be like, probably your KGX-PBO expresses (some calling at Stevenage) then your stoppers with some scenarios routed round the Hertford Loop.

The 91 is the thing I'm looking forward to most though. We have so many lines for it and soon will be able to run it from London through to Newcastle (spread over 3 routes when CR complete there section up to York). I even remember seeing the Newcastle - Edinburgh route somewhere in development at some point. Imagine the scenario opportunities then....!

 

[jon91]

I wonder if CR would consider adding the Doncaster-Leeds section, perhaps after they've finished the modernised version of pt. 3 and aren't sick to death of placing cantenary.

I think Just Trains were planning the Newcastle-Edinburgh but its been a while since I heard anything.

 

[Phillipimo]

If this route was as long as LA to San Diego it could go all the way to the almost exact distance from london to newark, an exrtra 40 miles!

 

[jon91]

I think what RSC have gone for here is that whilst Peterborough is the first stop for a number of EC services, the route will cover almost the entirety of First Capital Connect's Great Northern services. The depots at Hornsey and Bounds Green will extend the scope of activities quite nicely.

I'm putting money on RSC releasing a 365 not long after the route is released.

 

[brad465]

How much more of the ECML is being planned in this new development? It would be nice if they could do London all the way to York, as somehow the York-Newcastle part could be merged, although this may be too long for one development, given the longest route so far I believe WCML North is the longest so far at around 100 miles.

 

[jon91]

Well Creative Rail are doing Peterborough to York in three sections, BR era first and modernised after. RSC are doing Peterborough to Kings Cross, I'm unsure if they're including the Hertford Loop yet.

I don't think route length is as much as an issue as it used to be, the Transpennine Route being made by some folks on the UKTS looks to be quite extensive.

 

[YorkshireBear]

They have put up Shap today, WCML preston Carlisle coming soon....

 

[jon91]

All WCML-N needed was superelevation and by the looks of things WCML Over Shap looks like it does, a definite buy for me.

RSC have released more images of Peterborough: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151753801158091.1073741884.258680273090&type=1

 

[brad465]

Well Creative Rail are doing Peterborough to York in three sections, BR era first and modernised after. RSC are doing Peterborough to Kings Cross, I'm unsure if they're including the Hertford Loop yet.

I don't think route length is as much as an issue as it used to be, the Transpennine Route being made by some folks on the UKTS looks to be quite extensive.

Seeing the Stevens Pass route release at 123 miles does raise the known limit, but if they ever considered Kings Cross to York 188 miles roughly would be needed, but a split point at Peterborough or Grantham would ease that perhaps.

 

[ModernRailways]

Seeing the Stevens Pass route release at 123 miles does raise the known limit, but if they ever considered Kings Cross to York 188 miles roughly would be needed, but a split point at Peterborough or Grantham would ease that perhaps.

There is a lot more detail to route and a lot of trains too on something like Kings Cross to York which is why it would be near on impossible to do. The American routes tend to be the same scenery and have very little AI.

 

[brad465]

There is a lot more detail to route and a lot of trains too on something like Kings Cross to York which is why it would be near on impossible to do. The American routes tend to be the same scenery and have very little AI.

I agree in terms of the Kings Cross to Peterborough section, but after that surely the route sees much less in the way of trains, and the amount of urban buildup also reduces. Doncaster to York should be relatively easy to do given as the land around is flat and sparsely populated, with only the main Yorkshire power stations standing out.

Either way, as a whole route, there is definitely more to the ECML than to anything going through America as you say

 

[YorkshireBear]

I dont have the cash for all these great add ons.

 

[Class 92]

Wait until the Steam winter sale get it half price then.

 

[Darandio]

Or even greater than half price. Or even not, especially if it only comes out just before the sale.

 

[ModernRailways]

Or even greater than half price. Or even not, especially if it only comes out just before the sale.

With the last Steam sale RSC had different discounts. Their most recent routes were around 20% off

 

[GNERman]

An article has been posted on the Engine Driver blog showing a nice looking 365 on a Peterborough - London semi fast - http://www.engine-driver.com/articl...-peterborough-southbound-stopper-play-through. I can only hope they've put more effort into this than the 360 on GEML.

It also looks like an FCC liveried 321 will be released by RSC at some point, which, along with the 91 in development and the freeware FCC 317, gives us a nice variety of stock for use on the route. Now all we need is a 180 (hint hint hint )

 

[jon91]

Uh oh, I can already see myself buying this even though it'll run like a dog on my old PC.

There's also a 315 (I think) in the very early stages of development from the same guys that made the Class 90, it'll take a while but its almost guaranteed to be a cracker.

EDIT: It's now on Steam http://store.steampowered.com/app/222618/ along with their version of the Class 321.

 

[Bungle73]

It's out now. Usual price, and a 321, available separately or in a combination pack, as well.

 

[SPADTrap]

Now released on Steam.

 

[Bungle73]

I don't see how the class 91 is going to fit in though. The route only goes as far as Peterborough so that's only one or two stops. That won't make for a particularly interesting journey.

 

[jon91]

I don't see how the class 91 is going to fit in though. The route only goes as far as Peterborough so that's only one or two stops. That won't make for a particularly interesting journey.

Expensive AI perhaps?

 

[atomicdanny]

Seems like the best place i guess but an extra scenario for the 365 (uses the 321 as AI too), a run from Hitchin (the line from Cambridge) to Kings Cross. If any one is interested

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=200951622

 

[ainsworth74]

What's the 365 like? The 360 was a bit disappointing in my opinion.

 

[ModernRailways]

I love it the 365, it seems like it's been given tons of attention. The exterior model and texture quality is absolutely superb! The Interior isn't as good, but is still really good. It's modelled really well, with almost everything you would want. A great little unit to drive, and so satisfying speeding along at 110mph from Stevenage to Finsbury Park.

I also disliked the Class 360, in fact it's the only thing I actually disliked about the GEML.

I've grabbed the 321 bundle too, just for the benefits such as Steam Workshop Scenario's and Quick Drive AI etc. It's also something else to drive instead of the 365 or HST.

I should also add that both depots allow you to actually go inside the depot sheds, not that there is much to do but it means scenario's can actually end inside a shed for maintenance instead of just being stuck in the siding. Also, the Hertford Loop is in place however it currently lacks scenery. A really well made route on the whole with only a few small issues, but that's probably because I've done the route so many times in real life.

 

[Bungle73]

The Interior isn't as good, but is still really good.

All they've done is copy the interior of the other similar classes in the game and bolted it on. The passenger view has 3+2 seats, but the train model itself has 2+2...... The real train as 2+2. That bit is a bit disappointing tbh.

 

[ModernRailways]

All they've done is copy the interior of the other similar classes in the game and bolted it on. The passenger view has 3+2 seats, but the train model itself has 2+2...... The real train as 2+2. That bit is a bit disappointing tbh.

The passenger view is just a cut and paste from the 166 with some small tweaking.

The cab is entirely rebuilt though. Someone posted a screenshot of all the cabs and there real life counterparts and they are actually almost all spot on perfect and there is little difference in real life between them.