Train Simulator - Amazon Christmas Sale

It's Christmas sale time at Amazon and just like before, there are various Train Simulator add-ons available at reduced prices with many even cheaper than buying via Steam! When you purchase from Amazon, they simply send you a code to activate on Steam. As an affiliate, we also get a small percentage of the sale which helps towards our website running costs. Here are a selection of deals, Weardale is once again a steal at £4.80!

Weardale & Teesdale Network - £4.80

 

North Somerset Railway - £4.00

 

Midland Main Line - £10.00

  

South London Network - £10.00

 

East Coast Main Line - £2.40

 

Woodhead Route £4.00

 

Feather River Canyon - £10.00

 

Portsmouth Direct Line - £4.00

Plus many, many more deals. Follow this link to see all Dovetail Games products available on Amazon.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from DPSimulation. Thank you for all of your support during 2017.

Monday - Fun Facts

As one of the bills were paid this morning I thought i'd have a look at some facts and figures surrounding DPSimulation. Please note that all statistics are only recordable since late 2014 when we restructured and changed our file hosting.

Since late 2014 we have.....

•   had around 7.2 million hits to the DPSimulation website.

•   uploaded just over 10gb (compressed) of free content.

•   served 2.4 million downloads. (2,410,038 at the time of writing to be exact) 

•  file downloads have consisted of 167.6tb (terabytes!!) of data.

I have to confess that I was surprised by these figures, but I also see it as a testament to just how popular Train Simulator has become and how much it has grown.

  

Misty Morning

I often take lots of screenshots for my own enjoyment but the majority rarely get shared. I am quite fond of this misty early scene though, so thought i'd share it.

For full size click here.

DPSimulation - North East England

Following the Twitch live stream and subsequent posting of the above video to Youtube (thankyou to Alan) last night, I thought I would address a couple things i've seen posted in response.

With a working title of North East England, this new route is something we have been working extremely hard on and as outlined in the video, is in an early stage of development and is scheduled for release in summer of 2018 at the earliest.

One thing to note from many responses is to clarify that this is not an extension of East Coast Main Line: North East. Although that route has been extremely popular with over 20,000 downloads/subscriptions over the workshop and website versions, the truth is that it was still effectively a rework of the original Rail Simulator Newcastle to York route and as such was still very inaccurate. Built long before things such as the Google Earth overlay were even conceived, the route was way out of line with real locations and therefore adding extensions or even adding simple things such as newer housing estates were troublesome and difficult. Couple that to a long standing request for super-elevation that was not achievable in the ECMLNE route, it was decided that it was not worth taking the route further.

I therefore decided to create this brand new route using all of the new tools and everything learned over a decade of building routes in Train Simulator and it's various incarnations. This allows me to create a faithfully accurate representation of my local area and use all of the latest tools and techniques available, and is intended to be my Train Simulator swansong.

In the video above, the section shown was between Thirsk and Hartlepool via Darlington, on a diverted Virgin XC service in 1999, meaning a portion of the much requested Durham Coast line has been added. More areas are already complete and will be shown in due course, with new sections being added every few weeks and populated with detailed scenery. Once complete, the route will resemble a large network covering much of the area and will have massive scope for scenarios. I have purposely not added large areas of track and have instead focused on adding core sections and fully completing them before moving on to the next. This means that no matter how far the route develops before release, no areas will be left without scenery and the route will be released in a completed state.

Keep an eye on this blog for more updates over the coming months about the route and be sure to keep an eye on Alan's Youtube and Twitch channels for more route updates and general Train Simulator content.

Thirsk

Northallerton

Northallerton East Junction

Yarm Viaduct

Eaglescliffe

Darlington

Hartlepool

Clarence Road, Hartlepool

Amazon DLC Bargains

It's sale time on Amazon and there are many Train Simulator bargains to pick up, in many cases they are much cheaper than via Steam. When you purchase from Amazon, they simply send you a code to activate on Steam. As an affiliate, we also get a small percentage of the sale which helps towards our website running costs. Here are a selection of deals, Weardale is a steal!

Weardale & Teesdale Network - £4.80

Somerset & Dorset Railway - £2.40

Falmouth Branch - £4.00

 Feather River Canyon - £10.00

Class 73 'Gatwick Express' - £6.00

South London Network - £10.00

Portsmouth Direct Line - £4.00 

Miami - West Palm Beach - £10.00

Isle of Wight - £4.00 

Simply go to Amazon via any of the links above, there are more deals that are cheaper than Steam. 

Donations

It's approaching that time of the month once again, this is something that I hate doing, but i'm often left with little choice but to make an appeal.

We don't ask users to sign up and don't charge for content at DPSimulation and never have any intention of doing so, the resource was created to maintain a free library of Train Simulator content. Although we do receive some donations, it often isn't enough to cover the costs we accrue due to the large amount of content we host and although i'm always happy to make up any shortfall, I'm not always able to do so. 

As ever, if you like the content we create and host or just want to help out, please consider a donation of any amount. Paypal donation buttons can be found on this blog, on the DPSimulation website or via paypal.me/dpsimulation

All donations are very much appreciated and help to maintain the resource for existing and future users. May I also thank those who have donated previously, your support is invaluable and we simply couldn't exist without you.

Glorious Devon 1958 - GWR/SR Expansion Part 1 - Released

I have just released an all new route courtesy of the Glorious Devon team.

The section of the former Great Western Railway that runs across the South Devon Banks to Plymouth from Exeter and its branch to Kingswear is one of the most famous and picturesque locations in England that has captured many people's hearts.

The alternative Southern / ex-LSWR route climbs through farmlands to Okehampton then across northern Dartmoor and down to Tavistock, terminating in Plymouth Friary Station, a scenic but less busy route servicing many small holiday communities in north Devon. GWR and SR would run trains along both routes in order for drivers to familiarize themselves with the branches in case an emergency detour was necessary.

“Glorious Devon” recreates the area as it would have looked in the late 1950's, pre 1964 after which the Beaching changes took effect. Significant research has been undertaken to achieve the closest possible authenticity, recreated in digital, for Train Simulator.

It was a period of great transition for Britain's railways, from much loved steam traction – Manors, Halls, Castles and Kings, to early classic diesel hydraulics – Hymeks, Warships and Westerns on the GWR route, along with Bullied light pacifics, King Arthurs, Schools, T9, S16’s and many other smaller classes on the Southern portion.

Colour light signals were just making an appearance around Plymouth and the diesel shop at Laira was in the first stage of construction. The iconic Intercity House at Plymouth North Road station had yet to be built.

Glorious Devon offers great potential for scenario writing, from local passenger services, to inter-regional expresses to London, the Midlands and beyond. Although the location is predominately rural, freight services were varied too, including coal distribution and fuel for a 40MW power station, livestock, milk, fruit, fish and china clay and ballast. There is much to discover, from rail connected docks to stations long since closed but now brought back to life.

This route can be downloaded from the 'Routes' page by clicking here. Please read all of the included documentation provided wth the download. 

Class 56 Civil Engineers 'Dutch' Repaint Pack - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising both the Class 56 'BR Sectors' pack and the recently released AP Class 56 Enhancement Pack, this pack depicts a reskin of the Sectors Class 56 DLC into Civil Engineers grey and yellow 'Dutch' livery, as applied to a few members of the class in the 1990's.  A version carrying Transrail branding is also included.

Although the Grids did carry this livery, none were of the later body variant as depictedby this DLC.  TS, like life itself, is full of compromises

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

 

 

Class 56 BR Large Logo with Tinsley Embellishments Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising both the Class 56 'BR Sectors' pack and the recently released AP Class 56 Enhancement Pack, this repaint depicts the class in BR Large Logo with added extras - typical of a Tinsley allocated loco from the late 1980's. 

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

AP Class 56 Enhancement Pack - Out Now!

This is certainly one worth blogging.....

Armstrong Powerhouse have now released the long awaited Class 56 Enhancement Pack. It includes...

15 liveries

Detailed internal & external audio

Improved and accurate acceleration physics

Prototypical 6-step E70 brake handle

Wheelslip Protection (WSP)

Dynamic exhaust effects

In-cab warning indication lights

3 realistic & engaging scenarios for the DTG West Coast Main Line Over Shap route.

And much more!

The pack can be purchased from Armstrong Powerhouse by following this link. 

It also requires the Class 56 'Sectors' pack which can either be bought via Steam or via the Amazon link below. Buying via Amazon merely gives you a code to activate on Steam and also earns DPSimulation a small amount of commission which is used towards the upkeep of our own website.

Class 150/2 Withdrawn Today

It's been reported on the Dovetail Games support site that the Thomson/Oovee Class 150/2 pack will be withdrawn from sale at no later than 6pm (UK Time) today.

As this pack is integral to many scenarios from DPSimulation, along with undoubtedly hundreds around the community, I would strongly suggest any users that don't have it make a purchase if possible, especially as it is half price in the current sale.

The pack can be found via the Steam store by clicking here.

 

DPSimulation Finished?

The reports of my demise are false!

Following several emails over the past couple of weeks, it seems that someone has noted somewhere that I am no longer creating content for Train Simulator, this is completely untrue!

Although it is true that I haven't released much in the last few months, the truth is that i'm currently working on what is by far the biggest project I have ever undertaken. These projects take time, bear with me.....

Class 105 BR Blue Express Parcels Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising the BR Blue Pack Loco Add-on from Steam, this repaint depicts the Class 105 DMU in variations of the BR Blue Express Parcels livery. 

Please note that as well as the BR Blue Pack Loco Add-on, this repaint also requires the Armstrong Powerhouse Class 101/117/121 Sound pack. Without both requirements the repaint will not work.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'DMU' section of Richard's page by following this link.

Class 42 Full Green Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising the recently released 'Western Hydraulics' pack available on Steam, this repaint depicts the Class 42 'Warship' in full BR Green livery as carried when new. This reskin also includes red backed nameplates as correct for green livery.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

Class 52 Maroon Full Yellow Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising the recently released 'Western Hydraulics' pack available on Steam, this repaint depicts the Class 52 'Western' in BR Maroon with full yellow ends.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

Class 42 Green-Maroon Full Yellow Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising the recently released 'Western Hydraulics' pack available on Steam, this repaint depicts the Class 42 'Warship' in BR Green and BR Maroon with full yellow ends.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

Class 35 Green Full Yellow Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

Utilising the recently released 'Western Hydraulics' pack available on Steam, this repaint depicts the Class 35 'Hymek' in BR Green with full yellow ends.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

 

Donations

Once again, this is something that I hate doing, but i'm often left with little choice but to make an appeal.

We don't ask users to sign up and don't charge for content at DPSimulation and never have any intention of doing so, the resource was created to maintain a free library of Train Simulator content. Although we do receive some donations, it often isn't enough to cover the costs we accrue due to the large amount of content we host and although i'm always happy to make up any shortfall, I'm not always able to do so. 

As ever, if you like the content we create and host or just want to help out, please consider a donation of any amount. Paypal donation buttons can be found on this blog, on the DPSimulation website or via paypal.me/dpsimulation

All donations are very much appreciated and help to maintain the resource for existing and future users. May I also thank those who have donated previously, your support is invaluable and we simply couldn't exist without you.

Class 66 Advenza Freight Repaint - Released

I have just uploaded a new repaint to the DPSimulation website courtesy of Richard Fletcher.

This is a repaint of the Freightliner Class 66 V2.0 DLC into Advenza Freight livery as applied briefly to 66841-66844 in 2009.

This reskin also makes full use of the excellent modifications as afforded by the 'Armstrong Powerhouse Class 66 Enhancement Pack'.   IT IS ESSENTIAL that this is installed, otherwise the reskin will not physically appear in the sim. 

This pack can be downloaded from the 'Locomotives' section of Richard's page by following this link.

 

ECMLS: London to Peterborough Scenario Pack - Re-Release

Following multiple requests over the past few months, I have decided to re-release this pack in it's original form after it's period of unavailability.

Please note that this scenario pack will only work for those who owned the Armstrong Powerhouse Class 91/Mk4 Enhancement Pack prior to the withdrawal of the Virgin repaints. I assume these can be swapped with other repaints you do own, but no support can be given for errors created as a result of this process.

Set in 2016, this ten scenario pack covers passenger operations on the route and utilises the HST, Class 91/Mk4 DVT, Class 90, Class 313 and Class 321. 

The scenarios offer varying and challenging operations and gives nearly 9 hours of further driving on this route along with varied AI and plenty of interaction with other services to keep you on your toes.

As ever, in order to provide the most realistic experience possible, the requirements list for this pack is quite extensive. The readme can be viewed from the download page, or from within the download package itself.

Click here to visit the download page.