Monday 29 January 2018

DPSimulation Repaint Directory

After a period of inactivity (I forgot) on there, I've finally managed to get around to updating the DPSimulation Repaint Directory.

It lists all repaints that we host and all are listed by class, meaning it's much easier to take a glance and see what we have available to download rather than having to trawl all of the different pages on our site. 

As there are now in excess of 300 repaints available to download for free, taking a look at the directory is a good way to quickly see if there is something that you can add to your collection.

You can view the directory by clicking here, or by clicking the link to the right of this post.








 

Class 450 - South Western Railway Interim

I have just uploaded a new repaint pack to the DPSimulation website. As with the Class 455 released earlier, it is a slight modification to the base texture and the addition of a bespoke child object.

Given I had already done the aforementioned Class 455, I thought it would be now simple to just add it to the Class 450 as well. Big mistake, different size child object and a different body taper to contend with. A bit of fiddling and it's now done.

This one requires the Portsmouth Direct Line from Steam and the pack also includes Quick Drive 4, 8 and 12 car variants.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'EMU' section of the repaints page by following this link.



Class 455 - South Western Railway Interim

I have just uploaded a new repaint pack to the DPSimulation website. Well, I say repaint as the body texture has been slightly modified to facilitate the bespoke child object.

When browsing Flickr yesterday I noticed that several Class 455 units were starting to receive South Western Railway branding and decided I would add it as well. I then remembered that the mapping on the Class 455/9 doesn't allow a straightforward repaint as it would be mirrored on the other side. I've ended up creating a bespoke South Western Railway decal and attached as a child object to both sides of the whole unit, what was intended to be a quiet Sunday afternoon job ended up being the afternoon, evening, night and next morning.

I also realised that as bought, the Class 455 pack doesn't have any Quick Drive consists included, so as well as the SWR variant, i've added Quick Drive consists for the NSE and SWT liveries as well, BR Blue just didn't want to play ball for some reason.

This pack can be downloaded from the 'EMU' section of the repaints page by following this link.


 

Sunday 28 January 2018

Weekend Showcase - WCML Over Shap - 2003/2004

As outlined with the first set of screenshots last week following multiple emails asking what stock can be used when and where, we now move on to the next weekend showcase.

In this showcase we feature the WCML Over Shap route from Preston to Carlisle and depicts a variety of stock as it would have been seen in 2003/2004. Now several years into the era of privatisation, many of the British Rail liveries are now extinct and have been replaced with a variety of colourful schemes. 

33025 & 33030 leave Preston while conveying a short rake of acid tanks - June 2003

87021 'Robert The Bruce' enters Lancaster where it will terminate after working the 1132 service from London Euston - August 2003

A quartet of Class 20's wait for the road at Carnforth while working the Sellafield to Crewe flasks - September 2004

90050 & 90044 sit in the loop at Carnforth with a late running Coatbridge to Felixstowe service - September 2003

43103 descends the bank at Tebay with a Virgin Cross Country service - May 2003

56081 shunts lime wagons at Hardendale which will form a later service to Redcar - July 2003

Still looking as if it's recently left the paint shop, 221110 pulls into Penrith with a southbound service - June 2003

156485 approaches Carlisle with a Newcastle to Glasgow Central service - September 2004

A colourful scene at Carlisle where 43107 awaits departure on a diverted Edinburgh to Kings Cross service. 37517 also waits in the centre road before awaiting it's next duty - October 2004


If you have any questions about the rolling stock or repaints used above, feel free to leave a comment below.

Friday 26 January 2018

Woodhead Electric Railway in Blue - Coming Soon

Quite an intriguing development on Train Simulator website this afternoon with the announcement of 'Woodhead Electric Railway in Blue' which is coming soon to Train Simulator. Set to represent the BR Blue era shortly before closure, the article also confirms that it will come with Pro Range representations of the BR Class 76, BR Class 08, and an all-new BR Class 506.

The full article can be viewed by clicking here.



Thursday 25 January 2018

Armstrong Powerhouse - Class 168/170/171 Enhancement Pack - Released

The all new Class 168/170/171 Enhancement Pack from Armstrong Powerhouse has now been released and is priced at £11.99. It contains the following:

23 liveries
Higher resolution cab visuals
Detailed external, cab & passenger view audio
Accurate acceleration and braking physics
Cooling fan simulation
Wheelslip Protection (WSP)
Dynamic exhaust effects
Player changeable destination display
Automatic unit numbering. Both driving vehicles in a unit automatically given matching unit numbers and all vehicles given their corresponding vehicle number.
3 realistic & engaging scenarios for the DTG GEML London to Ipswich route
And much more!

You can view the Class 168/170/171 Enhancement Pack product page by clicking here.











MRCE Dispolok Locomotive Pack - Released

A new add-on has been released today on Steam for Train Simulator in the form of an MRCE Dispolok Locomotive Pack. Priced at £11.99, the pack includes the following rolling stock as well as three scenarios for the The Rhine Railway: Mannheim - Karlsruhe Route.

EuroSprinter ES 64 F in Dispolok livery
EuroSprinter ES 64 F4 in MRCE Dispolok livery
EuroSprinter RS 64 U2 ‘Taurus’ in Dispolok livery
ER20 Eurorunner in Dispolok livery
EMD JT42CWR ‘Class 66’ in MRCE livery
Habbins, Simmns & Zags 122 wagons

You can access the Steam store page for this product by clicking here.





Virtual Railroads - Rlmmps 651

Virtual Railroads have now released their latest offering, the Rlmmps 651 with a variety of  loads that display a range of different textures using the 'Random Skin' feature. This wagon pack is priced at €9.95. The following is taken from the product page:


    The package includes the freight wagon Rlmmps 651

    The wagons use the vR feature RandomSkin,
    automatic end plates and dynamic numbers.

        Rlmmps empty
        Rlmmps Loading A
        Rlmmps Loading B
        Rlmmps Loading C 


You can access the product page at Virtual Railroads by clicking here.




 

Virtual Railroads - Rlmmnps 650

Virtual Railroads have now released their latest offering, the Rlmmnps 650 with a variety of military loads that display a range of different textures using the 'Random Skin' feature. This wagon pack is priced at €9.95. The following is taken from the product page:

The package includes the freight wagon Rlmmnps 650

The wagons use the vR feature RandomSkin,
automatic end plates and dynamic numbers. 

    Rlmmnps empty
    Rlmmnps Willys Jeep
    Rlmmnps Tank M1
    Rlmmnps Mil. Freight

You can access the product page at Virtual Railroads by clicking here.



 

Virtual Railroads - DB ET403 Lufthansa Express Expert-Line

Virtual Railroads have now released their latest offering, the DB ET403 Lufthansa Express as part of their 'Expert Line' range of products.The package contains the electric train ET 403 / 404 in Lufthansa Express livery and is priced at €24.95. The following is taken from the product page:

The following functions are integrated in this Expert-Line Model:

    Prototypical driving behaviour
    Complex regulation system AFB and LZB
    Prototypical Indusi I60r
    Selectable Pantographs Front or Back
    Time-Time SIFA
    Delayed and smoothly regulated E-Break
    with correct brake effort over all
    wagons ( up to 12 wagons )
    Swichtable instrument lights
    Cab light
    Wipers with interval control
    Standard TS2018 Effects
    Passenger view in the middle cars
    Scenario save function compatible
    Realistic sound optimized for EFX

These vehicles are included:

    ET 403 IC 001 / 003 / 005 DB Pantograph
    ET 403 IC 002 / 004 / 006 DB / SBB Pantograph
    ET 404 001 - 003 Middle car / Passenger View
    ET 404 101 - 103 Middle car / Passenger View
  
You can access the product page at Virtual Railroads by clicking here.




 

Virtual Railroads - DB ET403 InterCity Expert-Line

Virtual Railroads have now released their latest offering, the DB ET403 InterCity as part of their 'Expert Line' range of products.The package contains the electric train ET 403 / 404 in IC livery from the 1970s and is priced at €24.95. The following is taken from the product page:

The following functions are integrated in this Expert-Line Model:

    Prototypical driving behaviour
    Complex regulation system AFB and LZB
    Prototypical Indusi I60r
    Selectable Pantographs Front or Back
    Time-Time SIFA
    Delayed and smoothly regulated E-Break
    with correct brake effort over all
    wagons ( up to 12 wagons )
    Swichtable instrument lights
    Cab light
    Wipers with interval control
    Standard TS2018 Effects
    Passenger view in the middle cars
    Scenario save function compatible
    Realistic sound optimized for EFX

These vehicles are included:

    ET 403 IC 001 / 003 / 005 DB Pantograph
    ET 403 IC 002 / 004 / 006 DB / SBB Pantograph
    ET 404 001 - 003 Middle car / Passenger View
    ET 404 101 - 103 Middle car / Passenger View

You can access the product page at Virtual Railroads by clicking here




Wednesday 24 January 2018

Matrix Trains - NER/GNR Non-Corridor BR Pack

There has been a new release to the Steam Marketplace in the form of a coach pack from Matrix Trains. The NER/GNR Non-Corridor BR Pack features several variations and is priced at £2.99. The following is taken from the product page:

These coaches of North Eastern Railway and Great Northern Railway pedigree were built from around 1907. The NER coaches were built under the direction of Wilson Worsdell (the CME of the NER) whilst the GNR were designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley (CME of the GNR and LNER).

There were 3 diagrams of NER Non Corridor Elliptical Roof coaches and these were Dia 144 49ft Brake Third, Dia 149 49ft Full Third and Dia 121 52ft Composite. The Brake third had a body width of 8’0” to accommodate the large guard’s duckets. The Third and Composite were 8’6” wide. The LNER liveried set is painted in the LNER’s standard carriage Tan used on carriages not built of more exotic woods such as teak. These long lived carriages lasted in service up until the 1960’s before removal from passenger service.

There were comparatively more GNR 58ft Non Corridor Elliptical Roof Teak coaches built in teak to Gresley’s familiar carriage design, this set comprises of a Dia 183 Lavatory Composite Brake, a Dia 274 Lavatory Brake Third, a Dia 121/164 Lavatory Composite and a "Football Saloon" to Dia 21. Built with lavatories to give the flexibility to be used on longer runs than the normal suburban commuter rosters. The “Football Saloon” was for use by football teams in the days when they travelled by train to distant fixtures. It was also used for excursion work. All the lavatory coaches were arranged to have toilet access from every seat. The GNR made great use of Brake Composites, often dropping a single unit at a station to form a branch train. Withdrawal dates unknown but thought to be the early 1960’s.

Also included is a NER 45ft Bogie Covered Carriage Truck (CCT) and NER Clerestory Inspection Saloon NER 1661. The CCT was built by the NER from 1915 and the LNER up to 1927, with matchboard sides above the waist and steel panels below. Lasted in service till the late 60’s/early 70’s. Meanwhile the Inspection Saloon was built by the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1871 as a 6-wheel 3rd Class saloon. Converted by the NER in 1884 to an Inspection Saloon (No.1661) for its Locomotive Superintendent, Edward Fletcher. In 1904 it was rebuilt to a 40 ft bogie vehicle. It became LNER No.21661 and BR E902179E. It was withdrawn by BR in 1969 having been in use for 98 years! It’s famous for being "The Old Gentleman's Saloon" in the film “The Railway Children”.

The NER/GNR Non-Corridor BR Pack for TS Marketplace includes the following coach types:

    BR Ex-GNR Milk Brake
    BR Ex-GNR Brake Comp
    BR Ex-GNR Brake Third
    BR Ex-GNR Composite
    BR Ex-GNR Football Saloon
    BR Ex-NER Brake Third
    BR Ex-NER Crimson & Cream Inspection Saloon
    BR Ex-NER Composite
    BR Ex-NER Covered Carriage Truck
    BR Ex-NER Maroon Inspection Saloon
    BR Ex-NER Third
 You can access the Steam store page for this product by clicking here.



 

Matrix Trains - NER/GNR Non-Corridor LNER Pack

There has been a new release to the Steam Marketplace in the form of a coach pack from Matrix Trains. The NER/GNR Non-Corridor LNER Pack features several variations and is priced at £2.99. The following is taken from the product page:

These coaches of North Eastern Railway and Great Northern Railway pedigree were built from around 1907. The NER coaches were built under the direction of Wilson Worsdell (the CME of the NER) whilst the GNR were designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley (CME of the GNR and LNER).

There were 3 diagrams of NER Non Corridor Elliptical Roof coaches and these were Dia 144 49ft Brake Third, Dia 149 49ft Full Third and Dia 121 52ft Composite. The Brake third had a body width of 8’0” to accommodate the large guard’s duckets. The Third and Composite were 8’6” wide. The LNER liveried set is painted in the LNER’s standard carriage Tan used on carriages not built of more exotic woods such as teak. These long lived carriages lasted in service up until the 1960’s before removal from passenger service.

There were comparatively more GNR 58ft Non Corridor Elliptical Roof Teak coaches built in teak to Gresley’s familiar carriage design, this set comprises of a Dia 183 Lavatory Composite Brake, a Dia 274 Lavatory Brake Third, a Dia 121/164 Lavatory Composite and a "Football Saloon" to Dia 21. Built with lavatories to give the flexibility to be used on longer runs than the normal suburban commuter rosters. The “Football Saloon” was for use by football teams in the days when they travelled by train to distant fixtures. It was also used for excursion work. All the lavatory coaches were arranged to have toilet access from every seat. The GNR made great use of Brake Composites, often dropping a single unit at a station to form a branch train. Withdrawal dates unknown but thought to be the early 1960’s.

Also included is a NER 45ft Bogie Covered Carriage Truck (CCT) and NER Clerestory Inspection Saloon NER 1661. The CCT was built by the NER from 1915 and the LNER up to 1927, with matchboard sides above the waist and steel panels below. Lasted in service till the late 60’s/early 70’s. Meanwhile the Inspection Saloon was built by the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1871 as a 6-wheel 3rd Class saloon. Converted by the NER in 1884 to an Inspection Saloon (No.1661) for its Locomotive Superintendent, Edward Fletcher. In 1904 it was rebuilt to a 40 ft bogie vehicle. It became LNER No.21661 and BR E902179E. It was withdrawn by BR in 1969 having been in use for 98 years! It’s famous for being "The Old Gentleman's Saloon" in the film “The Railway Children”.

The NER/GNR Non-Corridor LNER Pack for TS Marketplace includes the following coach types:

    LNER Ex-GNR Milk Brake
    LNER Ex-GNR Brake Comp
    LNER Ex-GNR Brake Third
    LNER Ex-GNR Composite
    LNER Ex-GNR Football Saloon
    LNER Ex-NER Brake Third
    LNER Ex-NER Composite
    LNER Ex-NER Covered Carriage Truck
    LNER Ex-NER Inspection Saloon
    LNER Ex-NER Third
 You can access the Steam store page for this product by clicking here.



Armstrong Powerhouse - Class 168/170/171 Enhancement Pack - Features

Following on from my blog post the other day about the upcoming Class 168/170/171 enhancement pack from Armstrong Powerhouse, further liveries have now been shown along with an announcement detailing the list of features that will be included. They are as follows:

MAIN FEATURES

• 23 liveries

• Higher resolution cab visuals

• Detailed internal & external audio

• Accurate acceleration & braking physics

• Voith T211rzze hydraulic transmission

• Wheelslip Protection (WSP)

• Cooling fan simulation

• Automatic unit numbering

• Dynamic exhaust effects

• Player changeable destination display

• Driver vigilance device (DVD)

'BITS AND BOBS'

• The reverser must be placed in ‘Neutral’ to start the engine.

• If the emergency brake applies, power can only be regained if the power handle is returned to ‘Off’.

• 1 second delay between train passing over AWS magnet and AWS warning sound occurring. The F3/F4 HUD will show the warning immediately so you must wait 1 second before trying to cancel it.

• The headlights only provide illumination before sunrise and after sunset. This is to avoid the unrealistic appearance of projected light in broad daylight.

• If speed rises above 103mph, power will be cut until speed falls below 97mph and the combined power handle is placed in the ‘Off/Release’ position.

• When the doors are open, full brake pressure is applied and the ‘Door Interlock Lost’ indicator light illuminates.

• Notched combined power handle; 7 power notches & 4 brake notches.

• Intermittent, slow and fast setting added to windscreen wiper.

• Separate engine start & stop buttons now operational. Engine stop button illuminates when engine is stopped.

• Master key & 4-step reverser (Off/Reverse/Neutral/Forward).

• Cab light.

• ‘Hill start’ button which applies step 1 brake pressure below 3mph.

• Functioning ‘Train Fault’ & ‘No Train Fault’ indicator lights when changing reverser position.

• ‘Door power’ indicator light which illuminates when speed falls below 3mph and extinguishes when speed rises above 10mph.

• Digital clock below speedometer.

• Individually controlled headlights & tail lights with proving lights in the cab.

• Detailed headlight, marker light & tail light textures for both new and old styles.

• Improved appearance of Driver Reminder Appliance (DRA).

• Cab camera angle amended so more of the desk is visible.

• ‘Max Speed 100mph’ label added to driver’s side of cab.

It doesn't seem like it will be too long now before release, certainly one to look forward to. For those who do wish to view the Armstrong Powerhouse Facebook page, you can do so by clicking here.