Sorry if posted somewhere else suburban Glasgow have released a new Scottish route for TSC “the buchan line” https://store.steampowered.com/app/3403000/Train_Simulator_Buchan_Line_Aberdeen__Peterhead/
I've had a go at one scenario this morning. It's pretty nice, from what I've seen so far. Very redolent the Weardale network and the same era. Lots to see and some tricky grades to get around, otherwise watch those career points disappear.
I'm not sure about the relationship. Suburban Glasgow grew out of the freeware route of the same name (which is still pretty good), being released commercially after having some 'professional' work done on it. He used to post a lot on the old UKTS forums. He's also done the merge between the various routes that make up the full-length West Highland Line on his own website, and some scenario packs available through Steam. I didn't think that they were related, although someone has attributed the Airdrie Extension to Rivet, even though it has a Suburban Glasgow credit.
Steam now lists a load of former Rivet DLC as Suburban Glasgow Ltd. I don't know what's going on, but there must be some tie-up. I see that on Rivet Games website they are now only showcasing TSW products. I suspect the TSC 'legacy' catalogue may have been passed over to Suburban Glasgow, though whether they are a Rivet brand or completely separate I can't say.
I've had a run down the route in a Stanier Mogul, the scenery is nicely done and has quite a unique feel to it. Aberdeen is also suitably grey and depressing, set the season to autumn and the weather to rain and you can capture the true misery of acutally being there. There's a decent amount of stock included and it's nice to have another 50s-60ish route to run steam and diesel together.
I will be logging this route on my web site here: https://sites.google.com/view/trainsimulatorcontent/uk-routes/buchan-line
suitable steam era locos are: exLMS 2P4-4-0, ex LNER B1 4-6-0 (used on the express Fish trains from both Peterhead and Fraserburgh), BR 2MT 2-6-0 #78045 (the only one shedded at Kittybrewster), BR 4MT 2-6-4T. In addition not yet in the game are ex NB D34 4-4-0 and ex NB J36 0-6-0 (Caledonia Works have this in their programme) These were in use certainly up to 1959. In the early 50s there were some exGER B12 4-6-0s working the line but they were returned South before 1955. An ex LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 (46460) was also allocated but worked the St Combs line (for which it had a cow catcher fitted). Peterhead line closed to passengers 3/5/65 and to Freight 7/9/70 and the Fraserburgh line closed to passengers 4/10/65 and to Freight in October 1979. I have pictures of Blue Class 27 and class 20 on the line although class 21s dominated in the early diesel era with occasional green class 17, 20, 24/0, 24/1, 26 and 27.
Very impressed with the research that has been applied to this route especially the type and placing of the signals, well done. Hope the extension to Fraserburgh follows sometime. Only niggle I have (so far) is the perpetuation of the "NE" branding of the (Weardale) Cattle wagons, scarcely appropriate in Weardale 1950s - 1960s and totally inappropriate in Aberdeenshire. I've removed the branding from my fleet and they look better for doing so.See pic below.
This is a really nice route. The screenshots on steam dont do it justice. With the AP weather pack this route looks lovely. Its a really good route that looks great.
I agree, the screenshots do the route a disservice, the scenery especially in Aberdeen and out in the countryside is some of the most impressive I've seen in a route. The route is a very pleasent drive.
Caledonia Works have released a NBR C Class 0-6-0 suitable for this line as a small number were allocated to 61A Kittybrewster throughout the BR period (as the ex LNER J36 class) An excellent loco. Two of the class were the last steam locos active in Scotland being withdrawn from Thornton Junction and Dunfermline depots in July 1967 outliving LNER and BR (so called) replacements. Here is one of Kittybrewster's at (suitably) Maud Junction, where it was too long for the turntable (or should that be that the turntable was too short for it).
I love this route but find it strange that the turntable at Maud is so short not to mention (ooh I just did) that it hardly ever appears to be visible! The line was regularly worked by GNoSR 4-4-0s indeed the GNoSR was renowned for its 4-4-0s which had a wheelbase of 43ft 4.5inches so a minimum of a 45ft turntable would have been essential. The NBR Class C (LNER J36) had a wheelbase of 36ft 9inches so could get away with a 40ft turntable at a pinch. The one in the game at Maud will not turn a class C due to the buffer overhang. Now it might be authentic but it is in reality useless in the game. I have replaced it using one from Bath -Templecombe. It needed moving the centre slightly South and West of the original and then moving the "roads" to suit. A bit fiddly but done in a couple of hours and now will take everything likely to be used up to and including the Thompson B1 (which were used on the express Fish trains in the late 1950s and 1960s) as shown in the screenshot. The existing turntable will not even turn a class 20 diesel and yes they did work the line (Green ones as single locos). Unfortunately due to DTG rules I cannot share the modification with you other than suggest you might like to do it yourself. Edit: It appears that I can share, see below for the mod file.
I'm not aware of any Dovetail rules that prohibit that. As I understand it the only prohibition is the distribution of shape files. Am I missing something here? John
DTG state that you are not permitted to change a route and circulate it, referring to DTG distributed payware of course. If I have misunderstood this I am happy to share. Its only the RailNetwork folder that is changed so the original route is still very much required as would be the European Assets (for the turntable). I cloned the route (for my own use only) and altered the clone.
As I understand, what you are doing is creating User Generated Content, for which Dovetail require a disclaimer to be included. Their only restriction I am aware of is distribution of shape files (*.geopdx) with reskins etc. Right now, search engines aren't giving me the page I am looking for, but the answer must be out there somewhere. The EULA refers to www.dovetailgames.com/terms for more information, but Dovetail seem to have removed the page from that address some time ago. John
I have packaged the mod (something new to me) with a disclaimer, ReadMe file and I have 7z it. Hopefully this is accessible.
Thanks for that! I hope I haven't bullied you into doing what you weren't comfortable with - I was offering it as my opinion but as I said I could not find the necessary detail in writing. I'm surprised no-one else has come up with "chapter and verse" to give a definite answer on this, which is what I was hoping for. Best regards, John
If I've done wrong the worst is that I have to take it down and apologise profusely. If they sue me there's no money to sue for. Too old to worry about that. Just hope it enhances the enjoyment of a really good route.
I've now posted the turntable mod on TrainSimCommunity and submitted the Cattle truck decal mod as well. Hang for sheep.....
