One way to improve realism on routes (especially electric) is OHLE, having as realistic OHLE as possible in a route is one of the maker or breakers for me, so to assist developers i am creating a OHLE thread suggestion for UK routes (AC). I’m going to include the basic 2 track cantilever designs to be used on mainlines 1. Mk1 OHLE (Used on the west coast mainline from london to weaver junction and on the great eastern mainline from london to colchester) This form of OHLE was the first ever to be used in conjunction with the mainlines in the uk with a power output of 25kv. MK 2 OHLE (used on glasgow suburban) Similar to the MK1 OHLE, this is used on primarily Glasgow suburban and local lines and can be found on the very northern section of the West Coast Mainline (North of Carstairs into Glasgow Central and the surrounding area). They have the same design as the mk1. (mk2 image below) MK 3: there are 5 classifications of mk3 ohle, but i will get into the common two which are: 1. The Mk3A OHLE used in-between weaver junction and Glasgow central on the WCML Mk3 B: (Used on the East Coast Mainline in-between london King’s cross, Kings Lynn, Skipton and Carstairs as well as the Edinburgh area up to Edinburgh Park . Also used on the Midland Mainline inbetween london and Bedford, the GEML north of Colchester down to norwich and the Cross City lines to name a few) Couldn’t find any more pic examples :p
UK1 OHLE (WCML) this is a type of OHLE that was used in the early 200s upgrade of the WCML, it takes the design of the MK3 and solid gantry frames of the MK1 MK 4 was never implemented as it was to be introduced with the Intercity APT, a programme which failed MK5 Only has one example which is used at dollands yard and is a heavy current version of the MK3 Series 1 (Great Western, Great Eastern to Shenfield and York - Leeds ) Designed by swiss manufacturers furrer and frey, this absolute eyesore is used on the great western mainline. Series 2 (Midland Mainline, Trans Pennine Route Upgrade, Edinburgh- Glasgow via Falkirk and Shotts, King’s Cross Upgrade) The current series of OHLE used on the uk’s route upgrades, quite an attractive look IMO Both S1 and S2 OHLE are clear for 225km/hr operations. Below are my sources for further reading https://assets.publishing.service.g...ead-line-equipment-ole-support-structures.pdf (pages 15-21) https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ohle-types-amendments-and-corrections-requested.103072/
This needs to be done and speaking of It's the Scotrail Express route with 385. Perhaps Rivet Games should put these correct ones
yep, the OHLE around the edinburgh area isn’t really correct so that’s why i made this thread, as for BCC, dtg got it right though; but i will tag Jasper_Rivet for help with updating some of the incorrect OHLE
I think Dovetail's new (if you can call it that anymore) OHLE artist is doing a stellar job on UK routes - and it begs the question if that's why they were so hesitant to do them up until that point. SEHS2 and BCC are both top notch and accurate, so no real need to fear going forward. As for third party, I imagine they have access to the DTG library for OLE, but probably lack internal creation processes, hence why Edinburgh lacks the available type. Either that or they just picked the wrong one.
DTG have nailed their OHLE with recent routes, it’s really just rivet with the in accurate OHLE in the edinburgh area tbf. And the GWE OHLE needs a bit of a rework tbh. But yea i put that there for devs to use as some sort of a future guide
