't Hart Van Nederland V2 - And Other Great Freeware Routes

Hiya.

Has anybody tried to sign up on Simtogether.com, a dutch forum?

I am installing 't Hart van Nederland 2.0 from DutchSims which needs a lot of 3rd party assets. I've got all requirements except for the content from this site.

I've tried a few weeks ago, but a confirmation email never went out. Also sent an email to them, but received no reply.

Though I haven't seen any milk bottles (yet), the route seems perfectly playable without these assets. (Could also be I happen to have most of these assets already after years of collecting.)

First run with the ChrisTrains ICM Koploper (a bargain from JT, €13.79).

 

I have an account. Do you need freeware or paid assets. If free, I might be able to help

 

Thank you - I need these packs.

SimTogether
Albula v2b# (Mikael
Aneer)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/2206-rw-albula-v2b-freegratis/
Basket Ball Courts 1.0#
(Niall Wallace)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/667-basket-ball-courts/
Chainlink fences kit
1.0# (Jeff Douglas)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/223-chainlink-fences-kit/
Clutter Pack 1.0# (Niall
Wallace)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/678-clutter-pack/
Cruiser 1.0# (Marklin) https://simtogether.com/files/file/98-cruiser/
DAF LF pack 1.0.0#
(Mundo)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/276-daf-lf-pack
Floodlights 1.0# (Niall
Wallace)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/669-floodlights/
Footbridge Kit 1.0#
(Mundo)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/383-footbridge-kit/
HK Straten Wegen en
Stoepen Pakket 1.0#
(Harryveolia)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/200-hk-straten-wegen-en-stoepen-pakket/
Hockey Field 1.0# (
Niall Wallace)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/663-hockey-field/
Hoogspanningsmasten
pack# (Spikevi)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/746-hoogspanningsmasten-pack/
LPG Depot 1.0#
(Mundo)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/600-lpg-depot/
Overhead Crane
Animated 1.0# (Kevin
McGowan)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/714-overhead-crane-animated/
SimTogether Gert
Meering NL
Objectpakket 2.1
https://simtogether.com/files/file/2232-simtogether-gert-meering-nl-
objectpakket/
SimTogether Object
pack Dodowvogel
https://simtogether.com/files/file/79-simtogether-object-pack-dodowvogel/
SimTogether Object
pack PGR 1.0
https://simtogether.com/files/file/80-simtogether-object-pack-pgr/
SimTogether Object
pack Sjef Nederland
4.8
https://simtogether.com/files/file/76-simtogether-object-pack-sjef-nederland/
Sport Stadiums 1.0#
(Niall Wallace)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/662-sport-stadiums/
Tennis courts 1.0#
(Niall Wallace)
https://simtogether.com/files/file/656-tennis-courts/
Wind Turbine 1.0
https://simtogether.com/files/file/718-wind-turbine/

 

I have been a member on Simtogether for a number of years with no problem

 

Here you go:

https://gofile.io/d/2Xv9Z2

Link is only valid for a couple of days

 

Yes but you can't sign up anymore apparently, not sure if they blocked certain email domains (mine is gmx.net). Thanks to pjduplooy.gis I got the files. I've contacted AlexNL (trainsimcommunity), he may be able to contact one of the Simtogether admins.

Thanks again pjduplooy.gis! Much appreciated.

All structures appearing now... (PIS boards were floating before)


Went on a ChrisTrains shopping spree on JustTrains.net, the stock is great and prices are fair. And the amount of scenarios provided with 't Hart is amazing, 66 of them!

 

One of my favourite routes is Krammerdijks Deltaland - now in version 3
It is fictitious and it includes a lot of features found on Dutch Railways
Like where you get trains running over Canal Bridges with the Pantograph up even though there are no wires

 

It's a welcome change from the usual UK/DE/US stuff, greatly enjoying it. People saying TS is dead are so wrong, the amount of workshop routes, scenarios, and 3rd party freeware I've added in the last weeks is more than enough to keep me going. Always something new to discover.

Registering on DutchSims and CoHa.nl worked instantly.



Found that spot


Nice thing is after the initial "big asset hunt" entering a new country in TS, you're mostly already settled for the next routes, only requiring a few downloads more.

 

I was able to contact them via Discord, account activation will get sorted now. Thanks for your help!

That's the thing I love about TSC. It lets you play anyway, even with missing assets (and rails). It's rewarding to see the route complete after playing it first with lots of missing scenery and textures, to finally get it all together.

 

Spikee1975 : see private message

 

Thank you Denis, I have let the author know that the source of these files (textures) is not included in the manual.

In addition to the default 66 scenarios, there's a lot of community made scenarios too, even three scenario packs are available. It's nice to see that the dutch community, who were "ignored" by DTG, made all the stuff themselves. Add to that the commercial stock from ChrisTrains, which is excellent.

https://dutchsims.nl/viewforum.php?f=64

 

Unfortunately this route (and several other dutch routes) requires the Rascal & Cottonwood Route that I don't own and is not
particularly interested in. Do you know if it works with some other All Aboard route? Since I don't own any All Aboard routes for TSC I don't know if the assets are saved in a common archive or separately for each route.

 

It could work with Colton & Northern which also has the Allaboard\Trackplans assets required. I'd wait till November 27th sale. (You can still add requirements later like I did.)

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll see what to buy in the next sale. Buying München-Augsburg in the last sale "unlocked" several Dutch routes and I haven't even looked at the fictional ones yet. Krammerdijks Deltaland looks nice.

 

I got mine from Amazon UK - it is currently 0.99p and the postage is double the route
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rascal-Cottonwood-Add-Rail-Simulator/dp/B001W6Q65Y

 

Real life comparison


The route is amazing. There's parts which are clearly older and other parts with newly made scenery. I've added other dutch routes now which only required adding a few more asset packs.

 

Zuid West Nederland is a good route.

 

Yes, I'm adding them one by one. And WilburGraphics has a good amount of free stock.



Zuid-West NL, Rotterdam

 

Collection grows. Spoorlijnen Zuid Limburg v3.1 has just been released. 60 (!) scenarios are included.

https://dutchsims.nl/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=1486&sid=b2decf776195cf4f3880a41d5ca55064

 

There is a patch on Dutch Sims to use the Cab from the Sim Express BB7200 in the cab of the Rail Traction NS 16/17/18
https://dutchsims.nl/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=1061

 

I am missing an asset I cannot find anywhere, not even in my huge asset packs archive.

It seems to be related to Köblitzer Bergland, but is probably something a user added to the folder as it is not part of the original route. It's also not part of the freeware version "Altenburg - Wildau".

It is

SAD\GermanLocal\addon1\station_KoblerWald_lamp_platform4.bin

My folder only has this:


If anyone has this (or more of these 1,2 and 3 lamps), and the corresponding GeoPcDx and TgPcDx, please let me know. Thanks in advance!

East of Duiven

 

Could it be these?

 

Yes - where are they from? Can you zip these (plus the texture needed)?

 

I'm not sure but I think they are from Köblitzer Bergland v 1.20. I can't find the texture file but attach the other two.

 

Thanks, it uses

textures\glow_white.TgPcDx
textures\glow_white_beam.TgPcDx
textures\station_names_destinationbords_kbwald.TgPcDx

These are default IKB3 textures which I've got. Thank you very much! Milk bottles succesfully replaced

 

Just playing an included scenario on 't Oosten van Nederland, there's station announcements and conductor whistles, so immersive. Needed repaints were easy to find.

 

A note: The freeware asset folder Wilburton\Stockton is full of invalid blueprints (empty when unserzed). At least on my end. These often come in parts in huge asset packs. Beware, better to locate the original author's files.

I'm removing these and will check if I can find valid packs.

 

Betouweroute (The province where Ludwig van Beethoven got his name from). These platform lights are interesting.



Emmerich

 

Arnemuiden Zuid West NL


towards Middelburg



Freight from Rotterdam

 

Verstappen!


from Eindhoven to Utrecht (Zuid NL)


It's really worth downloading these dutch routes. Amazing stuff! And they're all running at smooth capped 75 FPS.

 

NS 1100, 1200, 1300 & 1500

 

Thanks for pointing these resources out.

It seems the complete current Nederlandse Spoorwegen roster is available in the sim. Not every model at the same high standard, but well above average in general. And look at all those custom assets lining the tracks, years of work went into those ...
Also lots of older stock that now resides in museums and with preservation societies.

But it seems the Dutch railways are very much in transition, lots of iconic post WW2 station buildings like Rotterdam CS have been razed and most central stations are constantly being rebuilt.

 

Spikee are you going to provide a shopping list where to find everything?

 

Not that many Dutch stations are being rebuilt.
Amsterdam - https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/32132/category/522-ns_1700
Den Haag HS - https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/26467/category/305-ns_1500_br_em2_locos - old but still the same
Harlem - https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/38871/category/522-ns_1700
Harlem - https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/38870/category/523-ns_dmus_emus_coaching_stock

Rotterdam CS was rebuilt as it needed doing for the High Speed services with Class 186 top and tail on the line from Amsterdam to Rotterdam/Breda/Brussels. The new station is quite good on the platforms as it is open but with an overall roof.
https://peter749.piwigo.com/picture?/32099/category/525-ns_186_traxx

 

Each route comes with a pdf with links to requirements. If you cannot find something, I'll help. Accounts on Dutchsims.nl, Simtogether.com and CoHa.nl are mandatory. Downloads from rail-sim.de do not require an account.

Stock required comes from ChrisTrains.com, and the dutch forums have the required repaints. Also some stock from RailTraction is recommended, but you can swap stuff out.

 

Great routes - have most of them but a real task to get the assets

 

I've got them all now. The dutch forums, Discord and of course the people on here are very helpful. If you want something for free, invest a little work .

The only stuff I'm missing is for section of Zuid NL which enter belgian territory. Stuff from Railsim.fr is required (though playable without, mostly crocodile safety system infrastructure and gantries) - but there's a problem with that site. They deactivated a lot of accounts after a spam attack, and though I can log in I cannot access forums or downloads there. Sent messages to the admins, but without getting any response. Always bad if you're hosting your freeware assets on one site only and not mirror them... Discord may be the way to go.

Reported on rail-sim.de: some were lucky and had their quarantine removed, some not:
https://rail-sim.de/forum/thread/41625-railsim-fr-keine-inhalte-verfügbar/

 

Hopefully not.
I just don't like Discord.

 

I mean just to get in touch. They don't reply to my queries via email...

 

Gorgeous stuff on De Oude Lijn

 

You are a month early to use the NMBS I11 stock on Dutch rails.
From December a new Rotterdam - Brussel Zuid service will operate with that stock plus a NMBS 28xx or 17xx when ready.

 

this is Amsterdam CS 1964, a picture for the celebration of 125 years of railways in The Netherlands
Is it possible to recreate this in TSC, do we have the busiest station in the sim? I believe all the trains are available.

I believe to still have an old TS2012 installation with the complete Netherlands railway network in some bare table version, re-created from the public OpenRailMap source or something.

Going over the simtogether/dutchsims pages, it seems the major mainlines are all available, though in varying build qualities, depending on age and experience of the creaters. Though the assets used still give every route the feeling of driving a train through Holland and Netherlands.

 

The Noordwest Nederland route covers this area
https://simtogether.com/files/file/791-noordwest-nederland/

 

My rendition of the staged 1964 photo. Obviously a more recent layout of Amsterdam CS has been modeled (this is from HSL v3), since the original picture is 60 years old and the station and track layout has changed significantly.
During those years and well into the 2000's, Amsterdam CS was a back-to-back terminus, with hardly any run-through trains.
While nowadays, almost all services run through and far less switches and escape tracks are needed. Taken away to lenghthen and widen the platforms for the tens of thousand travellers each day.

Here is a livecam with the ongoing reconstruction of this area.


Artist impression of the ongoing works around Amsterdam CS (switch the subtitles to the language of choice):

 

Fyi, while Simtogether.com now hosts the old Treinpunt.nl content, not everything has its own download page.

The rest is in a simple html archive, there's some nice stuff to be found there (not NL only, also UK). You can find asset packs for older version of routes. My "swap milk bottle for huge OxPadd GeoPcDx chimney" method revealed some stuff missing still, which I could retrieve there.

http://treinpunt.treinenwereld.eu/

 

I like to fix stuff, so I'm restoring some scenarios that were built on older route versions but nevertheless included (which is fine).

Just repaired that Noordwest Nederland https://simtogether.com/files/file/791-noordwest-nederland/ career scenario from Amsterdam to Den Helder, which is a nice interesting run with lots of traffic and adverse signals. (Don't play the original version using F2+Cancel, there'll be an AI collision very late in the scenario )

Just need to fix the numbering on the ICMm, which has changed in an update, to get rid of the wrong destination displays on the Koploper.

Then finally translate the dutch text with DeepL (though I like it, as it helps me to learn the language. It's a mix of german and english somehow, and is easily understandable if you speak both).

And, last not least, contact the author if it's ok to distribute. (I have seen that someone is doing a complete overhaul of this route currently.)

 

Thanks for the info again.
Those are really well made routes and trains, but finding those final missing assets is a PITA, and like you, I use those tall pink chimneys to find the missing assets. It is rewarding to see the forest of chimneys slink and fade to nothing as your asset hunt progresses.
The track quality, visual catenary are top notch, and signalling seems quite complete.

So far, I believe to have Achterhook en Twenthe Lines complete, and now working on Heart of Nederland.

The western part of The Netherlands is heavily urbanized, but the east and north allow for more wider vistas. The north is rather flat and somewhat bland. Haven't yet discovered the south with those river crossings, the far south even has some hilly terrain.

And no, there aren't tulip fields and mindmills everywhere.
Lots of custom assets give a really 'Dutch' feeling to the stations and surroundings.

All those routes are kept up to date with real developments. Are there some more historic routes available?

 

I have these installed currently. Adding becomes easy as you will see they share a lot of the same asset packs, and additional custom assets are included.





I found a lot of small NiallWallace assets in here which I haven't needed yet, but good to have (check both RW and RSN folders).


Note that the Chimney method will not show you missing loft items - you need TSTools for that. (It did show me a misspelled blueprint name in NoordwestNL's tracks.bin though which was easy to correct.)

I haven't played them all yet... currently on the very detailed 't Groene Hart...

 

Installing those routes and their requirements will keep me occupied for a few weeks I'd think.

I've heard good things about some Czech Republic routes and trains. So I'll try to tackle those next, though most dev's do not maintain English language download pages and such.

All these railways are a welcome change from the UK, USA and Germany.