Well currently I'm having trouble with the route in that it crashes at low fell when driving southbound, though I'm thinking/hoping it was the free roam scenario I was using at fault. I don't really see much point in doing a pre-release, not at this stage anyway, because really nothing much has changed with the route. I'm yet to do the signalling, I got sidetracked by the abandoned stations When I release it I will continue working on it and updating the workshop post, so that'd be a pre-release sort-of?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Creative burnout is fun! I've honestly not touched this route in months, mainly through losing interest in TS1 as a whole, so it's safe to say this estimate is out the window. I'm not going to estimate any further because I'll just end up missing it and annoying everyone. I had become somewhat frustrated due to various inaccuracies, I think simply because it's about 12 or 13 years old - it does in places feel like it'd just be easier to scrap it and start again from scratch, which for clarity I won't be doing because that's just a terrifying prospect. No it wasn't
In a fit of madness, I've decided to completely rebuild Darlington station, using the one from Weardale. This is mainly because that model features the northbound bay platforms, 5 and 6, which were still in operation in the 1970s. Also, it's a much nicer (and more geographically accurate) model. I found this out after a lot of googling because I've recently bought an Eastern Region timetable from 1973 (when this route is eventually done, I plan on making some scenarios using it) which shows trains terminating at Darlington from the north, implying these platforms were still in use, photos thankfully proved my suspicions. Of course there is still work to be done - not least finishing the track (as you can see I appear to have channeled my inner Dr Beeching) and signalling - but also to make the station building more 70s-looking (those 1940s/1950s wooden signs definitely need to go) - if anyone has any ideas on that front (without reskinning it or using custom assets), please let me know - particularly with regards to the huge sign on the front (I'm probably just going to use the original sign to cover the ones on the platform).
Next goal: Add superelevation and resignal between Darlington and Durham. If you're wondering - I'll only be fixing really wrong scenery (such as Gateshead station being completely missing), and at least starting to replace those horrible faux-3D trees, for the first release Class 55 'Deltic' passes a work crew as it heads north towards Newcastle.
I need to stop buying things. Will restart development in January, been swamped with assignments right now.
So this is a thing I was doing once. Hadn't realised it'd been so long - whoops! Done a little bit work this afternoon centering around Darlington station, mainly covering up the 50s signage and posters. It'll never be 100% accurate to how the station was in the 70s but it should be better than the original model.
Donea bit more work at Darlington, particularly relaid the south junction. Still needs to be signalled probably with some scenery additions (not too keen on the bare bit beside the station but OS maps I have show nothing there).
Still going but I've got way less time to work on it. Other issue is I'm very suceptible to burnout which is why it's taking so long, I can only apologise. Been working on Northallerton recently. If anyone has any photos of the station in the 70s (particularly the northbound platform) please feel free to send them my way - I only have a few, one from the BR Green era and the rest are of the signal box, many of which were actually taken in the 80s. The yard layout may have to be revised as I'm not sure how well trains will be able to negotiate those tight curves - this is the trouble with upgrading such an old route instead of starting from scratch.
Little note to say I've replaced the signals between Northallerton and York today (York station itself is part done). Apologies for how long it's taking, I'm only working on it bit-by-bit as and when I can/want to. Not sure if I've put this anywhere but the requirements list currently is as follows (I don't envisage this to change much, if at all): - Newcastle - Edinburgh - Liverpool - Manchester - WCML Over Shap - Weardale
