Line news September, 2005

• <30-Sep-05>: Pascal Grando has new 140C 287 and 140C 38 SNCF ex-Est 1919 steam locos, 140C287.zip (10Mb, 28-Sep-05), and an updated version of his 140C 231, v1.1 140C_MAJ1_1.zip (8.3Mb, 22-Sep-05). The Graphics15 team have released a new pack of ten activities for Wupper Express 9, we9act1.zip.zip (340kb, 30-Sep-05), which can be downloaded from The-Train.de (links is to download page). Train-sim.com has Thomas J. Pearce's set of PRR Tuscan Red 5 Stripe E8s, bllwe8s2.zip (4.7Mb, 29-Sep-05), fitted with the distinctive PRR Trainphone antennas, and he's made available the ACE graphics files of these antennas so they can be added to other cab locos, bllwkit1.zip (630kb, 29-Sep-05). Virtual Train has a set of DB BR 141 electric locos, VT_DB141_Pack1_1.exe (28-Sep-05).

• <28-Sep-05>: Latest news from the Graphics15 team is that MSTS is going to be around a long time so they're hard at work preparing a pack of ten activities for Wupper Express 9 (should be available at beginning of October) and an activity pack for Stadtbahn U79 version 3 later in the year. As well they plan to extend Wupper Express 9 (to become version 10) by including a new section to continue on from Oberhausen to Dortmund via Gelsenkirchen, Wanne-Eickel and Herne and another from Bottrop down to Essen then to Wuppertal - see VRR's map (PDF doc). Other news is that Route Riter has been updated to version 6.3.14, RRit6_3_14upd.zip (1.90Mb, 27-Sep-05), to add extra info in the Check Rolling Stock feature. UKTrainsim has some steam locos from Mark Thompson who has repainted Peter Harvey's D49s: BR_D49_THE_GOATHLAND.zip (1.9Mb, 26-Sep-05), BR_D49_THE_Morpeth.zip (1.9Mb, 26-Sep-05) and BR_D49_Yorkshire.zip (1.7Mb, 26-Sep-05).

• <26-Sep-05>: Henri Verpiot has released version 5 of his Paris Dijon route. There are some screenshots on his site and the nine zip files can also be downloaded from his pages. For more info see the Ligne Paris Dijon V5 thread on the Simtrain-fr forums. At Train-sim.com there are a number of re-liveried locos from Paul Watson, including BN 1976 SDP-40 Bicentennial, bn_1976.zip (10.9Mb, 25-Sep-05), KCS GP30 No. 4114, kcsgp30.zip (840kb, 25-Sep-05), and three Kansas City Southern maintenance-of-way sets, kcsmow1.zip (6.2Mb, 25-Sep-05), kcsmow2.zip (7Mb, 25-Sep-05), and kcsmow3.zip (7Mb, 25-Sep-05).

• <24-Sep-05>: Harold Clitheroe has added a demo of Maple Leaf Tracks' Kicking Horse Pass route, from Eldon to Field, to Canadian Pacific's MSTS content. The free section of Kicking Horse Pass can be downloaded from CPR's Train Routes page as file MLT_KHPdemo.msi 43Mb (with Windows installer) and it includes two activities, an AC4400CW, two grain wagons and FRED (flashing rear end detector). While there, check the locomotives and rolling stock pages. At Train-sim.com Bob Boudoin has remodelled two of NALW's C40-8Ws into ATSF No. 804, atsf804.zip (3.4Mb, 23-Sep-05), and No. 880, atsf880.zip (3.3Mb, 23-Sep-05) and Lucio Moreira has remodelled three of Ted Curphey' F45s into Burlington Northern livery, bnf45set.zip (8.5Mb, 22-Sep-05).

• <22-Sep-05>: Paul Gausden has updated his innovative Shape Viewer utility to version 1.5, SView1_5_181.zip (2.53Mb, 21-Sep-05). New features added now enable us to trigger animations such as pantographs, wipers, doors and mirrors (if part of the model) and to view catenary and catenary height. Shape Viewer can be downloaded from the Steam4Me page. Vaillant Thierry has released version 3.2 of his Ligne Roussillon route (see the route map here and where it's located around Perpignan), Roussillon v3_2.exe (31.1Mb, 21-Sep-05). It can be downloaded from his site and there are four packs of activities.

• <18-Sep-05>: A snippet of news from the Graphics15 team that they're working hard on activity packs for Stadtbahn U79 version 3 and Wupper Express 9. As well, they'll soon have the new B80D tram finished. And the best news is that the team are already thinking about and getting to work on Wupper Express 10. Have you tried Location Blogger's Load from a space with webdottrainsim (see news of 14-Sep-05 or the webDotTrainSim Space) to see how MSTS can tie in with MSN Spaces and Virtual Earth? Finally, have you created an MSN Space which has some content about MSTS? Let's know if so (use the usual email address at the bottom of this page or leave a comment at the webDotTrainSim Space).

• <15-Sep-05>: Trensim looks like it has a later version of the AVE Serie 100 trainset (22.1Mb, dated 15-Sep-05). Amicitreni.net has a number of re-liveried electric locos, including: FS E652 058 FS_E652_058.rar (960kb, 14-Sep-05), FS E652 059, fs_e652_059.zip (970kb, 14-Sep-05). and FS E652 060, FS_E652_060.rar (1.2Mb, 14-Sep-05), all of which require you have loco E633 100. Patrick Fabard's Paris Sud Oeust route version 3 is finished, according to his web site, and should be available for download at Funtrain.net but at the time of this news, web•TrainSim can only see version one listed.

• <14-Sep-05>: UKTrainsim has another new route, the fictional three-foot gauge The Valley Railway by Reg Furniss. It can be downloaded in three files, valley-setup-1.zip (15.5Mb, 12-Sep-05), valley-setup-2.zip (15.5Mb, 12-Sep-05) and valley-setup-3.zip (15.5Mb, 12-Sep-05) and there's plenty of info on the UKTrainsim description page. The Train-sim.com library has a couple of fixes for Matt Doti's Amtrak Superliner carriages, amtksupf.zip (72kb, 12-Sep-05), the full install of Mike Simpson's Route Riter version 6.3.10, rr6310.zip (10.7Mb, 12-Sep-05), and a full description by Bob Edwards of Bob Wirth's Seligman Sub, seligdat.zip (540kb, 12-Sep-05). As an example of tying together MSTS, Virtual Earth and web•TrainSim's MSN Space, go to Location Blogger and choose Load from a space. Enter webdottrainsim as the SpaceID and in a moment or two the scratchpad on the right-side will fill with five screenshots taken at different locations on Marias Pass. Click any of these and the Virtual Earth map will pan to that location. web•TrainSim set things up by using Location Blogger's Blog a space to create a new blog at web•TrainSim's Space for each location on Marias Pass (with a thumbnail map) and added a screenshot. The only limitation appears to be that a maximum of five locations are read into the scratchpad.

• <12-Sep-05>: There's another update to Mike Simpson's Route Riter which brings it to version 6.3.10. You can update from V6.2.55, RRit6_3_10upd.zip (1.90Mb, 12-Sep-05), and update a new help file separately, RRit6_3_10hlp.zip (2.43Mb, 12-Sep-05), or download and install the full V6.3.10 package, RRit6_3_10full.zip (10.2Mb, 12-Sep-05). Note that Mike suggests we all check the Read-Me for changes. Train-sim.com has more videos from Terrance Holland, e.g., Hudson 2816, 1emp2816.zip (40Mb, 11-Sep-05) and Utopia Ontario, utop8504.zip (22Mb, 11-Sep-05). Matt Doti has improved another set of Amtrak Superliners to Phase IVb livery, amtksup4.zip (3.6Mb, 11-Sep-05); Bill Hobbs has version 1.1 of his Steam Loco Setup spreadsheet and explantory document, engsetup.zip (82kb, 11-Sep-05); Dennis Mutulo has updated UP GE Dash 9 No. 9707 with UP's flag scheme, up9707ml.zip (3.7Mb, 11-Sep-05); and there's a fix for MRL F45 No. 392, f45fix.zip (488kb, 11-Sep-05). Patrick Fabard has completed version 3 (there's no version 2) of his Paris Sud Oeust route. There are some screenshots at his site and it should be available soon from Funtrain.net.

• <11-Sep-05>: Bob Wirth's ATSF Seligman Sub route is now in the Train-sim.com library. The download consists of six files, each 30-40Mb in size, the first being sel1.zip (31Mb, 10-Sep-05). You'll find information in the Bob Wirth Has Done It Again thread on the Train-sim.com forums. To place the route, see Winslow AZ to Needles CA (Mappoint map) and Winslow to Needles in Virtual Earth (aerial photo view). You can read about the Grove City addition to Canton Railroad by Rich Garber at Canton-Suddenly-Thompson-Grove City and catch up on thoughts from others in the Grove City is out for Canton thread on Train-sim.com.

• <10-Sep-05>: Mike Simpson has brought together several enhancements into his latest version of Route Riter, version 6.3.00; to update from a full install of v6.2.55 or later, download RRit6_3_00upd.zip (1.90Mb, 09-Sep-05) and the latest help file, RRit6_2_98hlp.zip (2.43Mb, 03-Sep-05). Amicitreni.net has the E444R and ETR500 night cabs, CabE444R_v2-Notte.zip (1.73Mb, 08-Sep-05) and CabETR500PLT-Notte.zip (1.29Mb, 08-Sep-05) respectively (also available from Trenomania). The Train-sim.com library has Bob Boudoin's latest physics version 4.8 ENGine file updates, one set for four-axle GE locos, v48ge4.zip (48kb, 09-Sep-05), and the other for Fairbanks-Morse C-Liners, v48fm_c.zip (18kb, 09-Sep-05), to provide more realistic performance.

• <08-Sep-05>: Trensim.com has the high-speed AVE series 100 trainset (22.1Mb) that runs on the Madrid - Seveille route; there are some screenshots in the AVE Dispo thread on Simtrain-fr forums and if you'd like some tech info, see Spanish-Rail services. Trenomania has night cabs for the ETR500 politensione power car (1.29Mb, 07-Sep-05), E636 and E645 locos (1.05Mb, 07-Sep-05) and E444R loco (1.72Mb, 07-Sep-05). At Train-sim.com Dick Cowen has some new Canton RR locos including Canton RR U25B, ctn-u25b.zip (2.4Mb, 07-Sep-05), and Bob Boudoin has contributed a set of revised ENGine files for EMD E- and F-class locos, e_f_v48.zip (95kb, 07-Sep-05). Finally, Bob Wirth's Seligman Sub route (Winslow AZ to Needles CA over the Arizona Divide) will be available in a day or two when all six files are uploaded to the library.

• <07-Sep-05>: UKTrainsim has a second Chris Sanderson route, the Lyme Regis Branch, the first of five files being LymeRegis1.zip (8.7Mb, 05-Sep-05). There's more info on the description page and in the Lyme Regis thread on the UKTrainsim forums. At Train-sim.com Mike Laxer has another New York Central loco, the ALCO S1 4-8-4 Niagara, niagara.zip (1.1Mb, 06-Sep-05) - here's 6001 of 1946. Matthew Imbrogno has version 1.1 of his Baldwin 608sc diesel sounds for Frank Musicks Babyface Baldwins, 608sc.zip (510kb, 06-Sep-05), and Ted Curphey has upgrades for the Canton/FLC boxcar packs, ctnbxupg.zip (1.4Mb, 06-Sep-05), Montana Rail Link F45 No. 392, mrl_f45.zip (3.8Mb, 06-Sep-05), and upgrades for MRL SD45-2s Nos. 308 and 310, mrl45_2.zip (2.3Mb, 06-Sep-05). Mike Simpson has a new version of Route Riter (version 6.2.98) and accompanying help file if you want to upgrade ENGine files for use with the Raildriver desktop control.

• <05-Sep-05>: Train-sim.com has version 2 of Julien Cachemaille's Pentecosta - La Ligne de Petit Arbre route, a fictional route of more than 800 km. The route download is in fifteen files, beginning with palv2a.zip (6.4Mb, 04-Sep-05). As well there's a pack of twenty-five activities, pal2act1.zip (840kb, 04-Sep-05), which also includes maps of the route. Mike Laxer has contributed models of the New York Central J1e and J3a Hudson steam locos, nycsteam.zip (4.8Mb, 04-Sep-05) and nyceng.zip (20kb, 04-Sep-05). There's a screenshot on the Hudsons uploaded post on the Train-sim.com forums. For the real thing, see NYC J3a number 5405 poses for its Builder's Photo on 9-19-1937, details of Hudson No. 5344 of class J1e with a Commodore Vanderbilt photo. A couple of days ago Hugh Reilly contributed optional window tints for his BNSF and Canadian National Dash 9-44CW's: hrd9s_4e.zip (300kb, 03-Sep-05) and hrd9s_1d.zip (300kb, 03-Sep-05) respectively.

• <03-Sep-05>: UKTrainsim has Chris Sanderson's new route, the Foxfield, which is accurately modelled on the Foxfield Railway, Staffordshire, in the 1950's. The download consists of four files, FoxfieldNCB1.zip (5.4Mb, 01-Sep-05), dNCB2.zip (8.2Mb, 01-Sep-05), FoxfieldNCB3.zip (9.9Mb, 01-Sep-05) and FoxfieldNCB4.zip (10.5MbMb, 01-Sep-05), and there's more information in the Foxfeild post on the UKTrainsim forums. There are a number of screenshots of the SNCF Renault Panoramic X4200 at Grandpa's Den (select the Renault X4200 album and click on the right-hand button below the photos to view full-sized photos) and there's a small fix for the Size line in the X4200's ENGine file - see the Autorail panoramique Renault thread on the Simtrain-fr forums.

• <01-Sep-05>: Trenomania.it has another couple of Davide Bianco's re-liveried locos: E652 165, (9Mb, 01-Sep-05), and E646 208, (7Mb, 01-Sep-05). Pascal Grando has created another historic French piece of rolling stock, the SNCF X4200 Renault Panoramic railcar of 1959. The download, X4200_panoramique.zip (5.6Mb, 29-Aug-05), from Pascal's site (scroll to the bottom of the page) includes both X4206 and X4210. There are some screenshots, including the panoramic passenger view, on the Autorail panoramique Renault post at Simtrain-fr and for more information, see X4208 and X4203 restoration and The SNCF Panoramique diesel railcar X 4200 class. Yesterday's line news mentioned the LGV Est route - here's a map of the trace at the official LGV Est site. Another site worth visiting is LGV 2030. An alternative site from which Stadtbahn U79 version 3 can be downloaded is Kim-Trains.de. If you haven't got U79 version 2, you'll need the trams and they're all in the third download file, U79TRAMS.zip (U70 V3.0 Züge/Acts), also at Kim-Trains.de.

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