Friday 16 May 2014

West Somerset Railway Members Edition - Part 2

A Trip Along The Line

We continue our journey along the West Somerset Railway.

WSR Mogul 9351 approaches Bishops Lydeard, from Norton Fitzwarren

Bishops Lydeard to Williton 

A lot of work has gone into improving the look of the route. Here are a couple of images which feature Bishops Lydeard station. Lots of new bits and pieces here. Point rodding and the loco compound to name two. 

An overall view of Bishops Lydeard
How many new bits can you see in this picture?!
Our train is ready to depart Bishops Lydeard. Lets get back on board. What changes can you see?? Main things to look out for are at Crowcombe Heathfield and Williton. You'll also notice an exciting new feature between Crowcombe and Stogumber!


To complete this part of the journey, we present a selection of images of the Bishops Lydeard to Williton section of the route.
The Mogul  climbs through the cutting on the approach to Crowcombe
The summit is reached at Crowcombe station
We have the signal
Patiently waiting for the passengers to finish loading
At Williton, as seen from the yard
At this low angle, the new point rods can be seen to good effect
Next: Williton to Washford

Thursday 15 May 2014

West Somerset Railway Members Edition - Part 1

A Trip Along The Line

Join us for a journey along the West Somerset Railway. We begin the the journey at Norton Fitzwarren, 23 miles from the seaside at Minehead.

Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard

Our loco, WSR Mogul 9351, is turning on the triangle. The WSR Mogul 9351 has been loving recreated by Kris Harding of Down Main Games and comes with lots of exciting features. Most notably a set of changeable headlamps and headboards. And sounds engineered by SSS. Once the loco backs onto the Minehead-end of the train, our journey can begin.

From the train, our loco is seen negotiating the turning triangle
Now turned, 9351 is running forwards to rejoin the main running lin
Ready to depart Norton Fitzwarren 
Now enjoy the journey from Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard.



Next: Bishops Lydeard to Williton.....................................

Friday 9 May 2014

Severn Valley Progress Report

Route Build


Jump Start Needed
  Development of the route hit a brick wall about 7/8 months ago. We realize how many of you are looking forward to this route. So, we took the decision to recruit a route builder to help us get the job done. We tried out a few different people. Two separate individuals were given a chance to take the last section of the line and complete it. Sadly these arrangements didn't work out. I began to feel like we were never going to complete the route. 
  Roll on 6 months and we now have progress occurring once again. And this is thanks to Jack Blakemore and Bailey Maxwell. Here we present a selection of screenshots showing how things are progressing.

Jack Blakemore's Section

Jack has been tasked with completing the scenery along Eardington Bank, from Cottage crossing down to Sterns.


Some Scenes On Eardington Bank



Bailey Maxwell's Section

We tasked Bailey with tackling the details around Hampton Loade station, and heading north to meet Jack's section at Sterns.

North of Hampton Loade



Near Sterns

 Hampton Loade Station


Earlier Progress

Up to about 8 months ago, I was making excellent progress with the route. Here we will take you from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, so you can see how things are looking throughout the whole route, as of today.

Kidderminster
Kidderminster Town Station
Carriage Shed



Bewdley and Area
Looking towards Bewdley Tunnel, from Bewdley End
Safari Curve
Bewdley South
Bewdley Station and Some of the SVR Wagons
Bewdley Station
Northwood Halt
Arley and Area
Trimpley Reservoir
Looking Towards Victoria Bridge
Looking North From End of Arley Platform 1

Highley
Approach to Highley and the Engine House Can Be Seen
A View of Highley Engine House
Highey Station, as Viewed From the Road
Looking Back Up the Hill to the Station
Hampton Loade
Approach to Hampton Loade From the South
Hampton Loade Main Station Building
Between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth
Eardington
Looking North Towards the Summit
Oldbury Viaduct
Bridgnorth Bypass
Bridgnorth
Railway Crosses Road Immediately Outside Bridgnorth Sation

So as you can see, the route is at a very advanced stage. Once Bailey and Jack have finished their respective sections of the line, we'll begin moving towards a release. The end is in sight......................

We Can Do This!!

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Welcome to the Workshop!

Steam Sounds Supreme Workshop
Welcome to our new blog! Here we'll report on all our projects, as and when there is something to report. The only project we won't report on here is the Stainmore project, due to there already being a blog for that purpose: http://stainmorerouteproject.blogspot.co.uk. 
Below, we list every single WIP project going on here at SSS, with the help of some great Train Sim folks. As you will see, quite a few projects are at an advanced stage. We will not provide any proposed release dates in this blog. It's purely to show what's in the workshop. In no particular order:

West Somerset Railway Members Edition+WSR Mogul 9351

A complete overhaul of the original DLC route featuring new assets, sounds, track-side detail, tree removal and more. Also, as part of the route package will be Down Main Games' first steam loco - WSR Mogul 9351.


West Somerset Wagon Pack

An authentic set of wagons for the West Somerset Railway, produced by Phil Baines.





Stanier 8F Collection Part 2 -WD Mini-Pack

Courtesy of Ben Yates, Chris Barnes and Brian Yeomans, we present these 3 WD liveried 8F loco's.

Stanier 8F Collection Part 3 - Preservation Pack

A large selection of 8F's, courtesy of Ben Yates, featuring as many preserved examples as possible. Below are just 4 of the many loco's featured.


Ivatt 4MT Working Days and 43106 Pack

Built by Tom Homewood, these packs will include a full range of Ivatt 4MT's from their early double-chimney form, to the more successful single chimney version. We'll present them in all the liveries we can. To follow that will be a dedicated mini-pack featuring the Severn Valley Railway's Ivatt 43106. This will come with a selection of SVR headboards and in BR lined black with late crest and BR plain black, as it appeared at the Rainhill celebrations.

Rebuilt Royal Scot Pack

Steam Sounds Supreme join forces with Tom Homewood and Chris Barnes to develop a mega pack of all 70 Rebuilt Royal Scot locomotives! All named variants will feature, as well as a grubby, worn-out, nameless version. This well represents how the class looked near the end of steam. We're also pleased to say that the 2 preserved examples will feature. (4)6115 will be in LMS black and BR green. (4)6100 will be presented in LMS Crimson Lake and in BR Maroon. Steam-age version of these loco's will be in the pack as well.


Midland 2P Locomotive

Now owned by Steam Sounds Supreme, this Digital Traction model is to receive a make-over. It is currently sat outside the workshop, under tarpaulin!

GWR 2800/2884

We await news from Digital Traction............................................

Standard 4MT Tank Sound Pack

Our first sound pack release has just been withdrawn for overhaul. Soon to return in a fully enhanced state. We'll report on progress in the near future.

Bulleid Light Pacific Enhancement Pack

A host of new names, CJB enhancements and much more. This is on hold until Chris can adjust the scripting for us.

LMS Patriot Sound Pack

Our previous sound source isn't up to standard, so we have mover this pack down the list whilst we look around for some appropriate sounds.

Black 5 Sound Pack Update

Our most popular sound pack is receiving an update, in the form of CJB enhancements. The sounds have also been updated. 

LMS Rebuilt Jubilee

Another Tom Homewood production, the Rebuilt Jubilee will be progressed in the near future, once the Rebuilt Scot is complete.

Severn Valley Railway

A project that is dragging it's heals somewhat. However, we are pleased to report that work has started again, thanks to help from Jack Blakemore and Bailey Maxwell. We'll produce a full SVR report very shortly, so you can see what stage we're at. 



Stainmore and Eden Valley Railway

The scenic and challenging Stainmore route from Barnard Castle, west to Kirkby Stephen East and Tebay, plus the Eden Valley route from Kirkby Stephen East to Penrith. To feature 3 steam locomotives: Ivatt 4MT, Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 and LNER J21. LMS period 1 carriages will also feature. For more information and in-depth reporting on progress, please visit the official; blog: http://stainmorerouteproject.blogspot.co.uk/

GWR King Enhancement Pack

GWR/BR Kings in all appropriate liveries. Stephen Gurney has agreed to take on this project. Watch out for progress in the future.


So, there we have it. Plenty for us to be getting on with! All of the above products, apart from Stainmore, will have progress reports posted in this blog. Check back soon!