More Freebies In Production

There's nothing quite like a freebie! We know that, which is why we try to give you some free products from time to time. There are a few different reasons why some products are given away for free. (1)Some products have to be given free due to the EULA attached to the associated DLC. The Jacobite being a classic example of that. (2)We get help from some very kind individuals with the understanding that the product they assist on will be freeware. (3)We make a payware sound pack that is required to use the free pack. Not everyone agrees that that's free, however, we like to view it as a 'buy one get one free' kind of arrangement. Here are some examples of free products that have been downloaded over 1000 times since release:

An accurate depiction of the preserved Great Central Railway, running between the the Leicestershire town of Loughborough and the outskirts of Leicester. Custom buildings feature heavily, giving you the opportunity to 'recreate the experience' of running on this popular preserved railway.

Quite possibly the most reliable steam locomotives running today, Ian Riley's Black Fives can be seen taking on main line work all over the country. We present here all 3 of those locos. Repaints, particles and script by Chris Barnes, finished off with SSS sounds

When the West Somerset Railway DLC was released, it met with a lukewarm reaction. Although the station models and basic scenery was good, there was a serious lack of detail. Started by real-life WSR guard David Seward, adding of a lot of missing detail began. We came on board and transformed the look of many parts of the line, taking out overdone tree lines; adding embankments, cuttings, signal cables, point rods, the missing Minehead water treatment plant and much much more! We even managed to get a locomotive to be published with the route as well - WSR Mogul 9351 - courtesy of Kris Harding. It is with great satisfaction that we see many using the route, as evidenced in published screenshots. I'm sure it is satisfying to David and Kris as well!

Our most recent freeware pack was exclusive to newsletter subscribers, but the next two will be made available to all.

Castle Over Shap Scenario

This scenario, created by Mitchel Thomas, takes Nunney Castle over shap. It's a challenge. Can you get your train over the summit without loosing too much time? This scenario is to be made available later today.

Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway for TS2015

  Way back in 2011, Richard Evans released the fantastic Honeybourne Line for then Railworks. The route was very well received. However, technology has advanced a awful lot since then. In that time we've seen the introduction of the TSX game engine; Shadows(not the band!); Super-elevation; Tunnel occlusions and much more. With Richards kind permission - granted over 2 years ago(!!) - we present a new version of the route taking advantage of these new features, and an extension of the line to Laverton. Not much has had to change scenery-wise, Richard having made such a fine job of it. We just present a new version which looks better with the new technology. 

  The Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway is a 12 mile preserved railway which runs from the Cotswold town of Cheltenham to Laverton, via Gotherington, Winchcombe and Toddington. Find out all about the real GWSR HERE. We are slowly gathering a collection of appropriate locomotives to run on the line. What will come with the route? The plan is to release the route with Dinmore Manor and a set of maroon mark ones included. A set of scenarios are also in development. Enjoy the following screenshots showing off a section of the route between Laverton and Gotherington.

Very soon now you'll be able to enjoy an exciting day out in the Cotswolds on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway for TS2015!

More Soon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

The Jacobite - A Special Preview Part 2

THE WORLDS GREATEST RAILWAY JOURNEY

Last time we told you about the Jacobite Addon. Well, now that the pack is on the verge of a release, we bring you news about the pack contents.

Stanier Black 5 45231

   Owned by Bert Hitchen 45231 has recently returned to traffic after a major overhaul was carried out at Carnforth MPD. 45231 has been employed on various working during it's mainline career - WCRC's Fellsman trains, the Jacobite and some Cathedrals Express workings in the south.

  The loco coming with this addon equipped with custom sounds, CJB particles and script, scripted lamps(including modern HI lamp) and headboards

Stanier Black Fives 45407 & 44871

This pair of locomotives are owned by Ian Riley and are stalwarts of the mainline scene. They are the mainstay of the Jacobite service. Steam Sounds Supreme released a pack containing these two locos earlier this year. You will have to download the Riley Fives pack for these to work. Included with the Jacobite Pack are two versions of the each loco. One fitted with a Jacobite headboard and mainline lamps and the second is a dead version, for parking in the yard at Fort William. These are fitted with a limited sound set so you'll hear con-rod clank, and piston sounds when towing.

BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75014

Now based at the Dartmouth Steam Railway, 75014 was formerly heavily associated with the Jacobite service, having been involved when it first began in the 1980's. Here we present 75014 as she would look today, if she was still involved with the Jacobite operation. To run the loco, you will need to own Digital Traction's Standard 4 4-6-0 pack, and Steam Sounds Supreme's Standard 4 Tender Locomotives Sound Pack. This version comes with Jacobite headboard on loco, warning flash decals, mainline HI headlamp and version of the tender with headboard and HI lamp attached.

West Coast Railway Company Rolling Stock

In 1995, the West Coast Railway Company took over the operation. Naturally, the coaching stock used is branded. We present 2 complete sets of carriages for the Jacobite services. They consist of BG, SK, FK and RMB Maroon Mk 1's and BSO, FK & SO Maroon Mk 2's. They all come with custom sounds, warning flash decals, WCRC branding and a rear version with modern flashing lamp(except the RMB).

Scenarios

Provided are a set of immersive scenarios. They include a 4-part Jacobite scenario, towing a dead black 5 and more. Lots to enjoy!!

After stalling on Beesdale bank, Black 5 45231 charges over the summit

This pack will be released later today and will be exclusive to newsletter subscribers. So, if you haven't subscribed yet, do so now HERE

May we take this opportunity to offer our thanks to Ashley Burgess and Chris Barnes, without whose assistance, this pack wouldn't happen!

The Jacobite - A Special Preview Part 1

THE WORLDS GREATEST RAILWAY JOURNEY

  With the release of the fantastic West Highland Line Extension route for Train Simulator, thoughts turned to running the Jacobite steam service on the line. I have had the privilege of experiencing this train on two occasions, and it is without a shadow of doubt, the greatest railway journey I have ever experienced! As many of you will know, we have a scripted Black 5, West Coast 44932, available as free bonus content in the Stanier 8F Collection Part 3. This Black 5 gives you the CJB particles, script, adjustable lamps on both loco and tender and headboards. Well it is with great pleasure that we announce that another free scripted Black 5 in coming soon - 45231 Sherwood Forester. 

Stanier Black 5 45231

  5231 was built by Armstrong-Whitworth in 1936. She spent most of her early life at Patricroft shed, working mainly to North Wales and Leeds. After nationalisation in 1948, she was renumbered 45231 by British Railways. She was transferred to Northampton in October 1954, but was only officially there for a month — such allocation changes were often only carried out on paper — and then transferred to Aston, where she remained for nine years. 45231 was officially transferred to Rugbyin February 1963, but was moved a short time later (July) to Chester. She stayed at Chester until closure of Chester shed in April 1967. She was then transferred to Speke Junction and finally Carnforth, where 45231 lasted until the last day of steam on BR in August 1968. She was sold by BR directly into preservation and was restored at Carnforth to LMS livery. 

  After being initially preserved at Carnforth, 5231 became associated with the preserved Great Central Railway. In 1973 she hauled the official opening train between Loughborough and Quorn. 5231 was sold to the GCR in late 1996, who repainted it in BR lined black in 1997. She also acquired a set of nameplates, The Sherwood Forester. The loco is now owned by Bert Hitchen and the loco has recently returned to traffic after a major overhaul was carried out at Carnforth MPD. 45231 has been employed on various working during it's mainline career - WCRC's Fellsman trains, the Jacobite and some Cathedrals Express workings in the south.

The Jacobite

  In 1984, British Rail re-introduced a steam-hauled service over part of the Fort William to Mallaig line, in an effort to encourage tourism and boost income on the heavily subsidised line. Called the "West Highlander", it proved so successful that it was continued for subsequent years. It was later renamed "The Lochaber". In 1995 following the privatisation of British Rail, the operating licence for the West Highlander trains was granted to the West Coast Railway Company, and they began operating the service that summer under the new name of "The Jacobite". The daily service departs Fort William at 10.15am and arrives at Mallaig at 12.25pm. The Return from Mallaig departs at 2.10pm arriving back into Fort William at 4pm. The service crosses the additional afternoon train at Glenfinnan on Mondays to Fridays and this is the only regular crossing of two steam services passing each other on the national network. In 2011, for the first time, train operator West Coast Railway Company added a second daily Jacobite service from Fort William to Mallaig due to demand, using Ian Riley's Black 5 44871 and a spare set of coaches that were formerly used for "The Cambrian". The additional service departs Fort William at 2.30pm with an arrival time back in Fort William of 8.24pm and runs from June to August, Monday to Friday.

  The Jacobite runs a distance of 41 miles between Fort William and Mallaig, passing through an area of great scenic beauty including alongside Loch Eil, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Arisaig. Trains cross with regular service trains at Glenfinnan station.

What exactly is going to be in our new addon 'The Jacobite'?

More soon..............................

A Look inside the Workshop

Lets have a peek inside the doors of the Steam Sounds Supreme workshop and we'll see what we find

New Sound Pack Coming Soon

 It is with great pleasure that we announce a new sound pack nearing completion - the GWR 56xx Sound Pack. This will feature all the usual sounds you have come to expect from a Steam Sounds Supreme sound pack.

   We are pleased to be working alongside Pete from Victory Works on this pack. He has donated this lovely repaint in BR Lined Green livery.

Sound Pack Features:

• New exhaust sounds featuring our second valve setup
• High speed exhaust loops
• New whistle sounds
• Injector sounds
• Blasting cylinder drain cocks
• Four stage safety valve sounds
• New motion sounds
• Running sounds
• New loco in BR Lined Green

A Bit About the 5600 Class

  Built between 1924 and 1928, the 5600 class were designed specifically for the Welsh valleys. They replaced the many pre-grouping types which didn't fit the GWR's standardization programme. An astonishing 200 were built in that period, lasting in service until withdrawals occurred between 1962 and 1965. These locos weren't all that popular with crews, suffering many failures. They also had a tendency to derail when running forwards, not having a leading pony truck. So, not surprisingly, crews favored running in reverse. With Barry scrapyard being so close, it's no surprise that 9 examples of the class escaped the cutters torch. Preserved examples include 5619, 5637, 5643, 5668, 6619, 6634, 6686, 6695 and 6697.

   Our recordings were taken from 5643 at the Severn Valley Railway in 2013 and 6695 at the Swanage Railway this year. Here's a sample of our trip behind 6695, departing from Harmons Cross, heading towards Corfe Castle:

Great Western 5600 Tank 6695 Departs Harmons Cross

GWR King Enhancement Pack Underway

  In the capable hands of Stephen Gurney, the GWR King Enhancement pack in in progress. It's early days, but here's a peak at the first repaint taking place

  This new pack is to feature all appropriate liveries carried by the Kings in single-chimney form. These locos will also be enhanced by Chris Barnes' wonderful steam effects and scripts. Due to various difficulties, the BR version will not feature dynamic numbering. This is because a smokebox numberplate will have to be added as a child object. We'll provide a selection of Kings in BR livery, but not the complete class, as we originally hoped. Sounds will be recorded from Didcot-based King Edward II. This loco is soon to go out on the main line. We hope to catch up with her one way or another very soon. 

  PLEASE NOTE: Due to the way the default textures are applied on the original model by RSC, we will have to use the Settle and Carlisle Specials King, in order to do the BR versions. This is unavoidable.

  Watch out for progress reports on Facebook and here on our blog

Guess the Route

  We have a new route that is very near release. However, we are not going to reveal the identity of the route until the week of release. So, over on Facebook, we've been playing a little game. Here are the clues so far. Can you guess what the route is going to be??

Clue 1

Clue 2

Clue 3

'When you decide to share something, it's a good idea to double it'

Clue 4

Clue 5

'Time to take an alternative route'

Clue 6

A delightful mix of motive power would be appropriate for this line!

Clue 7

Clue 8

Clue 9

Those are the clues so far. Can you guess the route??

Well that concludes our peek inside the SSS workshop. There's more at the back......................

Severn Valley Progress Report

  Time to bring you all up to date with progress being made on the Severn Valley Railway.  Firstly, we'd like to bring you up to date on the progress being made on Arley station. This is being modeled by Paul Springthorpe. As you'll see, the attention to detail is staggering! 

Arley Station Progress

A preview of the main building and platform 1 from Sketchup. Details are slowly being added all the time

Again from Sketchup, the rear of the main station building

A Selection of Enamel Signs in the Works

Station Benches, Lamp Post and Telephone Box

Next Train Indicators. If we can work out how, Paul would like to make these animated!

The first of the enamel signs is in game

Route Build Progress

We are indebted to Bailey Maxwell and Jack Blakemore for the work they have carried out so far between Hampton Loade and the top of Eardington Bank. Lets take a trip along the line with visiting Bulleid Battle of Britain 34072 257 Squadron.

Kidderminster to Bewdley 

34072 waits to depart Kidderminster Town

Departure from Kidderminster

Falling Sands Viaduct - Kidderminster

Exiting Bewdley Tunnel

Poppies are in bloom, as we approach  Bewdley

Passing Bewdley South Signal Box

Passing the SVR Goods Rake

Coming to a Stand in Platform 1

Waiting for the Signal at Bewdley

Next, the journey between Bewdley and Arley.

Ready for Departure from Arley

We now follow the Bulleid, as it makes progress along the valley between Arley and Hampton Loade

Arrival at Hampton Loade

We now enter the first section that has been outsourced for development. Bailey Maxwell is working on Hampton Loade to to Sterns, while Jack Blakewell is working on Eardington Bank between Sterns and Cottage Crossing 

Departing Hampton Loade

Charging towards Sterns

Climbing Eardington Bank

    

Oldbury Viaduct 

The Bridgnorth Bypass passes under the railway

Final Approach to Bridgnorth

Our 16 Mile Journey Draws to a Close

Alongside the Boiler Shop

The Norther Limit of the SVR

  We appreciate that progress may be a lot slower than you, as a user, would like, however, we are making progress. Bailey and Jack are doing well on the sections they have been assigned. Hopefully we'll have a completed route in the not to distant future.

Thank you for you interest!