Rebuilt Royal Scot Pack - In Development Special

Between 1943 and 1955, 70 members of the Royal Scot class, of the London Midland and Scottish Railway, were rebuilt with William Stanier's type 2A tapered boiler. This, along with many other modifications, changed the look of these locomotives dramatically. It is our pleasure to be working alongside Tom Homewood and Chris Barnes, to bring the Rebuilt 'Scot' to Train Simulator. As this project has been 'coming soon' for so long, we thought it would be good for you all to see what has been completed and what is left to bring this project to completion.

Complete Loco - Tweaked Front-End

The first loco, LMS Black 46115 Scots Guardsman, is now in game. Since the last preview was shown, a few modifications have taken place. These have been mainly focused around the smokebox area. The shape and profile of a 'Scot' is so distinctive. Tom is determined for the loco's to look 'just right'. A month or so ago, Tom reworked the front end. This included making changes to the smokebox door, smokebox and the adding of some extra details.

During our discussions about the project, we made the decision to ensure that a version without smoke deflectors was possible. That meant that Tom had to make sure that all the necessary detail was present in an area that would previously have been hidden. This included the addition of rivet detail, and, as seen in the second of the two pictures below, modeling of the ejector drain, which is very much obscured by the smoke deflector on that side. 

Variety Is The Spice Of life

One thing which we haven't fully shared yet, are the many views available in cabview. See them all below:

View 1:

The first view is leaning out the drivers side

 View 2:

Driver Seated Position

 View 3:

Driver Standing Position

 View 4:

Driver looking across cab view

 View 5:

Looking into the firebox

 View 6:

Fireman seated view

 View 7:

Fireman leaning out of cab view

Yes, that's 7 views!! 

What's Left to Complete?

• The BR Green variant is complete and just needs putting into game, once we are happy with everything. Tom still needs to do the LMS Crimson Lake and BR Maroon variants. The dynamic numbering for the generic version still needs doing as well
• The LMS Black variant is all done in game. Tom just needs to fiddle with the lining here and there to get the alignment correct
• Tom is currently working on the nameplates. Seven crest types are being created. Blow are some examples which Tom has traced by hand!

• Development of 46100 with the air pump/dual brakes and modified tender
• Sounds have yet to be started

 So, there's plenty to be getting on with. Both Tom and Chris are busy with secular work and other other TS projects. We cannot predict how long the above will take. But be assured, we are working as fast as we can.

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

Severn Valley Progress Report

It's been a long, long old road developing this route. Many obstacles have been overcome and we have benefited from assistance from some excellent people within the Train Simulator community. We now have an additional helper, a seasoned route developer, Mark Walker. We thank Mark for his willingness to help us get to the finish line. We are almost there folks! Another major obstacle has been crossed this week, literally(in a virtual sense!). We have our crossing of the 'Severn' sorted. Phil Baines has very kindly made the stunning and beautiful Victoria Bridge. That means that ALL unique buildings and structures have been made. A major milestone!!

What Is Left?

 A valid question. Well, to put it simply.................not much!! Bailey Maxwell is adding some extra details around Kidderminster and Bewdley, while Mark is now focusing on the Bridgnorth area. Once that is complete, we will get the signalling finished. Then, scenario creation can begin in earnest! Lets take a look at some images sent to us by both Bailey and Mark in recent weeks. We'll begin by taking a look at the Kidderminster to Bewdley section of line:

Great Western Castle Class 5029 Nunney Castle wait to depart Kidderminster Town

On the way out of Kidderminster we pass the back of a row of detached houses

Crossing Falling Sands Viaduct - Kidderminster

On the outskirts of Kidderminster we pass by an industrial estate

The Castle bursts out of Bewdley Tunnel

Coasting towards Bewdley on 'Safari' Curve

Drifting into Bewdley

We'll now move to the north end of the line where Mark Walker has been adding extra detail for us:

We now join Rebuilt Bulleid Pacific 34027 Taw Valley climbing Eardington Bank, heading towards Bridgnorth

Nearing the top of the bank

The flowers are in bloom at Cottage Crossing

On another occasion and having been turned, Taw Valley is at Bridgnorth waiting to depart

Taw Valley accelerates away from Bridgnorth

Having passed through the short Knowlesands Tunnel, under the Highley road, Taw Valley powers up the 1in100 gradient

Approaching Eardington Summit

The loco now drifts down the bank passing Cottage Crossing once more

As you may be able to tell, there aren't many gaps in the scenery now. It is our aim to gather in the completed scenery work over the next few weeks, and then we will begin the tidy up. After that, testing can begin. So we'll conclude with this classic scene at Arley as former resident GW Hall 6960 'Raveningham Hall' waits to depart on a southbound departure

More Soon. . . . . . . . .