v5.5 released

11 July 2020

I had intended to do a new scenarios pack to give more runs for people to enjoy - but then thought I'd improve the LNER-ness of the signalboxes - and then that I'd just do a couple of quick track layout improvements - so this release is a little more major than I had intended!

  • several new scenarios
  • signalboxes given an LNER colour scheme - with a new model to replace the venerable Chaddock 25 lever box
  • track at Grantham updated to relect the 50s and 60s layout with a curious scissor triangle instead of small turntables
  • track at Peterborough to model the large yards North of the station and the New England loco shed (35A amd then 34E)
  • revised station building model at Peterborough North with revised track layout
  • a few extra bits in the 'era-specific' modes with a 1930s one added to the 50s, 60s and 70s.
  • revised platform/track/signals layout at Doncaster station (shorter platforms and more connections/sidings) – and I’ve added the Wagon Works track as well
  • completed the scenery on the Ely to Newmarket section
  • started replacing the old station signage with new, darker blue enameled versions (so far only major stations) and adding new platform signage in the same style to add realism
  • replaced most of the older car groups with Richard Maxted’s lovely 50/60s vehicles – and created a full set of trafficked roads that use these models (and some of Jeff Layfield’s great vans) and applied these consistently throughout the route
  • provided a revised set of ‘Platform Characters’ for the platforms for use by anyone who has the Riviera Line route add-on – see the Manual Appendix E
  • provided options for the weather template (default is the AP set but there is a Kuju alternative) – see the Manual Appendix E.



Scenarios--

Re-created the 9:30 ex-March to Cambridge Stopper scenario to run from March

- The LC at March doesn't stop traffic - problem in the game? The LC works once it has opened and then closed again - guess that the crossing is 'too close' to the player train?

QD South Fast 32 - this was CTD - but Ashgray has created a less heavy version - so I am using that with extra mods (thanks to Ash)

Visiting Top Shed at Night/morning - Free Roam - no point to this - just a bit of fun

York Mix - Free Roam - you could use it to explore the York end of the line - also useful for 'priming' the game engine before running a York-based scenario (may prevent crashes)

Newmarket to Ely training - works fine but 1 SPAD

The Nightmail - consist issue 'austerity' not found - had to delete the first iteration of Ike's Austerity via rwtools

QoS - failed to record the "go via" instruction at Welwyn GC, so I'll try deleting the instruction and re-adding it - that often does the trick.