Newsflashes about steamtrains or issues concerning add-on’s of steam locomotives.

Jan 09, 2019

From the heart of Scotland.

Digital traction one of the best devellopers on creating steam for TS20xx has now recreate a major shunting engine that comes in differetn liveries and waggons. Digital traction has planned for the recreation of even more engines in the near future that will enhange your collection of magnificent steamers.

The Caledonian Railway 498 Class was a class of 0-6-0 tank locomotives built for dock shunting. They were designed by John F. McIntosh for the Caledonian Railway (CR) and introduced in 1911. Twenty-three were built. They passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) in 1923 and to British Railways (BR) in 1948.

The Caledonian Railway (CR) was a major Scottish railway company. It was formed in the early 19th century with the objective of forming a link between English railways and Glasgow. It progressively extended its network and reached Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with a dense network of branch lines in the area surrounding Glasgow. It was absorbed into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923. Many of its principal routes are still used, and the original main line between Carlisle and Glasgow is in use as part of the West Coast Main Line railway (with a modified entry into Glasgow itself).

In the mid-1830s railways in England evolved from local concerns to longer routes that connected cities, and then became networks. In Scotland it was clear that this was the way forward, and there was a desire to connect the central belt to the incipient English network.

There was controversy over the route that such a line might take, but the Caledonian Railway was formed on 31 July 1845 and it opened its main line between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Carlisle in 1848, making an alliance with the English London and North Western Railway.

The package if this Dock tank engine comes with:

Performance Mode
Multiple Camera Views
Custom CR & LMSR Lamps
Wheel slip Dynamics
In-Depth Scenarios
Custom CR Cab
Animated Brake rigging
Changing smoke particles

And much more

Once again a Scottish engine comes to life in TS20xx. You now can drive another Scottish engine and do not forget the Haggish and Whiskey.

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Jan 09, 2019

The GWR Pannier rolls into 2019

The steaming start of 2019 goes with the coming of the GWR Pannier Class from Victory Works. Despite the issue many GWR 5700 has already come to TS20xx. This engine is the Pro version of this type of engine and is one of the most significant shunting engines of Britain which was also capable to work local passanger trains and short freight trains. A design that is originated by William Stanier one of the greatest Railway Engineers in Britain.

The GWR started designing and building 0-6-0 tank locomotives in 1860, and this continued into the BR era until 1956, with a total of 2,393 being built. The GWR also used 0-6-0 tank locomotives from other manufacturers’ designs (from its subsidiary and absorbed railways’ stock), and since 1898 it always had at least 1,000 tank locomotives in stock.

The early 0-6-0 tank engines were fitted with either saddle tanks (wrapped over the boiler) or side tanks (mounted at the side of the boiler and reaching down to the running platform). GWR first fitted pannier tanks (mounted on the side of the boiler but not reaching down to the running platform) in 1898 to nine 4-4-0 tank locomotives and, in 1901, to five 0-6-0T locomotives which were also fitted with Belpaire fireboxes. The shape of the Belpaire firebox gives a larger surface area which improves heat transfer and steam production, but their rectangular shape made them difficult to combine with saddle tanks. Locomotives fitted with pannier tanks have a lower centre of gravity than those with saddle tanks (enabling higher speeds on curves), and access for maintenance is easier than for those fitted with side tanks.

Churchward’s period as Chief Mechanical Engineer (1901–21) is well known for significant improvements in locomotive design and manufacture, and the development of standard designs. However, the scope of the standard designs did not include the 0-6-0 tank locomotive, and the GWR did not introduce any new 0-6-0 tank designs from 1897 to 1928 (with exception of the GWR 1361 class of five 0-6-0 saddle tanks in 1910).

However, pannier tanks and Belpaire fireboxes became the standard for the rebuilding of various 0-6-0 tank locomotives (projected in 1902 and getting fully underway by 1910).

The rebuilding program also included a number of other changes including:

improved cab designs, eventually becoming fully enclosed.
superheating, which by 1929, had been found to have little benefit on shunting engines.
adaptation for working with autocoaches for push–pull trains (auto-working).
increasing boiler pressures, for example, the various rebuilds of the GWR 2721 class started at 150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa), increasing to 165 lbf/in2 (1.14 MPa), and then to 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa).

With the completion of grouping in 1923, GWR’s collection of 0-6-0 tank locomotives was expanded with the stock from 28 acquired companies. The acquired tank locomotives came from different manufacturers, were a mixture of side, saddle and pannier, and varied widely by size and state of repair.In addition, GWR’s stock was wearing out, and the variety of classes was problematic for maintenance and rostering. Collett had to produce a new standard design for 0-6-0 pannier tanks. The result was the 5700 class.

Design

The first batch of 300 locomotives built between 1929 and 1931 included a medium height chimney, a mid-boiler dome, safety valve with cover, and an enclosed cab. The boiler included a top-feed (between the chimney and dome). They were similar in appearance to older 0-6-0 tank engines that had been rebuilt as pannier tanks, particularly the later rebuilds of the 2721 class. The 2721 class was itself a development of the 1854 class, which in turn was based on the 645 class.

In Train Simulator, you have the ability to experience the GWR Panniers in incredible, authentic and almost never-ending detail. The different configuration and livery options mean you have access to hundreds upon hundreds of individual locomotives, as they were in each era. If that wasn’t enough, the GWR Panniers are accompanied by the BR-built Hawksworth A38, A39, A40 and A43 autocoaches for varied steam-era push-pull operations.

Key Features

Extensive collection of GWR Panniers including 5400, 6400, 5700 (and 8700) and 7400 classes
Simple, standard and advanced driving modes
Customisable engine numbers and shed codes
Optional parts and fittings including painted or polished safety valve covers, chimney styles, lining, power discs, ATC, speedometer and much more
Custom sound sets inside and out
Realistic cab with multiple views, including dual head out and fully modelled firebox and coal
Realistic wheel slip physics and effects (Advanced Mode Only)
Simulated steam chest (Advanced Mode Only)
Realistic train pipe, reservoir vacuum and steam braking (Advanced Mode Only)
Cylinder cock management (Advanced Mode Only)
Boiler management with priming possible (Advanced Mode Only)
Realistic injector control (Advanced Mode Only)
Realistic “by the shovel” stoking with synchronised sound (Advanced Mode Only)
Dynamic steam and smoke colour and quantity
Realistic boiler water gauges effected by gradient, acceleration and speed and with blow down test
Opening windows (with rain effects), doors, weather panels and roof hatch
Dynamic lamp setting
Cab light effects including firebox glow, water gauge lamp and cab lamp
Second valve regulator effects (Advanced Mode Only)
British Railways 63ft Autocoach

With the release of this amazing engine a new iconic locomotive is now available in advanced mode .

Go to the website of Steamtrains Unlimited Campus

To drive this engine in advanced mode you need to know how a steam locomotive is working in order to experience the full steam vibes the engine produces. You need to have a several route add-on’s in order to see this engine working the scenario’s on different routes such as the Riviëra in the 50’s.

You now can enjoy and experience one of the most significant tank engines and (try to) drive them as it should be.

Source: Wikipedia, Steam

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Dec 07, 2018

The LMS Patriot 6P rebuild from Stanier.

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Patriot Class is a class of 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive introduced in 1930. Originally having parallel boilers, all members were later rebuilt with tapered type 2A boilers designed by William Stanier.

Between 1946 and 1949 selected members of the class were rebuilt to create the Rebuilt Patriot Class. Similar in appearance to the Rebuilt Royal Scots, they differed in having more modern cabs, different sandboxes, balance weights, middle cylinder covers amongst other small details.

Withdrawals began in 1961, before 1965 when the last 3 members of the class were taken out of service. None of these locomotives were preserved.

The Patriot Class was a class of 52 express passenger steam locomotives built for the London Midland and Scottish Railway. The first locomotive of the class was built in 1930 and the last in 1934.

The class was based on the chassis of the Royal Scot combined with the boiler from Large Claughtons earning them the nickname Baby Scots. 18 were rebuilt between 1946 and 1948. the remaining 34 unrebuilt engines were withdrawn between 1960 and 1962.

Source: Wikipedia, Bossman games

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Dec 01, 2018

The Rhätische Bahn class G3/4 is the pinnacle that comes across the Swiss alps.

The Landquart-Davos G 3/4, also known as the Rhaetian Railway G 3/4, created due to TS2019 by Beekay Romantic Railroads was a class of lightweight metre gauge 2-6-0 steam locomotives operated from 1889 by the Landquart-Davos Narrow Gauge Railway (LD), 1895 renamed to Rhaetian Railway (RhB) in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

The G 3/4 class was so named under the Swiss locomotive and railcar classification system. According to that system, G 3/4 denotes a narrow gauge steam locomotive with a total of four axles, three of which are drive axles. Prior to 1902, the class was known as the G 3 class, under an earlier classification system.

A total of 16 examples of the G 3/4 class entered service between 1889 and 1908. Built as tank locomotives by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works(SLM) in Winterthur, the G 3/4s were made redundant by electrification of the RhB network between 1913 and 1922. Most of the class were then sold to other railways, but three preserved examples remain, two on the Rhaetian Railway and one on the Appenzeller Bahnen. These locomotives are kept in working order for occasional steam trains.

The complete electrification of the Rhaetian Railway network between 1913 and 1922 rendered the G 3/4 class locomotives surplus to requirements. Three locomotives from the original batch, G 3/4s Nos 3-5 were sold to the Prince-Henri-Railway in Luxembourg in 1917 and renumbered 53-55. All three locomotives were later taken over by the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft in 1943 and were renumbered in the DRG narrow-gauge series as 99 271-99 273; on return to state control in 1945 the locomotives were renumbered as CFL 351-353 and continued in service until they were retired and scrapped in 1954.

The RhB sold a further four engines in 1923; No 6 Landquart to the Administration of the Port of Recife in Pernambuco state, Brazil where its eventual fate is unknown while Nos 7-8 were sold to the Domodossola–Locarno railway for use on construction trains until they were retired and scrapped in 1943. No 12 was sold to the Sagunt steel works in Spain and renumbered as No 207 Algimia for use around the works until it too was withdrawn and scrapped, sometime during 1970.

Of the remaining locomotives, the RhB sold Nos 9-10 and 15-16 to the Brünigbahn in 1926 and 1924 respectively where they worked together with eight locomotives of the same type delivered by SLM in 1905–13 until they were withdrawn and scrapped in 1941-42, when Brünigbahn was electrified. No 2 Prättigau was withdrawn and scrapped in 1925, while No 1 Rhätia was withdrawn in 1928 and placed in storage for a planned Swiss railway museum. The remaining three engines, Nos 11, 13, and 14, remained in service as shunting locomotives and reserve engines in case of electrical power failures. No 13 was the last G 3/4 to be withdrawn and scrapped by the RhB in 1950, while Nos 11 and 14 continued in service until 1977 and 1972 respectively.

Beekay resp. Romantic Railroads has set an extraordinary engine which is well worth the purchase. If you do not have this engine yest it is a must to have this engine. With the package comes a several scenario’s to run this engine across the Swiss Alps.

Source: Wikipedia

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Nov 15, 2018

A new but famous German engine has arrived for TS2019 the Saxonian IVK Mallet Steam locomotive.

It has been almost a year Just Trains released a steam locomotive with advanced features but nov the 15th a German Steamer now came to the store of Just trains expanding their amount of advanced locomotives with this Saxonian IVK Class Mallet engine.

The Saxonian IV were eight-wheeled, narrow gauge, Günther-Meyer type steam engines built for the Royal Saxon State Railways with a track gauge of 750 mm. A total of 96 were built between 1892 and 1921, making the Saxon IV K the most numerous narrow gauge locomotive in Germany. In 1925 the Deutsche Reichsbahngrouped these engines into their DRG Class 99.51–60.

As a result of the constantly rising traffic on the Saxon narrow gauge railways towards the end of the 19th century, the power of the existing Saxonian I-K and III-K soon proved insufficient.

So the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik developed an engine with eight coupled wheels and which had a larger boiler and adhesive weight. Unlike its predecessors, it was given two driven bogies in order to be able to cope with winding routes despite its length.

Between 1892 and 1921 a total of 96 locomotives were built with running numbers 103 to 198. To begin with they were designated as class H M T K V, which meant that they were locomotives built by Hartmann to a Meyer design as a tank engine with a 750mm rail gauge and compound engine. From 1896 they were reclassified as K IV and from 1900 as IV K. The ‘K’ stood for Kleinspur or ‘small gauge’.

The IV K was used both in front of passenger trains and also goods trains and proved itself so well that it ousted the other locomotive classes completely on several lines.

Five locomotives (123, 139, 147, 148 and 174) were deleted from the roster after World War I. Two had been left behind in Hungary, and three were handed over to Poland as reparations. In 1925 the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft took over the remaining 91 units allocating them the numbers 99 511–546, 99 551–558, 99 561–579 and 99 581–608.

Designed for Train Simulator 2019, this locomotive has many advanced features to ensure you are able to enjoy an authentic drive but there is also a simplified version for those who just want to jump in and drive!

The Saxonian IV-K is Quick Drive enabled and is supplied with three scenarios and a set of authentic rolling stock.

Features

Advanced and simplified locomotives
Clean and dirty versions
Snow plough version
Reichsbahn and modern Pressnitztalbahn versions
Dynamic numbering (DR and Pressnitztalbahn)

Original IV-K sounds
Dynamic regulator and steam chest simulation
Dynamic Körting vacuum air brake simulation
Dynamic exhaust sound
Dynamic particle simulation (steam, smoke)
Dynamic wheel slip
Dynamic injectors (depending on temperature)
Limited sanding operation
Communication with other vehicles
Communication by whistle
Traglastenwagen with Random Skin function
Error and fault message system
Scenarios for the Pressnitztalbahn V2 route (not included)

Quick Drive enabled
Included rolling stock:

– OOw, HHw, GGw – in green and brown

– Traglastenwagen – passenger coach

– Packwagen – for heavy objects

– Rollwagen – a narrow gauge wagon on which a standard gauge wagon can be loaded
German and English language manuals are included

Source: Just Trains, Wikipedia

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Nov 3, 2018

Caledonian Railways Class 782 roll out by Digital Traction

A true workhorse with amazing driving capabilities just rolled out of the Digital Traction Workshop. Digital traction is by far the best and the only creator aiming to create steam locomotives at the conveyor belt.

Regularly Digital Traction brings amazing engines that are breath taking and gives the thrill of driving steam in an amazing way. In corporation with Steam Sound Supreme you now can experience the regulator/throttle of this brilliant engine that comes in 22 different liveries and even with a working Westinghouse brake pump.

The Caledonian Railway 782 Class was a class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by John F. McIntosh and introduced in 1896. The 29 Class was similar but fitted with condensing apparatus.

The locomotives were taken into London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) ownership in 1923 and into British Railways(BR) ownership in 1948.

A model that simply may not fail your collection of steamers. The model comes with different features such as: Performance Mode, Wheell slip dynamics, custom CR cab and crew and much more.

To get your engine please follow the button here below to get to the store of Digital Traction.

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Okt 14, 2018

Caledonian Railways Class 944 released by Digital Traction

The Caledonian Railway 944 Class were 4-6-2T passenger tank locomotives designed by William Pickersgill and built in 1917 by the North British Locomotive Company’s Hyde Park Works in Glasgow. Although the Caledonian Railway built a long and successful series of small 0-4-4T passenger tank engines, twelve locomotives of the 944 Class were the only large passenger tanks operated by the Caley.

Although the Caledonian Railway built a long and successful series of small 0-4-4T passenger tank engines, the twelve locomotives of the 944 Class were the only large passenger tanks operated by the company. They shared much of their design with the contemporary 60 Class 4-6-0s. They were originally used on the Inverclyde Line and so gained the nickname ‘Wemyss Bay Pugs‘ amongst enginemen.

They were originally used on the Inverclyde Line working has boat trains to some very strict timetables and so gained the nickname “Wemyss Bay Pugs” amoungst Caley engine crews. In 1923, every member of the class passed into the LMSR and were repainted from CR Light Blue (Having never carried black or Dark Blue) into LMS Crimson Lake, although within a few years this gave way to LMS Lined Black. They were later displaced from the Wemyss Bay trains by LMS Fowler tanks and Fairburns and by 1948 all but two locomotives were allocated to Beattock shed, primarily for banking duties on Beattock Bank.

The locomotives passed into the ownership of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway upon its formation in 1923 and were repainted from Caledonian blue into LMS crimson lake livery, although within a few years this gave way to lined black livery.

They were later displaced from the Inverclyde line by LMS Fowler and Fairburn 2-6-4Ts and by the time of Nationalisation in 1948 the surviving locomotives were all allocated to Beattock shed, primarily for banking duties on Beattock bank. Unfortunately they were all withdrawn and scrapped between 1946 and 1953.

Taking a closer look to this engine is is a true pitty none of these engine were saved how so ever. This engine is a beaty on its own and Digital Traction therefore brings the Class 944 back to life in TS20xx.

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Okt 05, 2018

The Wild West Ten-Wheeler Iron Horse to ride

Constructed by the Rogers Locomotive & Machine Works in 1868, Central Pacific’s “Buffalo” class included five steam locomotives. Largely based on Rogers standard 4-4-0 design (of which one notable example was Union Pacific No. 119), the “Buffalo” was equipped with an extra set of driving wheels, making it a 4-6-0 “Ten-Wheeler” – and a locomotive well-suited to battle the steep grades of Central Pacific’s crossing of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.

CPRR’s Buffalo-class locomotives were wood burners, equipped with balloon smoke stacks housing large spark arrestors made from hardware cloth. Representing “big” power in the late 1860s, the 4-6-0s featured 18” x 24” cylinders, 57-inch drivers (with tires), and produced 13,000+ pounds of tractive effort. With an extra set of driving wheels (as compared to a 4-4-0), the Buffalo-class Ten-Wheelers had less space to fit the valve gear and crosshead pumps, leading to a cramped appearance in the area just behind the cylinders. But nonetheless, dressed out in a vibrant Russia-iron, black, red, and green livery, the husky Ten-Wheelers were handsome steam locomotives.

The “Buffalo” 4-6-0 will provide everything from the challenges of stoking a wood-burning fire and managing injectors and boiler steam pressure to throttle lag and dealing with authentic wheel slip. With numerous interactive and animated elements, the “Buffalo” is remarkable in its realism. Smokebox provides expert and simple operating modes that make the locomotive accessible and enjoyable for all users.

Joining Central Pacific No. 82, the “Buffalo,” is sister locomotive CPRR No. 86, the “Gorilla,” as well as two new types of period rolling stock – a CPRR wooden boxcar and caboose-coach. The “Buffalo” pack also features three enjoyable career scenarios set on Smokebox’s captivating and immersive Cheyenne 1869 route (as included in the “Union Pacific No. 119 Steam Loco Add-On” DLC, which is available as a separate purchase).

The Central Pacific Ten-Wheeler “Buffalo” is now available for Train Simulator – and the classic locomotive will provide countless memorable “Old West” railroading experiences!

Source: Steam Store

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Sep 26, 2018

The North Easter Railway Long Boiler arrived at Digital traction.

The “long boiler” design dated back to a Stephenson design of 1842. At that time there was a controversy about keeping the centre of gravity low. Another point of view was espoused by John Gray who set out to improve efficiency and increase the pressure in shorter boilers using single drivers instead of coupled wheels. His ideas led to the design of the highly successful Jenny Lind locomotive.

The long boiler design with coupled wheels continued for slower heavier work. A total of 192 NER 1001 class locomotives were built from 1852 by a number of private manufacturers, as well as the NER’s own works at Darlington and Shildon.

The small size of the firebox would seem remarkable in later years, but the engines were ideal where trains might spend long periods standing, waiting for a path, or when shunting. A minimum amount of fuel would have delivered sufficient heat to the large boiler to start heavy loads.

The last ten NER 1001s were delivered in 1875. Many were rebuilt in the following twenty five years. The last was withdrawn in 1923.

Having travelled an official mileage of 908,984 miles (1,462,868 km), locomotive number 1275 is preserved at the National Railway Museum in York.

Pack featuires:

Quickdrives
Custom sounds
Advanced Scripting,
Particle Effects,
Lighting & Performance Mode
Automatic Fireman
Custom NER Lamps
Custom NER Cab with Extensive Controls
Multiple Camera Views
Animated inside Stephenson inside valve gear

The package contains also several freight wagons and a the package contains also a NER brake van with extended roof to scout the train from above, its freight and track. It is well worth to obtain a engine like the NER 1001 “Long Boiler”Class. The engine is of superb and outstanding quality as we already know of Digital Traction.

Source: Wikipedia and Digital traction

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Sep 26, 2018

The Stanier 5XP Jubilee Class now available at BMG.

In 1932, William Stanier arrived at the London Midland & Scottish company to become Chief Mechanical Engineer. His task was to produce a modern standard range of locomotives to allow for withdrawal of many indifferent and varied pre-grouping machines that were difficult and expensive to maintain.

The first design of a new 4-6-0 incorporating a tapered boiler (influenced from the time Stanier spent with GWR) was commissioned in May of 1932. An initial batch of 5 made up the order, with them first appearing on display at Euston in 1934. While this was taking place, a further order was placed in June of 1933 for an additional 108 locomotives, split between Derby, Crewe and North British Locomotive works, with the Derby allocation being rushed into traffic as early as Christmas of 1934.

This haste however, proved somewhat of a back track, as final condition of locomotives invariably differed between batches. Those from Crewe showing influence from the earlier Patriot class. Later on, indecision over appropriate tenders lead to no less than three variants being married to the locomotives until a common design as settled upon.

The first examples of the class were put to work on Euston to Birmingham services, for which they were quickly disliked by their crews, commenting that the new machines were inferior to the Patriot Class they were intended to replace. Testing was thus commenced with locomotives running Euston to Wolverhampton runs where the class was allowed to settle for a while.

By 1939 the entire class were working as expected, with most centred around Birmingham to Euston duties, while some had become scattered around the LMS network.

To commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, the LMS decided to name one of its 4-6-0s Silver Jubilee, and in April of that year, selected one of the newest examples to could, to service that honour. While a long list of glossy alterations was made to improve her appearance, the most notable was the sudden change from 5642 to 5552 – becoming the official first member of the class. Effectively the two locomotives had switched places, for which very little of this was know to the public. As a result, the rest of the 4-6-0s in this class inherited the title, which was later abbreviated to just ‘Jubilees’.

The package includes:

All 191 Jubilee nameplates
Authentic audio recorded from 45690 Leander and other LMS designs.
6 authentic liveries.
Stanier 4,000 Gallon Tenders, Fowler 3,500 Gallon Tenders
Customisable lamp arrangement (locomotive and tender)
High Intensity lamps for mainline running
A selection of headboards:
- The Great Britain
- Cathedrals Express
- Cumbrian Mountain Express
- The North Wales Coast Express
- Welsh Marches Express
Customisable loco numbers, controlling the following and much more
Number, Nameplate (automatically selected by the loco’s number), etc.

Realistic performance physics and may other features are included in the package.

It is absolutely well worth to have this engine at TS20xx. Though with the earlier released Black 5 of Stanier, this engine is one of the best engines so far created.

Enjoy the sounds and the steam atmosphere as you drive this amazing engine that is created with such precision you can hardly imagine. If you encounter problems with tdriving this amazing engine please refer to the Steamtrains Unlimited Campus website.

Source: BossmanGames

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Sep 15, 2018

The GWR Dukedog Class

Digital Traction just released an amazing engine which quite is common for Digital Traction the Dukedog class. A late 18th century 4-4-0 (2B) engine. The Great Western Railway 3200 Class (or ‘Earl’ Class) was a design of 4-4-0 steam locomotive for passenger train work. The nickname for this class, almost universally used at the time these engines were in service was Dukedog since the locomotives were composed of former Duke Class boilers on Bulldog Class frames.

As such they were one of the last steam locomotive classes to retain outside frames. The GWR absorbed the Cambrian Railways in 1923, but, with the Cambrian main line being lightly built, permanent way restrictions debarred the use of heavier locomotives. This meant that only a few classes of GWR locomotive were allowed to run over it, including the Duke Class. However, by the 1930s the Duke class engines were past their estimated life, and in particular the frames were in poor condition.

At the same time the heavier Bulldog Class was becoming redundant and being withdrawn, and later members of this class had an improved straight topped frame design. The conversion was a success and from 1936 twenty-nine “new” locomotives were constructed from the relevant components of withdrawn Dukes and Bulldogs.

The classification of the rebuilds as “new” locomotives had advantages in the railway’s accounts, and they were given new numbers in the 32xx series (3200-3228). A further eleven conversions were scheduled, but the onset of World War II brought a halt to the program.

Pack features:

Locos in seven liveries: BR Black, GWR, BR Lined Black (Fictional), GWR Black (Fictional), BR Black weathered, GWR Green weathered, Earl of Berkeley Custom lamp system, changeable on the fly, including on tender. 3 In-Depth Scenarios. Custom recorded and sampled sounds, advanced scripting, particle effects, lighting, changeable headboards, sparks effect. reverser lock, water trough pick up (CTRL+T), external animations, custom cab with extensive controls, multiple camera views. Changeable loco features: chimney, top feed, route restrictions, safety valve bonnet, Depot.

With the release of the Dukedog Class Digital Traction has expand their collection even further of superb steam locomotives that surely get you back into the 18th century as the railroads were developing.

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Source: Wikipedia and Digital Traction.

Sep 04, 2018

The Adams family shows up.

Yes. The Adams family has arrived, but it has nothing to do with haunting ghosts, walking deaths or a crawling hand on the floor. Digital Transforms just released the LSWR 415 class is a steam tank locomotive of 4-4-2T wheel arrangement, with the trailing wheels forming the basis of its “Radial Tank” moniker. It was designed by William Adams and introduced in 1882 for service on the London and South Western Railway (LSWR).

Originally rostered for suburban traffic, the class was soon displaced to the countryside by Dugald Drummond’s M7 class which is also available at Digital Transforms. Most of the class was scrapped around the end of the First World War, and further decreases meant that all of them were due to be withdrawn by 1929. However, the class was noted for its long service on the Lyme Regis branch line, and three members of this long obsolete class were utilised on this duty until 1962, when suitable replacements became available. One has survived and can be found on the Bluebell Railway.

Construction History

William Adams’ 415 (later 0415) Class was based on his earlier LSWR 46 Class, and was specifically designed with London suburban services in mind. The design was based on a 4-4-0 design with a trailing axle added to support an enlarged coal bunker, a necessity for the intensive suburban services of the LSWR network.The radial axlebox worked in a corresponding curved hornblock the centre of which was struck near the middle of the chassis.

The device was originally invented in 1863 by William Bridges Adams (no relation) and could be applied to a leading or trailing axle but was generally preferred for the latter. Many other engineers used it, including Webb, R. J. Billinton, H. G. Ivatt, and D.E. Marsh. Many of the tank engines so fitted earned the soubriquet “Radial Tanks”, or simply “Radials”.

The enlarged coal bunker was also designed to incorporate a back tank for extra water storage in addition to the capacity of the side tanks. Valve gear was of modified Stephenson type.

Production began in 1882 when a total of four engineering companies were contracted by the LSWR to construct the new class, which numbered 71 when production ceased in 1885. These were:

Robert Stephenson & Co. (28 constructed);
Dübs & Co. (20 constructed);
Neilson & Co. (11 constructed)
Beyer, Peacock and Company (12 constructed).

This arrangement was because Nine Elms, the LSWR’s own locomotive works, was already stretched to capacity in terms of production.

The class was noted for its long service on the Lyme Regis Branch line, and three members of this long obsolete class were utilised on this duty until 1962, when they were replaced by Ivatt tanks. One survives today on the Bluebell Railway as No. 488 but sadly has not run since the 1980s.

Post-1948 (nationalisation)

The class was given the Power Classification of 1P, and initially carried the Southern livery, though this was promptly changed to the BR Standard Mixed-Traffic Black livery with red and white lining. Numbering was of the BR standard system, the three locomotives being allocated the numbers 30582, 30583 and 30584.

The package comes with a lot of features and 10 liveries and QuikDrives, performance mode, multiple Camera Views. Severall extended features are added like: Custom LSWR discs, wheelslip dynamics, custom LSWR radial cab and automatic fireman for those who does not want to fire the engine itself.

Sound recordings are customized and the recordings are done at the preserved LSWR Beattie Well Tank. Digital Transforms has done a tremendous job containing all Digital Tramsforms quality and standards to bring this “Adams” (engine) family to life.

Source: Wikipedia and Digital Transforms

Aug 16, 2018

Rheingold 1928 available now

3DZUG recently released the historic Rheingold Express. This train was running between Switserland and England passing the Rhine Valley all the way. Normally hauled by the DRG Class 18 the Rheingold was a well-known luxurus train and formally the predecessor of the later known TEE trains. Many names the Rheingold carried out are later used at TEE trains and some names are still in use today.

The luxurus interior is accesable and ity is even possible to see the kitchen inside of the dinning car. 3DZUG has completed the German luxury trains. The train is available in three different packages and even one package contains all the released luxury trains 3DZUG has released. The Platinum package contains the Oriënt Express, the Rheingold from 1962 and the original Rheingold from 1928.

The train rans between London Liverpool Street (dep. 20:30) to Luzern via Harwich, Hoek van Holland, Utrecht (Later Eindhoven), Arnhem, Cologne, Mainz, Baden-Baden, Basel and terminated at Luzern.

The main traction was in the Netherlands a 4-6-0 class NS3700 – NS3800 – NS3900 These engines are a direct off-spring of the British King Class series (King, Grange, Hall) with a almost very similar design and lay out but adapted to the Dutch railroad specifications. In German soil the hauling power usually was a class 18.3 and 18.4 which is also available on Steam.

In Switzerland the trains normally is hauled by an electric engine type Ae 4/7. 3DZUG has now bring the German luxury way of travelling to your PC and brings back the original Rheingold as it was in the 30’s. Having the Platinum package you got all three major luxury trains including the most famous one the Oriënt Express.

source: 3DZug

Go to 3DZug Get the BR 18 here

Jun 17, 2018

Caledonian Railway Class 294

Digital traction is one of the most extraordinary developer for TS20xx assets of authentic steam locomotives of the period from late 1890 till the 2nd World War. Creating the most brilliant steam loco’s of the past with wagons and coaches of the same era. With a hugh eye on detail they are truly a name they have created widely known around the world of steam enthusiasts. Combining the present PC with the historical clock of 100-125 years ago you have a tremendous environment of that time which is also called the golden age of the railway.

The Caledonian Railway 294 and 711 Classes were 0-6-0 steam locomotives (nicknamed “Jumbo”) designed by Dugald Drummond for the Caledonian Railway(CR) and introduced in 1883. After Drummond’s retirement, construction of the class continued under Smellie, Lambie and McIntosh.

All 244 locomotives survived to be absorbed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) in 1923 and 238 survived into British Railways (BR) ownership in 1948.

The package comes with a total of 27 different liveries and a hugh amount of features aiming the get the best results out of the engines close to reality. SOme feautres are: realistic Westinghouse brake, authentic CR lamps, custom cabs with extensive controls, animated valve gears and much more.

A hard-edged steam enthusiast should surely have this engine.

Source: Wikipedia and Digital tracktion

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Jun 17, 2018

County Class Steam locomotive GWR 1000 arrived.

The standard GWR 4-6-0 locomotive design dated back to the turn of the 20th Century, when George Jackson Churchward revolutionised the way Great Western traction was to be built with his Saint Class, from which Charles Collett developed the Castles, Halls, Granges, and Kings to name a few.

A total of 30 new locomotives were built in two batches between 1945 and 1947, and were named as the “County” Class, a call-back to a previous class of the same name. Each were adorned with a nameplate stating a County of England or Wales that was served by the GWR network. The locomotives were numbered from 1000 to 1029 and were given a power rating of ‘D’, GWR’s equivalent of ‘6MT’ (mixed-traffic).

When Frederick Hawksworth came to be Chief Mechanical Engineer of the GWR, he designed the likes of the Modified Halls, but aspired to build a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive for post-war passenger use. Unfortunately, the struggle of the Second World War did not permit this, and by the end there was no demand for new passenger traction.

Instead, Hawksworth was granted the production of more mixed-traffic 4-6-0s, and so many of the ideals for the Pacific were worked into this new batch which became a testbed of sorts. The boiler was of differing design – Swindon Works had been used during the War to build LMS 8F locomotives, and Hawksworth studied the 8F’s boiler tooling for inspiration with the new fleet.

In addition to the innovations already adopted for the Modified Hall class, the new class contained several further changes from usual Great Western practice including the use of double chimneys on certain members and a high boiler pressure of 280psi (although this was later lowered in an attempt to reduce maintenance costs). The boiler was a development that used the tooling for the LMS Stanier Class 8F boiler, Hawksworth being able to study this design closely when 8Fs were being built at Swindon as part of the war effort.

The class initially had a tractive effort of 32,580 lbf (144.92 kN), which was =1,000 lbf (4.45 kN) greater than a Castle Class locomotive, although the tractive effort was reduced to 29,090 lbf (129.40 kN) when the boiler pressure was lowered. The class had continuous splashers over the driving wheels and, when named, straight nameplates, making them immediately recognisable from other 4-6-0 classes. They were also fitted with Hawksworth’s 4,000 imp gal (18,000 l; 4,800 US gal) slab-sided tenders, but the County tenders had a water tank six inches wider than the tenders built for the Modified Halls and retro-fitted to many earlier designs.

Something of an oddball among typical GWR traction, the County Class was quite distinctive from its predecessors despite being based off a near-identical, standardised platform. Wheel splashers, and nameplates, were continuous along the body side as opposed to tapered with the wheels on previous locos. Multiple County locomotives were fitted with double chimneys, and when built had a staggering boiler pressure of 280psi, this made them more powerful than the four-cylindered Castles!

Driving this engine is possible in either standard and advanced mode and without knowledge is is much much harder to drive in advanced mode instead. The package contains different liveries and boiler pressures such as the 280psi double chimney engine. and different vans such as the Monster Van and the Python Van in different liveries as well.

Source: Steamstore and Wikipedia

May 17, 2018

The Famous Black 5 class A masterpiece from Bossman Games now available in the store

A masterpiece now arrived at the SteamStore.

One of the most significent and most build engines the Black 5 comes to TS20xx. The frist Black Five in the Advanced series. Different Black 5 came to TS20xx in recent years started with the European Locao and Asset pack which contians the Black 5 in a very standard mode. UKTS came alongside with some upgrades to the Black 5 within the UKST famous Freeware packages.

Beside the release of the Black 5 with the UKTS FP’s the Black 5 was the main engine that came wioth the West Lines of Scotland featuring some more detail and enhanged driving physics. Never the less the lack of an advanced engines till remains untill today. Bossman Games released a Pro version of this magnificent engine that worked along British rails all over Britain and Scotland. The significant sound and whistle of a Black 5 is the signature of a typical Black 5 engine.

No other engine became famous because if its hauling capabilities taht also became famous amoung traveellers and crew. The engine last untill the end of steam in Britain. One of the most distinguished operations of the Black 5 is the working of this engine between Fort William and Mallaigh where she hauled the most famous steamtrain so far. The Hogward Express from Harry Potter.

Severall engines where also build as a 3 cylinder engine the Jubilee Class which were originated on the Black 5 design. A total of 842 “Black Five” locomotives were built for the London, Midland and Scottish and later British Railways; and, a truly definitive add-on is unleashed, in the form of Partner Programme developer Bossman Games’ fantastic LMS Stanier Class 5!

What became one of the more memorable locomotives in British rail history starts its story in the early 1930s, when William Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), sought to design a new and suitably powerful mixed-traffic locomotive. In his early LMS days, Stanier used his engineering skills which he acquired while working for GWR, however steadily refining and honing his own unique style of locomotive.

When the LMS needed more powerful traction, Stanier’s response was equivalent to the GWR’s Hall Class, a 4-6-0 with a rating of 5 for passenger, and 5 for freight – the Stanier Class 5. Originally the Class 5 fleet was known as “Black Stanier”, in contrast to the “Red Stanier” Jubilee Class; however, when ‘5’ was seen adorned on the cab side from 1940 onwards, a new “Black Five” name befell the fleet.

The do-anything attitude of the Black Five saw their popularity rise with both crews and enthusiasts alike – it could turn up almost anywhere, get the job done, and look good while doing it – the fleet of 842 was a familiar sight right up until the end of steam.

The Black Fives were sadly scrapped in droves, but an impressive 18 were saved for use on both preservation railways and mainline railtours, and the preserved fleet has a history of ‘acting’ by means of temporary alternative numbers to revive lost members of the class.

You can have your copy today and enjoy the most well known steam locomotive of the British mainland.

Source: SteamStore

Go to the Store

May 01, 2018

The West Somerset Railway comes to TSW

After the release of the TSW now the very first glimpses of steam now appeared above the horizon with the coming of the West Somerset Railway. Though proposed yet there will be some diesel locomotives only with a link to the diesel gala’s the WSR is famous of. These diesels however are related to the (post)steam area as well even as the Mk1 though.

The West Somerset Railway (WSR) is a 22.75-mile (36.6 km) heritage railway line in Somerset, England. The freehold of the track and stations is owned by Somerset County Council; the railway is leased to and operated by West Somerset Railway (WSR); which is supported and minority-owned by charitable trust the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) and the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust (WSSRT). The WSR operates services using both heritage steam and diesel trains.

It originally opened in 1862 between Taunton and Watchet. In 1874 it was extended from Watchet to Minehead by the Minehead Railway. Although just a single track, improvements were needed in the first half of the twentieth century to accommodate the significant number of tourists that wished to travel to the Somerset coast. The line was closed by British Rail in 1971 and reopened in 1976 as a heritage line.

It is the longest standard gauge independent heritage railway in the United Kingdom.Services normally operate over just the 20.5 miles (33.0 km) between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. During special events some trains continue a further two miles (3.2 km) to Norton Fitzwarren where a connection to Network Railallows occasional through trains to operate onto the national network.

With this arrival now steam locomotives has come a little closer to TSW. The release of the WSR will not grant if there will be any release of steam locomotive but the fact a steam heritage railway now comes to TSW will open up new perspectives of the coming of the steam locomotive.

Source: Steam, Wikipedia

More details

Apr 26, 2018

Union Pacific No. 119 Locomotive

Apr 15, 2018

It was Union Pacific 4-4-0 No. 119, together with Central Pacific’s “Jupiter,” that on May 10, 1869 stood pilot-to-pilot at Promontory, Utah for the ceremonial driving of the transcontinental railroad’s Golden Spike. Union Pacific No. 119 was one of five 4-4-0 “American” type locomotives built for the UP by the Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works in November 1868. Following its historic moment at Promontory, UP No. 119 went on to serve the railroad until 1903. Like the “Jupiter,” however, Union Pacific No. 119 was reborn in the 1970s as a full-sized replica operating at the U. S. National Park Service’s Golden Spike National Historic Site.

Smokebox has once again created the extraordinary. Union Pacific No. 119 is re-created with a superb fidelity to every detail and features operating characteristics that are amazingly authentic. The UP 4-4-0 provides everything from the challenges of authentic wheel slip and managing the boiler and firebox conditions to the artistry of working with long and quilled toot whistles. Multiple settings for selecting difficulty and use of an auto fireman nonetheless make the 4-4-0 accessible and enjoyable for users of all experience levels. The locomotive is provided in two livery variations, including the prominently black and green livery believed by historians to be its original “as delivered” scheme, and the black and red colors that are applied to the modern replica.

To bring Union Pacific No. 119 – and challenging 19th century railroading – to life, the 4-4-0 is accompanied by a marvellous Train Simulator route representing the city of Cheyenne and its surroundings (extending about 6 miles to the east and 20 miles to the west) as existed in 1869. And joining UP 4-4-0 No. 119 on the Cheyenne 1869 route is a superb selection of period-authentic rolling stock, including a Union Pacific boxcar, flat cars (empty and with multiple loads), emigrant passenger coach with clerestory roof, baggage car, and combined caboose and coach.

The route also offers a captivating selection of Old West structures and trackside assets, ranging from vintage engine servicing facilities to old west buildings and working ball signals!

Go to the store

New range of scenario arrived.

Steamtrains Unlimited has started a new program of scenario types. Many scenarios will enter the site for download based on original timetables and facts instead. Of corse there will always be standard scenario’s as well but Steamtrains Unlimited is always aiming for the LoR grade which means Level of Reality.

We start with a scenario on the North Wales Coastal Line with a scenario that is based on Steam Special 1Z86 that should run at March 1, 2017. Please find this scenario for download and install using the Train Installer.

Please visit the downloadpage of scenario’s for more information and new downloads.

Mar 1, 2018

LNER Raven Q6 has arrived.

Wilson Worsdell’s Q5 0-8-0s met the initial increases in the North Eastern Railway’s (NER) mineral traffic at the turn of the century. This large upsurge in traffic continued and more locomotive power was required. Hence, Raven designed his Q6 class using the best parts of the piston valve version of the Q5 design. A larger boiler was fitted with a saddle fitting for the smokebox. A total of 120 Q6s were built between 1913 and 1921 in a total of six batches.

After fitting superheaters to many of the B15 4-6-0s, Raven had become fully convinced of the superheater’s worth, and fitted them as standard to the Q6s. A number of different superheater types were initially tried, but all of the Q6s had been standardised to the Schmidt design by Grouping (1923). The original working pressure was 160psi, but this was increased 180psi before Grouping.

The Q6s were an unqualified success. By combining Worsdell’s motion with the B15 boiler and the Schmidt superheater, Raven managed to create a strong and reliable locomotive which gave good strong service right up to the end of BR steam.

Brace yourself for a real challenge as Victory Works bring Sir Vincent Raven’s powerful fleet of LNER Q6s to life on the Weardale & Teesdale Network – the first public route to use steam locomotives! You’ll be taking control of a locomotive that was specially designed for freight-pulling power and testing yourself against every difficulty the Pro Range label can throw at you.

The operational characteristics of the LNER Q6 are complex and the simulation captures them as such. Advanced mode can be toggled depending on how you wish to experience the LNER Q6 – when enabled you can look forward to; realistic wheelslip, simulated steam chest, realistic train pipe and reservoir vacuum braking, cylinder cock management, boiler management with priming possible, realistic injector control and realistic “by the shovel” stoking with synchronised sound.

Being such a successful class the Q6s were rarely modified substantially, however they did have unique details such as steam heat dials, external vacuum brake pipes, piston caps, and overhead warning labels. We’ve lovingly recreated these optional fittings meaning you can decide how you wish to represent a particular member of the class!

These incredible trains were in service for more than 50 years but the only way to experience their majesty in the modern world is here on Train Sim! Try this epic chapter in traction history today and make their story your own! The locomotive comes with a number of scenarios at the Weardale & Teesdale Network Route Add-On which you need to have in order to run the scenarios.

Sources: LNER Enceclopedia, Steamstore.

Go to the store

Feb 21, 2018

Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad from the 20’s.

Iron, steal, Sand and a lot of shunting at Conneaut Harbour.

G-Trax has now created a masterpiece from the steam era. The creators of steamers like the mifgty Daylight and the Nickle Plate Railroads Berkshire’s has now created this matser piece respresenting a major industial area from around the year of 1920.

The Bessemer & Lake Erie was a railroad created to serve the steel industry and deliver iron ore from Great Lakes freighters docking at Conneaut Harbor to steel mills located around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. B&LE complemented its ore movements with the haulage of bituminous coal from the mines of western Pennsylvania, and the railroad also totted its share of general freight and operated limited passenger services.

Conneaut Harbor was the essence of America in the industrial age. Great Lakes freighters laden with iron ore arrived at Conneaut and gigantic Hulett unloaders transferred ore into B&LE hoppers. The Bessemer & Lake Erie route for Train Simulator re-creates Conneaut in remarkably authentic fashion, right up to including fully functional Hulett unloaders!

Conneaut is one of five major yard and terminal complexes featured in route. Albion, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania (home to three yards and key railroad interchanges); and North Bessemer, Pennsylvania (where the B&LE interchanged with Pittsburgh’s Union Railroad), each host railroad facilities.

At B&LE’s hometown of Greenville, Pennsylvania, the railroad’s expansive facilities include the line’s erecting, car, and locomotive shops, highlighted by a transfer table and 17-stall roundhouse. And on a route rich with lineside industries, among the most important is the massive Standard Steel complex at Butler, home to steel production, rail car-building, and automobile production.

To move its tonnage (and passengers), the Bessemer & Lake Erie route includes two authentic steam locomotives – the B&LE’s venerable 0-6-0 steam switchers constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909, and the railroad’s powerful D-1-A class 2-10-2s built by Baldwin in 1919.

The Bessemer & Lake Erie route includes an extraordinary selection of period-authentic rolling stock, with boxcars, flatcars, gondolas, hoppers, refrigerator cars, tank cars, pickle cars, cabooses, crane cars, and heavyweight baggage, coach, and commuter coaches all included, many in various liveries and with multiple loads.

Masterfully created by G-TraX, the Bessemer & Lake route brings to life the B&LE during the heart of the steam era and includes the B&LE’s rugged line from the shores of Lake Erie at Conneaut, Ohio to North Bessemer, Pennsylvania, as well as a variety of important B&LE rail yards, secondary lines, rail interchanges, and coal branches! The entire route has been refined to give 70 miles of the most entertaining and exhilarating experiences this railroad has to offer.

The drama and challenges of classic American heavy steam railroading in the 1920s roars now into your collection with the extraordinary Bessemer & Lake Erie route. It’s time to experience the famed B&LE – and the memorable and captivating era of 1920s American steam-era railroading!

Source: Steamstore, Train Simulator

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Jan 16, 2018

Deutsche Reichsbahn Class 01,5 Available

The Iconic Reko Engine of the former DDR is now available for TS2018

Wilbur Graphics is one of the three devellopers that creates German engines. together with Romantic Railroads and Eidenbahwerk this develloper brings now the Historic Reko engine into TS20xx. Wilburg Graphics is still the only one creating Dutch steam locomotives such as class 3700. Based on this experainces and the 2nd German WG created has now the Reko engine at the download page of treinpunt.nl available. The coming of the Reko 01 (better known as Class 01.5) had payd a tremendous effort to the transportation in The former DDR. Read the brief history here below.

The history of the DR Class 01.5

In 1962 the repair shop (Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk) of RAW Meiningen rebuilt 35 Class 01 engines. At that time the locomotives were still vital for heavy passenger train duties, but the locomotive frame and boiler were so worn that it was essential to replace them. Like the DB rebuilds in West Germany after the Second World War, only those locomotives with more powerful brakes (i.e. those from no. 01 102 onwards) and 1000 mm carrying wheels were converted.

The rebuild did not just involve the installation of a new boiler; the entire locomotive underwent modification. The most obvious external change was the steam space cover running the length of the boiler barrel and copied from the ČSD Class 477.0, which lent the locomotives a sleek, modern appearance. The large smoke deflectors too were replaced by smaller ones with the upper front corners clipped off at an angle.

The new boiler made the so-called Reko-01 (Reko is short for “Rekolokomotive” Reconstructed locomotive) into the most powerful German express train steam locomotive. In addition to a combustion chamber and the well-known IfS mixer-preheater, the 01.5’s boiler was fitted with three full bore boiler safety valves (Ackermann valves, nominal width 60). The engines were given Trofimoff valves and, apart from 01 501 and 01 520, new welded cylinders. The new boiler came with a new, welded driver’s cab with upholstered seats, side-pull regulator and other improvements to the working conditions of the locomotive crew, as well as an Indusi system.

The latter was required for the border-crossing traffic to Bebra and Hamburg-Altona and services on the Dresden-Berlin line. Because the coupled wheelsets on many engines had to be replaced due to fractured spokes, eight examples were fitted with Boxpok wheels made of cast iron, like those already used in the Soviet Union and the United States. These did not prove themselves, however, due to manufacturing defects and were later swapped out for spoked wheels from retired 01s. In order to hide the ugly wheelsets, the Boxpok locomotives and several other vehicles were fitted with full skirts.

From locomotive number 01 519, all the locomotives were given oil-firing systems when rebuilt, which enabled a further increase in performance. Apart from the seven engines at Berlin Ostbahnhof locomotive depot, all the other engines were later converted to primary oil-firing. The tenders could carry 13.5 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. During the course of the oil crisis in the early 1980s all the oil-fired locomotives were withdrawn.

All of the locomotives were originally meant to remain in service for two maintenance periods (each of 6 years), however every locomotive exceeded this.

After they were withdrawn from active duty, several engines were used as heating locomotives. Number 01 519 was refurnished in 1990-91 from being a heating engine, and was made fully operational by the DR. It was not taken out of service until 1991. (Source: Wikipedia)

Download here

The eninge is also available for download at: www.rail-sim.de

Jan 5, 2018

Welcome in 2018

Steamtrains Unlimited is going to expand further more.

The engine site is now expanding and using this page you can easily enter the sites where engines has been made. At this moment we are workin at a fine database concerning all available steam locomotives available within TS20XX.

We still will continue with the devellopment of some of the most special scenario’s, but we are looking foreward for a brand new computer with SSD Hard-Disk and a very fast videocard.

Not only for the effort of gaming but also to expand Steamtrains Unlimited. The present computer (Laptop) does not fit the present standard and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Dec 21, 2017

Merry Christmas and a Steamy 2018

Steamtrains Unlimited wishes everybody a Merry Christmas and an abundand steamy 2018 and keep steam hauling your life.

Dec 5, 2017

Steam locomotives and TSW

As far of the concerning of TSW, there is so far no steam locomotive available in TSW to drive on. Unfortunately there is no steam locomotive or route coming soon to TSW allthough the graphics are stunning and far more photorealistic in comparising with TS20xx when viewing video’s and live streams from broadcasters like Mr. M. Peddlesden. and Mr. Rubku_NL.

Steamtrains Unlimited therefore does not consider to purchase the program how so ever just because of the lack of steam locomotives.

Now Steamtrains Unlimited does understand that TSW recently started up so TSW needs time to proove itself and for so far diesle is the leading power but will change already with the coming of the new proposed rapid transit and electric powered trains are now coming to TSW.

TS20XX lacks and failing routes

We all know the TS20xx is limited in use of memory up to max. 3,5 Gb and even crossing the marker of 3 Gb can cause TS20xx to crashThere are within TS20xx major routes that are failing the program like the Emslandstrecke (Emsland route) which is still available for MSTS. A route comes now to the scene of TS20xx which is the Rollbahn but is aiming the present era and not as it was in the the days of steam. Steamtrains Unlimited tries to convince the creator of the making of the Rollbahn in 1963 just as German Railroads ever produced, but there are no plans to establish this route within the steam era of Germany. However the route is been saved without catenary and overhead wire and there is some hope to recreate the Rollbahn as it was in 1963.

The creator mentioned that this needs time because abandon sindings and buildings needs to be activated as it was in the steam era aiming for the neccesary changements for assets and signals. Never the less at this moment it is silent about steamers and the steam era and sometimes a steamer comes to the scene but is far to less in comparising with upcoming routes and trains.

No steam locomotives planned at Just Trains

After interviewing Just Trains they said there are no plans to build any advanced steamer just because there has been a employment shift causing devellopers of steam locomotives and did changed to an other workfloor leaving the development of steamers for so far. This is sad news as you migh discover the advanced range of engines they have in store at this moment.

Steamtrains Unlimited hopes to convince the creators to recreate the 9F Evening star as an advanced engine. This is in line with the post-war steamers as Just Trains (4MT, 5MT and Clan) and SteamDevs (7MT) has created. At this moment Just trains now aimes for the pronounced routes and to have these (modern) routes available soon in their store.

The only devellopers we can face today at this moment is Dovetail Games, Digital traction, Victory Works and Steam Sound Supreme and some freeware devellopers.

Okt 14, 2017

GWR Large Prairies now available at steam.

The Great Western Railway however would dote on their 2-6-2T ‘tank’ locomotives for secondary and more rural duties. Some of the earliest examples were rather light, and were suitably called the ‘Small Prairies’; however, larger variants would also be produced, primarily for suburban commuter operations but initially for general use too. First appearing in 1903, these are the ‘Large Prairies’.

The first of many Large Prairies appeared in 1903 as GWR No. 99, a prototype design from Churchward that would become the basis for a production fleet of 39 ‘3100 Class’ tank locomotives. At heart, the 3100 Class was a mixed-traffic locomotive, and would be the start of a “workhorse” fleet for GWR and be found across the network throughout their lifetimes.

Differences between the prototype and production 3100s were next to none, only the tank shape was altered to improve visibility. Naturally, changes were implemented over time to improve the class, including altered weight distribution and a larger coal bunker; these changes warranted a fleet-wide reclassification, and so was introduced the 5100 Class, as most would now stay until withdrawal.

A handful of 5100 Class locomotives received further modifications in the late 1930s and were once again given new numbers. This move took place to bolster another fleet of Large Prairies, a fleet which was introduced earlier in the decade and itself derived from yet another production batch.

In the late 1920s, Churchward’s successor, Collett, sought to update the original 3100 Class design and have a large fleet built to fulfil local, suburban passenger roles. In fact, it was Collett’s development that resulted in the 3100 Class becoming the 5100 Class, all while a new batch of 5101 Class locomotives were produced to the same standard. Whereas only 40 of the original were built, Swindon Works would deliver 140 members of 5101 Class between 1929 and 1949.

Together, the 5100s and 5101s dominated traffic in all corners of the Great Western network, quickly growing and becoming a regular sight on all kinds of trains right up the end of the Second World War. Post-conflict, a rise in road usage and the introduction of diesel traction took its toll on the Large Prairies’ duties, seeing them take on new life as mainline support engines; providing backup as pilots and bankers on the more troublesome sections of the GWR such as the South Devon Banks, or the Severn Tunnel.

While prolific, the Large Prairies still only represent a portion of the entire fleet. A further 70 locomotives are still to be accounted for. These come in the form of the 6100 Class, another of Collett’s finest and built specifically for commuter services out of London Paddington.

The “Networkers” of their day, the 6100 Class was introduced in 1931 as a development of the 5101, and was based at Old Oak Common, Slough, Reading, and elsewhere. Being prominent in the passenger scene, enthusiasts quickly took to the class and nicknamed them ‘Tanner One-ers’, a call to their 61xx numbering and some currency of the day, a sixpence and a penny.

Much like the other Large Prairies’ story, a future of diesel forced the 6100s into other positions, but not before the fleet was joined by a previously mentioned extra batch of locomotives; may the 5100 Class re-enter centre stage.

It was the 6100 fleet that was reinforced by a modified micro fleet of 5100s; the latter was rebuilt with smaller driving and pony truck wheels, and received a boiler pressure increase (a common Large Prairie modification). 10 rebuilt 5100 Class locomotives were renumbered into the 8100 Class, and were destined to work alongside the 6100s, supposedly providing extra acceleration characteristics owing to their smaller wheels.

All GWR Large Prairie locomotives survived until the end of steam, by which point many of them were still in good shape, despite the oldest examples working beyond their 6th decade. Unfortunately, very few avoided the cutters’ torch after the steam-era’s final chapter. None of the 5100 or 8100 made it into the epilogue, it was a spot only reserved for 10 5101s and a lone 6100. Even then, only 4 out of the 11 are operational. Well, technically 5 see heritage service, but one was rebuilt into a 4300 Class tender locomotive. The rest are awaiting overhaul, apart from 6106 which is on static display at Didcot.

Fantastically, Victory Works has translated the GWR Large Prairies into Train Simulator, and the pack contains a bumper collection which Includes the 5100, 5101, 6100 and 8100 classes in GWR Green and British Railways Black liveries, complete with selectable era-appropriate logos, optional parts and fittings and a large variety of detail throughout!

Source: Steampowered

Sep 08, 2017

The Wutachtalbahn now available

In 1976, a voluntary organisation came together in an effort to re-open the line as a museum for steam locomotives, and the line’s popularity quickly grew as a tourist attraction. The preserved line drew such a crowd in fact, that the northern section of the line was also introduced as part of the ‘3er-Ringzug’, a passenger network linking the local areas of southern Germany together.

With the Wutachtalbahn, you can try something truly unique within Germany, operating along a heritage railway on the footplate of steam-era traction, all while taking in the spectacular sights!

The line finally opened in the 1890s, and was home to mainly passenger traffic when its purpose as a military line needn’t be fulfilled. The winding nature of the central section saw the line adopt the nickname Sauschwänzlebahn (pigtail line), and its popularity among travelers was two-faced; yes, the scenery on offer was fantastic, but it came at a price, fares were calculated by route distance, and the pigtail took over 26 km to travel about 9 km.

The line was actually built with the provision of track-doubling in mind, but the line never proved busy enough to warrant such an upgrade. In fact, after the Second World War, the line’s use began to decline and passenger services began to fade away, until they were stopped in 1974 (with freight continuing up the southern section until 2001). Despite it all, the line’s lifespan would not be spent just yet.

The line would diverge off the Black Forest Railway to Konstanz at Immendingen, and take a general south-westerly descent towards Lauchringen, where it joined with the Upper Rhine Railway. Either side of the line proved little construction or operational challenges; track layout was conventional, and line speeds were on par and other standard rural railways. A problem however did lie within the planned route’s central section.

Trains would need to fall roughly 250m in 9 km between Blumburg and Weizen, but with military, heavy military traffic the key focus of the entire line, gradients were not to exceed 1:100, and the connection was impossible through normal means. Instead engineers devised a similar strategy as seen on many mountain railways, they crossed the valley with multiple hairpin turns, grand viaducts and a complete 360° loop encased in a tunnel, a unique example of such a structure in Germany.

Source; Train-simulator.com

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Steamtrains Unlimited Campus now fully operational

The guide “Driving the steam locomotive and the technical aspects” is now fully operational but still some pages are uinder construction and. The day the owner and creator R.C. de Visser gots its birthday is now proud to present you this magnificent peace of work.

It all started with a small guide due to improve the basics presented by M. Peddlesden which is one of the most recognizable persons of Dovetail games, TS20xx and TSW and broadcaster of TS20xx and TWS at twitch TV.

Mr Peddlesden started with the basics of driving steam, and in order to improve the backgrounds and knowledge based on experiance Mr. R.C. de Visser started to write the technical aspects and backgrounds due to the way of driving and has added a vast amount of images, pictures video’s and sketches all aiming to improve the basic driving skills of TS20xx (and MSTS) drivers.

The guide started about three years ago containing about 12 chapters and became wll known by drivers. Due to the complexity of railroading the guide was too small to show all required information every TS20xx or MSTS driver and steamtrain enthusiast should know in order to maintain and improve their driving skills. About six months after the release of the 1st edition of “Driving the steam locomotive and the technical aspects” Mr. R.C. de Visser started to expand the guide from 12 chapter to 70 chapters.

Mr. R.C. de Visser wanted to expand even further more but due to the limitations of the root program of the guide he decided to transfer the whole guide to an own website. This website is now established and however the site is a stand alone site but closely linked to Steamtrains Unlimited. The name Steamtrains Unlimited campus shows off the educational content the site contains.

Steamtrains Unlimited

The website steamstrains Unlimited is also written by Mr. R.C. de Visser but serves a different episode of virtual driving and therefore not suited to contain the vast amount of text, images, photo’s, sketches, video’s and more and because of this reason also Steamtrains Unlimited Campus has been set up to seperate the vast amount of information from Steamtrains Unlimited mainsite

Since to coming of TS20xx many more programmable aspects overruled the old style MSTS programming and made it possible to have a much better understanding how steam trains should be driven after all.

It is not just opening up some levers and knobs, You really have to understand the working of it as well in order how to interpret the functionallity of the lever you open. What is happening at the engine is very important to know about it. A steam locomotive is one of the most sophisticated engines ever build by mankind.

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july 26, 2017

Bulleid’s Southern workhorse, the Rebuilt Light Pacific,

An order was placed for a brand new steam locomotive that would fill the gap left by deferred electrfication, and Oliver Bulleid, CME of the Southern Railway, quickly went to work in designing such a loco. Thinking ahead was Bulleids’ game, in particular, he was considering the requirements of a post-war Southern Railway, where infrastructure was weaker, and not capable of handling big locomotives. A Pacific design was chosen, in particular, Bulleid simply went for a lighter variant of his Merchant Navy class.

In service, the “Light Pacific” locomotives, known as the West Country or Battle of Britain Class, earned a moderate reputation for being a powerful and versatile worker, and could be found almost anywhere. They shared their positives with the sister Merchant Navy Class, as well as their negatives, but overall the 110-strong fleet worked hard and did their duty, and would continue on in the south after British Railways took charge.

To improve upon their shortfalls, R. G. Jarvis of British Railways was assigned to rebuilding the entire fleet to a more conventional standard. Jarvis had already done this to the Merchant Navy Class with resounding success, and BR wanted the Light Pacifics to follow suit. The rebuild would completely strip the class of its iconic ‘Span Can’ design, instead, the locomotives would look more like a BR Standard locomotive with a Southern twist.

Despite the cosmetic changes later in life, the elegance of Bulleids’ Light Pacific locomotives cannot be ignored, be them named after Battle of Britain or West Country insignia, they changed the face of Southern Region operations.

For Train Simulator, Partner Programme developer Just Trains’ Rebuilt Bulleid Light is represented in British Railways Brunswick Green livery, and a total of 10 nameplated versions are included from both the ‘West Country’ and ‘Battle of Britain’ variants, they are:

34001 Exeter
34016 Bodmin
34022 Exmoor
34026 Yes Tor
34027 Taw Valley
34039 Boscastle
34046 Braunton
34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair
34062 17 Squadron
34101 Hartland

Advanced lighting and headcode features are present aboard the Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific, along with characteristic particle effects and changeable numbers and shed plates.

The Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific also features additional coaching stock; Maunsell’s Brake Composite (BCK), Composite (CK), Brake Third (BSK) and Third (SK) coaches are all included in British Railways Southern Green livery.

A trio of Career scenarios for the Somerset & Dorset Railway are the perfect way to display the Rebuilt Pacific’s potential to operate practically anywhere, the sharp grades of this line will put your skills to the test.

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July 24, 2017

The Orient Express

On June 5, 1883, the first Express d’Orient left Paris for Vienna. Vienna remained the terminus until October 4, 1883. The train was officially renamed Orient Express in 1891.

The original route, which first ran on October 4, 1883, was from Paris, Gare de l’Est, to Giurgiu in Romania via Munich and Vienna. At Giurgiu, passengers were ferried across the Danube to Ruse, Bulgaria, to pick up another train to Varna. They then completed their journey to Constantinople by ferry. In 1885, another route began operations, this time reaching Istanbul via rail from Vienna to Belgrade and Niš, carriage to Plovdiv and rail again to Istanbul.

WL Orient Express

In 1889, the train’s eastern terminus became Varna in Bulgaria, where passengers could take a ship to Constantinople. On June 1, 1889, the first direct train to Istanbul left Paris (Gare de l’Est). Istanbul remained its easternmost stop until May 19, 1977. The eastern terminus was the Sirkeci Terminal by the Golden Horn. Ferry service from piers next to the terminal would take passengers across the Bosphorus to Haydarpaşa Terminal, the terminus of the Asian lines of the Ottoman Railways.

The onset of World War I in 1914 saw Orient Express services suspended. They resumed at the end of hostilities in 1918, and in 1919 the opening of the Simplon Tunnel allowed the introduction of a more southerly route via Milan, Venice and Trieste. The service on this route was known as the Simplon Orient Express, and it ran in addition to continuing services on the old route. The Treaty of Saint-Germain contained a clause requiring Austria to accept this train: formerly, Austria allowed international services to pass through Austrian territory (which included Trieste at the time) only if they ran via Vienna. The Simplon Orient Express soon became the most important rail route between Paris and Istanbul.

Badge of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits on a car of the Orient Express

The 1930s saw the zenith of Orient Express services, with three parallel services running: the Orient Express, the Simplon Orient Express, and also the Arlberg Orient Express, which ran via Zürich and Innsbruck to Budapest, with sleeper cars running onwards from there to Bucharest and Athens. During this time, the Orient Express acquired its reputation for comfort and luxury, carrying sleeping-cars with permanent service and restaurant cars known for the quality of their cuisine. Royalty, nobles, diplomats, business people and the bourgeoisie in general patronized it. Each of the Orient Express services also incorporated sleeping cars which had run from Calais to Paris, thus extending the service right from one edge of continental Europe to the other.

WL Golden Arrow

The start of the Second World War in 1939 again interrupted the service, which did not resume until 1945. During the war, the German Mitropa company had run some services on the route through the Balkans, but Yugoslav Partisans frequently sabotaged the track, forcing a stop to this service.

Following the end of the war, normal services resumed except on the Athens leg, where the closure of the border between Yugoslavia and Greece prevented services from running. That border re-opened in 1951, but the closure of the Bulgarian–Turkish border from 1951 to 1952 prevented services running to Istanbul during that time. As the Iron Curtain fell across Europe, the service continued to run, but the Communist nations increasingly replaced the Wagon-Lits cars with carriages run by their own railway services.

Luggage tag

By 1962, the Orient Express and Arlberg Orient Express had stopped running, leaving only the Simplon Orient Express. This was replaced in 1962 by a slower service called the Direct Orient Express, which ran daily cars from Paris to Belgrade, and twice weekly services from Paris to Istanbul and Athens.

In 1971, the Wagon-Lits company stopped running carriages itself and making revenues from a ticket supplement. Instead, it sold or leased all its carriages to the various national railway companies, but continued to provide staff for the carriages. 1976 saw the withdrawal of the Paris–Athens direct service, and in 1977, the Direct Orient Express was withdrawn completely, with the last Paris–Istanbul service running on May 19 of that year

The withdrawal of the Direct Orient Express was thought by many to signal the end of Orient Express as a whole, but in fact a service under this name continued to run from Paris to Bucharest as before (via Strasbourg, Munich, and Budapest). However, a through sleeping car from Paris to Bucharest — and even eastwards from Vienna — was only operated until 1982, and also a through seating car was only operated seasonally. This meant, that Paris–Budapest and Vienna–Bucharest coaches were running overlapped, so a journey was only possible with changing carriages — despite the unchanged name and numbering of the train. In 1991 the Budapest-Bucharest leg of the train was canceled, the new final station has become Budapest. In the summer season of 1999 and 2000 a sleeping car from Bucharest to Paris reappeared twice a week — now operated by CFR. This continued until 2001, when the service was cut back to just Paris–Vienna, already in EuroNight quality — but in both cases the coaches were in fact rather attached to a Paris–Strasbourg express. This service continued daily, listed in the timetables under the name Orient Express, until June 8, 2007.^[4]

With the opening of the LGV Est Paris–Strasbourg high speed rail line on June 10, 2007, the Orient Express service was further cut back to Strasbourg–Vienna, departing nightly at 22:20 from Strasbourg, and still bearing the name, but lost the number 262/263 which was owned since decades.

The remains of the train had a convenient connection from/to the Strasbourg-Paris TGV, but due to the less flexible prices the changing has become less attractive. In the last years through coaches between Vienna and Karlsruhe (continuing first to Dortmund, then to Amsterdam and finally — partly from Budapest — to Frankfurt) were attached. The very last train with the name Orient-Express (now with a hyphen) has departed from Vienna at the 10th December 2009, and one day later from Strasbourg.

Source: Wikipedia

You can now purchase the coach set online at 3DZUG.
The best suitable engines available to haul th Orient Express is:
– Class Br 18 from Eisenbahnwerk/steamstore,
– Class 01 from BeeKay/Just Trains,
– Class 1189 Crocodile from Eisenbahnwerk/Steamstore
– Class 52 from Eisenbahnwerk/Steamstore European Asset Pack
– Class Re 4/4 420 from Trainworks in green livery

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July 6, 2017

Somerford Spectacular

Set in the steamy 1950s, the Malmesbury Branch route for Train Simulator recreates the sedate trundle north from Little Somerford station, of the South Wales Main Line, up to the historic market town of Malmesbury. As simple as it may seem, the gradients make mastering the Wiltshire countryside no easy task, and making sure you’re on time too, as to not disrupt the busy main line, makes for a thrilling and immersive journey, no matter what your duty!

The locomotives at hand, GWR’s iconic Pannier Tank and reliable Grange Class, are perfectly suited to the day-to-day challenges of the Malmesbury Branch; Light freight, heavy freight, passenger, mixed train. What better way is there to recount the classic steam era than by mastering the workhorses of the GWR?

To get you up to speed, 5 Career scenarios will have you run up and down the Malmesbury Branch, and even the disused line to Great Somerford, in varying weather conditions, be careful not to slip in the snow!

As you approach Little Somerford, both you and your passengers have the joy of watching the express trains run by, but don’t get too distracted, you won’t want to stall on the junction. And, with Quick Drive compatibility, you can take whichever GWR locomotive you desire on a little Malmesbury trip!

From Partner Programme developer, Just Trains, the Wiltshire ‘Wonder’, the Somerford ‘Spectacular’, the ‘Magical’ Malmesbury Branch is available now for Train Simulator!

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July 01, 2017

German Class 23 from Wilbur Graphics.

From 1950, 105 examples of this newly designed class were manufactured for medium passenger train and light express trainservices. They had welded locomotive frames, boilers and tenders together with all the latest refinements of German practice. These included a superheated multiple-valve regulator and central lubrication of the least accessible parts of the running gear. Engines up to operating number 023 had Knorr surface preheaters and journal bearings. Locomotives with serial numbers 024 and 025, as well as those from 053 onwards were equipped with roller bearings for the axles and drive as well as mixer-preheaters.

A small number of vehicles were given Heinl preheaters and several were equipped for push-pull train operations.

Last new steam locomotive in West Germany

Locomotive number 23 105, built by Arnold Jung Lokomotivfabrik and taken into service by the DB in December 1959, was the last steam engine to enter service in the Federal Republic of Germany. After its retirement it was stabled at the Nuremberg Transport Museum where it was severely damaged by the great fire in the locomotive shed on 17 October 2005.

The engine is downloadable at Rail-sim.de

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June 22, 2017

New site dealing with the Guide: “Driving the steam locomotive and the technical aspects” in investigation.

A new site in addition to Steamtrains Unlimited is now under investigation in order to move the Guide to the new site. This is aimed to give much more freedom and a better way to improve and establish the website. The Need to expand has all to do with the limitations that is encountered within the workshop guide of steam.

The need of the expanding to a new site is nessecary in order to expand and to deal with the bandwidth of the website itself.

Steamtrains Unlimited investigate both possibilities in order to have the best way of getting the guide reestblished within the possibilities and bandwidth.

All three major aspects Driving with Steam. Signalling aspects and Safety will be issued on the new site. The new site will work seperately of this present site with its own recognizable name and lay out.

We do understand the vastness of all the work it takes in order to get all information transported to this new site so please be patience and keep updated throughout this process.

June 5, 2017

Challenging grades of Nottingham with Fowler Class 4F and Stanier Class 8F

The history of freight movements surrounding Nottingham began in 1850, when the Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston & East Junction Railway formed an east-west link to Grantham. At Colwick, near the small town of Netherfield and the original western end of the line, several sidings were constructed to allow inbound goods to be transported by horse and cart into the city of Nottingham, as the Midland Railway was outright refusing to let freight traffic pass through their station.

Having already made its place known, the Midland Railway grew a monopoly over the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire coal traffic and the Great Northern Railway, which consumed the ANB&EJR, wanted to have their own say in the lucrative industry. Since the original Ambergate line reached the outskirts of Nottingham, any further passage towards the city was through running rights. As the GNR sought to introduce their own coal traffic, the Midland Railway saw fit to significantly increase the cost of the rights to be prohibitively expensive. In return, the GNR decided instead to build their own infrastructure, it would be cheaper.

The line from Colwick was already extended into Nottingham, through a new station titled ‘London Road’, (owing to the Midland’s freight refusal), but a new line linking to various collieries all the way up to the Derbyshire coalfields via Daybrook was soon in place. The first GNR shed at Colwick was completed by 1875, and once the entire line was complete, it did not take long for tons upon tons of coal to start rolling in from the north, and the sidings, depots and collieries all saw massive expansion in the following years.

The GNR, and the Midland, were not the only railways to pass through this area, the Great Central Railway was also a keen contender in the coal industry, shuttling between the yards of Annesley and Woodford Halse (south of Rugby), upwards of 40 times a day!

The Stanier 8F

William Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LMS, adjusted policies when stepping up to his role, and adapted his simply incredible ‘Black 5’ design to produce a more powerful heavy freight locomotive. The 4-6-0 wheel configuration was swapped out for an appropriate 2-8-0 equivalent with smaller driving wheels, and the end result was the Class 8F. The first of these new locomotives rolled out of the famed Crewe Works in 1935.

Venerable by nature, the growing 8F fleet took the heavy freight scene by storm across the LMS network. They proved themselves to such a degree, that by the time the Second World War began, the Stanier 8F was chosen as the country’s standard freight design. More than 200 would be ordered by the War Department for use both on local and foreign lands. Countries like Italy, Iran and Egypt all saw the 8F’s used on their rails during wartime; additionally, with war came sacrifice, and several 8F’s were lost at sea during transit, and a couple of examples still remain to this day off the coast of Egypt, visibly submerged with the SS Thistlegorm.

The Fowler 4F

In the early 1900s, the Midland Railway’s Henry Fowler designed a new 0-6-0 locomotive which would be primarily focused around freight work. Two examples of this new loco, classified as the 3835 Class, emerged from Derby Works in 1911 and got busy on the main line. It would be another 6 years before more were built, and between 1917 and 1922, no less than a further 195 entered service.

The 3835 Class was a reliable freight hauler, and was considered a success, so when the Midland was absorbed into the LMS (and Fowler took CME status), the design continued to be produced, however new engines would be classified as the Fowler 4F. There were some minor modifications made in-between the Midland and LMS locomotives, mainly the switch from right-hand to left-hand drive, a standard among most of the British network (excluding GWR).

Production of the Fowler 4F would continue until 1941, and 575 would roll out of the workshop in this time, and 45 of these locos were grudgingly ordered by Fowler’s successor, William Stanier. While able to perform, the 4Fs were not without their issues; short axle-box bearings were a common feature on Midland locomotives and they were subject to overheating, this would soon be fixed with the addition of mechanical lubricators.

Overview

When the GCR planned their ‘London Extension scheme, which would see the construction of the London Marylebone and the now-lost Great Central Main Line, they jointly worked with the GNR to build the entirely new ‘Nottingham Victoria’. This vast and complex station was mostly hidden from view, being sub-surfaced in the heart of the city, yet that doesn’t hide the fact that there were four signal boxes, two turntables and passing loops around all platforms, the volume of both passenger and freight traffic was incredible.

Of course nothing lasts forever, as was the case especially for the steam era and Nottingham Victoria station; a gradual decline of coal traffic and the streamline of the British railway network would soon see many lines fall silent, and the day-to-day operations of Nottinghamshire would be allocated to history.

Source: www.train-simulator.com

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May 24, 2017

Stroudley’s Wonder A1X Class by Victory Works

By the 1870s, the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway was in its prime, covering Sussex with hundreds of miles of track, which themselves were peppered with steam locomotives of various designs. William Stroudley, Locomotive Superintendent of the LB&SCR, sought to introduce a new fleet of locomotives that would bring standardisation to the roster, rather than dealing with the 70+ different classes which were a struggle to maintain.

One standard locomotive designed by Stroudley was classified as the A1, and it was to work amongst the hustle and bustle of a growing South London, hauling commuter trains between the likes of London Bridge, Victoria and Croydon. The first small batch of 6 locomotives rolled out of Brighton Works in 1872, and they were so successful that another 44 would be built, with the last entering service in 1880.

The undeniable success of the A1 Class saw continued growth in and around London, and by the turn of the Century they could no longer meet the demand they instigated. Larger, more powerful locomotives were brought in to replace the A1s, yet that would not be the end of the line for them. Granted, after some 30 years of a very demanding life, some A1s were simply worn out and withdrawals began in 1901; for the remainder of the class however, new lives on new rails awaited.

Until this point the A1 Class had been fully resplendent in Stroudley’s ‘Improved Engine Green’ livery, however since 1911, a select number of A1 locomotives, which were modified and reclassified to A1X, were repainted into a new Marsh Umber livery. Of course, other liveries also appeared on the A1s that were sold to other railway companies. Also, the A1’s distinctive ‘barking’ exhaust beat would soon earn the class the nickname ‘Terrier’.

Around the turn of the 20th Century, many Terriers found their way onto the Isle of Wight under many companies’ ownerships. These included the Isle of Wight Central Railway, Freshwater, Yarmouth & Newport Railway, Newport, Godshill & St Lawrence Railway and the Isle of Wight Railway.

The Isle of Wight Central Railway purchased 4 Terriers between 1899-1903, becoming the most popular class of locomotive on the line, with this number rising to 8 in total following the grouping and formation of the Southern Railway. It became something of a tradition during this time on the Island for the engines to be named after local towns and villages, as was the case with many LB&SCR locos, however one loco scrapped in 1926 never carried a name on the Island.

Back on the mainland, in 1923, the LB&SCR merged with the likes of the LSWR and SE&CR to form the Southern Railway, and the oldest A1s were topping 50 years old – but it would not be the end of the class just yet. Locomotives would be gradually withdrawn over a long period of time, while those that continued to survive worked on railway lines that needed a lighter engine. Even as time went on SR were so focused on express steam, and electrification, that older branch line stock was never replaced, and the A1s lived on.

Nationalisation swept across the network in 1948, and British Railways inherited a single A1 and 14 A1X Class locomotives which had continued to strive. They would continue their duties initially, however their age was starting to catch up with them – replacement parts were expensive, and above all, the 1955 Modernisation Plan would see many of the lines they served fade away. The final example of the class, a modified A1X variant, was withdrawn in the summer of 1963, and after an astonishing 91 years of service, the A1s finally got a rest.

The class is survived today by 10 preserved locomotives, the Bluebell Railway (the world’s first preserved standard gauge railway) re-opened in 1960 with No 55 ‘Stepney’, which has since risen to fame thanks to Rev. W. Awdry’s ‘The Railway Series’ and latter ‘Thomas & Friends’. Two examples are also preserved on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, as some Terriers lived an interesting life on the island thanks to their appropriate size.

Source. https://train-simulator.com

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4MTT Enhangement Pack of Steam Sound Supreme

A set of amazing add-on and more features conceerning the Digital Traction 4MTT as main engine. Severall different and accurate physics of driving and further enhangements are included even as very detailed liveries comes with this package. You need to own the originat 4MTT of Digitaltal traction to get the full add-on pack of the Steam Sound Supreme 4MTT enhangement pack.

On the decision to build the BR standard series of locomotives, a series of class four tank engines was ordered, based on the ex-LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T with some modifications. The lineage of the class could therefore be tracked through the LMS/BR Class 4 2-6-4T locomotives back to the Fowler design of 1927.
Design work was done at Brighton, the overall programme being overseen by R.A. Riddles. The principal modifications to the Fairburn design involved the reduction of their envelope to enable them to fit into the L1 loading gauge. To do this the tanks and cab were made more curved than the Fairburn design, the Fairburn having a straight-sided tank. The biggest mechanical change was a reduction in cylinder size, also to reduce cross-section, and a corresponding increase in boiler pressure to compensate. Other visible changes include the reintroduction of plating ahead of the cylinders.

130 of the class of 155 were built at Brighton, 15 (80000–80009, 80054–80058) at Derby Works and 10 (80106–80115) at Doncaster Works between 1951 and 1956. The first to emerge was 80010 from Brighton in 1951. Fifteen that were due to be constructed in 1957 were cancelled due to impending dieselisation, and the last five would have been too had they not been at an advanced stage of construction when the order came to cancel them.
No significant modifications were made to the design. The tank vent was found to restrict the driver’s vision and was moved further forward from 80059. Initially built with fluted coupling rods, these caused problems on other classes and from 80079 plain section coupling rods were substituted.
The BR standard class 4 4-6-0 was essentially a tender engine derivative of the Standard Class 4 tank.

Visit the site for more details about the 4MTT enhangement pack and even the site provides you some amazing videos including their astonishing sound effects bringing the 4MTT back to real life.

(Source: Steam Sound Supreme and Wikipedia)

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May 9, 2017

The Famous “Jupiter” class now available.

From Smokebox and that maestro of steam locomotive creation, Mike Rennie, the Train Simulator CPRR Jupiter is a marvel. Authentic in every detail including its stunningly beautiful black, blue, and crimson livery – the 4-4-0 delivers the true and challenging experience of taking the throttle of a mid-19^th Century wood-burning steam locomotive.

Built in the summer of 1868 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works (a predecessor of the famed American Locomotive Company), No. 60 was one of a quartet of identical 4-4-0 locomotives built for the CPRR. The Jupiter was designed for dual service, with 60-inch-diameter drivers and 16 x 24-inch cylinders and a total engine weight of 65,400 pounds and was typical of its era in that many of its operating features were relatively primitive (including a lack of air brakes!). Smokebox has meticulously re-created the Jupiter in its “as built” condition, which promises a new, different – and demanding – experience for Train Simulator locomotive engineers.

The Jupiter itself is a true masterpiece – and accompanying the Jupiter are the historic locomotive’s three CPRR sisters: the “Storm,” “Whirlwind,” and “Leviathan.” The Smokebox Central Pacific Jupiter pack also features authentic flat cars, two styles of Emigrant coaches, baggage car, and a coach-caboose. Fittingly, given that Central Pacific’s crown-jewel accomplishment was its crossing of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, the pack includes three captivating and challenging career scenarios on the Train Simulator Donner Pass route.

And there’s still more: For those wishing to create their own 1860s-era Train Simulator route or scenarios, the pack includes a variety of period-authentic assets, including trackage, a wooden trestle, switch stand, water tower, and locomotive fueling point.

From the noted creators of the acclaimed Union Pacific FEF-3 4-8-4 and AT&N 2-8-0 “Connie,” the CPRR No. 60 Jupiter DLC is now available at the Store, ready to take you on a remarkable and challenging journey into railroading history!

(Source: Train-simulator.com)

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May 7, 2017

London Transport Heritage with a fictional route

Featuring iconic locomotives such as GWR’s prolific Pannier Tank, the 5700 Class; English Electric’s definitive Type 1, known today as the BR Class 20 ‘Chopper’; and of course, the long-serving 1938 Tube Stock, which has served DC rails for nearly 8 decades, the London Transport Heritage Collection is the perfect way to experience a wide variety of operations. From passenger commuting to freight hauling, behind the controls of either steam, diesel or electric.

The bonus, and fictional, London Transport Heritage route is included to provide challenging and unique operations for each distinct locomotive. Work hard along the tough gradients of Stony Bay Quarry before coasting down to the quaint Breakwater docks, get busy on the loop and pass the scenic locations of Channel and Jurassic Halt, stoke up the fire at Vindelis and steam along to Stony Point. There’s no end to the potential of the London Transport heritage route, and with the plethora of route assets available, you’ll be able to create whatever you desire.

The London Transport Heritage Collection features the 1938 Stock, as used on the Northern Line, in London Transport Maroon livery; and in Maroon & Gold livery comes the BR Class 20 ‘Chopper’ (20142), and ex. GWR 5700 Class ‘Pannier Tank’ (L.92, L.94 & L.99), both of which didn’t start life in London, yet proved useful on the Underground when required and have such received commemorative liveries for their efforts.

With a dock and quarry fully ready for service on the route, freight rolling stock is an essential foundation of the London Transport Heritage Collection. BR Standard Van, TTA Tank, Conflat Wagons and a suitable brake van are all featured, and will help form your trains plus make the sidings come to life as you pass by on other duties.

A selection of career scenarios will put your skills to the test in each locomotive, across all areas of the included route, and the Railfan Mode scenarios will let you take in the action at some of the route’s most scenic locations.

With quick drive, you can not only run whatever you like on the included route, but you can make the included stock feel at home on our various London-based routes.

(Source:www.train-simulator.com)

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Follow Steamtrains Unlimited at:

Get grip on the wheels

Drive proffesionally

Manage magnificent engines

Not just throwing lumps of coal

Maintain full speed ahead

Long distances at full steam is a hugh challenge

Control the wild power

Steam is not comparable with other tractions

Refine and tune your skills

"Feel" your steam engine like you should drive a real one.

Be vigilanced at all times.

Your will run out of water before you even know it.

It is not just driving.

All is included the way of driving and motion.

Manage High efficient boilers

Keep up the precious pressure

Discover the rough power of steam.

Haul a freight train of at least 6000 Tonnes.

The elegance of a steam locomotive speaks for itself.

Clean, top up and facilitate when you control your engine.

Newsflashes about steamtrains or issues concerning add-on’s of steam locomotives.

Jan 09, 2019

From the heart of Scotland.

In the mid-1830s railways in England evolved from local concerns to longer routes that connected cities, and then became networks. In Scotland it was clear that this was the way forward, and there was a desire to connect the central belt to the incipient English network.

There was controversy over the route that such a line might take, but the Caledonian Railway was formed on 31 July 1845 and it opened its main line between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Carlisle in 1848, making an alliance with the English London and North Western Railway.

The package if this Dock tank engine comes with:

Performance Mode

Multiple Camera Views

Custom CR & LMSR Lamps

Wheel slip Dynamics

In-Depth Scenarios

Custom CR Cab

Animated Brake rigging

Changing smoke particles

And much more

Once again a Scottish engine comes to life in TS20xx. You now can drive another Scottish engine and do not forget the Haggish and Whiskey.

Jan 09, 2019

The GWR Pannier rolls into 2019

However, pannier tanks and Belpaire fireboxes became the standard for the rebuilding of various 0-6-0 tank locomotives (projected in 1902 and getting fully underway by 1910).

The rebuilding program also included a number of other changes including:

improved cab designs, eventually becoming fully enclosed.

superheating, which by 1929, had been found to have little benefit on shunting engines.

adaptation for working with autocoaches for push–pull trains (auto-working).

increasing boiler pressures, for example, the various rebuilds of the GWR 2721 class started at 150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa), increasing to 165 lbf/in2 (1.14 MPa), and then to 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa).

Design

Key Features

Extensive collection of GWR Panniers including 5400, 6400, 5700 (and 8700) and 7400 classes

Simple, standard and advanced driving modes

Customisable engine numbers and shed codes

Optional parts and fittings including painted or polished safety valve covers, chimney styles, lining, power discs, ATC, speedometer and much more

Custom sound sets inside and out

Realistic cab with multiple views, including dual head out and fully modelled firebox and coal

Realistic wheel slip physics and effects (Advanced Mode Only)

Simulated steam chest (Advanced Mode Only)

Realistic train pipe, reservoir vacuum and steam braking (Advanced Mode Only)

Cylinder cock management (Advanced Mode Only)

Boiler management with priming possible (Advanced Mode Only)

Realistic injector control (Advanced Mode Only)

Realistic “by the shovel” stoking with synchronised sound (Advanced Mode Only)

Dynamic steam and smoke colour and quantity

Realistic boiler water gauges effected by gradient, acceleration and speed and with blow down test

Opening windows (with rain effects), doors, weather panels and roof hatch

Dynamic lamp setting

Cab light effects including firebox glow, water gauge lamp and cab lamp

Second valve regulator effects (Advanced Mode Only)

British Railways 63ft Autocoach

With the release of this amazing engine a new iconic locomotive is now available in advanced mode .

Go to the website of Steamtrains Unlimited Campus

You now can enjoy and experience one of the most significant tank engines and (try to) drive them as it should be.

Source: Wikipedia, Steam

Dec 07, 2018

The LMS Patriot 6P rebuild from Stanier.

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Patriot Class is a class of 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive introduced in 1930. Originally having parallel boilers, all members were later rebuilt with tapered type 2A boilers designed by William Stanier.

Between 1946 and 1949 selected members of the class were rebuilt to create the Rebuilt Patriot Class. Similar in appearance to the Rebuilt Royal Scots, they differed in having more modern cabs, different sandboxes, balance weights, middle cylinder covers amongst other small details.

Withdrawals began in 1961, before 1965 when the last 3 members of the class were taken out of service. None of these locomotives were preserved.

The Patriot Class was a class of 52 express passenger steam locomotives built for the London Midland and Scottish Railway. The first locomotive of the class was built in 1930 and the last in 1934.

The class was based on the chassis of the Royal Scot combined with the boiler from Large Claughtons earning them the nickname Baby Scots. 18 were rebuilt between 1946 and 1948. the remaining 34 unrebuilt engines were withdrawn between 1960 and 1962.

Source: Wikipedia, Bossman games

Dec 01, 2018

The Rhätische Bahn class G3/4 is the pinnacle that comes across the Swiss alps.