Want To Try Railworks For Free?

Thanks to Gary over at UKTS for posting about this, I had forgotten about it completely.

Want to see what all of the fuss is about? Want to see if Railworks will work on your system?** Just want to drive a train for free?

In Christmas 2010, RailSimulator.com in conjunction with the National Rail Museum released a free Christmas gift in which you could take charge of "Flying Scotsman" on a route using the Railworks 2 platform. As far as I can see, and without installing myself, this gift is still available and can be obtained by clicking here.

** Originally released during Railworks 2 development, this doesn't have the newer features that are in Railworks 3 (TS2012) and the route may not be up to the system demanding standard that newer RW3 routes now require. However, it is a basic (and free) benchmark to take a look and see if you like the platform and whether the base program runs.

The following is taken from the NRM website:

Drive the world-famous Flying Scotsman in the comfort of your own home!

The National Railway Museum and Railworks are proud to bring you this exclusive and ultra-realistic Christmas gift: a FREE train simulator game for your PC where you take the controls of Flying Scotsman. There's no catch: it's a completely free standalone product, our present to you this festive season.

Download it now and guide the iconic loco through a fabulous wintry landscape, following the signals and speed limits just like a real train driver as you drop off and pick up passengers. It's a unique opportunity to see, hear and drive Flying Scotsman ahead of her return to the National Railway Museum in 2011.

Happy Christmas from all of us at the National Railway Museum.

Ay Valley Route - Railworks 3

From Steve Cunningham, the very talented fella who brought us "Granfield Branch", Ay Valley is a new route available for Railworks 3. The following description is taken from the download page:

The Ay Valley route is a fictional network of lines set in the West of England, focused on a main line that runs roughly parallel to the real-world Great Western Main Line. The focus time period is approximately from 1990 to the present day, although it is possible to run scenarios set in the 1970s and 80s as well with a little artistic license. This portion of the route focuses on the major city of Westhampton, with the emphasis on urban and suburban passenger and local freight services.

The route does require the Edinburgh to Glasgow addon from Thomson Interactive and this addon is essential to make things work. It also requires the RSC Doncaster Works but Steve has included a patch that will enable the route to be useable should you not have this item of DLC.

For more information on the route and how to download, click this link.

London to Brighton - Preview Video

Released Thursday 7th June, here is a preview video of the London to Brighton route.

Voyager Scenarios - More Information

Operation Princess
Scenario for Oxford to Paddington

Date: 21 October 2002
Rating: Easy
Duration: 65 Minutes Approx
Start Time: 08:56
Season: Autumn
Weather: Cloudy Showers
Start Location: London Paddington

Following the recent implementation of the "Operation Princess" timetable by Virgin Trains, things haven't gone exactly to plan and punctuality is dramatically decreasing. However, negotiations with the SRA are currently taking place in order to revise this timetable and reduce services. In this difficult period, you are today in charge of the 09:03 service from London Paddington to Manchester Piccadilly, calling at Reading and then Oxford where there will be a crew change.



West Coast Woe
Scenario for WCML North

Date: 22 September 2010
Rating: Hard
Duration: 75 Minutes Approx
Start Time: 05:30
Season: Autumn
Weather: WN Hazy
Start Location: Polmadie Depot

It is very early morning on the WCML and you are in charge of one of the very first services of the day from Glasgow Central to Birmingham New Street. Starting at Polmadie TMD, you will have to perform the full start up routine of the Voyager Advanced before taking your consist the short journey to Central Station.



South Coast Stock
Scenario for Portsmouth Direct Line

Date: 17 March 2008
Rating: Easy
Duration: 40 Minutes Approx
Start Time: 05:18
Season: Spring
Weather: Stormy
Start Location: Portcreek Jcn

With CrossCountry sets that finish on the South Coast being stabled at Eastleigh, this requires the TOC to perform various early morning ECS movements in order to position trains correctly. This morning you are in charge of one such service, 5E79 from Eastleigh to Guildford where the train will then form a service to Newcastle.

Digital Traction Jubilee Offer

I said earlier in the week that it was the time for sales, and today is no exception!

Digital Traction have announced a Jubilee Sale, where you can obtain the whole DT catalogue (except the Rebuilt Light Pacific, exclusive to Just Trains) for only £19.99, quite a saving on what it would cost when bought seperately. The pack includes the following:-

4MT
Light Pacific
GWR B Sets
LMS 2P
LMS Period 1 coaches in carmine and original liveries
Class 40
Mark 1 coaches
Mark 2 coaches
Wagon packs 1 & 2
Woodhead Scenarios pack

More information and details on how to buy can be found by clicking here.

Creative Rail - CR1 Pro Pack

Creative Rail have now announced the first in their line of "Pro Packs" for their "China Clay For Export" route.

Featuring 6 scenarios of differing time limits and difficulties, more information and details of how to purchase can be found by clicking here.