South African Route Gauge Conversion

News on developments with a South African Flavour for MSTS - locos, rolling stock, routes etc. Screenshots should be no larger then 800 pixels wide and 600 pixels deep. No larger then 130k as well!
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RussellWestwood
Posts: 9
Joined: 18 Apr 2010, 17:03

South African Route Gauge Conversion

Post by RussellWestwood »

In mid-April I thought that the conversion of the Natal Mainline v2
(Ladysmith - Petermaritzburg) to the correct gauge of 3'6" would take about
2 months. That time has passed and like all software projects, this one is
running late. There were 2 major parts: the track and the rolling stock. The
track was finished weeks ago, but we decided to celebrate by creating a
brand new model of the 6E1 electric locomotive for 3'6" gauge. Niel Wilson has now
nearly finished this, with a bit of interference from me. The rest of Niel's
rolling stock has had wheels and bogies narrowed.

The new 6E1 has been modelled in more than a dozen combinations of
pantograph style*, colour, livery, and weathering. In all, 75 different
numbered locos (65 AI) are included with the route. They have depot
assignment and other stickers. Some locomotives have their original brass
number and/or builder's* plates. The new 6E1 has the
prototypical characteristic suspension, perforated cowcatchers, driver's
mirrors, and grab handles.

Making use of MSTS Bin functions, both pantographs operate, the driver's
doors open (see E1520), and the lights work in both directions, with the
loco flipped and/or cab-switched, and on AI locos.

The idea is that in the course of a single activity, you will not see the
same locomotive twice, and it is not just the numbers that are different.

The attached pictures should give you some idea of the (almost) finished
result. The view from the driver's cab is certainly improved by the regauged
track. We believe that the improvement in overall feel and appearance has more
than justified the switch. The intention was never to be precisely accurate
in every respect. But for me, 4'8" just wasn't "Good Enough" for South
Africa.

I now <think> the converted route should now be ready by mid-July(-ish!)

Cheers,

Russell Westwood

* 2-arm pantographs and builder's plates have not yet been finalised.
6E3648.jpg
6E3648.jpg (114.45 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
E1379Cntrs.jpg
E1379Cntrs.jpg (107.32 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
XNtlLady.jpg
XNtlLady.jpg (108.21 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
UmbulOrange.jpg
UmbulOrange.jpg (95.17 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
E1951DepLdy.jpg
E1951DepLdy.jpg (104.43 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
Petrol.jpg
Petrol.jpg (80.46 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
E1950.jpg
E1950.jpg (123.19 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
E1520.jpg
E1520.jpg (92.7 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
E1481.jpg
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E1471.jpg
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E1442.jpg
E1442.jpg (141.79 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: South African Route Gauge Conversion

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

Its looking nice.

Semi-transparent windows?????
User avatar
Greg Hart
Posts: 92
Joined: 06 Dec 2009, 16:55

Re: South African Route Gauge Conversion

Post by Greg Hart »

Nice Russell & Niel.. :)
RussellWestwood
Posts: 9
Joined: 18 Apr 2010, 17:03

Re: South African Route Gauge Conversion

Post by RussellWestwood »

Hi Kevin,

MSTS has always had 1-bit and 8-bit transparency. 8-bit transparency allows for (256?) degrees of opacity and 1-bit is mostly used as a mask to cut things out or paste them on.

We <may> even get a cab interior if we are very lucky.

Cheers,

Russell
User avatar
Stefan Andrzejewski
Posts: 864
Joined: 01 Dec 2008, 17:10
Location: Cape Town
Contact:

Re: South African Route Gauge Conversion

Post by Stefan Andrzejewski »

They even have the CW's famous 1950 which is now purple.
RussellWestwood
Posts: 9
Joined: 18 Apr 2010, 17:03

Natal Mainline v2.26 Upgrade Now Available

Post by RussellWestwood »

Just a heads-up to let you know that the 3'6" upgrade (you need v2) of Natal Mainline (v2.36) is now available for download from theTrainSim.com file library. The full route has also been submitted.

Cheers
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