Routes

The 1650 local service to Baltimore departs Washington Platform 14 on a snowy, cold winter evening.

Bear in mind that, although some routes don't appear very large as a download, they all take about the same amount of disk space as each of the default routes.

Another requirement is that you will need to have all the MSTS routes installed because authors of these alternative routes use various objects and landscaping from parts of all the default routes.

As yet there are no Australian routes, possibly because the digital elevation data required for laying out the countryside and track, is only available commercially (as far as web•Wiz can ascertain).

If you have any questions about the following routes, mail me at webmaster@wehdotwiz.zzn.com and I'll try to help.

Modern England

XPT, in candy colours, at speed. 2002 is the 20th anniversary of the XPT in Australia, particularly on NSW lines.

Modern England is a fictional, electrified route, using modern signalling so is a good U.K. route to Settle-Carlisle.

The only downside to Modern England is that the default rolling stock for the route includes many which are difficult to find at Train-Sim.com, although most seem available at UK Train Sim but this latter site is limited bandwidth for downloads.

However, you'll enjoy exploring Modern England, with about 180 miles of track and sidings.

The file(s) you need to download are:

• modernen.zip (06-Oct-01, 5.8Mb)
• modeng3.zip (27-Nov-01, 12.5Mb)

web•Wiz has installed this route and enjoys it, mainly because of its modern signalling. As well, you'll find its grades and landscaping somewhat similar to Australian rail conditions (similarly, the Settle-Carlisle route). It's just that an English summer still boasts green grass!

Marias Pass 3

There is much spectacular scenery over the Marias Route. Here Amtrak Empire Builder crosses this trestle bridge outside Glacier Park.

After a time you feel like you're riding a roller-coaster when driving across the default Marias Pass. MP3 installs in its own right and you can compare the two - you'll soon prefer MP3.

There are many updates in MP3, particuarly re-laying the track to take out the big dips and sharp grades, several of which are an unrealistic 5% in the default MP route (2% in real practice is a severe grade).

Another feature of MP3 is repositioning the mile posts on the actual mile marks. As well, the MP3 designers have set all the signalling, as far as possible given the constraints of MSTS, to the standards used by BNSF, the owners of the Marias Pass route. Consequently, BNSF work orders for the Marias Pass route have been used too.

The file(s) you need to download are:

• mp30.zip (25-Dec-01, 14.9Mb)
• mp30act2.zip (02-Jan-02, 213Kb). The set of activities in mp30.zip will give errors so they were re-saved in the MSTS Activity Editor and are included in this down. There is an accompanying document that gives information on what changes were required to get these activities to work (or not!).

web•Wiz certainly recommends MP3 and you'll find many activities specifically designed for this route. It's a far more enjoyable experience!

NEC 2.0

Passengers onboard the DCC003 service, while waiting for a clear, are suddenly joined at the stop by an Acela Express.

The NEC2.0 route replaces the default MSTS NEC route (let's say that was version 1). There are many improvements, including better placement of signals, more stations to reflect the real North East Corridor, and more scenery. Most activities designed under NEC 1.0 also work with NEC 2.0, with a slight difference in station placement being noticeable. Activities from sites, such as Atlantic Coastal Railway, are specifically designed for NEC 2.0

The file(s) you need to download are:

• nec_v20.zip (28-Sep-01, 11.5Mb)

NEC2.0 is highly recommended (web•Wiz has installed it) since it is more realistic with the extra stations and better signalling.

Others

If you're going to consider installing extra routes, you may as well do so with drink in hand and soft music.

Browsing through Train-Sim.com's file library (choose Routes under the Browse a section at a time), you'll find many routes created by enthusiastic MSTS fans. The main problem with downloading these over a dialup line is their size.

You may want to get some idea of user comments and see if there are any particular problems. Visit Train-Sim.com's main MSTS message area and Train-Sim.com's message area devoted to route creation.

One particular route that has received accolades from all who have downloaded and installed it is the Seaview Route (29Mb, version 1; version 2 is being developed). There are some message posts with screenshots and you'll see many innovative objects used in this route's scenery.