3D Trains
- payware site (including locos and trainsets, especially F7s,
E8s, and G9s) run by Marc Nelson. There is a handy
colour reference section for equipment modelers. There is a large
and busy forum section. They
have now released upgraded versions of a number of routes with
their new track model installed into them (Cajon Pass, NS Clinch
Valley, NS Pocohontas, Raton Pass 2, and Whitefish 4 Hawk) - the
freeware ones are available through their forums. They have
released a number of routes - both payware and freeware -
enhanced with their ScaleRail track. Check their website and
their forums for details of which routes.
3DTrainStuff - payware site (mainly routes - Tehachapi
Pass, Cajon Pass, Cambrian route, and the various expansion packs
for these). Latest route release -
"Our Donner Pass
Route - High Sierra Crossing features over 90 miles of double
track mainline over the Southern Pacific's historic Overland Route
between Colfax, Ca in the west, and Truckee, Ca to the east. Set
in the 1950s during the height of the steam to diesel transition
era."
Dekosoft
- from their website:
"We
take pride in bringing you quality virtual models and accessories
for Microsoft Train Simulator. Our specialties are
second-generation diesel locomotives and rolling stock which let
you recreate operations on real
railroads from the 1960s to the present day."
Gulf, Mobile
& Ohio Simulations - a website run by Paul Fowler -
specialty is locomotives - SD40 and GP30 in lots of different
liveries.
An example of their stock is the
pack of
CSX SD40 locos.
Maple
Leaf Tracks has produced their first route in their 2005
reincarnation - the Niagara Corridor
-
"a recreation of Canadian National Railway's Dundas Subdivision.
As part of the CNR's corridor through Southern Ontario, Can., it
has high speed Via Rail passenger service, Norfolk Southern
trackage rights run-throughs, as well as an unending number of
hotshot, way freights, and heavy manifests of Canadian National.
The route starts in Hamilton, Ont., at the Western end of Lake
Ontario, passes through the world famous railfan location of
Bayview Junction, and climbs the Niagara Escarpment at over 1%. It
then levels out across some of Canada's heartland agricultural
areas and urban centers. Many industries dot the right of way with
yards and stations all modeled to give the look and feel of the
region."
They have released a pack of "wide cab" locomotives:
"These locomotives
of the Canadian National Railroad were easily recognized by
their unique bright orange cab. Also called "Widecab", "Comfort
cab" or "Safety cab". This pack reproduces these special
locomotives built in the early 1970's delivered in large numbers
and are still found on the entire CN system today. This pack
contains 4 locomotives and 1 caboose. All the models are high
detail and have high resolution texturing. Also included are
detailed cabviews and custom sounds. The locomotives included in
this pack are: CN GP38-2w, CN GP40-2w, CN SD40-2w, CN M420w,
plus the CN Point Saint Charles Caboose."
Streamlines -
One of the successors of the original Maple Leaf Tracks
company.
Their first offering is a free download - a CP Rail GP38
loco. They have a forum section for discussion of their products. From their website:
"We
have reviewed the proposed product line for 2005 and have made a
few changes. The CPR-specific focus product is being put on hold
for the time being while we do some products based on the other
major Canadian railroad."
They have issued a second
free download - a caboose -
"Built by Canadian
National in the 1970's, at their Pointe St-Charles shops in
Montreal Canada, these wide vision cabooses roamed the entire CN
system in large numbers until the early 1990's. Some can still be
found today on transfer and local switching runs." They have also issued three
payware locomotive packs:
The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Engine Pack, Volume 1, is the first
in the Santa Fe series. This pack, which is made up entirely of
6-axle heavy freight engines, has SD40-2, SD40-2 'snoot', SD45-2,
SD45, and F45.
The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Engine Pack, Volume 2, is the
second in the Santa Fe series. This pack, which is made up
entirely of 4-axle freight engines, has the EMD GP30, GP35, GP40X,
GP50, and GE Dash 8-40B. Both these packs have custom sounds and a
custom cab view.
The Union Pacific Engine Pack is a collection of 6 locomotive
models and sounds. The locomotives included in this pack are the
GE C40-8, GE AC6000CW, EMD SD70M (flared radiators), EMD SD70M
(standard radiators), EMD SD90MAC, EMD GP38-2, This pack does not
come with custom cab views. Cabs are aliased to the MSTS default
Dash 9 and GP38.
The Burlington
Northern Engine Pack, Volume 1, is the first in the BN Northwest
Division series. This pack, which is made up of both 4- and 6-axle
freight engines, has the following features: 6 locomotives,
including EMD GP38-2. GP50, SD40-2, SD45, F45, and GE B30-7AB, all
with custom sounds and custom cabviews.
-
Valleypass
Club - run by Gaetan Belanger. He produces US
diesel locos and rolling stock for MSTS. You can download all his
material for a donation through PayPal. He has produced items for
the following railroads: Bessemer & Lake Erie, ConRail, Roberval
Saguenay, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Green Bay, Erie Lackawanna,
Lehigh Valley, Delaware & Hudson, CPRail, Canadian National,
Burlington Northern, Via Rail, UP, ATSF, Southern Pacific,
Louisville & Nashville, Amtrak, BC Rail, Alco, and Chemin de Fer
de la Matapedia et du Golfe Inc. He has also produced his own
custom cabs and sounds for these items. Expert advice is that he
has done a brilliant job - go and donate and download and support
him. He is a true MSTS artist! His website also has a members'
forum.
-
Vscalecreations - 2 routes are available from this site
run by Andrae Laming.
There is also a support forum:
-
St Louis & North
Arkansas
- The StL&NA route is based on the prototype by the same name
during the years 1902-1903, when it was expanding southeastward
toward its eventual destination of Helena, Arkansas.
THE ROUTE: It's boom-time in the Ozarks as the StLNA is building
south and eastward! There's the hustle and bustle of moving
freight to the construction distribution centers as well as
maintaining a flow of freight to the commerce centers of the
Ozarks. There are over 35 miles of mainline track. One branch line
is about 2 miles in length, another about 3 miles. Many customers
are along the route, as well as some switching in the larger of
the towns.
THE ACTIVITIES: 23 activities are supplied with the route - at
least 30-40 hours.
-
Arkansas & Ozarks
- THE CONCEPT: What if the actual history of the St. Louis & North
Arkansas' had unfolded differently? Instead of the last vestige of
the railroad being abandoned in 1960... what if the primary
connecting railroad had purchased it? Well, the A&O Sub does just
that. Instead of allowing history to record that the Arkansas &
Ozarks was abandoned in 1960, the Frisco railroad purchases the
last vestige of the Missouri & North Arkansas railroad, and VSC
projects the Frisco into the future.
THE ROUTE: As it would have been if the prototype North Arkansas
was a part of the Arkansas & Missouri in 1988...changes are
inevitable! The A&O Sub mainline now goes to Urbanette, Arkansas,
where there is a large feed mill complex, as well as the Superior
Lime complex. Retained are the lines to Berryville and Eureka
Springs. Towns have changed and evolved with the economics of the
region. The increased train lengths also required changed track
configurations. Traffic flow and operations are totally different
than was on the 1900's North Arkansas. One thing didn't change
though: the topography. You'll still battle those prototypical
roller-coaster 1.75% grades, as well as do battle with Seligman
Hill... but this time with longer and heavier trains powered by
Alcos! There are over 40 miles of mainline track, one branch line
is about 2 miles in length, another about 3 miles. There are two
major feed mills to serve, three major gravel quarries, a large
lime plant, and a host of smaller customers to keep satisfied!
THE EQUIPMENT: VSC is proud to have the creative artistry of
Canadien
Gaetan Belanger
supplying the equipment used on the A&O Sub. The Arkansas &
Missouri Alcos are a delight. The custom locomotive sounds are
second to none. Gaetan uses photo textures exclusively to produce
the liveries for each piece of equipment. This results in
excellent depth of color and shadow and immediately looks
authentic. The equipment physics reflect reaction and response
times that more closely emulate the prototype. Before you can
become proficient in handling those A&M Alco-powered trains,
you'll need to learn the nuances of the route! There is a caveat
though: these Alcos are old, and some have not yet been through
the A&M's shops for a thorough rebuilding. You are going to get a
taste of railroading that few have experienced!
THE ACTIVITIES: Work! You've got work to do! For acclimatisation
purposes, some of the first activities are simple, but there are
many very advanced activities. You will feel like a railroader!
The supplied activities will provide many hours of enjoyment. As
with the North Arkansas, there are at least 40 hours of
entertainment in the supplied activities.
-
The latest
release, and the first from their new partner - Davis
Locomotive Works -
The
North Arkansas Pack...
"The NA Pack is the first release from
DLW and was created exclusively for VSC by Master Modeler Jon
Davis. The NA Pack is an assembly of
locomotives, rolling stock, and passenger equipment aimed
primarily at supplying prototypically-accurate
equipment for the North Arkansas route. Of course, these masterful
creations can be enjoyed by anyone with a love for steam on their
own favorite route. That is a wonderful aspect about MSTS!
The NA Pack moves forward 1 year to
the year 1903. Such a move in time will encompass several more St
Louis & North Arkansas locomotives that the StLNA acquired during
that time. The locomotives contained in the NA Pack are based on
prototype references, as well as the passenger equipment. The
locomotives and passenger equipment of the NA Pack are modelled
as accurately as can be determined using the data sources
available. The rolling stock is based on prototype information for
the types of cars depicted, and lettered in keeping with the
region and era. The NA Pack is virtual history before your eyes,
resurrected over 100 years later by the magic of MSTS! Included in the NA Pack: 8
locomotives, 6 cabooses (with interior passenger
view), 7 boxcars, 12 flat cars, 5
gondolas, 5 refrigerator cars, 1 cattle/stock car, 1 tank car, 1
auxiliary water car, 5 passenger coaches (with interior
passenger view)
and 3 passenger Combines. There are loaded and empty versions of
each car, along with modelled loads
where applicable. (on the flats and
gondolas.) Price - $20.00 (US)."
(Please note that
listing of these payware sites does not imply endorsement of their
products by the NERR. None of the organisations listed here provided
anything in the way of inducement to be listed on this page. The
order of listing should not be taken to be an indication of anything
except chance.) |
Trainmaster
Train Simulator - this company is based in North America.