Review by Casey
 

Review - NEMP-01-Col-001B by Bob Artim

Here’s a really nice activity that’s sure to please those of us who enjoy multiple pick-ups an set-outs in a semi-complex industrial area.  Boss-Hogger Bob has done a very nice job of producing a realistic head-scratcher that’ll keep your synapses crackling for about five hours or so.

I should mention here that you’ll find route maps very handy for this activity.  There are several available – “WhitefishLayout.zip” and “ColumbiaFallsLayout.zip” are two, but perhaps the handiest would be a tidy little set in PowerPoint named Whitefish to Shelby, contained in a file named “route5.zip”. I’m unsure of where I got it – probably Train-Sim.com – but if you have trouble locating it, just email me and I’ll quickly send it to you.

So . . . it’s around zero-seven-dark when you clamber aboard your Geep at Whitefish, where you pick-up a string of airslides to be taken down the way to Columbia Falls.  It’s still dark by the time you get there, locate the destination spur, and position your train to back-in for the set-out.

It’s well to beware of a little route-centric problem with just this particular switch that’s behind you: when you move your consist into position to back-in, the switch that’s depicted back there on the Switch monitor may not “fit” with your mental picture of the actual trackage.  Not to worry. Just change the switch (Shift-G), and everything will suddenly make sense. You’ll see what I mean.

Soon, the sun’s up and you can better see what you’re doing! For the next good while, you’ll be operating in Columbia Falls, making good use of the wye that’s central to the town and the many switches that share the neighbourhood. You’ll have quite a few pick-ups and set-outs to perform, and they’ll require some clear thinking and good planning.  Translation: much good, solid fun and enjoyment!

Then, just about the time you could use a change of pace, along comes – a change of pace!  You must now journey-on down to Kalispell, gawking at the scenery and watching your speed closely all the way (it’s mainly a downhill run!).  A pick-up in Kalispell – and at Glacier Park International Airport on the way back – produce a lengthy train to bring back to Columbia Falls.  It’ll take some more head-scratching and squinting to follow orders so that you can finally see the last of Columbia Falls, and be on your way for your last set-out back in Whitefish.

By the time you’re moseying back into Whitefish yard, you’ll realize that you’ve had one of those perfectly enjoyable times in MSTS: a long activity that provides challenges, and that warm buzz of satisfaction at having done a good job of work.

Bob built a real winner, here.  Try it.  You’re bound to like it!