Review by Casey
 

Review—NENE 035-01, 01a, 01b, 01c, 01d by JayKay

There are certain activity series which are simply outstanding – like sparkling gems – and JayKay’s first series for the NEC4 is certainly one of them!  I find myself returning to this particular jewel-like group of activities about every couple of months, drawn to it for the sheer fun and the broad scope of the tasks presented to me as I progress through them.

On the face of it, the series should probably not be so exceptional, since it initially appears to be just another set of work orders for “The Old NEC 4”, and it’s set in wintertime, to boot!  But I suppose it’s the combination of the deliciously labyrinthine NEC 4, plus JayKay’s fertile imagination and his sharp eye for detail that makes this series exceptional.

The first act (1.5 hrs, Easy) begins innocently enough, assembling a train in Eckington Yard, Washington, but the dispatcher soon diverts your efforts, putting you to work on a bit of a rescue mission.  Once you’ve done your noble bit to help-out, you can finally finish your assembly work.

All of which leads into the second act (2 hrs, Easy), where you take your previously assembled train down the mainline on a journey to the Glen-Burnie area where you make a pair of what can only be described as very satisfying set-outs.  Hard to describe why, but you’ll see.  Another pick-up and set-out, interspersed with a short trundle down a branch line and you’re done.

Next comes 01b (3 hrs, Easy/Medium), which in my book would be a strong contender for Best Activity in MSTS – if there were such an award.  Overall, it’s a rollicking, near-epic journey which covers considerable distances, and involves a good deal of train handling.  Leaving the Glen-Burnie area after picking-up your new consist of tankers, you head back up the branch line and back onto the mainline, whereupon you head down to the Curtis Bay yards.  Setting-out your tankers, you must then pick-up your helpers – ‘cos you’re going to need them!

You then make a fairly long series of pick-ups along the docks, under a time limit, building a very long train, as you prepare for the second half of this activity.  And here’s where it gets a bit “interesting”.  As you ease up to the mainline lead -- no doubt within your allocated time limitation – you’re given a time restriction for entering the mainline.  But . . . right there, before your eyes will be a nice, shiny green aspect obviously giving you a clear.  Don’t do it!  Wait for your clearance time!

Sure enough, just as your time restriction is about to run out, along comes an Acela, and soon thereafter, it clears to the next block and you’re okay to go.

The next portion of this activity involves a long roll down the mainline, providing an excellent exercise in the handling of a long train on grades and turns.  And then there’s the finale – also done with style.  You don’t just stop at the destination yard and that’s “it”.  Rather, you set-out your consist in the destination – Wilsmere Yard, down towards Philadelphia -- and then trundle over to the another specific destination where you drop-off your helpers.  Then, finally, you wearily ease over to the engine shed to park your lead power.  Wonderful activity!  Don’t miss it!

Next up is 01c (1 hr, medium/hard).  This act is scored as being “Easy”, but it’s not really so.  First, you’re working within time constraints, and there’s a fair amount to be done in that short time.  Essentially, this is a shunting puzzle (“switching” puzzle, for some), and it’s not a good idea to tackle this unless you’re mentally sharp.  For me, this means *not* at the end of the evening. 8-}>   If you’re receptive to hints, note this:  It’ll help if you work-out this rascal on paper with pencil, before you start, and you should save often, too. Difficult, but very, very satisfying when you’re eventually successful in completing this activity.

Last – but certainly not least – is 01d (1:20, easy) from Wilsmere Yard to the Snyder Yards, deep in downtown Philadelphia. It’s a “pink” trip (right around sunset) and if you’re running Sky Conductor 2, it’s all the more beautiful if you have “sunset” selected as your Clear setting.  This activity is just a nice, enjoyable ending to a remarkably enjoyable activity series.

This is a series that newbies and greybeards alike will thoroughly enjoy – repeatedly, as time goes by.  Highly recommended.

(JayKay is retired and lives in Middlesbrough, UK)