Post by Roger on Feb 14, 2022 16:10:14 GMT
Jimi's notes on the beginnings...
The project was started in December of 2002, with a goal of creating the LU Ltd District Line as an MSTS route. The inspiration was a beautifully rendered MSTS model of a LU Ltd R Stock train produced by Richard Scott. Richard and Jimi later collaborated to create a V2 model (as a CO/CP) with a C Stock cab and realistic performance. It was felt, simply, that such a train needed somewhere realistic to run. No one had, to that point, attempted to create an Underground route for MSTS.
A chance meeting and discussion on a LU Ltd forum led to a team being formed. Ex-Piccadilly Line motorman and London Underground guru/historian “Piccadilly Pilot” was interested in the idea and supplied masses of pictures, maps and accurate track and signal diagrams. Also countless hours of discussion, feedback and advice as the project has progressed. Ground was broken in late December, with DEM (topography) data being applied to the correct ‘tiles’ and a set of markers being positioned to show the required track paths and station locations, using TsTools. All that remained to do was build it.
During January, tracks were laid from Earl's Court westwards towards Ealing Broadway. A decision had been taken to attempt the western part of the line first, as it was almost all above ground. Even that was to prove challenging. Unlike most railways, the District Line is quite compact. A total of 60 stations within only 40 miles of track. This meant that the detail level had to be high, in order to capture the atmosphere of the route. “Xtracks”, created by Okrasa Ghia, was used as the track standard, as it provides a very comprehensive set of track parts. The track and tunnel textures were originally by Gary Cox, and were treated to 50 years of brakedust via Paint Shop Pro to capture their real appearance.
The tracks having been laid, work began on the stations, starting at Ealing Broadway and working east. As many, if not all, of the DL stations are distinctive in terms of design and architecture, each has been custom built using Train Sim Modeler. Day and night textures were created with Paint Shop Pro. Other line-specific items were also created, including bridges, various signs and trackside objects – including seemingly endless trackside cabling. If such details weren’t there, it would be noticed. Once each station was complete, the scenery between it and the next one was developed and placed. As far as possible, the look and feel of the line was maintained, with key buildings, structures and landmarks being created and located.
A chance meeting and discussion on a LU Ltd forum led to a team being formed. Ex-Piccadilly Line motorman and London Underground guru/historian “Piccadilly Pilot” was interested in the idea and supplied masses of pictures, maps and accurate track and signal diagrams. Also countless hours of discussion, feedback and advice as the project has progressed. Ground was broken in late December, with DEM (topography) data being applied to the correct ‘tiles’ and a set of markers being positioned to show the required track paths and station locations, using TsTools. All that remained to do was build it.
During January, tracks were laid from Earl's Court westwards towards Ealing Broadway. A decision had been taken to attempt the western part of the line first, as it was almost all above ground. Even that was to prove challenging. Unlike most railways, the District Line is quite compact. A total of 60 stations within only 40 miles of track. This meant that the detail level had to be high, in order to capture the atmosphere of the route. “Xtracks”, created by Okrasa Ghia, was used as the track standard, as it provides a very comprehensive set of track parts. The track and tunnel textures were originally by Gary Cox, and were treated to 50 years of brakedust via Paint Shop Pro to capture their real appearance.
The tracks having been laid, work began on the stations, starting at Ealing Broadway and working east. As many, if not all, of the DL stations are distinctive in terms of design and architecture, each has been custom built using Train Sim Modeler. Day and night textures were created with Paint Shop Pro. Other line-specific items were also created, including bridges, various signs and trackside objects – including seemingly endless trackside cabling. If such details weren’t there, it would be noticed. Once each station was complete, the scenery between it and the next one was developed and placed. As far as possible, the look and feel of the line was maintained, with key buildings, structures and landmarks being created and located.