British Features

[EverTrainz]

Hello all, I'm going to start a Fictional British Railways 1960-70's era route, using only diesels. (Sorry steam fans!) But there are a few questions before I start...

• What is your, the people, suggestion on the best track or tracks to use as the primary base for main and branch lines?

• What is the spacing of the tracks, as in the spacing between 2 pairs of rails? (Not the rails themselves)

• Where can I get a decent amount of buildings that could be seen in Britain in the 60's and 70's?

• Were BR lines running through mainly cities or rural areas?

• Where can I get dual-gated crossings, like the one below, that open and close with ATLS system?

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1563483

 

[AntonyVW]

The 60's and 70's saw the track gradually change over more to concrete for mainline - though Im not exactly sure when this began. It took a little longer for branch. Neither was instantaneous so it would still be perfectly reasonable to see wooden. Take a look here about the 6ft way http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gansg/2-track/02track3.htm
When the railways in the UK were amalgamated - all (both city and rural) belonged to BR.
Cant answer your question about the crossing as the image has not shown up.

 

[captainkman]

There's many crossings like that. Look for 'GWR Crossing' and you'll find one similar.

Remember, in the UK (And Australia) they're called 'Level Crossings'. You Yanks just changed that to the opposite, 'Grade Crossing' to be different and confusing. :hehe:

Kieran.

 

[AntonyVW]

assuming that the track is crossing square to the road - try the crossings by jonny211 - in specific <kuid2:46219:24075:1> and <kuid2:46219:24070:1>

 

[Vern]

For British buildings, search the range by domsarto (mostly prefixed DS) on the DLS. Good range from both the UK and Ireland including shops, houses (town and suburban). Many have foundations so they sit comfortably on slightly uneven ground.

Also try the buildings from clam1952 - very good.

Don't forget, you can open any existing UK route, built in or from the DLS, then use the picker to identify buildings or objects that take your interest and add these to your quick pick list in the search flyout.

 

[lewisner]

Hello all, I'm going to start a Fictional British Railways 1960-70's era route, using only diesels. (Sorry steam fans!) But there are a few questions before I start...

• What is your, the people, suggestion on the best track or tracks to use as the primary base for main and branch lines?

• What is the spacing of the tracks, as in the spacing between 2 pairs of rails? (Not the rails themselves)

• Where can I get a decent amount of buildings that could be seen in Britain in the 60's and 70's?

• Were BR lines running through mainly cities or rural areas?

• Where can I get dual-gated crossings, like the one below, that open and close with ATLS system?

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1563483

Q1 - Search for "Bullhead" - I use UK Bullhead Wooden 09 partly because on my TS12 installation the others randomly disappear! Q2 - Tracks have a theoretical 6 feet spacing in the UK so this is known as the "6 Foot". In practice the edges of the ballast need to touch so there is no visible gap. Q3 -As others have said and also search for Username "masontaylor" - all of his houses etc are UK and very realistic. For embankments and bridges I use the "SAM VS" range by "samplaire" . Q4 - both, though by the 1970's there would be far less branch lines in villages, and those which survived would be very basic with few signals and bus shelters on the platforms - see here my 1978 photo of Kildale station which once had 2 platforms, a big building, a goods yard and signalbox!
Kildale Station {3} 23.4.78 par PinzaC55, on ipernity Q5 already answered but you can make very impressive non-working crossings with "Yard Gate" and "Red Disc".

 

[stagecoach]

Crossing gates you have answered yourself, ATLS. There are a couple of sets and a single one.

 

[EverTrainz]

Crossing gates you have answered yourself, ATLS. There are a couple of sets and a single one.

Sorry, haven't been on this thread in a while. Numerous areas on my route are planned to be diagonal-tracked, meaning the track and road don't meet at a right angle. I'm mainly looking for independent swing-gates, which, possibly could be specifically made for ATLS setup.

 

[AntonyVW]

Hi Ron,
Try ATLS UK MCG RH 5m by adrian19 <kuid2;190624:600061:3> and its lefthand companion <kuid2:190624:600051:3> I think there are other sizes maybe this will do for what you want.

Edit: Oh and ignore the thumbnail - it actually looks like what you want not the thumbnail.

 

[ray_whiley]

For an angled level crossing for two tracks, you could also look for the one by Saxham Market. This also includes provision for a single slip across the crossing, if desired.

To get double track spacing correct, use a way gauge eg. by andi06 (look for ajs ...)

Or if you are OK with asset creation, you could make your own - I did.

Ray

 

[EverTrainz]

The crossings are the gated ones with a red disc in the center, that swing shut. They block the railway line when they are open to road traffic.

 

[stagecoach]

The ATLS gates can be set at any angle you want. You may need to put a delay on one set so the gates don't cross each other when they open and close. The ATLS advanced demo has various ATLS set ups for both gates and barriers.

 

[JCitron]

There are also buildings by Shoves which are beautiful older-style buildings in the older English-style.

Also check out Clam1952's CL-series houses and cottages. Also perfect.

John

 

[EverTrainz]

For an angled level crossing for two tracks, you could also look for the one by Saxham Market. This also includes provision for a single slip across the crossing, if desired.

To get double track spacing correct, use a way gauge eg. by andi06 (look for ajs ...)

Or if you are OK with asset creation, you could make your own - I did.

Ray

I looked at SM3DVM, but it seems as though it was made for 2004. I want to be able to edit the route even into the New Era, and am doubting compatibility. But also, will the SM crossing function with ATLS instead of the components that were actually made for it?

 

[ray_whiley]

Ron, I cannot comment on compatibility but it is OK in 2010, in fact I have not found any assets made for 2004 which are not OK in 2004 - including the many which I made before moving to 2010 including British stye buildings. I doubt whether it would function with ATLS however as it is more of a stand-alone.

Ray
Ray