When I was asked whether I would write a review, to be hosted on the Railcar site, about simulated train modelling I readily agreed. One because I wanted to celebrate the models, and two hopefully share my enjoyment of virtual modelling to a few more railcar fans who may have been missing out. Those who already know about MSTS can skip the next paragraph.

Extract from http://www.trainsim.org.uk/mstrain.html

“Microsoft first announced they were making a Train Simulator in Summer 2000 with the development work being done by Kuju Entertainment here in the UK. The product was finally released in June/July 2001. An updated version was released in Autumn 2002, which included new content and upgraded versions of the various utilities. The basic content in Train Sim was designed to appeal across a broad spectrum, from the existing users of the shareware style programmes, model railway enthusiasts, rail fans and casual gamers. There are six routes selected from the USA, Europe and Japan with a total of nine player driveable trains. The revised pack added an extra US locomotive (SD40) and freight stock together with the Class 50 Diesel loco and some Mark One coaching stock for the UK.”

However the only railcar that was included was a Japanese Kiha 31.This was not the best model in the world, the sounds were poor to say the best, cabview totally foreign, and the file which controls the physics of the loco in the sim has many flaws. Fortunately, and unusually for Microsoft, they published the tools with software. Enabling users the ability to build their own routes and trains.

One of the first 3D modellers to attempt a British outline DMU was Tim Court. His model was the beautiful Class124 Swindon built “Trans Pennine” unit, which he did in early green and later blue liveries. He also did one of the first custom cabviews to represent a British outline DMU, and give a more realistic driving experience. Unfortunately the sounds and the physics, while better than the original Kiha31, were still not prototypical.

Another early modeller was Richard Scott, who decided to cover the Craven class105, again both in BR later green, and blue liveries.

A nice touch on this model was the including of a 3D virtual forwards passenger view, over the drivers shoulder, something I’m sure we’ve all done at some time. He also managed to alter the Kiha31 cabview enough to represent a UK DMU cab. He also managed to get the Class105s physics to a more realistic performance, well if you’ve ever ridden on an old Craven. This Dmu continued to be the main download for nearly a year, although it was later up powered to a power twin, as it struggled on some of the steeper routes.

Richard then went on to create the Met-Camm 101 which was part of the commercial route “The Cambrian”. This model included a superb 3D rendered driving cab, and custom sounds which were an improvement but still not quite the sound of a generation one DMU.

The following year a new talent appeared Dave Babb, who quickly became know as “Mr DMU” on the UKTS forums. His choice was the ever popular and useful Class117.This new model was highly detailed and whilst it borrowed parts from the earlier Class105, the cabview and passenger view, it had new better physics and more importantly reworked sounds by Jeff Ashton. Who had by then become the sound genius of getting MSTS to make the sounds we all craved for. This model went on to be reskinned into the most liveries of any model; in fact I think all the liveries the prototype ever carried. This model went on to be included, in a slightly different guise on Blue Arrows SVR commercial CD. http://www.bluearrowts.com  

More recently Richard has produced a new Class117 unit included with Railwaves commercial route WSR http://www.railwaves.com  Again including a stunning 3D cab and passenger view, but with disappointingly, very quiet sounds.

Also a Class 108 for the 3D trains Swanage railway http://www.3dtrainstuff.com

Coming fully up to date two more talented modellers have recently started to model DMUs. They are UKTS members Pete Harvey and Simon Barnes.

Petes’ has modelled the very popular “Bubble” cars class 121 and 122 in a variety of liveries.

And also the ubiquitous Class101 Met Cammell.

Both models use standard cabviews and default sounds, but are nevertheless are very welcomed editions to the growing UKTS railcar fleet.

Simon Barnes has been modelling and publishing his works on www.uktrainsim.com, under the name “Thames-Clyde” for a couple of years now. He has an eye for detail, one that I admire and feel is important. His main project is to construct the Stoke Division based in 1969, this can be found on his website www.londonmidland.co.uk While constructing this route he luckily (for me) came across the need for a Class 104, and with one not being available he turned his modelling talents to Generation 1 British railcars. The models are supported by a Mark Wiles cabview, who previously worked with Dave Babb on the Class117, and the models use the B.U.T. sounds Mark developed for his own Irish Railways Railcars.  Although eventually a quartet of class 129 “Cravens” DPU were the first to be released by Simon.

There are now 10 versions of Class104 from various eras.

Followed by 6 versions of the Gloucester Class100.

In my view these models manage to capture the feeling and appeal, for me, of the Generation 1 railcars. These were the unsung workhorses of the railways. The trains on which in the seventies, I always started my rail trips, and of which I have many fond memories. The real beauty of virtual modelling is that you can bring back to life, many of the forgotten classes, in any livery you wish, and have a virtual drive or ride.