Most detailed *free* route

[rayjk110]

I'd like a route that's free (in the FL) but that has the most detail, can be urban/country or whatever but needs to be US diesel era (or Canada).

Just poking around. Some seem to be older and lacking detail, and every now and then I've came across a beautiful route. BIN or not, I believe I have the BIN installed (sorry, still new to the BIN thing)


Thx!

[rfranzosa]

The new king of the detailed route crown is Paul Charland's Fonda Johnstown & Gloversville...

[Dan1]

I would suggest you check out the CN Blackfoot V2 route by Ted Kocyla.

Here are a few screenshots to give you an idea.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v678/jbtsd40/CNN9.jpg

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8762/71929620zt5.jpg

The route includes things like the Vegreville Egg and the Museum at North Battleford

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/alcoted/vEGGreville01.jpg

It also has its own rolling stock pack and activities to get you started.

[rdamurphy]

Hmm, I heard some routes had Easter Eggs in them!

Robert

[qballbandit]

If your computer is a mega-machine, try the GM&O Springfield switch route. It is highly - I mean highly detailed and brings most computers to it's knees. But very, very well done.
Atlanta & Macon is a well balanced detail vs. performance route, with great track work.
Other routes may have detailed city or yard areas, but get sparse along the mainlines. Search and try, I say.

Neil :)

[bandorr2000]

Another good one here is SAL Florida, Wildwood to Tampa, outstanding scenery, lots of switching (both freight and passenger!) . Equipment pack(free) available. Plenty of activities available.

[Dan1]

When you say detailed what exactly are you looking for?

[Turbo Bill]

Robert Reedy's ADFRR-v4 and ADFRR-CNW versions has to be right up there as one of the most detailed routes. This route has everything for everybody from severe mountain railroading to high speed double track mainlines to some of the most intense switching trackage to be found. It is a fictional route with more RW features then many payware or freeware routes out there. The CNW version has over 310 activities written for it at the Virtual C&NWR website, all written chronologically where you live the life of an engineer/conductor working the extraboard. Every aspect of RW based railroading is covered in these activities fully utilizing this fantastic creation from the mind of Robert Reedy and his cohorts. The VR also has the most intense usage of RW based railroad sounds including incab radio instructions, to working detectors to great rollingstock and locomotive sounds as well. All rollingstock has been extensivly modified to exhibit RW charecteristics. The best part of this railroading experiance is that it's all free and everything is supplied in house. BTW, both routes are available in the F-L.

Link: http://vcnwrr.com/

[cp5513]

Hmm, I heard some routes had Easter Eggs in them!

Hee hee... just for those who thought only your favorite CD's or DVD's contain Easter Eggs. :D

I don't think anyone has mentioned the London & Port Stanley yet. It is a 1920's era interurban line, and one of the first high-detail routes ever made for MSTS. Available here in the file library, contains its own stock, & is set up by design to install as a mini-route.

[jovet]

I second this... I absolutely love this route... I can't give props enough to its creator(s)!

[CRQ5508]

Hee hee... just for those who thought only your favorite CD's or DVD's contain Easter Eggs. :D

I don't think anyone has mentioned the London & Port Stanley yet. It is a 1920's era interurban line, and one of the first high-detail routes ever made for MSTS. Available here in the file library, contains its own stock, & is set up by design to install as a mini-route.

I was going to say the same thing myself. The London and Port Stanley Railway is one of the best routes ever created for MSTS. Another freeware-route that's highly detailed and comes with it's own rolling stock is the Quebec and Charlevoix. It's not available in the f/l, but is available here (http://www.activitysimulatorworld.net/La_Ligne_Quebec-Charlevoix.htm)
It's an awesome route, and the rolling stock isn't half bad. I've been creating my own shortline for the route, and a number of activities that I may upload here at some point. If you need help figuring out installation of the route, let me know. Most of the instructions are in French... ;)

[hiball 3985]

Tom, that looks like a nice route. I understand the install of the 4 files, but what is Le materiel? Is that the engines and rolling stock?l

[maddog_2020]

The WHitefish 4 version is pretty detailed also. It is one of my favorites.

[chucksc]

I'd like a route that's free (in the FL) but that has the most detail, can be urban/country or whatever but needs to be US diesel era (or Canada).

Just poking around. Some seem to be older and lacking detail, and every now and then I've came across a beautiful route. BIN or not, I believe I have the BIN installed (sorry, still new to the BIN thing)


Thx!
My vote is for the PRR Eastern Division - however it is still in beta and due to its size and complexity may never fully exit beta and it's way too big for a download...

[baldwin]

Tom, that looks like a nice route. I understand the install of the 4 files, but what is Le materiel? Is that the engines and rolling stock?l

Yes. You should also download the other smaller files which are a set of small patches to stock and route.

Mervyn

[CRQ5508]

Yes. You should also download the other smaller files which are a set of small patches to stock and route.

Mervyn

yep. Those are recommended also. :) Also as a side note, the route had belonged to Canadian National, and was stomping ground for mostly their ALCOs and MLWs. EMDs were not common on the line except for maybe a year or two before the line was sold.

[hiball 3985]

Thanks Guys

[cp5513]

yep. Those are recommended also. :) Also as a side note, the route had belonged to Canadian National, and was stomping ground for mostly their ALCOs and MLWs. EMDs were not common on the line except for maybe a year or two before the line was sold.

You got it, the Quebec-Charlevoix route was CN's former Murray Bay Sub, travelling eastwards from Quebec City on the north shore of the St Lawrence River (at this point more like an inland sea). Lots of quaint Quebec fishing villages, rough rocky terrain, even some tunnels. It was exclusively run with CN ALCO/MLW power (mainly RS-18's & M-420's for road power and S-13 switchers), then GP9RM's and SW1200RS's were used in the final two years before it was shortlined.

I also vote this as a very good choice for high-detail/freeware route. There are some English instructions for it, so don't let the language issue deter anyone. Basically it requires X-tracks & Newroads, then download all files, equipment, acts, fixes ...I managed to do it without any problems.

Here are some screenies of the startup & of a VIA leaving Gare du Palais in Quebec. Yes that is the Chateau Frontenac Hotel up on top of the hill in the last pic.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/alcoted/QcCharlevoix001.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/alcoted/QcCharlevoix002.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/alcoted/QcCharlevoix003.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/alcoted/QcCharlevoix004.jpg

[CSX4878]

FJ&G Route
CN Murry Bay Sub
CSX W&A
Raton Pass 3 (well detailed)

[nicky9499]

Another good one here is SAL Florida, Wildwood to Tampa, outstanding scenery, lots of switching (both freight and passenger!) . Equipment pack(free) available. Plenty of activities available.

Can't seem to find it. Tried searching terms like "SAL Florida" and "Wildwood to Tampa" but no go. :confused:

Anyway, I just installed Blackfoot v2 and find it highly entertaining. Very well done. :D

At any rate, apologizes for bringing up such an ancient post.

Cheerio,
Nicholas.

[Mike Hendle]

Tom,

Many thanks for recomending the Qubec route,it's realy good route and easy to install, if you have a smattering of French.

After unzipping the 4 main files run the exec and it's loaded,then unzip the material,which is the loco's stock and the 2 activities,then the 2 patches and your off and running.

Are there any more activities around ? as some of the pictures on this page show a Via train.

Michael

[Swissie]

Hi Mike

just fyi: from the looks of it, that beautiful VIA passenger set is one of Gaétan Bélanger's creations, available through his Club ValleyPass at www.valleypass.com/Sales/VIA.htm

Cheers, Lukas

[Locotrol]

The new king of the detailed route crown is Paul Charland's Fonda Johnstown & Gloversville...

It's a nice route for sure but I think from what I've seen, Rich Garber and Paul Fowler are the kings and masters of route building. A great many have learned from them, I too am a student of theirs and can only hope I will be as good someday.

[DonaldReif]

The Marias Pass 3.1 route with modifications (my modifications) has some good detail to it, especially in terms of trestles and environments.

[BenPMills]

Can't seem to find it. Tried searching terms like "SAL Florida" and "Wildwood to Tampa" but no go. :confused:

Anyway, I just installed Blackfoot v2 and find it highly entertaining. Very well done. :D

At any rate, apologizes for bringing up such an ancient post.

Cheerio,
Nicholas.
Try searching for "SAL" or "Seaboard Air Line." File name is salflall.zip

[rdg7600]

The Marias Pass 3.1 route with modifications (my modifications) has some good detail to it, especially in terms of trestles and environments.
For all the stuff I had to download, I think not. It wasn't that large of a change.

Some detailed routes:
PRR Eastern Region
L&HR 3.0
Lehigh Valley Route
Blackfoot V2

[J. Muenster]

For all the stuff I had to download, I think not. It wasn't that large of a change.

Yes and from what I hear his updates include other people's work and those people are given no credit.

Detailed Routes:
FJ&G
CN Blackfoot
Strasburg line is only 4.5 miles but is pretty detailed (engines and passenger cars also available)

Regards,

[mawhitney]

Stay away from Donald's Marias 3.1 update ! ! ! Unless you wish to have a dead route. I think that he is up to patch #12 in 30 days. Might be a lack of Beta testing ?

If you like that area of the country, I would use Otto’s Gold spike route.

[CSXT601]

i forgot what i was going to say...

[mc5725]

It may not be the most detailed, but I'd recommend Whitefish 8 if someone already hasn't... Superb scenery! ;)

>>MC

[CSXT601]

CSX w&a route but i got several favorites

[frankoburns]

The Marias Pass 3.1 route with modifications (my modifications) has some good detail to it, especially in terms of trestles and environments.

I thought a large amount of people told you to shut up....Put some tape over your beak, will ya?

I don't know which freebie is the best detailed, but I have several favorites; At the top of the list is Paul Fowler's Springfield Switch, London and Port Stanley, FJ&G, CN Blackfoot v2, GN Highline..Raton3.Cajon Pass(Patrick Wise's)..Basil Price's Salina Sub, Cody's Mopac Mcpherson Sub...there are so many....Kudos to the authors of these exceptional routes, for they show work that goes to the next level....There are some new ones in the works too....as I work north at about a mile a day..
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/frankoburns/ica.jpg

[willyvee]

Several of my favorites-
-Michael Stephans Marias Pass 4 (GN Hi-Line)
-Bob Wirth's ATSF Raton Pass 3
-Patrick Wise's Cajon Pass
-Lukas Lusser's Mountain Electric Route ( fictional, but highly detailed w/ rolling stock packs also in the f/l )