BVE is a Japanese freeware rail simulator and has proven to be very popular. For full details on what BVE is see:
http://www.vernsrailpages.org.uk/bve.html   and for routes:   http://www.crotrainz.com

Whilst I'm waiting for MS Train Simulator to be released I thought I'd have a go at a Great Central route in BVE. As BVE has no visual editor it can be quite a time consuming process but equally very rewarding. I won't go into how to make BVE routes here as there are other sites able to do that far better than me!
Routes are created from text file commands along with 3D files for the structures, cuttings, bridges, etc. These 3D objects have to be made from text files where by co-ordinates are plotted to form the object then Windows bmp files are texture mapped on to them.

Features:

• The route runs from Belgrave & Birstall station to Quorn & Woodhouse via Rothley. I chose these stations as they are preserved and I have recently taken pictures of most of the buildings at Quorn and Rothley meaning I'm able to model them quite well. Birstall is cloned from the other two stations as it no longer exists.
• The route passes through the attractive Leicestershire scenery including Swithland Viaduct.
• The route has accurate track layouts from both Rothley and Quorn yards (as they were in 1920's) along with Swithland sidings (as it is today).
• Cuttings, embankments, telegraph poles and semaphore signalling.
• The curves & gradients are reasonably accurate.
• Loco in use will be a BR Class 40 Diesel as it's about the closest thing that BVE has to what ran on the GCR. Anyone care to make a steam loco for BVE??
• I will be updating the route occasionally (don't think I'll ever run out of things to make better!) and updates will be posted on the Victoria Station Site

• Some things were not done 100% accurate- i.e. the distance is 3.3 miles whereas in real life it is 5 3/4 miles.
• The Kinchley Lane 'pipe bridge' is not present
• Signals are not in any way accurate! They've been BASED on the real thing. Some are missing (around the goods yards and sidings mostly) but might be added in an update!
• The station buildings are not perfect due to the limitations of my camera and the difficulty in obtaining clear shots but are reasonably close. All three stations look similar because a) they are very similar and b) some pictures taken at Quorn were used for Rothley and vice versa. Also Birstall station no longer exists.
• The signal box is not original.
• I'm not intending to extend the route- I shall be doing a MS Train Sim route once the game is released!
• The Class 40 Loco features authentic sounds but not a realistic cab. The sounds are good though...
• Some objects are not in the exact right place but hopefully close enough :) Just don't look to far from the track ;)

• Signalling. For those more used to colour light signalling rather than semaphore then here's a quick guide. In BVE you have signals that can be green (for clear), red (for stop), yellow (for caution next signal at red), double yellow (for caution next signal at yellow) and a few other combinations for Japanese routes. With semaphore things are a little different in that there are different signals for different functions. Firstly you have 'home' signals. These have a red arm with a white line down it along with a small colour light indicating red or green- stop or go. You also have distant signals. These have a yellow arm with a zigzag black band on them with a small colour light indicating yellow or green- caution or clear. If set at caution then the next signal could be at danger. If not the next signal then the one after it in stations. Signals are set at danger/caution when in the horizontal position and clear when at 45 degrees (upwards on my route). Some signals have more than one arm on them- such as combined distant and home signals or at junctions. You'll see a number of different types on my route. Look out on the siding lines for a shunting signal - in original GCR style. For more on signalling see here
• Driving- the Class 40 is quite a lumbering heavy loco and takes a large amount of time to get going and to stop (far more fun!). So be aware of this if you're used to electric trains! Slow down well before the stations- you'll find a distant signal set at caution a while before stations.
• Remember to whistle when you see the 'W' sign or when EB flashes up on the warnings panel!
• Stopping at stations- you can't see the stop indicator on my route (wouldn't look too good!) - you need to stop just as you go under the station canopy- take it slow and look for the yellow bar moving down the screen indicating the position of the stop point. You'll know if you're in the right place when the doors open!
• The timetable is fairly relaxed so you don't need to zip along - not that the class 40 will zip along...

Acknowledgements:

• Crotrainz BVE object library provided the signal box and houses
• Main Line - the preserved GCR's quarterly magazine - some good pictures were taken from these
• The Signal Box - the basis for all of my signals
• The Class 40 loco was produced by Paul Robins - go to his site here

Downloads:

 The Route & Scenery Data -Version 1.0 - to install simply run the self extracting archive.

 BR Class 40 Loco Data - download on this page. If this link no longer works let me know! Extract files into Bve\Train\ directory. Feel free to try using Paul's, also very good, Class 37 loco on the same download page. To use with my route simply open the GCR.rw file (in BVE\Railway\) in to notepad and change the File=40 to File=37. You might also like to try a Class 153 Sprinter- see Crotrainz for this loco.

If you have any problems with my route then feel free to get in touch!

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