The Bernina Scenic Route, Template in consideration Options

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

Ottodad has annouced yesterday that a public BETA version of the route has been released and had provided a link to get the route. Last night I have downloaded both the route and stock files, both files take about 800MB of disk space before installation. The route is very specific in terms of installation; it will be installed as a mini route. I have looked at the route and looks good for a template.

Although it is a very Scenic route, freight traffic is present in this area. Extraordinary scenery! The Bernina Pass route became an UNESCO World heritage site in year 2008 together with the Albula route. The route starts South at Tirano,Italy close to the Italian-Swiss Border, about 450 meters above sea level. Then it goes up, way up to 2200 meters through Bernina Pass and descents to St.Moritz, its Northern end, 60km away and at about 1800 meters above sea level. Hairpin curves, steep grades and the famous 7% graded Brusio loop are part of this remarkable route. It is not completed yet, hence the release as a BETA version. I have runned the entire route tonight and have taken shots of the one (1) meter wide track line.

That is why I will follow closely the progress of its construction to make sure everything is OK when it gets released ( I hope!) to make a template.

In the meantime enjoy these incredible photos starting South and going up North to St.Moritz ( see also next post)

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

The Bernina Templates are now finished and have been passed to Steve for uploading. I would like to say a sincere thanks to Carlo Santucci, one of the main builders of the route who gave me precious details of the area and its operations, making this template package one of the most realistic templates I have ever made in my years in template making. I have been trying to bring as realistically as possible the operations of the Bernina Line with the templates, taking into account MSTS limitations combined with playability and enjoyment running the route and template package presented to our users of AG4. The users will be able to enjoy at its fullest this remarkable route.

For those who will be using the templates, please read the template readme, as there are many and important details to remember in getting the most of the Bernina route and templates.

Unique features are being introduced in the package, composed of 10 templates. First, for four of the templates, the player train is a passenger train, as there are no freight trains in the Bernina Line, as most of us know them. Freight cars are attached to the end of passenger trains and brought to some of the small yards along the line.

Also, two of the above passenger-freight templates have also a passenger timetable to abide by to pickup passengers while bringing or picking your freight to selected areas.I have been able to edit the ACT file and was able to add 100 seconds between each station to catch up time for your freight pickup and AI meets.This adds about 30 minutes to the whole activity.

Five of the templates are shunting templates. You will be able to do shunting work within the limits of each of the 5 stations along the line, as the engines used for the work are different in some stations to reflect the reality in real life.The five locations are at Tirano, Campocologno, Poschiavo, Pontresina and at St.Moritz.

In St.Moritz,you will be switching, not freight but passenger cars only, being a very popular touristic area with many passenger trains passing and being handled at St-Moritz.

The last template is a small reproduction of the Maintenance of Way (MOW) operations around Ospizio Bernina, the summit of the route and nearby Alp Grum. Two MOW cars, a Crew car and a tanker are part of the template. The Xe 4/4 #9922 yellow MOW electric railcar and four sidings are part of the MOW service in the area. Information received seems to suggest that an empty tanker car is left at the Alp Grum siding to collect liquid waste from the adjacent Alp Grum houses and hotels and is brought back to Ospizio Bernina where it is emptied on a waste truck for disposal elsewhere, this of course is to be confirmed by other findings.

So be on the lookout for this one; for those of you who enjoy scenics and passenger activities, you will be well treated by a great combination of all that and some freight work.

Enjoy