Hi to all,

Finally work had begun to create a template for South Africa's Garden Route. It has been a while I wanted to do one for the route but encountered a major problem when I tested the route first. Because some of the grades between George and Oudtshoorn are very steep ( maybe a category 1or 2 gradient, the steepest) I couldn't pull a reasonable number of cars with 2 class 37 engines. Following Martin Nel's information on gradients and engines used in specific areas, I have pushed my research and found out that class 34 engines were used along the route. Have tested the engines and have been successfull pulling 12 fully loaded 74-ton cars. Actually class 37 engines would be too heavy on these steep and twisting tracks.

The Garden Route is located between Mosselbay and Oudtshoorn, 70 miles to the North. The town of George is located in the middle. From George, the line goes East to Knysna, 40 miles away. North of George, the line goes up and up through the Montagu Pass and some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen in any MSTS route. The world-famous Blue Train goes through the area occasionally and is helped by Garrat locomotives to climb the steep grades.

Here are some screenshots of the area and believe you will agree how spectacular this area can be.

At Camfer


The remaining between George and Topping, at the top of the Pass








Enjoy,

Denis

Sorry I did not mentioned it, but 37 Class Diesels are not used in this part of the country. The Garden route through the Western Cape starts actually at Worcester and ends at Mosselbay. Joppy Saayman is busy with that part. We seeing forward to it.

The part that we have now is from Mosselbay to Oudtshoorn over the Outeniqwa Mountains with a branch line from George to Knysna. This branch line was the last line in South Africa that worked steam as an everyday means of traction. It is laid with a lighter rail than the main line therefor the following locos were used on it : Steam Class 24, Diesel class 32 and 33. The trains were not heavy and the Outeniqwa Choo-Choo which travelled this route were only four or five coaches long and were hauled by one or two class 24's or diesel class 32 in the dry season. The sad story is that this branch line is closed now for a few years after heavy rains and a severe mud slide at the Kaaimansriver just outside Wilderness. That brought to an end trains moving from George to Knysna. There is no indication if this line will be open again. It was operated by the Transnet Heritage Trust. The transport Museum at George is also part of this.

The Choo-Choo travels now from George to Mosselbay.

They use the following means of tractions to Oudtshoorn: Class 34 diesel, Class 33 diesel and occasionally Garrats ( GMAM, GE, etc). I think they also use class 35 diesel on this line. On MSTS this route stops here, but it runs through to Port Elizabeth. Very spectacular route as well.

Just a little bit of info on the line you are working on.

Regards

Hi to all,

The Garden Route has been passed to Steve for uploading. In the template, I have added the option of using, in addition to class 34 diesel, class 32 diesel engines as the player engines for servicing between Mosselbay and George and from George to Knysna. Details in the readme file. Maps of the 33 areas have been screen captured to include the markers orientation in helping determining tasks.

Here are the last shots taken also to include some with the class 32 diesels.

Next in my project should be the CN Bala Sub, hope to get it tonite or tomorrow, unless someone else is already on the project.

Enjoy