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Development News 16/01/2021 at 21:13 #136470
headshot119
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4869 posts 		Lately there has been a lot of chatter about the Bristol area in SimSig, it is probably the most talked about simulation which is no longer available.

Well, SimSig are pleased to give an early announcement that an entirely new simulation of Bristol PSB is in development.

The entire project has been started from the ground up, with the aim to produce a high quality, accurate, and realistic simulation. This started with research and collating together all the information we needed to put the simulation together, followed by laying out the visual parts of the simulations, then starting the mammoth task of inputting the basics like track circuit lengths, gradient data, and speed limits, before moving on to the current phase which is the more complex part of simulation development that entails putting all the interlocking data together.

Following this we will be moving into a phase of alpha testing, followed by beta testing, then final release.

Alongside this our timetable developers have been busy putting together everything they need to produce the timetables to go along with the simulation.

SimSig Bristol PSB will cover the PSB layout from 1977, through to early 2017 when it began to close in stages with migration of control to Thames Valley Signalling Centre (TVSC). It will also cover St Andrews Junction signal box, and Puxton gate box.

While we cannot confirm a final release date, the project is progressing well. We are probably 50% of the way through, having started the project at the end of 2018, with around 1000 hours of work done so far between all the developers and testers who are involved.

When this new Bristol PSB simulation is ready to purchase we will announce it in the news section of the website, our forum, as well as our Social Media pages. The current forum sections which cover Bristol will be archived in the future ahead of the new launch.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Last edited: 16/01/2021 at 22:34 by headshot119
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Development News 16/01/2021 at 22:30 #136473
broodje
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184 posts 		Great to hear! I still have a heavily edited timetable from 2005 (which was the then current tt(!)) in development. Who knows, maybe I can finish it 20 years later ;).

On a side note, the previous sentence makes me feel old...
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Development News 16/01/2021 at 22:49 #136475
AlexRail575
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136 posts 		I assume this will include the latest layout changes (i.e. the new 4-track layout in the area) - or am I a year or two off?

I assume timetables for the old sim won't be compatible (if I remember correctly they're in the wrong format anyway). By the way, is there a tool to convert those? I know of some timetables for a few sims which I happen to have in the old format but of course that doesn't work with the new loader versions.
Last edited: 16/01/2021 at 22:55 by AlexRail575
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Development News 16/01/2021 at 23:16 #136479
Steamer
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3997 posts 		AlexRail575 in post 136475 said:
I assume this will include the latest layout changes (i.e. the new 4-track layout in the area) - or am I a year or two off?
Most, if not all, of the major works in the last few years co-incided with the re-control of the area to Thames Valley, and will therefore be outside the scope of the simulation. Filton Bank definitely is (that came into use in 2018).

Quote:
I assume timetables for the old sim won't be compatible (if I remember correctly they're in the wrong format anyway). By the way, is there a tool to convert those? I know of some timetables for a few sims which I happen to have in the old format but of course that doesn't work with the new loader versions.
Old format timetables can be loaded into new simulations- start the sim with no timetable, then go to the clock window and click Timetable-> Open (merge with current) and select the TT. You can then save it, and it will be saved in the new format and be visible on start-up as you'd expect.

I'm not involved with the new version of Bristol, so can't comment on whether an old TT will be able to be loaded in. Going on past experience, it may be a case that the bulk of the data will load but some individual locations may need changing or re-inserting to suit the new sim.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 16/01/2021 at 23:17 by Steamer
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Development News 16/01/2021 at 23:33 #136481
bugsy
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1795 posts 		It'll be interesting to see what Dave Harries has to say about this. He's currently offline so doesn't know yet :D

This is another sim that is definitely going on my "must purchase" list, assuming that I live for long enough that is. Getting on a bit you see :\
Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate.
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 06:56 #136483
pedroathome
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916 posts 		To answer a couple things that have been mentioned above

bugsy in post 136481 said:
It'll be interesting to see what Dave Harries has to say about this. He's currently offline so doesn't know yet :D
This is where we hide this post before he comes online. We should be good however until he has consumed his dinner.

AlexRail575 in post 136475 said:
I assume this will include the latest layout changes (i.e. the new 4-track layout in the area) - or am I a year or two off?
You are a year or two off, however, the sim will include the Filton Four Track as it was under Bristol PSB up until 1985 ish. (Exact year has escaped me). Interestingly, one access point to the IET depot at Stoke Gifford did made it onto the panel, so that has been added in the latest panel era.

AlexRail575 in post 136475 said:

I assume timetables for the old sim won't be compatible (if I remember correctly they're in the wrong format anyway). By the way, is there a tool to convert those? I know of some timetables for a few sims which I happen to have in the old format but of course that doesn't work with the new loader versions.
This is still to be determined. While entry points from yards etc should be generally unaffected, or at least as things stand now, there is at least one major entry point from a fringe signal box which has been extended to take into account for changes of mandatory timing points over the years.

James
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 09:25 #136484
lazzer
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636 posts 		Well this is welcome news.

Will the new sim cover exactly the same areas as the old one did? For example, you mention Puxton box as if it will be the southern fringe of the sim. Would this mean that Weston-super-Mare is not in this new sim? And how far north/east does the sim extend?

Am I right in thinking that the old sim covered more ground than the old real PSB did?
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 10:29 #136485
Stephen Fulcher
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2088 posts
Online 		It’s the same geographical area as the original sim, all of Bristol PSB plus St Andrews Jn
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 10:41 #136486
Cedric
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46 posts 		This is brilliant news, and I am looking forward (patiently of course) to buying the SIM in due course.

Operationally, I think Bristol was at its most interesting when Bath Road and Malago Vale were open, and the Cardiff/Portsmouth trains were still loco hauled. I do hope there will be a TT from that era available, or that the originals will still be compatable.

Thanks for all you are doing.
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 10:46 #136487
Splodge
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721 posts
Online 		Lovely stuff. I always enjoyed Bristol, especially the 1985 TT which as mentioned involved a lot of moves on and off Bath Road, plus the loco swaps adding fun and games throughout the day!
There's the right way, the wrong way and the railway.
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 11:39 #136493
bugsy
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1795 posts 		pedroathome in post 136483 said:
To answer a couple things that have been mentioned above

bugsy in post 136481 said:
It'll be interesting to see what Dave Harries has to say about this. He's currently offline so doesn't know yet :D
This is where we hide this post before he comes online. We should be good however until he has consumed his dinner.


James
Well. I'd have thought that by this time Dave would have consumed his breakfast as well and before too long, his Sunday lunch. Must be a busy man cos he's still not online
Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate.
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 11:58 #136494
andyallen4014
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Online 		He was online at the time of the posting last night, but in multiplayer so may or may not have read it. Maybe he is 'digesting' it...
User | Multiplayer Host | Timetable Writer
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 16:30 #136506
headshot119
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4869 posts 		lazzer in post 136484 said:
Well this is welcome news.

Will the new sim cover exactly the same areas as the old one did? For example, you mention Puxton box as if it will be the southern fringe of the sim. Would this mean that Weston-super-Mare is not in this new sim? And how far north/east does the sim extend?

Am I right in thinking that the old sim covered more ground than the old real PSB did?
Puxton Gate Box is simulated, but just as a gate box, similarly to St Fagans on Cardiff.

The simulation will cover the Bristol PSB area, which is just north of Cogload Junction (Exclusive), through to Bradford Junction (Exclusive) / Thingley Junction (Exclusive), Standish Junction (Exclusive) / Hullavington (Exclusive) through to Bristol Temple Meads, and Bristol Parkway to Pilning.

The major change to the "original" simulation is the Severn Tunnel is simulated on the Newport PSB simulation, so the boundary changes to the entry / exit of the goods loops at Pilning as far as the controlled area is concerned.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 17:03 #136507
Andy174
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95 posts 		Great news, one of my favourite sims. Many thanks to all the developers for their hard work, I wouldn't even know where to start!
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 20:02 #136527
pedroathome
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916 posts 		For reference, Puxton Gatebox
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 20:33 #136528
jc92
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3701 posts 		You know you've been playing SimSig for a long time when your biggest excitement is finally getting to use the siding ground frames at Temple Meads!
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 20:42 #136530
pedroathome
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916 posts 		jc92 in post 136528 said:
You know you've been playing SimSig for a long time when your biggest excitement is finally getting to use the siding ground frames at Temple Meads! :D
Which one? There are 6 in the station its self to choose from
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 20:52 #136531
jc92
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3701 posts 		My first thought were ones for the through lines between the platforms. Six you say? such a tease.
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 21:12 #136533
haydenrobertson
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58 posts 		Would I be right by thinking that the new Bristol will chain with Newport and surrounding sims that are in SimSig already?
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 21:14 #136534
elltrain3
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373 posts 		haydenrobertson in post 136533 said:
Would I be right by thinking that the new Bristol will chain with Newport and surrounding sims that are in SimSig already?
I would assume so, so chaining to Exeter, Westbury, Swindon & Newport! leaving the only unchained location as gloucester!
Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host"
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Development News 17/01/2021 at 21:27 #136535
headshot119
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4869 posts 		haydenrobertson in post 136533 said:
Would I be right by thinking that the new Bristol will chain with Newport and surrounding sims that are in SimSig already?
elltrain3 in post 136534 said:
haydenrobertson in post 136533 said:
Would I be right by thinking that the new Bristol will chain with Newport and surrounding sims that are in SimSig already?
I would assume so, so chaining to Exeter, Westbury, Swindon & Newport! leaving the only unchained location as gloucester!
Yes it will chain to:

Newport
Swindid
Exeter
Westbury

With passive provision for a rebuilt Gloucester simulation should that ever be picked up as a project.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Development News 18/01/2021 at 01:52 #136542
bill_gensheet
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Online 		pedroathome in post 136483 said:


AlexRail575 in post 136475 said:

I assume timetables for the old sim won't be compatible (if I remember correctly they're in the wrong format anyway). By the way, is there a tool to convert those? I know of some timetables for a few sims which I happen to have in the old format but of course that doesn't work with the new loader versions.
This is still to be determined. While entry points from yards etc should be generally unaffected, or at least as things stand now, there is at least one major entry point from a fringe signal box which has been extended to take into account for changes of mandatory timing points over the years.

James
Once into the Loader xml format you can use various text edit / spreadsheet manipulations that are likely to allow you to 'bulk fix' most of the invalid timetables from an old timetable.

I have put a bit of time into finding ways of avoiding the pain of that Motherwell updating again.

Bill
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Development News 18/01/2021 at 05:23 #136544
flabberdacks
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649 posts 		pedroathome in post 136527 said:
For reference, Puxton Gatebox

No auto raise, I note...
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Development News 18/01/2021 at 06:34 #136545
pedroathome
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916 posts 		flabberdacks in post 136544 said:
pedroathome in post 136527 said:
For reference, Puxton Gatebox

No auto raise, I note... ;)
When the driver of a car starts throwing stones at the window, that's the hint to raise the crossing
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Development News 18/01/2021 at 12:05 #136551
y10g9
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895 posts 		pedroathome in post 136545 said:
flabberdacks in post 136544 said:
pedroathome in post 136527 said:
For reference, Puxton Gatebox

No auto raise, I note... ;)
When the driver of a car starts throwing stones at the window, that's the hint to raise the crossing
Puxton Crossing box next to Puxton Level Crossing. Even the google car gets stopped
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