East London Line for MSTS

Go for it and have fun doing it. Reasonable DEM (terrain) data is available as a start. I'd be glad to offer my LUL signal set for your use, and can add any 'specials' (unusual head configurations) that may be needed. Having recently obtained the ELL/District (DD) CD the ELL looks to me to be a very interesting line to build -- and not too big as to make it a career job ;D If you don't have it already, I strongly recommend Xtracks as a track standard. I can also offer you my 4-rail textures that work with it.
As 'Good Cuppa' notes, there is no real substitute for visit/photos. The cab videos (and I now have 4 of the District) can only show you so much from given angles. I also have over 1000 photos of stations, trackwork and various other detail kindly provided by many on this board. That's the only way I could build the DL from 3000 miles away. Yell if/when you need help. And keep frequent backups! The MSTS route editor can turn treasure into trash in a heartbeat.
Looking forward to your progress!

Thank you very much for your kind offers Dr Jimi, if it wouldn't trouble you too much could i take those track textures and signalling files please?

I have used UK Finescale in the past but it's lack of a 4-Rail means i can't use it this time, lol. So i am learning when it comes to X-tracks.

I intended to start at Shoreditch, because simply it only has a few months left of being open so now would be a good time to go and photograph it. I am however no object builder as of yet, but hopefully i can get TSM and the other items i require for building the objects in the near future. ;D

~ Matloughe

Xtracks isn't difficult - just different. Although I thought the same as you about UKFS Once you get the hang of the track part naming conventions it becomes much easier. There's also some good examples in the documentation.

Why no terrain? Which DEM tool are you using (DEMex?) Where'd you get the DEM raw data? I only ask as I had no trouble applying it so you may have a fundamental problem that may bite you later. Trust me - getting the terrain right first does help (as I learned when I had to re-do the Richmond road). The RE has lousy tools for manipulating terrain shape, so doing it all later by hand will be a major chore. Useful tip: Placing tracks and appropriate use of the "Y" key (blend terrain to track elevation) will allow you to create required embankments and cuttings easily. If you don't yet have a copy, I strongly endorse Michael Vone's MSTS Route Building Guide. I still refer to my copy to remember his neat 'how-to' tricks.

That looks very promising.

(Can I be picky and suggest that the brakevan is out of it's correct time period? ;D )

Not sure what you mean by "vectored geographical area". You use the RGE initially to define the tiles you wish to use for a route. These can be realistic lat/lon or not. I chose to be realistic, as it seesm you are too. All that gets you is a defined area with a lot of flat grass on it.
Next step, if you wish to apply DEM data, is to detmine the data is needed. The data come in sets that cover areas. Thus you'd need the sets that cover your range of lat/longs. Grab the right data sets and use DEMex (preferred) to apply the data. That gets you some green turf with bumps on it. Gentle bumps usually, unless there are some serious hills nearby. Now create a marker file specifying the locations of your stations so the marker poles appears in MSTS. Voila - grassy bumps with poles here and there. Now all that's left to do is everything else (i.e. lay track inteh right diretions between stations, following required gradients). Use the "Y" key after laying track to make the terrain exactly conform to track elevation (cuttings, embankments).

2 suggestions that I know will help you...
1. Grab the Michael Vone Route Buildnig Guide. It's worth it's weight in gold, and describes in illustrated steps how to do everything you'll need to do.
2.. Go to UKTs, Route Building forum, and read/print out the stickied thread about "How to apply DEm data in 5 easy steps". It tells you how to figure the data sets you need, where to download them, where to get a free copy of Demex, how to use it to apply the data. Foolproof! I'm, living proof of that, cos that's how I did it.

If I'm off-base, let me know. It's unclear to me how you're defining the area in RGE, and how you're applying DEM data. I don't see how a lat/long error could occur.

Hope this helped...

You're off to a good start, keep it going.

(And don't worry too much about chronologically displaced rolling stock. )

Okay time for an update,

i have laid all the track. In it's correct place. and here is the proof the East London Line as you may not have seen it before!!!


I'll be doing some Cab Photos when i have scenerized some more.

Freeware definately, lol.

To be honest it is going to take me ages as i gotta learn to make models and shapes so it will be completed as my own ambitions will allow me.

Just done the first run over the line this morning. It's good, only problem is that all the stations look the same so this is where the model building will now have to come into it.

Time will tell. This route is also being documented on UKTS as well.

IIRC the platforms at Wapping are significantly narrower than usual.

Hope you'll be improving Brunel's tunnel!

Sam

Must be getting confused. Although, all stations north of the river are in tunnels aren't they (except Shoreditch)?

Who is she?

Actually, there's not even a third rail yet.

Anyway, still lookin good so far...