DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
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Post by DrJimi on Jun 7, 2020 14:22:29 GMT
UPDATE LIVE!! Virtual District Line Phase II: Update 2.2 Packages updated: - Full Installation - Cumulative Update - Pre-Corporate Repaint Packs. This update, among other things, allows the team to complete Phase III without interfering the upcoming T/OP Man EC Scenario Pack. Please see the webpage and the updated manuals for details about what this update contains and to download. VDL Download pageHere's the v2.2 change log: ROUTE/PORTALS • Tracks and signaling extended east from GRD to SKN to facilitate building Phase III to Tower Hill • Portals modified/fixed/added to every line in the route to allow adding/removing AI trains at line end points • Fixed platform continuities at RPK and ECM to allow all train doors to open SCENERY • Extended distant scenery around Wimbledon, Richmond and Kew Gardens • Infill of some terrain in various places • Some clutter/vegetation movement where it was floating or sunk SIGNALS • All co-located shunt/semi signals now have the required JT “TAB” S-Stock SPAD protection gadget installed (Acton Works entry shunt WL14/Semi WL16 was missing it, meaning WB trains on the DR Slow road could trip approaching ACT). • HSK WB – incorrect repeater RED4 replaced with correct ED3 semi home signal, protecting the platform area • ECT-WBR tunnel - Repeater heads added to signals EC330/EC250 to show state of merge protect semi signals EC33/EC25. This now provides the advanced warning that repeaters REC330.33/REC250.25 do IRL. • RPK-TGN EB/WB – renamed (number plate) the multi-home signals on approach to each station to correctly reflect A/B/C naming. Added 2 missing fog repeater signals to give better advanced warning of home signals • Added signals to the new GRD-SKN section as per diagram SCENARIOS • VDL V2.2 is a pre-requisite for the V2.2 T/Op Man EC scenarios (separate package) DOCUMENTATION • Operator’s Guide and Route Guide updated to v2.2 • Detailed portals list added to Route Guide v2.2 We are pleased to say that Alan Thomson will be livestreaming one of the scenarios from the upcoming T/OP Man EC Scenario Pack this coming Sunday evening on Twitch. |
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DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
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Post by DrJimi on Jun 10, 2020 21:22:00 GMT
Virtual District Line T/Op Man EC Scenario Pack, featuring the voice of Emma Clarke, now available at ATS here: Download LinkAlan previewed one of the scenarios here: YT LinkCost is 4.95. Proceeds are being donated to the LT Museum Q Stock restoration project. |
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Post by MoreToJack on Jun 10, 2020 23:21:44 GMT
Disappointing to see the gendered stereotypes living on. Whilst I'm not sure precisely what era is trying to be portrayed with the simulation, "Top Man" is not reflective of today's LUL workforce and is, quite frankly, offensive.
There are Train Operators of all genders - men, women and non-binary folk. It is continually disappointing to see that people aren't acknowledging that. Every action, however small, reinforces the patriarchy and lack of diversity that is rife across the rail industry.
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DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
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Post by DrJimi on Jun 11, 2020 1:10:58 GMT
In your apparent determination to be offended, where none was intended, you missed the entire point. We are not simulating any specific era - we've been building this for the last 12 years so it spans. We do also have stocks going back to the 38TS, R49 and CO/CP. The "name" was inspired partly from the tongue-in-cheek phrase we coined of "T/Op Man", intending to represent a highly trained and professional Train Operator - gender not even thought of. I am stunned and dismayed that it was taken to be offensive. This is the 2nd series of such scenarios, with thousands of downloads, streams, videos, etc. of the previous from countless enthusiasts - male and female. Not one mention or question of this has been made by anyone, until now.
I was inspired towards that from the old "Top Man Percy" training cartoons I'd seen years ago, and was recently attempting to re-discover. Apparently the term wasn't "offensive" back then; but rather a term of great respect - which I intended to recapture.
My key team partner was married to a wonderful lady who was a long time Northern Line Operator, held in high regard by her management and peers. In his opinion she would not have been offended and would have seen the allusion to the training cartoon of the past and got the joke. And FWIW another team member is actively assisting the LUL Museum hands-on with the Q Stock project. We simply have a passion for LUL and any offense at the T/Op Man branding is misplaced.
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Post by goldenarrow on Jun 11, 2020 13:26:26 GMT
DrJimi , I don't see how relative popularity justifies anybody's use of language. You claim not to be simulating any specific era yet your apparent indifference to the effects of your "tongue in cheek" reference in the context of the current times we live in is inexorably a hark back to the stagnant attitudes that still continue plague institutions such as London Transport Museum and no doubt every non-CIS/non-white/non-male member in the transport enthusiast community. You only need to look at the backlash to the LTM's Instagram page in the wake of their diversity campaigns to see that these so called 'jokes' are the systemic rot of the industry and the silent denial of those that have the privilege of an audience speaks volumes ironically.
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DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
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Post by DrJimi on Jun 11, 2020 14:36:12 GMT
Even more stunned, and apparently now tarred and feathered. And in no way indifferent, but rather totally misunderstood. This was so simple...
We have an arguably very good simulation of the district. We created some challenging scenarios for it, and wanted a name/brand that reflected the level of skill needed. The era is irrelevant.
My memory (yes, it was my idea lest you condemn my colleagues also) went back to the Top Man Percy training cartoons I'd seen, and it resonated. This was a term that implied a highly trained and professional driver. A slight tweak (as Motormen had become Operators) made it T/Op Man. Simply intended as a catchy brand, with NO inkling that this historical accolade was somehow now a heinous term of offense. Just because it included "man"? What word *should* we have used, that wouldn't offend at least one subdivision of humanity that would feel left out?
Man equates to Human or Mankind. A species, not a gender. Mankind is populated by people. An inclusive term for a massively diverse group. I treat all people with equal respect, not based on any gender distinction or label.
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North End
Beneath Newington Causeway
Posts: 1,769
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Post by North End on Jun 11, 2020 15:10:38 GMT
Even more stunned, and apparently now tarred and feathered. And in no way indifferent, but rather totally misunderstood. This was so simple... We have an arguably very good simulation of the district. We created some challenging scenarios for it, and wanted a name/brand that reflected the level of skill needed. The era is irrelevant. My memory (yes, it was my idea lest you condemn my colleagues also) went back to the Top Man Percy training cartoons I'd seen, and it resonated. This was a term that implied a highly trained and professional driver. A slight tweak (as Motormen had become Operators) made it T/Op Man. Simply intended as a catchy brand, with NO inkling that this historical accolade was somehow now a heinous term of offense. Just because it included "man"? What word *should* we have used, that wouldn't offend at least one subdivision of humanity that would feel left out? Man equates to Human or Mankind. A species, not a gender. Mankind is populated by people. An inclusive term for a massively diverse group. I treat all people with equal respect, not based on any gender distinction or label. This is my personal view, however in all honesty I would prefer to do without coming on here to read this sort of thread-drift. Coming to a well established railway forum one expects to read about railways, the original post being someone’s attempt in apparently good faith to present something they’ve clearly spent a lot of time developing. That product doesn’t happen to be of interest to me, though I’m sure it is to many others. Others may well take a different view and they’re entitled to that, however this doesn’t make either viewpoint correct. I find the tone of all this rather off-putting, unwelcoming and unfriendly, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. At the end of the day I give up my time to come on here to consider the content of a post, not the language used. |
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DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
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Post by DrJimi on Jun 11, 2020 15:24:13 GMT
I agree with the above and apologize to the Forum. This is not the place for such discussion. No offense was intended and I also apologize to any who felt that way. Let's please move on.
I do also hope some may be interested to support our work, and help us to directly support and assist the LT Museum Q Stock restoration. Thanks.
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Post by londonstuff on Jun 11, 2020 18:47:59 GMT
Admin comment
Thanks all. The Forum Rules state:
I think everyone agrees that there is a lot of work to do: I regularly talk to pupils I teach about discrimination: from homophobia and sexism to racism which is actively being talked about at the moment like nothing I’ve ever seen. Personally I abhor discrimination of any kind: you can’t be against discrimation with one minority group and ignore another. However at times, even given my strong views, I make mistakes with using phrases like ‘he’ rather than ‘they’ though I pretty quickly realise and correct myself.
People won’t get it right all the time and many people are at different stages of their understanding of the careful use of language and how important it is especially with some issues which are relatively new to people's awareness. I dare say this is even more the case when English isn’t your first language. While I absolutely encourage people to point things out when posters get it wrong, the tone of how things are pointed out is just as important. The best results will be when you take people with you rather than alienate them, so, let’s all be as constructive as we can.
I doubt there’s a lot more to discuss in this thread so I’ll lock it here. Cheers all.
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