Watford Junction to Milton Keynes - BVE route

Download page

Important notes regarding this demo:

Please note, that this demo is not compatible with BVE2, so it should be used with the original version of BVE (v1.22.0005) where possible. The finished route WILL work with BVE2.

Due to the fact that many people are having problems using this route due to it's detailed objects, and that the demo contains detail levels which were devised before these performance problems were discovered, it should be pointed out that the 'Xtra Low Detail' and maybe the 'Low Detail' route will be discontinued. New versions which will replace these are being developed, and will be made available with the finished route.

At the moment, the demo is recommended for users with PIII 800MHz or faster processors, with GeForce2, Prophet 3D 2 or ATI Radeon graphics cards - it has been shown that these cards seem to handle the route objects better than other graphics cards in many cases. Some users of these cards may need to download the 'Replacement Catenary Textures' and 'RW Update' as well - test the route first before using these updates.

A demo running from Watford Junction to the signal after Apsley (5.6 miles long) is now available. A fast machine is recommended, but some graphics cards are unable to handle the routes properly. Don't just dive in and start driving - the list of rw files will be confusing otherwise! Please read through the 'readme' file while downloading the route (link further down) which will explain how to use the different weather conditions and detail levels. Also read through the following notes to get an idea of what the route will be like to install and use. Those who have read this page already might want to re-read it, as some alterations have been made.

If there are problems downloading the files from this site, then they are also available for download at www.crotrainz.com

Notes regarding the Demo:

The demo features a 5.6 mile section of the line between Watford Junction and the signal after Apsley station. There is also an excellent class 87 electric loco to drive on the route, and all credit for the train.dat file and traction motor sounds goes to Paul Robins. In order for the demo routes to function properly, it is essential that BVE is operating in 'Free Running' mode. A good 3D accelerator is ESSENTIAL, along with 128 MB RAM. The faster the processor, the better the routes will run. For example, don't expect the 'Low OLE Detail' version to work at an acceptable level of performance on anything less than a well configured PII 400 - it won't! Also, DirectX7 or later is strongly recommended, as well as the most up-to-date video drivers.

Tips for improving performance:

1. The routes use a lot of RAM - restart Windows, and close all non-essential programs before starting BVE. Close all programs running in the Taskbar as well.
2. After trying one of the WJ-MKC routes, quit and restart BVE to free up memory, before loading another route. It is been observed that failing to do this can cut 1-2 fps from the performance of subsequent WJ-MKC routes opened in the same BVE session.
3. Set Windows to use a 16-bit colour depth.

Troubleshooting:

If BVE crashes soon after loading the route, with a Windows 'blue screen' error:

This can be fixed using the DirectX7 or later DXDiag utility. Try the following:

1. Run C:\Windows\System\DXDiag.exe. If you can't find it, go to Start Menu, Find, Files or Folders and search for DXDiag.exe.
2. Go to the 'Display' tab, and where it says 'AGP Support', click the 'Disable' button. Ensure that AGP Support: Disabled appears next to the button.
3. Exit DXDiag.
4. Run BVE again, and hopefully the route will now work.

If the Mk1 catenary doesn't display correctly - i.e. gantries are 'invisible', odd coloured edges surround the OLE structures, or solid grey rectangles appear above the track:

Your video card and/or it's drivers don't implement BVE's transparency system correctly. Try the following:

1. Download the set of replacement catenary textures and try the route again.
2. Try downloading the very latest drivers for your video hardware. Newer drivers can make a difference. Keep your existing drivers handy in case the new ones don't work!
3. Try the latest version of DirectX. There's a possibility that this may help.
4. If these steps don't help, then the lower performance 'Compatibility Version' or 'Japanese Catenary Version' will have to be used instead.

Downloads:

WJ-MKC Demo (Watford Jcn to Apsley) - Route Information

• Route Length: 5.6 miles
• Max. line speed: 110mph
• Stations (Non-stop Watford Jcn to End of line): Watford Junction, Kings Langley, Apsley, 'End of Line'
• Steepest climbing gradient: 1 in 335

Note: As Intercities don't call at Apsley, the line does not end at Apsley station, it ends at the signal after the station!

Also don't forget to look at the 'WJ-MKC Demo Readme.htm' file included with the route - it contains more information about how to use the various detail levels and weather conditions, along with instructions for driving along the route. For your convenience, you can read it here while downloading the route.

Standard WJ-MKC files (essential):

Please note - this demo includes versions of the route which will be discontinued due to performance problems - the final release of the route will have new and completely re-written Low Detail routes which will offer better performance on slower machines.

Demo RW files - 'Compatibility' versions (optional):

ONLY USE THE COMPATIBILITY VERSION IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

Miscellaneous files (Only use if some of the UK style catenary gantries are 'invisible'):

To install the 'Replacement Catenary Textures', open the zip file in WinZip or a similar utility, and extract the files to your main BVE folder, ensuring that the 'Use Folder Names' option is checked and enabled. This update should restore non-visible UK mk1 catenary gantries. This update has been tested on GeForce2 32 and 64 MB cards, and has worked correctly. This update does NOT solve transparency failures, where grey boxes apear above the track - this is a completely seperate and unfortunate problem with a few graphics cards.

To install the 'RW Update', open the zip file in WinZip or a similar utility, and extract the files to your main BVE folder, ensuring that the 'Use Folder Names' option is checked and enabled. This update should fix a rare problem where some embankments and track sections are lying across the track.

Menu:

[Home] [News] [Route Information] [Motive Power]

[Screenshots] [Downloads] [Links]