We've had a change of direction with our newsletter (as we never had time actually make the thing!) and have morphed it into a straightforward emailed notification of things as an alternative to the social media postings.

Have you added your email address yet?

If not, just scroll to the bottom of just about any page and click the subscribe link to display the sign-up form.

With the release of the 102t Class A tanks add-on for RailWorks just round the corner we've enabled two areas on the website that were mentioned a while ago; a re-skinning archive containing textures and files to help out those who wish to repaint the tanks (and future add-ons) into alternative colours and a layered file area to hold scenarios submitted by users featuring our products for other people to download.

Re-skinning packs

These are one of the ways we want to help develop the hobby. Containing base textures and shadow maps along with other files to assist the re-skinner the pack should be an easy entry into re-skinning for some.

We've removed the need to attempt to reverse engineer the supplied textures and then try and create something from them while preserving the shadow layer, it can simply be added on in your preferred image editing program. In a similar vein there are xml versions of a couple of blueprint files to assist in creating new files to support your creations. It's not a point and click solution but should help remove some angst and help you create a better finished result.

To read a bit more about the files take a look at the Re-skinning Policy and Re-skinning Pack License or even download the pack from the Download Library.

The one thing we're not doing is hosting your creations once you've made them, but you're free to upload them and share in line with the conditions in the documents linked above. Naturally we'd like to see some screenshots posted to the Facebook galleries from time to time.

User Scenarios

As an additional aid to our customers we're happy to be providing a bit of hosting space to carry RailWorks scenarios they have created using our add-ons either in a default route with default assets or with other third party items.

The rationale behind this is to make life easier for those who are less familiar with computers and are uneasy searching through myriad file libraries for extra downloads or just to find a scenario they can install and use.

As a consequence we have divided the file library into three sections:

One pack and the basics - Scenarios that feature one Fastline Simulation stock pack along with default rolling stock on a default route.

Ours and the basics - Scenarios that feature multiple Fastline Simulation stock packs along with default rolling stock on a default or Fastline Simulation route.

Whatever you want - Scenarios that feature one or more Fastline Simulation stock packs (including re-skins) along with other third party rolling stock on a default, Fastline Simulation or third party route.

To find out a bit more take a look at the User Scenarios Policy.

The demonstration version of the 102t Class A bogie tanks for RailWorks 2 is now available for download along with the manual that will accompany the full pack.

Click the links below to download:

Demo version of the tanks

Full add-on manual

Do you still own a Thermos flask or enjoy the occasional cocoa?

Do you still have some brown flares or a moth eaten Duffle coat lurking about?

Do you miss sitting on a BRUTE waiting for the next blue loco to appear with a proper train?

Do you have the drive and skills to recreate this world for others?

If you can answer 'yes' to the last question then we would like to hear from you.

Over the past couple of weeks we've been bouncing around the idea of creating commercial routes for RailWorks from the Rail Blue Era of about 1974 to around 1985. There is some fervent interest from within the team already, but we want to expand to make this a viable possibility. With three ideas already under discussion we're looking to build a sizable team to produce more than route in tandem.

At the present time we're looking for a number of Asset Creators and Route Builders to augment the existing team and start bringing those blue years back to life and transport RailWorks users back in time.

If you have the proven skills and drive to produce assets for routes or take control of the build of an individual route we want to hear from you. As a first port of call make initial contact via the Contact Us link on the website and tell us a little bit about yourself.

The ideas in the pipeline are wide and varied and always open to expansion or new plans to be lobbed in. If you have an idea you've mulling over and would like to bring to the table get in touch via the Contact Us link. We're excited by what is over the horizon and would like you to be a part of it.

Oh, did I mention there may some risk of exposure to bog carts?

Time slips past so fast at this time of year with all the extra demands we find on our time. I can't believe it's already the 15th and the monthly update is late, mainly because it's been waiting for a complete render of our winter freebie.

Things have been moving apace since last month with some installs of RailWorks taking a hammering.

The master shape for the 102t bogie tank has been in the clutches of the testers a couple of times and is now tight enough to allow the varied versions to be created. One scenario has already had its player path and AI traffic passed with a clean bill of health and ready for the final static items to be added, a second scenario is about to descend on the testers to try their best to break.

As a bit of a surprise we've decided to create an independent snow plough as a quick taster of things to come in a form that will be fully at home on the ECML of the 1970s before the surviving examples succumbed to rebuilding by Railtrack a couple of decades later, for a bit more information take a look here. No doubt this won't be the last little item we find to give you from time to time.

In other news:

It's been great to see the number of people taking an interest in our networking opportunities and starting to interact, if only to prove at times that you can't please all the people, all of the time. If you've not been following the blog or keeping an eye on our Facebook page take a look at the Social Networks section for a bit more information.

We've also added a chat option to the website as a bit of an experiment where you can make direct contact when we're online if you fancy saying 'hello', it should be down at the right hand corner of your screen.