The latest edition of the free Simulator World magazine has been released, with an article I created ‘Simulation – Pushing Technology, Expanding Boundaries’ contained within:

Even at the tender age of five, I oh so wanted to drive the car. Of course, this wasn’t possible and certainly not legal – so my parents purchased a device that stuck on to the side window and would give me at least a sense of what driving was all about without the risks.

Imagine if you will my father carefully driving through the beautiful English countryside in a Ford Cortina and a much younger James sat with his plastic steering wheel and squeaky horn, feeling that he had control over this impressive mechanical machine.

Well OK, I didn’t have any impact whatsoever to the actual journey – however I enjoyed every minute of it and for the first time I mimicked the operation of something that was currently out of reach. This turned out to be my first experience of ‘simulation’ and although technology has the wonderful ability of immersing us in all manner of challenging scenarios and fabulous locations, really it isn’t much different from my plastic steering wheel and not forgetting squeaky horn.

Now available to purchase, a German print magazine known as ‘Train Sim Magazin‘ includes my article ‘Train Simulator 2013 – First Look’.

Seit Jahrzehnten blickt eine stetig anwachsende Anzahl von begeisterten Enthusiasten mit Stolz und Respekt auf ihr Verhältnis zu Lokomotiven, oftmals fest bezogen auf Dampf, Diesel oder Elektro. Egal wo die eigenen Vorlieben liegen, die neuste Fortsetzung von Train Simulator nimmt einen mit auf die Reise und befördert die Vorliebe für diese wundervollen, lebendigen, technischen
Errungenschaften.
Train Sim Magazin

Ever since my first adventures into the world of rail simulation using RailWorks, I have been absolutely hooked on the locations, locomotives and scenarios. Last year, I was lucky enough to interview the team of railsimulator.com regarding their then latest release RailWorks 2.

Today, they have announced RailWorks 3: Train Simulator 2012 – another exciting free upgrade for existing users:

Train Simulator 2012 is the new title from the makers of the worldwide hit and award-winning RailWorks 2. Due for release on 23 September 2011, Train Simulator 2012 promises to be the most advanced train simulator in the world, with stunning graphics, numerous technical innovations and attention to detail creating the most immersive sense of reality yet seen in a PC simulation. Every aspect of Train Simulator 2012 is designed to make the player feel that they are controlling a locomotive in the real world. Users can even download a wide variety of real-world routes and locomotives to build the railroad of their dreams. The future of simulation arrives 23 September 2011.

For a couple of weeks now I have had the pleasure of trying out the new Bristol to Exeter route for RailWorks and RailWorks 2. Published by Just Trains, it has an impressive 85 miles covering Bristol Temple Meads right up to Exeter St Thomas, lovingly recreated with recognisable landscapes and familiar landmarks. The route includes 14 detailed stations, eight new scenarios, detailed and accurately placed landmarks and notable buildings, fully functional animated level crossings, authentic terrain mapping and AI train operations.

I really love this route… There is something special about speeding through lush surroundings, trees as far as I can see, bridges appearing with great frequency and tracks that run closely alongside main roads and disappear again within an instant.

I asked the creator of the route Darren Porter if he would care to answer a few questions and he willingly obliged, so here they are below for you to learn a little more about the man himself and the creation process:

RailSimulator.com have announced a brand new version of RailWorks releasing through Steam on October 18th 2010. This free update to existing owners of RailWorks adds a brand new front end menu, a far more accessible mouse controlled driving interface and more besides.

They were kind enough to invite me to their offices at the Chatham Historic Dockyard to preview some of the new features and interview many of the team associated with RailWorks 2.