Welcome!
By downloading and running these routes and trains, you’ll be joining a community of likeminded enthusiasts, estimated to be more than 10,000 users worldwide, and still growing. If, like me, you were disappointed with model railways running round in circles, you’ll be astounded by BVE’s ability to depict railways tens or even hundreds of miles long! Please take time to read this FIRST, and soon you’ll be driving your first train! And it’s all free!
By downloading and running these routes and trains, you’ll be joining a community of likeminded enthusiasts, estimated to be more than 10,000 users worldwide, and still growing. If, like me, you were disappointed with model railways running round in circles, you’ll be astounded by BVE’s ability to depict railways tens or even hundreds of miles long! Please take time to read this FIRST, and soon you’ll be driving your first train! And it’s all free!
HELP AND INSTRUCTIONS. A useful place to go next is trainsim central. You’ll find help on downloading and installing BVE and instructions on driving (most) trains.
To use BVE, you’ll need to download from the internet three components:
- THE BVE SOFTWARE. There are two versions at Mackoy’s website – BVE 2 and BVE 4. BVE 4 is close to “real” driving, but (as far as I am aware) has few steam trains available. BVE 2 has more prompts and help, and a good steam loco available in the J36. It’s up to you which you use – many people have both.
- ROUTES. I reckon there are only two dozen or so active BVE developers. Between us we have published almost 250 routes! Most are listed at www.bve-routes.com . Routes come in two parts – object files (track, buildings, sound and scenery files) and route files (the files that “pull it all together”.) Many are self-extracting archives, so the files end up in the right places. My routes should do this.
- TRAINS. One of the strengths of BVE is that through sharing our work freely (while respecting author’s copyright and intellectual property), we can concentrate on things we do best or most enjoy. Some of us build routes, others make trains (some do both!). Consequently, trains are specified in routes by developers, but downloaded from elsewhere.
To use BVE, you’ll need to download from the internet three components:
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The trains you want depends on the version of BVE you’re running.
BVE 2:
Aln Valley:
Class 104 DMU click here
J36 steam loco click here
Tyne Valley:
Class 156 DMU and HST click here
BVE 4:
Aln Valley:
Class 104 DMU - use the link above. To make it display the timetable, you’ll need to modify it. Instructions are here
Class 37: from trainsim central where you’ll also find the BR Semaphore signals.
Tyne Valley:
One Class 156 DMU and HST 4 click here
FURTHER HELP. The BVE community is a friendly bunch of people. Many places on the web offer help. There are at least four forums – type “bve forum” in the search box to find them. Damon’s site has a list of links – type “virtual rail” into the search box. For my routes, just email me!
DISCLAIMER: BVE routes and trains are available free of charge, without warranty. In the unlikely event of my files causing damage, or damage occuring as a result of you following help given here, on my website, or by me in any forum, I cannot accept responsibility. My files have been checked for viruses before upload, but you should not rely on this to protect downloads. You are responsible for ensuring that your downloads are virus free and won’t cause damage. Having said that, I have (touch wood) had no problems reported to date (Dec 06). Whew!
BVE 2:
Aln Valley:
Class 104 DMU click here
J36 steam loco click here
Tyne Valley:
Class 156 DMU and HST click here
BVE 4:
Aln Valley:
Class 104 DMU -
Tyne Valley:
One Class 156 DMU and HST 4 click here
FURTHER HELP. The BVE community is a friendly bunch of people. Many places on the web offer help. There are at least four forums – type “bve forum” in the search box to find them. Damon’s site has a list of links – type “virtual rail” into the search box. For my routes, just email me!
DISCLAIMER: BVE routes and trains are available free of charge, without warranty. In the unlikely event of my files causing damage, or damage occuring as a result of you following help given here, on my website, or by me in any forum, I cannot accept responsibility. My files have been checked for viruses before upload, but you should not rely on this to protect downloads. You are responsible for ensuring that your downloads are virus free and won’t cause damage. Having said that, I have (touch wood) had no problems reported to date (Dec 06). Whew!
Page updated 1 March 2007