Dublin - Belfast rail line halved for PC game

 
A computer game depiction of the Belfast to Dublin ‘Enterprise’ train

The ‘Enterprise’ rail service from Belfast to Dublin has been cut in two, at least in a computer game add-on. ‘Irish Enterprise North’, an add-on for the Microsoft Train Simulator, will feature the Belfast to Dundalk section of the service. It is set for release on May 26, at around £24.99 (or about 35 euro). While a planned released, ‘Enterprise South’, will continue to Dublin, completing the line.

“After about a years work the team building the route have had to come to conclusion that the original scope of the route was too large to manage in a reasonable time frame”, stated a release. The company realises that this could be a disappoint to some and apologised, explaining, “There are genuine reasons for making this change, mainly a re-evaluation of the amount of extra work a non freeware involves”.

The UK based developer “Making Tracks” previously released ‘Ballyshannon Route’ with Irish rail stock as freeware, and the full product ‘London & South East’, another add-on for the Microsoft Train Simulator. Enterprise North, and South are to be published by First Class Simulations.

As well as the inter-city services, both add-ons will feature commuter and freight services. The games will encompass the years between 1995 and 2005, including rail speeds of up to 90mph after the Belfast line was updated around 1999.

The real Enterprise service is jointly operated by Irish Rail (Iarnróid Éireann) and Northern Ireland Railways.

Comments

[Paul]

I bought London & South East and I think they did a great job with that. If you don't have Microsoft Train Simulator, you can get this very cheap now as it's about five years old. Not a typical computer game but good fun just the same - especially if you like trains.