Installation & Documentation

The setup works it's way quite slowly; it takes about 20 minutes before apporx 1GB data has been copied from the DVD to your hard disk. During this you can choose to install the rolling stock the standard way or to be compatible with the MSTSBin patch.
Thereafter a setup starts to link the Enterprise South with the Northern part. This one have to be installed in the default Trainsim directory to copy the needed files from it to the new complete route folder.

Afterwards you have 2 Enterprise routes in your Trainsim list: the original North (Belfast - Dundalk) and the whole route Belfast Dublin.

The printed Manual has only 12 pages, but the DVD contains a twice so long Manual as PDFile. This contains interesting background information about the route, rolling stock, activities and signaling system.

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Railways)

The Enterprise main line runs from Dublin Connolly to Dundalk, where the Enterprise North add-on ended. Around Dublin are some DART Lines (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) from Tara Street via Connolly and Howth Junction to Malahide on the main line and over a branch to the costal town of Howth. This are the only electrified (1500V DC via wires) sections of track in the add-on.

In Dragheda the single track The Navan and Kingscourt freight branch turns towards the Tara Mines. The maximum speed here is 25 mph, so driving the 20 miles takes nearly an hour. Further north you cross the River Boyne Viaduct, dating from 1930, and the line continues through the peacefull rolling countryside towards Dundalk. There's the connection with the Enterprise North.

Due to the high level of the track you have a nice wide view over the surrounding landscapes, changing from busy suburbs to sparcely populated regions. The beach of the Irish Sea also sometimes comes in view. All scenes are full of scenery objects with sharpe textures.

Some of the stations dating back to the steam era in the first half of the 20th. Century, the period of the GNR(I), including beautyfull platform coverings and equipment and even 3d waiting passangers. In Dublin even stands a water tower.

The whole Enterprise line is upgraded in the mid 90's, allowing higher speeds (70-90 mph) and including a new central colour light signalling system. This signals in the Dublin area shows the default green/yellow/red and also double yellow light to warn that the second signal afterwards shows red. With the dense service pattern and short block distances that's very usefull.

The combined Enterprise version (2.0) also contains some slight changes around Belfast. The track layout and signals between the Victoria Street Station and Central are corrected. Further on the tracks continue beyond Central to Yorkgate with a service depot and train wash. These facilities are also in the southern part available near Dublin and Dragaheda.

From Enterprise to DART trains

Duet to the many different services on the Dublin - Dundalk (-Belfast) line, there's a wide variety of rolling stock supplied.

New are the electric class 8100/8300 two car DART sets. The DART's were built by the German LHB in the 80's and are there name (Rapid Transit) really worth. With only 25% engine power the train quickly accelerates to 60-70 mph, mostly enough to keep to the timetable. With full 100% power a possible delay can be reduced. The short brakeway give them also a metro like driving style.

For the longer diesel commuter services there's the four car class 29000 DMU. These Spanish built railcars from 2001 comes with multiple numbers and destinations.
In the north are also the older Class 80 DMU's, already known from the Enterprise North, and some EMU's in service.

New hauled stock is also available, including a rake of Irish Mk3 InterCity carriages with driving trailer. Also there's a fleet of 'pre-Gatwick Express' stock and a 'Supertrain' set containing derived Mk2 carriages.
Off course the two tone gray Enterprise stock, based on the Eurostar trailers, is also included.
Cargo like cement and containers can be transported with suitible wagons.

Traction power is supplied by differend locomotive types in many differend (new) colour layouts. Owned by the Iarnród Éireann (Irish Railways) and the Northern Ireland Railways (NIR):

• Class 201 in Enterprise-, IÈ and even blue-silver 'Red Bull' livery
• IÈ Class 071
• NIR Class 111
• IÈ Class 121
• NIR no. 102 'Falcon' (pre-Enterprise loco)

All the rolling stock has it's own custom cab- & passangerviews and soundsets. Everything looks nice and rich detailed. The diesel engine sounds are actually a bit loud. Also take with much of the stock care of their long brake distance.

Challenging Activities

For the southern section of the route are 12 activities available, including a four part DART session. Around Dublin are also other regional commuter services underway and the Enterprises & InterCities heading for Dundalk (and beyond). The cargo traffic mainly works from the Dublin Docks over the Alexandra Tramway and the main line and the Tara Branch to the Tara Mines.
Nowadays these trains are (nearly) ceased.

In combination with the Enterprise North are 8 additional activities available which cover the whole route Dublin - Belfast (and back). This takes, depending on your trainset and the situation along the line, from 2 to 5 hours! In Belfast are also some services extended to/from Yorkgate.

During all activities you have to take care with crossing trains, engineering work and speed restrictions. Particularly the tracks between Dublin Connolly and Howth Junction are very busy: DART's and Enterprises drive at block distance from each other so you have constantly to be aware of red signals. At the start of an activity you're receiving a briefing about your service and situation, and on the way you get messages if necessary. This garanties much excitement along the line!