Train Sim World 5 is a blast! I am now regularly running different locomotives on four different railways. Southeastern is still my main go-to, with its three mainlines which include Thameslink and the high speed connection from St. Pancras to Ashford International. I am improving on the high speed train, moving along at 225 kph and getting better at stopping on time. My second favourite route is now the Dresden-Leipzig one, which includes some lovely single track at times, as well as a visit to the pretty river and forest village of Meissen Triebischtal. Some of these trains are also only two cars in length, which I enjoy driving. Next comes the main line to the north of London, between London Euston and Milton Keynes. I have only driven this route twice so far, but it seems to be a fun line to operate as well, reaching speeds of 90 to 100 mph. When I purchased this set recently, it came with a portion of the Bakerloo Tube Line and the 1972 blue and red and white trains. So I am getting better at driving from Harrow and Wealdstone to Queens Park, the part of the tube line that is mostly above ground. The Youtube video I watched for instructions was given by a retired driver who had driven this exact train for many years. He was a great teacher and very thorough, and he was also quite impressed with the realism of Train Sim World 5. The fourth route I use regularly is a heavy freight one that climbs from a lower point in California and ascends Cajon Pass. This is probably the most challenging one to drive, pulling freight cars more than a mile long up and then down a mountain, sometimes using 6 or 7 massive diesel engines. No disasters yet, but the potential is certainly there. It's scary when you apply the brakes and nothing happens for about 15 seconds, especially if you are rolling downhill with a mile of cement cars behind you. Then the brakes begin to work, and some relief sets in.
We had a visit from Jenn G. yesterday. She brought beer (!) and the three of us tasted samples of different kinds throughout the day while getting caught up on our travels. There is a chance that we might see Jenn in London this October, too. It is okay for Deb to drink now, since here RA seems to be in remission. Without having to take Methodtrexate, her liver can now find other ways to damage itself.
We are replaying a PC adventure game called Everyone's Gone To The Rapture. This might be the best computer game we have ever played, and we have played so many totally amazing ones. We finished it the first time through quite recently, and are back again. A small English village is invaded by a strange alien light, and things don't go well. A wonderfully beautiful game in which to walk, accompanied often by stunning music. No real puzzles to solve, as it's mostly piecing together a tragic story. Unforgettable and riveting from start to finish.
In movie news, there are two to report. Little Murders is from 1971, a comedy directed by Alan Arkin and written by Jules Feiffer. It is a loud and frenetically paced look at a typical disfunctional New York family, living amidst crime and watching their daughter marry a shipwreck of a husband. The husband is played by Elliot Gould, a photographer who has learned to never fight back. This infuriates his girlfriend who at one point says, as she tries to change him, "I love the you I want to mould you into." This is an Oscar Wilde moment, one of several very funny lines and scenes that pass by very quickly. The family dinner, the wedding, the subway ride with Gould wearing a bloody shirt, and the tragic ending are all wonderfully acted and are highlights of the film. I'm glad we caught this one. Not your standard Hollywood comedy.
The Importance of Being Earnest is a 2002 film starring Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench and Rupert Everett. This is a very decent filming of the Oscar Wilde Play, with many laugh out loud lines. The one referring to the English education system of the time is only one of several priceless jokes. This one has been on my Prime Video watchlist for some time. I am glad I finally got around to watching it.
Mapman Mike
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