SIAM Limited

Atari ST support

In common with other suppliers, we have noticed a dramatic decline in ST orders over the past year. We are not giving up yet, and most programs are still available for the ST, except that the Driver series (some only) and Aller Junction Signal Box are available in text mode only, without graphics. Due to technical difficulties and shrinking market, any future Driver, Signal Box, Gold Series and Silver Series simulations, including those announced in this newsletter, will not be available for the ST.

Amiga Support

While Amiga orders have been declining, there are at present still sufficient to justify keeping the complete range available. We will keep this under review, of course, and we hope that the recent relaunch of the Amiga will improve the situation.

PC operating system support

All our programs run satisfactorily as DOS applications under Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, and also as DOS applications directly under OS/2 Warp, as well as on DOS-based machines without any form of Windows support. We have been considering producing Windows-specific versions, and would welcome feedback on this.

"Old Style Through Stations"

These programs are some of our oldest, and all but one (Reading 1959) have now been replaced. The old programs are now discontinued. The following replacements are now available

Doncaster 1985 replaces Doncaster 1986, upgrade price £8
Birmingham New Street 1982 replaces Birmingham 1984, upgrade price £8
Reading 1989 replaces Reading 1987, upgrade price £8
Crewe 1985 replaces Crewe 1986, upgrade price £8
Leeds 1993 replaces Leeds 1989, upgrade price £8
Exeter 1990 (Silver Series) replaces Exteter 1987, upgrade price £16

For more details of these programs, see below. Though these are not strictly upgrades, we recognise that you may not wish to pay the full price for a program that is similar to one you already own. To registered owners of these old programs, therefore, we will offer the replacements at a special reduction of £7.95 off the normal price, as shown above. It is not necessary to return the old disk when ordering - please just state the serial number on the disk.

We expect that Reading 1954 will be a Gold Series simulation, set on a weekday and including all the yards and both stations and depots. Work has begun, but is held up at present (see above). We hope it will be ready by the Spring. Please do not order it until we announce that it is ready.

NEW since our last Newsletter!

NEW Traffic Control programs

NEW! Edinburgh 1985 - This is perhaps the most interesting station on ScotRail, with a mixture of local services and through and terminating long-distance services on several routes. Several of these services are loco-hauled, including the regular Haymarket depot is just outside the area you control, and you have to request locos from there as required to handle the traffic. (Difficulty ###) Price �15.95

NEW! Leeds 1993 - This is one of the busiest stations in the north, and is the hub of a particularly intensive local service, with routes to Harrogate, Ilkley, Bradford, Sheffield, Wakefield, Doncaster and Selby, as well as several longer-distance regional services. Most of these are handled by diesel multiple units, and you are permitted to have two of these in one bay platform when necessary. The main difference from our previous Leeds 1989 version is the inclusion of holding points to allow a route to be set in two stages, easing the handling of conflicts between the various routes to and from the west. (Difficulty ###) Price �15.95

NEW! Silver Series - Aire Valley 1995 - Our first from Brian Hornsey, this covers the largely freight line from Knottingley to Drax power station, including Knottingley triangle, station and depot, Kellingley colliery, Sudforth Lane sidings, and the power stations at Eggborough and Drax. There are five track screens. You have to route all the merry-go-round services to and from the power stations, as well as handling a variety of other traffic. You have to provide power for services originating at Sudforth Lane, and for some light engine workings, as well as sometimes replacing locos needing fuel or other attention at the depot. (Difficulty ####) Price �23.95

NEW! Silver Series - Exeter 1990 - At last, a replacement for Exeter 1987, but covering a much larger area. This has four track screens, and extends from St Thomas in the south to Cowley Bridge Junction in the north, and to Exmouth Junction in the east. It includes both St Davids and Central stations, and Riverside Yard, as well as the diesel stabling and fuelling point. There is extensive freight traffic based on Riverside Yard, with ballast workings to and from Meldon Quarry as well as Speedlink traffic and some company trains. There are trip workings to several private sidings in the Exeter area. (Difficulty ####) Price �23.95

NEW Driver Simulation

NEW! Driver : York to Edinburgh - You are in charge of your selected train on the northern section of the East Coast Main Line. You have a choice of schedules for InterCity 125, or loco-hauled by classes 47 or 55, or the more recent electric class 91 with Mark 4 stock. In addition to these, classes 40 and 90 are available. Schedules are taken from 1981 or 1995, with appropriate speed restrictions. Time-keeping requires careful attention to the many speed restrictions. (Difficulty ##) Price �15.95
GRAPHICS ONLY - NOT AVAILABLE FOR PC WITHOUT EGA/VGA GRAPHICS

Other Recent Releases

Driver Simulations

Driver : Portsmouth to Bristol - You are in charge of your selected train on the cross-country route from Portsmouth through Southampton, Salisbury and Westbury to Bristol, driving a class 158 Express Sprinter or Class 31, 33 or 47 locomotive on an appropriate train and schedule. Schedules are taken from various dates between 1982 and 1993, with appropriate speed restrictions. Time-keeping requires careful attention to the many speed restrictions. (Difficulty ##) Price �15.95
GRAPHICS ONLY - NOT AVAILABLE FOR PC WITHOUT EGA/VGA GRAPHICS

Freight Driver : Iron Ore (Margam to Llanwen) - You are in charge of your selected iron ore train from Margam Yard to Llanwern steelworks, driving two or even three locos of class 37, two 56's or a single class 60 on an appropriate train and schedule. Schedules are taken from various dates between 1978 and 1993, with appropriate speed restrictions. (Difficulty ##) Price �15.95
GRAPHICS ONLY - NOT AVAILABLE FOR PC WITHOUT EGA/VGA GRAPHICS

Freight Driver : Mendips Stone (Westbury to Acton) - You are in charge of your selected stone train from Westbury Yard to Acton, or on a short working to Theale, driving two locos of class 37, or a single class 56, 59 or 60 on an appropriate train and schedule. Schedules are taken from 1989 or 1994, with appropriate speed restrictions. (Difficulty ##) Price �15.95
GRAPHICS ONLY - NOT AVAILABLE FOR PC WITHOUT EGA/VGA GRAPHICS

Traffic Control programs

Birmingham 1971 - Based on 1982 version, but before HSTs and the introduction of the Cross-City service, with several largely independent local services, and plenty of loco-changing on the cross-country services. (Difficulty ###) Price �15.95

Euston 1971 - Probably the busiest terminus in the country for loco-hauled trains, set on a weekday to give a taste of rush-hour operations at the beginning and end of a 9-5 shift. Class AM10 on suburban services and all the early AC electric classes in evidence. Warning - this one is complex and difficult; please try one of our easier games first! Not recommended for beginners!! (Difficulty ####) Price �15.95

Silver Series - Inverness 1970 - Again a "Silver-Gilt" program. One less screen than the 1954 version, but still plenty to do. There are a few through freights, but all passenger trains except one occasional charter special terminate at Inverness, which is operated as two stations side by side, one for the north and one for the south and east. Freight traffic included is substantial, particularly on the Perth main line. You have a full 24 hour shift to operate, though it gets quiet at times. The new diesel depot is on the site of the former Lochgorm Works. Some track simplification had taken place, including singling of the Forres line, with the passenger service to Aberdeen now operated by diesel multiple units. This is our first non-steam Silver Series simulation; let us know if you'd like more. This is our first non-steam Silver Series simulation; let us know if you'd like more. (Difficulty ####) Price �23.95

Silver Series - Inverness 1981 - Again a "Silver-Gilt" program. One more screen than the 1970 version, as the growth of North Sea oil traffic increased the demands on Inverness TMD. There are a few through freights, but all scheduled passenger trains terminate at Inverness, which is mainly operated as two stations side by side, one for the north and one for the south and east. Freight traffic included is substantial, particularly on the Perth main line. You have a full 24 hour shift to operate, though it gets quiet at times. The diesel depot is on the site of the former Lochgorm Works, and has a lot to do. Some track simplification had taken place, including singling of the Forres line. The passenger service to Aberdeen had reverted to loco haulage, and the increased traffic had brought an increase in the number of sleeper and Motorail services, as well as extra freights. This is our second non-steam Silver Series simulation (see Inverness 1970 below); let us know if you'd like more. (Difficulty ####) Price �23.95

Silver Series - Brighton 1956 - After many requests, our first Southern Electric simulation. Not just electrics, though; at this time there were still steam services on all lines, including holiday trains from the Midlands and North via Redhill, continuing to Hastings after a change of engine, as well as the western coast route to Bournemouth, Plymouth and Cardiff. Local steam services operate to Horsham via Steyning, and to Tonbridge or Victoria via Lewes. (Difficulty ####) Price �23.95