Route Riviera Line: Exeter – Plymouth & Paignton (incl. Class 150 & 802) - Feedback

Is the sea wall at Dawlish walkable?

 

You don't actually need to stop, go into full service brake and reverser into neutral to restart the engine on the class 220 voyager.
It can be done on the move. Just press the start button for a few seconds and the fault will clear.
I haven't had any faults on the cucumber (802) yet cos they aren't implemented and I haven't driven the 150/2 yet either.

Also, the loud audio pop and crackle is quite bad on PS5 and is not confined to a route, it happens on each route and also on the main menu.

 

That's it.

 

Yet another smooth, enjoyable release from DTG.

Wow.

 

lol yeh I keep getting a jump scare every time it goes off in my ear. Hope they fix sound issues soon.

 

Yip exact same noise I get!! Bursts my eardrum almost every time lol.

 

I'm experiencing the same thing. And they aren't just pops. They are loud enough that it sounds like something breaking in the room that I'm playing in. The pops are sharp enough that I am concerned that it will blow out my speakers. jump out of my seat every time it happens.

 

Thanks for paying to beta test for us - very much appreciated

 

Experiencing the same thing, on same platform.

 

On PS5. Im getting absolutely no safety system sounds (DSD, AWS, TPWS) on any train on the Riviera Line.

 

There's a setting hidden under the controller menu. You need to make sure it is set to 0 so that sounds will play through the TV/headset rather than the controller.
I had this exact same problem on my first run and it took me a while to find the setting.

 

I haven’t spent a penny on TSW 6.
I’ve learned my lesson.

 

There's a flap by the second man window, lift it and it's there

 

Sign floating at Teignmouth Platform 2 (north)

 

Nope and its a major disappointment. It's literally so possible for it to be but DTG have blocked the access.

 

I've managed it , you just need to know the correct access point

 

Please tell me. I think quite a few of us would like to know how. Its a shame its not more obvious if its possible.
Its like totnes station on SDR i could only walk along the main line to access it.

 

Playing through the training modules just now, and the trains fell quite nice (as per usual), but goodness. The audio on xbox is still plagued by the horrible clicking and crackling audio as has been the cause for years. This makes the game thoroughly unenjoyable. I've been playing the game since 2017 and the game has come a long way. Excellent improvements, new routes and features being added every year with amazing audio samples all stained by the sub-par execution of these delightful sounds. Its a shame as there's clearly alot of time and effort goes into this game and I love spending time exploring routes and the details of the complex timetables. I will be driving along trying to take in the nice scenery we're I'm zapped out of the experience by a quiet (offen not) *pop* or *click* and the smile is quickly wiped off my face.

I still have hope that this issue will one day be fixed.

Ross

 

Glad to hear they’ve got the guard buzzer in - really hope they transfer this to the 801 too!

 

Right, a big one so sorry in advance....

Again views and issues noted are from real world experience on this route daily - as mentioned, im proud to work for a certain green TOC...

Route:
Overall it is great. Lots of time has been put into the route and it shows. I however have issue with the timescale the route is set in owing to many additions that seem to contradict themselves. Such as signals being the not correct type in certain locations, whilst spot on else where.

I find the TSW lighting engine lets the route down, with it looking beautiful in certain lighting conditions. Cabs also look unrealistically bright (usual TSW bugs).

Trees seem to be placed to either cover up areas to make them less plain looking or placed where trees dont exist. The biggest example is the approach to Paignton (after passing signal PN 1), where you overlook the sea. In reality this view is not full of trees, which stop you seeing the sea. Also this section is jointed, and not Continuous Welded Rail (CWR). Whilst its not immersion breaking, its noticeable that they've been over-used!

There also seems to be a distinct lack of Super-Elevation on the route too. The main one being the 75mph curve at Powderham (after the PSR on the down), where you get lots of flange, and especially on 150s, feel the flange rubbing the rail. Super-Elevation is also featured between DWW-DWL at Red Rock and at TGM on the curve into the platform on the Down. All which seem to be missing!

Some stations seem to have hardly any stop markers or appropriate ones. There also seems to be newer markers on some stations (introduced as part of the 175 roll-out), but not all, adding to the lack of consistency.

No turnback stop marker when doing a North-end Shunt at PGN (via PN3)

The announcements personally are like marmite, you either like them or you dont. I've tuned them real down as you hardly hear anything from the cab (only via the poor quality TrainFX unit's speaker). Still not a fan of the AI generated announcements and would prefer proper recordings anyday. (wink modders)

As mentioned earlier, there seems to be a lack of jointed track in some particular areas. These being Dawlish Warren Down Passenger Loop, Newton Abbot Platform 1 and on the hill down to Paignton after PN 1 on the down, aswell as the Up (but for a shorter length owing to upgrades with CWR). Additionally Platforms 3 & 4 at Exeter St Davids, still retain jointed track.

Teignmouth Platform (Down) Tactile paving stops suddenly, making it look a bit off. Should occupy the majority of the platform. The disused platform part is also far too clean!

No tunnel or bridge sound occlusion? Cab window down driving through the tunnels are very loud in real life, so much so that drivers have failed to reset the vigilance! I get no sense of being in a tunnel bar it getting dark.

There also seems to be a few incorrectly placed PSR signs (speed signs) along the route, that have been placed well in advance of where they should be. With that said, there is also a incorrect speed for the curve at Red Rock between DWL-DWW on the UP; 60mph vice what it should be - 70mph. No clue what source was used to get that result!

Signalling:

This is what im quite hot on - however these are the issues seen so far signal wise;
(To most, this will seem very insignificant, but for someone who constantly sees them, its noticeable when its not accurate)

• E68 - the approach release is correct, however it is held at a single yellow (and wont step-up further). The following signal (E170) steps-up once the train occupies the loop's track circuit (if applicable) - (same as E86 at NTA when routed into P1)
• E21 - signal is LED in real life and has a Position Light (which is missing).
• E19 - signal is Halogen in real life.
• UM206 - signal is LED in real life.
• DM208 & E276 are LED (bulbs replaced with LEDs vice halogens)
• E78 again is LED (bulbs replaced with LEDs vice halogens)
• DM209 is a ILS LED signal in real life.
• E15 again is LED.
• UM210 is LED in real life.
• UM211 is also LED in real life
• (You see where this is going...)
• E109R (Distant) is halogen in real life (no clue who thought this one was LED!).
• Upper Quadrant Semaphores used at Totnes Riverside (SDR) vice GWR Lower Quadrants (as per real life).
• PN3 does not give a 'DM' stencil indication, when routed into Platform 1 at PGN in real life.
• E31BR is a ILS Banner Repeater not the VMS type.
• E160 at Exeter St Davids, is quite high! Should be the same height as the adjacent signal E260
• Lack of 'Approach Release' into Plymouth Down Goods Loop at P10. 15mph junction onto that from the Down Main...

(Signal Plates baring UM/DM & UT/DT are automatic signals)

Thats what ive noticed so far, and will most likely update this as i find more.

I have yet to run into the horrid 'Close Doors on Red' issue present on older routes, however it is more noticeable now that signals seem to 'Step-up' upon a objective being completed or a task being done (like opening doors). As a result it is quite immersion breaking, as in real life, routes are set appropriately in advance, unless a paths are lost. I wouldn't brand that as 'signal delays' either.

Talking of signal delays, ive only experienced it once at DWW heading UP and it worked wonders. Yes i was delayed, but added to the fun and wasn't immersion breaking becouse it wasn't predictable!

OFF indicators at EXD & NTA way too high up in the canopy, so you cant see them. Different style layout of OFF indicators at EXD too.

Seems to be a lack of approach release for position lights.


TSRs & Faults/Failures:
Possibly the most annoying 'feature' has got to be the faults, specifically the engine 'stalling'.
Never have i worked a train in service that had constant issues, there seems to be some issue with the balancing. Every run there was atleast a engine stall, which (and owing to the unrealistic way implemented to restart them on the 150s) was really frustrating. To top it off, i run with no HUD so made it more annoying as no issue presented itself on the cab desk to a issue. So after a few runs, i turned it off.

Im all for faults to make the experience varied and unpredictable (just like the real world) , but there seems to be zero balance or adequate implementation of this.

TSRs i quite liked the idea of. Again they seem to be repetitive and with no warning about where they are at start-up (pretty sure i heard that was the case on a stream!). Also there implementation seems to be poor, with no advance warning via a portable AWS magnet in the 4ft. They also seem to spawn wherever, with no real consideration of fowling junctions. They also seem to be not far enough from the track as you collide with them too!

Class 150:
Had a real blast driving it and personally i think the sounds are mostly on point.

I think the best sounds are the brake sounds, however they seem to be far too delayed or not in sync with your brake handle/brake cylinder pressure.

My disappointment is the engine sounds! Given they had a unit to play with, i find them to be far too flat and lack the distinctive roar when you go from Off-Notch 7 (see APs 156 where that roar is replicated quite well). They just seems to be lack any sense of power personally, but are much better than the TfW version.

Driving seems to be spot on, bar there seems to be some tread brake simulation, but a lack of the distinctive tread brake bite at low speed. There also seems to be no acceleration cut-off at around 76/77 mph either meaning you can get over 85mph if you’re not careful! (I say cut-off, more like the acceleration curve needs tweaking to match IRL as there’s no traditional cut-off as such)

GSM-R turns off (but isnt off) its display - same TSW bug from previous versions.

Lack of guard buzzer when the doors are shut is disappointing.

Sounds like the crew door behind the driver is in operation when shutting/opening doors. Cab doors at the active cab end should be locked out until you've keyed out or 'butterfly' the cab door. The door buttons should be isolated.

Guard issues still seem to be present as per the TfW 150 ;

• Local Door Operated Light should be ON when the local door switch is operated!
• Buzzer should continually sound if you key-in to more than one place, requiring you to key out.
  
• Saloon Local door (inside the coach) should not sound the hustle alarm when opening/closing your local door.
• Crew local door (behind the cabs), the buzzer should not be the one used inside the salons, but the bell as per the cab buzzer.
  
• A local door switch operated when not keyed in, should apply the brakes & display a BIL in the relevant coach.

Class 802:

Like the 150, it was a nice drive and appreciate the updates.

A proper ATP setup would of been welcome (or a slice of it) plus some more TMS layers to play with.

Only issues noted where how poor the headlight performance at night is (even on 'Bright'). Edit: it seems that the headlights are functional on on the exterior, only markers!

Plus the ATP brightness knob doesn't change anything.



Thats all i have so far! Shall update this as i find more through the early access.

If DTG want to reach out for help and advice, my door is always open...

 

Platform: Xbox Series X

Small one but there is a typo on the sign at Paignton station. See attached.

 

In the 'From Beaches To Banks' scenario. Was there a reason to have players wait 18+ minutes at Plymouth? No speeding and arrived at 13:04. Maybe the programmer should have placed 'wait for 3 mins' at each stopping point...

Platform is PS5, but i doubt this is platform specific

 

Any update DTG Jamie on the audio issue many of us have noted. Included in the video shared by MP600
Just asking as other issues you have said it’s been reported (as in the quote I pulled) but not the audio one and it’s very uncomfortable to play the route with it happening multiple times on a run.
I’m as others now getting in menus as well. I’m on ps5.

 

Off topic a tiny bit is there setting you can change so that the cab lights are off when you start a job.

 

It seems not all signals on this route are showing in the Track Monitor. Between Plymouth and Newton Abbot I noted at least two, but there are probably some I didn't notice missing. Are they 'distant' signals perhaps? (green or yellow aspects only)

In addition the Score Breakdown appears to be broken, with incorrect route and no traction type displayed.

 

I know exactly what you mean regarding the audio. The popping and crackling was definitely worse tsw 5 onwards. It seems PlayStation is now also suffering audio problems. However, from reading some posts, it doesn't seem connected to this long standing issue, that keeps being swept under the carpet.

 

They are probably distant/repeater signals for the main aspect ahead. As mentioned on the stream, Plymouth to Newton Abbot resignalling was done on the cheap so essentially you get a colour light signal where the old manual signalboxes used to be, preceded by a distant. Not true MAS. That’s why the headways on this section are 8 to 9 minutes.

Picking up on a comment a few posts above about reverb. Got to admit I didn’t notice any either but at the time put that down to being in the insulated cab of the Cucumber. If so, a major omission and needs to be retro applied to the route ASAP.

 

Hi Ben,

I agree the 150 sounds are very good. But I’m not sure I agree with the braking sounds. They seem loud and it makes it feel kinda, off…. Whether it’s because of the volume I’m not sure. But somethings not quite right with it and I can’t pinpoint why it feels that way. otherwise it sounds miles better than the WCL 150.

 

PC Steam version.

At Dawlish some of the signs are Z Fighting. There are arrows, but they either flash or don't show up.

 

Playing on PC - There are no NPC pedestrians on the Teignmouth - Dawlish sea wall. makes it look really dull as its normally packed with dog walkers and train spotters in real life.

 

Xbox series X- in the 220, setting the wipers to SLOW will activate the INTERMITTENT setting

 

Even with random faults off, I'm getting stuck doors on the 150.

 

There's some wireless electricity poles south of Newton Abbot.

 

It's a decent route. The only bug I noticed was a station announcement saying a train that had yet to arrive in the station was ready to leave.

Although clearly a decent amount of work has gone into the route, it does feel more dated than most recent routes, mostly more dated stock assets are particularly visible here.

Examples include flat, low row resolution houses and non-animated lifestock (often right by the track). Also, is it too much to ask that we have some people on beaches and on streets, and that they are animated? Given Dovetail could just reuse passenger models and set them to walk on a loop, it doesn't seem complex.

 

I wasn't even aware they had electricity in Devon yet

 

Not sure they have, because the wires aren't connected.

 

Thanks for the reply!

Still having a play about, but just wrapped up a 150 scenario with the windows up (usually play with a window down). Dare i say, i dont really have a issue with the braking sounds. Its tread brakes after all and they do make a racket in the cab as your sitting near the bogie and the mediocre sound isolation the cab provides.

I think its pretty much bob on to some degree - though a small tone down wouldn't hurt imo!

Just also looked at a few videos i have from the cab where the brakes have been chucked into 'Full Service' at around 65-70mph down to sudden stop (cab windows closed). It is quite loud. Though i still think its decently represented in-game, a minor tone down for Step 2/Full Service wouldn't be much of a issue!

Still think the brake release sounds are delayed, or seem to not be consistent with the brake handle/brake cylinder either.

Hope that helps!

 

On the class 802. If you set and reset DRA is there something else you're supposed to do in order to get the train moving?

 

Good afternoon all,
I’ve had a couple of runs on the Rivera route and overall is an excellent route. Found a couple of issues though.

- the PIS bug has been ported over from the LNER Azuma. This mean the PIS on the outside goes too quickly and doesn’t display properly.
- It’s seems impossible or at least very very difficult to get platinum for the 802 services.
- this includes the 802 tutorial.
- because the route introduction doesn’t give a score, you can’t unlock platinum/gold on journey mode. For people like me who like to complete everything to gold, this is frustrating.

 

Is just me or do the brakes go silent on the 150 when you add full brake on xbox x.

 

In real life, you just reset it. So i believe it's a bug as it shouldn't work like this. I've made a post please see..... https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/802-dra-game-breaking-bug.93991/

 

I've spent sometime going over the route and supplied traction. Overall, the visuals do look very good. However the cab's are too bright and washed out in my opinion.

The class 15x, in regards to train faults. The engine stalls are a bit over the top.

As a driver who signs these, loss of an engine is usually down to low coolant, high temp etc, the other two are very rare, and would be due to a local control MCB tripping, or worse case remote supply MCB, where the main start battery control fuses have ruptured or electrical surge. The latter would also cause an emergency brake application. Just like many things, there are endless faults on these we are taught about over the course of traction.

There is another quirk of the 150's, and that is the WSP MCB, that is located in the central saloon cabinet. If WSP activity is detected under power for more than 12 seconds, this will trip, and shut the engines down. If the engine is restarted, the engine will then shut down after 12 seconds if the WSP MCB is not reset.

Also, in regards to the signaling, approach control is not taught to drivers. We are told it does not exist, this to prevent spad-risk.

I've noticed a few errors in regards to speed sings , and the missing flashing yellow sequences for a diverging junction with a reduction in speed.

Maybe, spend sometime on the simulation aspect, we are here to drive these trains, instead of creating cartoon cannons that fire and make a silly noise!

 

not sure if this was tested on a pc but i find the rivera line route intro not playable as npcs block you from geting you to the route map objective is there a reason for this or is the player spawn point overlaid with the npcs spawn points?
i am a pc player

 

I don't know if you found the same as me, but i had to shut down the engines before restarting or else it wouldn't clear the fault. I don't sign the 150/2 but on the traction i sign, you should just be able to put the direction selector to neutral and then press start. Plus i noticed the "stop" button doesn't illuminate when a engine has stopped too.

 

Yes,
That's correct with these. Only time I've had that is on a 165+165, where I lost an engine on rear set and it would not restart unless I shut whole train down and started them all up again.

 

Stunning route that's been very well done and with a nice variety of rolling stock. Really enjoying it so far. I do think 7 engine stalls in the Voyager on a single trip from Plymouth to Exeter is overkill though.

 

Thanks for confirming, I thought it couldn't be right.

 

No, you're right. They are loud IRL. I just think compared to the other sounds, the balance is a little off maybe? Or it might be the sync issue you mentioned. Something about it feels *slightly* off to me. Overall, I'm very impressed. I just hope we aren't waiting too long for the sounds on the TfW 150 to be updated. Currently, it is on the old sounds still.

 

Also in regards to the random signal events, in reality we do have 'wrong routes' set by signalers on occasions, it would be good to see something like this implemented; even the tea with no biscuits if you take it as well!