All Caltrain Content Being Removed On 27 February [update: Unbranded Version Coming 16/10/25]

Fired up the Baby Bullet then for a run down from SF to SJ.

It does all look a bit pitiful without any branding but better than nothing I guess. Wondering if any station buildings were removed as a couple of locations (like South SF) looked a bit bare.

Of course this is a very old route now and it does kind of show. A shame while the debranding was taking place, the rest of the route couldn't have been given a bit of a facelift. It's very Run 8 like in some places. At the least could have added reverb to the bridges and tunnels.

 

Enjoyable route. Went for a spin.
The route selection tile has not been updated, showing Caltrain livery on the F40.
edit: Noticed the tile in the store has been changed so maybe next patch.

 

here for me it was changed showing the F40PH without the caltrain logo
I'm on steam

 

PC players if you want branding for the TSW 6 versions.
https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/m...cal-train-logo-restoration-peninsula-corridor

 

Is it possible to install Boston suspension on the F40 CalTrain?

 

The mod doesn't restore the Caltrain signage to the sides of the Central Maintenance Facility @ San Jose

 

PS5 here. Double checked and the logo is still there.

 

I like the unbranded stuff better. I mean it's mostly the same colors and everything, but being unbranded I can run it anywhere and just make up a reason. It's "generic" enough to work a lot of places.

 

Or simply copy your TSW 5 versions into your TSW 6 DLC folder. Works seamlessly.

 

I'm honestly surprised they were even able to have kept the colors to begin with, especially since, in my opinion, it would've made a somewhat big change to the aesthetic of the route, particularly waiting at bigger stations such as San Francisco.

I would've imagined they either would've just recolored the locomotives, or greyed them out completely.

 

Yeah, when I first uploaded the mod, the intent was to slowly restore branding on pieces of the SFJ route, starting with the locomotives themselves. Eventually, I'll be getting to the other portions of the route such as, like what you have stated, the Maintenance Facility.

I'll probably update the mod this weekend to reflect that specifically. Not sure if there are any stations on the route that have any sort of CalTrain branding that needs to be restored.

 

I appreciate the effort; but PC users can simply copy over the TSW5 files - they work seamlessly - and mods don't help console users.

 

Was very disappointed to hear originally that Peninsula Corridor wouldn’t be available for TSW6 because it’s a route I’ve actually ridden. I did the Home Run timetable in real life taking the train to a Giants game, Glad that it’s back now. There’s one detail that would be great if it could be added. The train passes a ball field that Barry Bonds played on in his younger days. Be nice if it could be squeezed in there somehow. I don’t recall the name.

 

If the TSW6 version ends up getting updated in the future, that method won't work and the mod will become very useful.

 

Just keep backup copies

 

Appreciate the statement, but PC users who didn't originally own Peninsula Corridor prior to it's delisting in TSW5 can download this mod for the route. Not to mention, the unbranded version from TSW6 has a few small fixes (mainly relating to audio) that weren't fixed in it's TSW5 version.

As for console users...well...yeah can't really help them out on that.

 

Highly unlikely considering it's a TSW2020 route that, apart from it's necessary unbranding, will very rarely get touched by the devs at DTG (like all other routes from the TSW2020 era).

 

I'm not sure how that's relevant. If the TSW6 version gets updated in the future (which apparently it has been already), then it isn't viable to use the TSW5 version.

 

The chances of DTG revisiting this route in future are as likely as finding a plumber who doesn’t charge £75 to get out of the van.

And as regards my earlier comments about DTG giving the bird to Caltrain, well I’m not stupid and they were rather tongue in cheek. The point being, they shouldn’t have been so meek and timid in the first place when negotiating the contract. Make it clear to these corporations that a licence to represent their image in the game will apply ad infinitum to users who bought the content even if the game version changes. If that’s not acceptable, walk away. You could also argue in this case, the original Caltrain route and subsequent DLC has not been altered either, as testified by the TSW5 version working exactly as it did put in TSW6!

 

I know it’s unlikely, but the idea of GWE getting a remaster of Rapid Transit getting a new timetable also weren’t likely before they happened.

 

I doubt the brand licensing department of any company, anywhere, would ever agree to an open-ended contract without limitation. It's a pretty good bet that every one of DTG's contracts has an expiration term, which however the IP holder is usually willing to extend periodically (but GWR almost didn't.)

And, again, Caltrain comes from a uniquely eco-zealous community, and probably doesn't want its name associated any more with smelly, polar bear killing diesels.

 

Yet they don't seem to mind the smelly diesels of Amtrak, UP and BNSF running through the state now and in the future.

The bears of course haven't been asked for their imput.

By the way, where are the polar bears in California? Just wondering if they live anywhere close to Caltrain territory.

 

Actually,

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California approved Thursday a first-in-the-nation, ambitious rule limiting rail pollution to aggressively cut greenhouse gas emissions in the state’s latest move to establish itself as a global leader in the fight against climate change.

The rule will ban locomotive engines more than 23 years old by 2030 and increase the use of zero-emissions technology to transport freight from ports and throughout railyards.
​

An additional regulation bans outright the sale of secondhand diesel locomotives

 

Sounds like a miserable experience

 

Why (just curious)?

 

The freight diesels just all look cool in the USA so it would be shame to not have them.

but in a more funny way I can’t wait to see in the news freight stopped for multiple due a lightning strike hitting the track/ over head wires?, honestly don’t know to much about modern us trains

 

Ah right. Thanks.

 

Better yet, FOREST FIRE STARTED BY ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE SPARK

 

I mean it happens both ways diesels do have a chance to cause fires

 

Reminds me why I don't live In the Golden State. I love the smell of a hefty diesel locomotive. Perhaps not quite as much as the smell of a kettle in full steam though.

Come to think of it, maybe that's why both of these have disappeared from TSW. Maybe DTG want to be " cool " ( a word that permeates their streams ) like Californians.

 

Doubt it. In the last two years they released two California diesel routes.

 

Way things are going out there, I think Metrolink may be on a slow boat to electrification.

 

Diesel trains have been been mostly banned in Penn Station in NYC for over 50 years (possibly longer). There are specific rules in place when running through Penn for them. That’s also why NJT as an example go the DP route with the ALP45 for the non-Penn station lines.

I enjoy seeing a diesel engine, but nothing wrong with electrifying a route as long as you have alternatives, at least for passenger travel. But agree that I don’t see how CA could do it for freight. I’d assume they give a big tax initiative to move to modern diesel locos for eco purposes.

 

I believe there are already branded liveries in the creation suite. Hoping they don’t get taken down (will probably have to be hidden names like the Amtrak creations). Not ideal but better than nothing do those that want them on console.

 

Nah, they rather play around with Hydrogen on their Arrow's service 1st for whatever reason.

 

Just following on from the law banning steam locomotives, enacted in 1923. That's why the NEC is electric: the Penn did it (and built the GG-1s) so they could run into NYC.

 

Didn’t know it went back that far. Thanks for the history lesson. I do know Penn electrifying so long ago is why is different than any of the other routes that peel off the NEC. But good to know bout the law changes.

 

Did you buy the tsw6 version of the baby bullet or did you already have it and just "upgraded" to the current one?
I have it from TSW2, but in the PS store the only option I can find is for 6 so no way to go through 3-5 to get it.

 

Heads up, if you're keeping up to date with mods, but I've since restored the CalTrain logos on the Maintenance Facility building on my mod.

https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/m...cal-train-logo-restoration-peninsula-corridor

I've also taken the liberty of updating the water on the route as well to make it look like...well...actual water...

 

The water fix makes it worth downloading the mod even if it didn't have the branding. Nice job.

Is there any way of fixing the lighting on the route? Even for TSW standards it's appalling.

 

Toss it into Oakville like DTG promised they were working on then never delivered.

 

Has the possibility of legal problems being caused by mods adding trademarked logos that are no longer licensed ever been addressed? I thought Matt had something to say about that once, but can't remember clearly and don't have time to look at the moment.

Maybe as a substitute, someone could create a logo for the first entirely woman-owned and operated rail line in TSW: GalTrain.

 

It's technically an infringement (by the modder, not by DTG), but IP holders, except for record companies, can't be bothered to sue Joe Blow. Now, arguably DTG could be on the hook for unlicensed IP being distributed via Creators Club, but there has never been an incident.

 

It used to be the case that DTG had to ignore mods for licencing reasons to the point of actively ignoring any questions about them on roadmap streams, but since TSW4 that doesn't seem to be the case. No official explanation was given for the change in attitude.

 

I wouldn't have thought anyone will go after creators club liveries. Forza is much bigger than tsw will ever be, and there's thousands of liveries shared in forza that have real brands and logos recreated

 

That said there have probably been incidents with real logos and liveries being removed from Forza. It's happened with Gran Turismo; people have been banned for using the DeWalt logo in liveries.

 

Its also why DTG has a list of what is and isn't allowed on their CC, even if they don't actually enforce it right now (Unless they only go off if someone actually reports them)

 

While I can't fix the lighting on the route, I CAN recommend finding mods that changes the lighting from TODv3 to TODv4, as there are mods on the site that do fix the lighting on many older pre-TSW3 route that have the older style lighting.