Medway Valley Line Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'TSW General Discussion' started by Mikey_9835, Dec 8, 2025.

  1. adam asghar

    adam asghar Active Member

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    I was quite impressed by the preview videos, and have definitely noticed the night lighting looks a little different but sharper than other TOD 4 routes. Great job so far team!

    For those arguing the route is a 'stop-start' route, in the sense that the main bulk of services call at all points, your not wrong, but what makes this different from other 'stop-start' networks in real life, like the London Overground is that you're able to reach a decent speed in between stations and maintain it for a good bit, unlike the former mentioned where some parts feel like snail-pace and the stations in these sections are so close in proximity you can probably see the next platform/
     
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  2. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    The night lighting is simply stunning. I'm not afraid to say it, but it's probably the best lighting I've ever seen, compared to other games.I hope this won't be limited to this one route, but will become a standard (may the authors who are currently working hard forgive me).
     
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  3. theorganist

    theorganist Well-Known Member

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    The video looks fantastic, this is going to be one of the best routes so far. I enjoyed the TSC version very much.

    Things are looking up for TSW at the moment with all the new content coming from both UK and abroad I have to say.

    If Firefly and DTG between them can sort out the blurry textures for console users it will make many people very happy I am sure.
     
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  4. cloudyskies21

    cloudyskies21 Well-Known Member

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    You summed it up perfectly I would say.
     
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  5. coursetim

    coursetim Well-Known Member

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    I just want to throw in an additional thankyou to the whole firefly team for your work with DTG towards the texture blurring issues! Hearing Matt talk about it on stream how you've worked closely with DTG while developing the route was actually quite reassuring to hear and I hope it comes across with the release!

    Was also very encouraged by what Matt said RE performance too! Which is amazing to see considering how stunning this route is visually.
     
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  6. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    Hmm. I have only watched the teaser video so far, but I was a bit disappointed in the ambient lighting. I'll reserve final judgement until I've seen the preview stream.
     
  7. gwrfan#3416

    gwrfan#3416 Well-Known Member

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    Screenshots from roadmap

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
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  8. CK95

    CK95 Well-Known Member

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    I suspect that as usual the whole defence of stop start is being overblown on the back of a couple of comments.

    That aside, I’m surprised there is any outright rejection of the route, considering most UK content lately is centred around express running. Though I don’t really see an issue with people saying they don’t like that content, surely there’s a point in letting it be known that you’re not interested in X product because you don’t like X gameplay. Of course if one person is just constantly spamming the same complaint in the conversation then surely they can just be added to an ignore list, much like I’ve just done with users who display the same behaviour on the other end of the scale.

    Anyway, from what’s been shown so far this may be the one route I come to when I fancy some night time driving, I’ll have to see more since what’s been shown was clearly there to look it’s best (and it did), but I’d like to see what the actual expected light level will be.

    In terms of the daytime though, the route looks really great. The detail in not only scenery but infrastructure looks amazing, really loved the signage at Strood.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2026 at 6:54 AM
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  9. JetWash

    JetWash Well-Known Member

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    That wasn’t picked to show it at its best, I promise. I’ve been ruing making that vid as it was made in a rush to meet a deadline and I felt it actually sold it very short to be honest. The proof will be in the pudding anyway, but I’m confident in what we’ve achieved and think you’ll like it.
     
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  10. TSW Nathan

    TSW Nathan Well-Known Member

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    That first screenshot looked real :o
    Everything looks brilliant! I especially love the 375 and the trackside signs!:love:
     
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  11. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    The difference with this route is that it’s a largely rural stop/start service than city suburban of which, yes, TSW has an over abundance. I haven’t watched the video yet but have it on good authority the night lighting raises the bar considerably. Really looking forward to driving it.

    Yes we would all have liked it if Firefly had chosen a main line stretch such as Tonbridge to Hastings but hopefully that will come building on their experience doing MV.

    All we need now is a release date. Take my money!
     
  12. WaveyDavey

    WaveyDavey Well-Known Member

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    Watched the video last night and the one thing i noticed and which the developers will hopefully see and change was the audible comms being slightly wrong. I heard the "signaller" saying the word "Over" at the end of each sentence which is incorrect when using GSM-R as it is a full duplex system. It was the older NRN system that was half duplex and therefore used "Over" at the end of each sentence.


    As I say hopefully this is something that can be taken on board?
     
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  13. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    tl:dr Is there a link to the video? I just searched YT to watch while on the exercise bike but all I could find was what looked like an unofficial clip with constant announcements playing drowning out anything else!
     
  14. CK95

    CK95 Well-Known Member

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    I think it’s unlisted, so you need to go through the roadmap article to get to it.
     
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  15. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! Thought I was going nuts, loads of clips of the TSC version came up in the search which is not quite the same…
     
  16. trainsimplayer

    trainsimplayer Well-Known Member

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    The before/after video really shows just how poorly SEHS; a) was initially made, and b) has aged.
    It's a night-and-day improvement from Firefly and really does hit home how SEHS' development issues impacted it.

    I'm quite looking forward to this now.
     
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  17. SonicScott91

    SonicScott91 Well-Known Member

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    I know when this route comes out and people see the upgraded sections from SEHS that there will be demand for SEHS remastered, calling it here folks!

    This route’s looking marvellous, I think Firefly are going to be the ones to watch going forward. Everything about Medway Valley appears to be taking TSW to the next level!

    DTG should be looking at that lighting and planning TODv5 ;)
     
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  18. theorganist

    theorganist Well-Known Member

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    I don't think I'll be driving SEHS much after seeing that video, maybe for a blast down the high speed section.

    I never really consider TSW3 routes as seeming that old!
     
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  19. CK95

    CK95 Well-Known Member

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    Hopefully they’ll be the ones to finally bring us NSE content.
     
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  20. reallychummy

    reallychummy Active Member

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    I'm excited for this route having used it a long time ago.
    Time flies, I remember when I was first on this forum and there would have been an uprising if a new route with Electrostars was mentioned :D
     
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  21. CK95

    CK95 Well-Known Member

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    The issue was never not wanting Electrostars, rather flooding release periods with them. Same as now with all the WCML stuff.

    What is funny is how we have 3 more electrostars coming in a short space of time. At least this time though they aren’t the only modern rolling stock we have.
     
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  22. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    Well I admire and am encouraged by that sincerity To be honest I couldn't form a firm opinion about the night lighting from the 4 minute teaser. So I'm happy to wait for the actual preview stream and I'm confident I'll be driving this route at night, unlike many others.
     
  23. Double Yellow

    Double Yellow Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely! It’s would be a crime not to bring it up to TOD4 standards. I’d wager we’d get a mini extension too. How many people have shouted from the high heavens about an extension to Ramsgate.:)
    Personally I’d rather it head to the capital as those lines resonate more with me, and I commute on them daily to work.
     
  24. trainsimplayer

    trainsimplayer Well-Known Member

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    I think TSW3 routes are practically TSW2 routes with a mask (TOD4) on.

    Although in fairness SEHS is still a TSW2 route at it's core.
     
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  25. theorganist

    theorganist Well-Known Member

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    Yes of course. I remember DTG showing off SEHS with the new lighting I forget it was a TSW2 route.

    Maybe it is not just TOD3 and before routes which could do with being remastered. Then again where would they stop as new features are added every year.
     
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