So it looks like DTG has decided to remaster routes in which I’m excited and skeptical of. Nevertheless, which US Route would you like to see remastered ?
None of the above. NEC so it’s on par with Morristown line. If it’s tied to DLC, would like to see the Comets finally added. A full NEC with bi-levels, comets, and arrow IIIs would be amazing.
The GWE remaster included lost of new layers of new DLC on it (802, 220, 350, 484, etc) So yes it was connected to encouraging you to buy more DLC to use on it. Same with the WSR. ECW had a pack and layers added too. Brighton is rumored to be next, with more DLC that can be used on it. The question is what would you add to any US remasters as layers or new packs to sell it?
Horseshoe Curve has a lot of new stuff that could be added (using the sidings for one) but also some locos that could be used as layers (not a lot, the best would be to open up the existing branches not being used in game that already exist and updating the scenery and lighting) So does Clinchfield (for example you could add CSX content since it was bought out by them a few years later) More content there. I'm not sure what you'd add to the Harlem line since I don't follow urban commuter stuff very closely.
To be fair the oldest routes are mostly freight. (Harlem I believe is the only one not removed from game that is older) Just like almost all the new routes are passenger focused (nothing new since Cajon Pass) A brand new route doesn't need a remaster, so most candidates will be freight routes. If we're going by those NOT on the list.... then I say Oakville. It has the most potential to introduce layers and new stock. It has the most industrial aspects to add. Many people don't play it because the Ethanol loading is broken... but that should be fixed. In addition you could easily add the commuter element to Hamilton... the stations are already modeled they just couldn't get licensing from GO Transit, but now TSW has started doing unbranded trains so it'd be easy to layer an unbranded MP36 or other stock in there as commuter passengers to revive that part of the original plan for the route. Oakville has by far the most potential to increase the value of the route itself and add potential new customers and DLC sales of any North American route.
I don't know if Harlem Line needs additional traffic or such so much, but it could do with a TOD4 upgrade as well as some general TLC and new features that have become available in newer TSW routes since it's release.
The diesels and M8 are a must to complete the passenger experience for Metro North. Hopefully one day we get one of the rescue locomotives for equipment tows and maintenance of way moves for metro north
any reason why you’ve excluded the harlem line? maybe you don’t want that route remastered but you should still include it as an option…
I didn't say it needs "additional traffic" (although it may, I don't ride that line as I'm not a local) I said it needs something else to sell WITH it to make it a potential money maker for TSW like the other remasters. Adding an M8 to it to be sold with another route would meet that requirement. Something to pay the cost of paying someone to sit down and go over it all for a few weeks. Otherwise, you're just asking for people to "donate" their free time for your benefit which is kind of selfish. By allowing them to sell stuff that ties into it, the company makes money AND you get a "free" remaster.... for the people that own that route anyway. A "remake" that doesn't add anything but lighting and no content won't be bought by many new people to offset that cost. If people are playing Harlem enough to warrant a remaster, then they should be willing to help cover the cost of updating it since they will be the ones enjoying it. It only makes logical sense.
There's a whole thread about AMTRAK in game and why it won't probably happen... from DTG. I think it was... Matt? Maybe? That talked about it recently? Or Jamie? I forget... but in a nutshell it's just not cost effective to do anything for one or two runs. It makes sense to "layer" from another route that DOES make money, but not make a loco like for AMTRAK and then use it once or twice on a route. So the only way you'd see an AMTRAK loco would be some third party making an AMTRAK pack" like the "Cargo Lines" packs and them layering them in on a LOT of routes a couple runs at a time. That's a lot of work though and would involve AMTRAK licensing.... so probably won't happen. I do agree it'd be great to add given they have the AMTRAK stations modeled.
Sherman Hill and Cajon Pass already have TOD 4 so they don't need a remaster. My vote would be Harlem Line or Penn Corridor.
To quote Matt, "remasters are community endeavors" so its more about finding someone willing to remaster the route like Liam did for GWE and ECW(with rivets help) and Nour/Follezworld for SKA
There are several routes that could use long distance equipment. If the equipment was made it could layer onto several routes. Trenton for example.
This is the 25th anniversary year of Microsoft Train Simulator so of course I want Marias Pass to be brought to Train Sim World. The route has everything from branch line to yard switching and long freights you can operate.
But they already have the Amtrak license and always talk about what a great partner they are. I just don't think the team is interested in doing it, which is fine, but the P42s won't be around forever, so not great from a preservation perspective. Just a shame cause an Amtrak diesel would give new life to so many existing routes.
But neither the remaster nor the timetable were locked behind a DLC so it's definitely not the same thing. People are encouraged to buy layers for all routes regardless whether they are remasterd or not.
I remember hearing of one of the modders working on an Amtrak P42DC for TSW. That would definitely fill the gap for several routes that use Amtrak diesel hauled services
While I don't normally go for US routes, if Clinchfield was remastered I might be tempted to get it due to being the only historic US route so far.
Harlem needs a fresh pass, not only reverb and lighting but the timetable needs sorting to eliminate the “waiting time” element when you arrive early at destination but have to wait several minutes for the scheduled arrival time.
NEC NYT doesn't need a remaster it needs a Blow it up and start again with a V2 and this time send it that extra 30miles to Philly and get that end to end service for Amtrack! Would like to see Harlem get the remaster treatment now that we have the new NEC DLC as it would be nice to have it with the new lighting a few updates to the stations as per the updates they received with the NEW DLC and the M8 layering onto it with the new multi level Grand central we now have with NEC NY-Stamford
You don't need it, just run them unbranded.. for one you have the ACS-64 in game and you can either create the Silverliner or dare I say use the arrow from NJT in the colours to represent them despite some differences, same with the MBTA single level coaches/cab for the comets, similar to what was created with use of alternative rolling stock for the GWE-R TT
Honestly i’m taking up this stance a lot more lately. If CT-Rail would hold back an extension to New Haven, i’d much rather them just take there losses and go unbranded if it guaranteed an extension, same with SEPTA.
I think the only problem with this is that it won’t sell as widely and if they do get the license down the line, they’d have to resell it somehow. I as this as someone that was always interested in trains a got started dabbling in the game/sim space because MSTS had the new Acela (it was new at the time). When I got older, I got into TSW specifically because they had 2 routes that I traveled frequently between NY-Trenton and Boston-Providence. Now that I’ve invested so much time in learning more even outside the sim about the trains and I’m interested in other areas and countries, I’d 100% buy an unbranded route. However back then when I was significantly more of a fringe casual player, if they weren’t branded I don’t know that I would’ve been as interested in buying them. And at the end of the day if it’s going to alienate a decent chunk of sales without the branding, it’s probably not worth it (or seen as worth it) from the DTG side because the cost outweighs the sales or benefits there.
