Abstracted from the other thread discussIng what routes we are currently playing, thought I would start a wibble re my current idea of playing through TSW. Basically in the route menu use the A to Z option (well it’s more like A to W) and start methodically playing through each and every route in turn - no exceptions. It’s probably the only way to revisit old content that has fallen off the radar and otherwise gets ignored. Ideally use Journey Mode if you still need to advance that, unless of course it throws up a short run or something in the wretched Training Centre, in which case either call up the actual list and skip to something more meaty, or just use the Timetable. Progress so far has just brought me to Birmingham CrossCity and several routes before that (such as Arosa and Bernina), I haven’t touched in a long time. After BCC comes the two Boston routes and, while I played Sprinter a fair bit, haven’t spent much time on the Worcester Line. And yes, in a few days I will have to steel myself for the 25 MPH trundle across Cane Creek. The exception to this campaign might be if I buy a new route or train DLC, but the intention would always be to return where I left off in the list. You could also do this for individual train and loco types though that might be more complex, with multiple sub variants and deciding which route to spin them on.
It's a nice idea and an interesting concept. I'm playing in order of release date. Which is somewhat harder, due to having to play the old stuff first (barring the remastered WSR, GWE and ECW). It reminds me which routes I did like but haven't played in a while, on the other hand there is the reminder of why I really don't like other stuff I'm now halfway the TSW 3 era, having fun on Bremen Oldenburg, which turns out to be really good. One big thing reaffirmed for me: I don't like US freight....
I just a job on Birmingham cross city I thought the 323s had suspension. Does the Manchester commuter 323 have suspension.
I play routes A-Z, but just the scenarios. I'm currently in on WCMLS, and will start back down on the bottom of the list to get caught up with the others. Although, with the new Forza out, TSW isn't much of interest at the moment.
BCC really deserves a remaster. Playing it now and Journey threw up an evening run in the dark from Redditch to Lichfield. Unfortunately it really is in the dark, even the stations are not that well lit. This is the second city of England, but from Kings Norton into New Street there’s hardly any evidence of buildings with lights on or street lamps, let alone the ambient light pollution that would shroud the whole area. In addition, the 323 and stations need announcements, the tunnels and overhead structures need reverb and now we know it can be done, clatter over underline structures too. Still, it’s not a bad trip out in the 323 even if it is the ultimate bus stop route and with all safety systems on should net a nice haul of AP.
I have my own spreadsheet with a list of all the routes, including branch lines and those DLC with multiple routes. Occasionally, I randomize the order of the list and play a timetable service on each of the routes. Indeed a way to make sure I get to enjoy older content and routes I'd normally wouldn't drive. Sometimes these routes surprise me, and they're more fun than I had remembered. Sometimes not though, and I get remembered why I don't drive specific routes.
Thanks mate. Im guessing that route has never been upgraded or anything like that. Is slow route top speed.
Thanks by sound of all that I'll just stick with bernina I think. Whats the lighting like is like blinding the day pitch black at night.
If you run in snow at night not too bad, but it's same as any other older route so actually daytime isn't too bad if you avoid full sun at mid-day. Fairly certain you don't get the silly adaptive eye feature entering and leaving tunnels, either.
It does, but the enhancement pack on TrainSimCommunity really gives it a big new lease of life, as well as the timetables that are available. Regarding your idea, I can safely say I would manage a couple of hours before landing on an old route that I absolutely do not want to spend time on. Can I uninstall DLC before starting? JB
Ah, that would not quite be in the spirit of the exercise. Which reminds me, must check all mine is installed. At one point, I did rotate most of the US routes out. There’s are few that are my kryptonite like Cane Creek, but then the fun is to take the sour and the sweet.
Yes. You can't skip anything . I do pick one of the shorter services when I come across a route I don't really like, so it doesn't become complete torture.
I’m a fellow completionist who is in the process of doing something very similar to this (by country, and by game, not A-Z). One thing I’ve found very frustrating is that because I’ve changed platforms recently, I’m missing a lot of gold and green ticks in the menu. I really wish there was a way to do this. I’m not looking for the AP, or even the individual services to Mark as complete, but I would love to be able to Mark routes that I’ve finished on other platforms as complete.
Vern on Berninalinie its say one layer from arosa is that from the anniversary pack if can buy with the arosa route or do I need the route for it layer in . Thanks
Yes it seems to work without the Arosa line, but not sure what it does. Seems it only adds the panorama coach.
That's the "B's" done, then. Boston to Worcester is a nice route and I like it better than Boston Sprinter, though it should really have gone on to Springfield like its TSC counterpart. And while I like loco hauled trains, all stops with a F40 (which always seems to spawn in rather than the HSP46), stopping and starting every couple of miles with those ponderously slow MBTA trains elevates "bus stop" to an all new level. Anyhow, that means (Novo)Ca(i)ne Creek is only a Cajon away, so I will have my library book handy to read for that one...
Do you guys do the really short timetable services.. I mean those that are literally just a couple of minutes long? Doesn’t it take longer to load the game than actually play the ‘route’?
I like to do all types of service on a route, to get a good feel of all the operations that take place there. Also often chaining depot moves and subsequent passenger services.
For this exercise I'm more or less taking whatever the Journey throws at me, but in terms of revisiting the route I would prefer it not to be a shunting or quick ECS or light engine move but something that takes in a substantial part of the route.
I am working my way through timetables and scenarios on UK routes in release order, I am currently finishing off Cathcart. By doing this I get to complete the route, I learn the route because I am basically living in it for so long. This is not for everybody as it requires a lot of staying power because it can take months to complete a route, I get to know the train well as I served my time driving it. The A to W idea gets more variety for sure, but then I would be how do I drive this train again, leaving me hunting for buttons.
That’s a fair point about route learning… it’s quite difficult thing to do. I did Preston to Carlisle and think I got all of the sections where you have to power down… I had to watch the track all the time for 95 miles as I didn’t know where they were. (I know you’re meant to watch the track all the time but it’s dead easy to miss a sign board if you glance away.) I’ve got notes for MKeynes to Euston.. but there aren’t many speed changes on that route so it shouldn’t be too hard to learn.
Preston to Carlisle is not easy from what I hear, but that can make it rewarding to learn I am sure. I think once you learn a route and the train itself it makes playing the route more fun and it makes you feel like an expert. I remember I completed Bakerloo timetable and scenarios, then I went back a few months later and could I hell figure out how to move the train. Also, I would guess there are players who buy a route, play it once or twice, but never really get their monies worth from it, play the timetable and you get your moneys worth, you not just driver a train, but operate like a train company providing a full service.
Made it through Cane Creek, by virtue of some extreme fast running so next up is Cardiff City. Though a slight distraction is occurring having reinstalled MSFS2020!
Exactly.. I like Riviera, GWR, WCML and ECML the most. Bakerloo is also good and pretty challenging with the frequent stops and fairly low speeds and I’ve not mastered braking yet on that line. I won’t mention Class 66 braking which seems a nightmare to judge!
