Granted there may be a real easy solution or it's something I've missed. But is there any way to travel as a passenger? When I go on explore mode, it's essentially free roam with no services. Thank you.
You have to play a service first and then you can go back to free roam to play as a passenger but the train you were driving may not then drive any follow on service as AI. It’s either an oversight or a deliberate decision to keep menus simple. I don’t understand it myself. Playing as a passenger or just watching the trains doing their stuff could be a big part of enjoying the game for many people. The empty Explore mode is utterly boring to me.
Easy solution: Enter any timetable mode scenario. (eg James Vicarstown -> Knapford). Exit engine (James) immediately, and spawn a new engine (eg Percy) on a different line. Climb into new engine (Percy) and enter driver's position. A warning will display saying there's no active service. Original engine (James) will begin their service, so quickly exit new engine (Percy), despawn new engine (Percy) and quickly make your way into one of the original engine (James) coaches and sit down. Enjoy the ride!
If they add the ability to set up our own AI timetables in Explore Mode, then I see no reason why we can't catch a ride as a passenger.
I know there’s a way to ride as a passenger in the WoS, but it feels way too tedious just to enjoy the ride. Having to spawn 2 trains feels like a complete waste of time and I just don't have that energy. Dovetail Games should make passenger mode much easier, especially in free roam where players just want to enjoy the scenery. Being able to switch between driving and riding would make the game far more immersive, and it honestly doesn’t seem that hard to add.