I recently bought Crewe - Preston, which comes with a Class 86/4. I was wondering if it’s still worth it to buy the Class 86/2. Does it add any more services that the 86/4 doesn’t come with?
It adds mainly variety to stuff you see but it’s better on perston to Carlisle You also get mk 2 carriages which really adds to improving the rail scene
I think you're good not owning it, there are services that version of the 86 substitute for that the other doesn't. The one for the older WCML is passenger oriented, while the one included in the new route is a freight variant. But you do not get any new services, and if we're honest the 87 is so similar to the 86 I don't think it adds much variety. For $25 it's pretty awful value, it's not really any better than a lot of standard loco DLC's priced cheaper, notably the non-Expert TSG content is priced on par or lower. and frankly it's a night and day difference playing the 218 or G6, vs the 86. It does add a coach as noted, but honestly I don't think rolling stock is worth paying for, it's neat they did more coaches, but when you're mainly up in the cab anyways that stuff gets quite overlooked IMO.
Multiple coaches since there’s the mk 1 buffet included and there was a few different mk 2s The 86/2 itself also has 8 liveries which is main part you see on the wmcl runs and like previously mentioned it’s more realistic since it was mostly 86/2s running Pass services compared to the fright mostly 86/4 true be told we need the 86/1 which lets you run at 110 mph
Personally I would say at full price it definitely isn't worth it, considering it costs £20, whereas a regular loco DLC costs between £12 and £15. As others mentioned it doesn't even add any new services (at least on Shap, not sure about Crewe) as they gave all the services to the 87 anyway. Sure it has new coaches, but honestly, in my opinion it isn't worth it for that considering most of the time you're in the loco, and I can't really tell the difference when one passes by at 100mph. Plus when I tried to drive the 86 on a service it refused to move after the first stop, and nothing made it move again. Not resetting the circuit breaker, not resetting physics... The only thing I did with it is the Class 37 "test train" services on Riviera that use it's coaches. I regret buying it honestly, and I bought it in a sale
WCML isn’t really complete without it though, especially as the /4 is a later derivation. At this point though, probably worth waiting until it rocks up in a sale.
Does the class 82/4 layer onto all the XC services on WCMLoS? If it does then I don't think it is really worth it. I love the class 86 so bought the 86/2 dlc when it came out but I don't think Crewe/Preston had been announced then. Back then I am glad I did because it really needed an 86. Honestly, WCMLoS experience was fine with just the single variant and was happy with the purchase. If the 86/4 and Mk2 stock layers on in from Preston/Crewe in the same way as that DLC does then I don't really see the need for the 86/2 pack unless you really are an electric aficionado and have to have both variants. Only real difference gameplay wise is the 86/4 runs freight and can run in tandem with another 86/4 or an 87. Otherwise it's the same experience.
Currently for perston to Carlisle the 86/4 can do all the 86/2 services but this was a bug since the 86/4 shouldn’t be in the timetable yet for the route but it’s tag got picked up anyways
