Neckartalbahn: Heidelberg - Neckarelz From Tsg Discussion Thread

I could imagine working out all the steam logic and everything surrounding it being tons of work for TSG, and they don't wanna put out anything half-baked for sure. The 420 is the best proof to that
And in both cases, it's not entirely their fault if DTG releases information about their projects way too early...

I'd say be patient, let them work everything out. TSG has not disappointed before, give them time to keep their quality standard at their usual high level. That goes for this route and the 420, and even the 232

 

Quite looking forward to this route but trains run on it is just steam.

 

No, it’s not just steam locomotives that you’ll be able to ride there; there’ll be electric trains as well.

 

New pics from the roadmap that were, for some reason, never shared here:

Also, from the interview Lukas gave, we now know that the m-Wagen will feature both 1st and 2nd class coaches, and that we’re getting four new freight wagons. Also, maybe the most interesting thing is that there will probably be a small KÖF engine DLC, with a model for it already made.

 

This is looking really good. Hopefully getting close.

 

Could TSG Neckartalbahn's German route arrive as early as October?

 

I have no rush. I prefer they take the time they need to do it right.
If they do I will be happy to buy it when it is released.

 

It would make a nice Christmas present, that’s for sure. About the only thing on the TSW7 horizon I’m really pumped for and possible Day One purchase. Though in my case mainly for the UIC stock so I can relive those uncomfortable long D Train journeys sat on those short back hard plastic compartment seats.

 

Sorry for ping Maik Goltz but any chance of some interior shots of the UIC coaches? As you know I have a long standing fetish for those hard, unyielding plastic half backed seats when DB allocated this type of stock to the long distance D Trains. (11 hours from Hoek Van Holland to København!).

 

It would be cool to get an early E40 on the route, with a single marker light per side.

 

What type of coaches are you written about? The Bm238? Those have very good seats and no plastic....

Bm238 in the 70s



Or do you mean the IR wagons but those are way more modern and not as above.... The IR wagons are from the late 80's and 90's

IR wagons:

 

IIRC, Vern got stuck on a 232.

 

Correct Bm 232. Think they only started putting fabric seats in with the 235’s but even they still used the same half back design, as shown in Jesper’s picture of the 238.

I think the running joke at the time was that Bm stood for (Sore) B(u)m…

 

Both are very iconic coaches

 

Very much liking the rolling stock of the route..
I do hope though that TSG is touching up some of the foilage a bit more.
The Trees around the castle look quite uniform and the barren ground is also not the prettiest.
I don't know how they did it, or if screenshots give wrong impression, but on Mittenwald the Forests seem to look noticeably better!

 

Here is the rolling stock included in the add-on, the layers, and what is to come...

 

What a bundle
So much rolling stock, for both passenger and freight stuff!
And AI trams at Heidelberg

Well, the route is still being worked on. Judging by the other screenshots, I wouldn't be too worried.

 

What a list. TSG seem to be determined knocking it out of the park again with this one.
Dumb question: How do the Silberlinge in this route differ from the ones we got on Mittenwald and LFR?

 

Some things showed in the galaxies show

 

The silver case: The name Silberlinge (literally "silver coins" or "silverware") itself derived from the unpainted stainless steel case.
The surface finish: The polished sides featured a unique, elaborate circular brushing, known as the peacock-eye pattern (Pfauenaugenmuster), designed to reduce light reflections and prevent dirt from being too visible.
Contrasting elements of the 1970s: Below the windows ran a slender, ocean-blue side member (introduced in the mid-1970s to match DB's new visual identity). In mixed carriages, a striking pastel orange stripe above the windows marked the first-class section.
There were also clear differences in the interiors of the carriages.

 

That's all stuff we knew from the roadmap, though.

 

With the BR218 confirmed to make an appearance here, Is there hope TSG might treat us with a purporrot variant in addition to the Blue/beige variant we already have?

 

"Altrot" variant definitly belongs in the seventies!

 

The difference is pretty minor. Simply put, originally they had a black lower frame and smaller black class indicators. The blue frame and blue class indicators have been introduced gradually from 1974 on. That's why I was surprised to see TSG go the extra mile to implement the older version, but... it's TSG we're talking about

Would be nice to have, sure, but I could live with the blue/beige well too.
If we would reeeeally be nitpicky, we would need a new version of the 218 anyway, with Indusi instead of Sifa and without the little exhaust chutes on the roof. Those hadn't been introduced until the early 80's
But since the 218 is more of a sideshow on this route, the one we got will do fine I'd say

 

The whole world doesn't just stop to follow the Roadmap.
My sincere apologies if I've offended your sensibilities...

 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/...n_Heidelberg__Neckarelz_Route_AddOn/?l=german

The store page link btw.

 

Interesting…
They wouldn’t put it on the store page if not imminent. Well certainly a pleasant surprise, though maybe not for my Steam Wallet. Guess there’s a chance this could release as early as next week, or certainly the week after.

Let’s just hope it’s not yet another rushed out too soon product, like the Class 70 appears to have been.

 

That's what I was thinking but I think them putting the ATS route page up is what's throwing me off. Because we've literally only just been told the end point of the route and we've barely had anything on it.

With JT and TSG we know they're in the final stages from what was said on the roadmap article. It just depends on how stuck they get in QA I guess?

Hopefully TSG and JT aren't too far off and have a good release! Those are the two things I really have my eye on!

 

Wow! Just WOW! A certain day-one purchase.

 

Yes after reading Jan’s article, it seems this is more to spam the Steam store page than any real indication the route(s) are ready.

 

To be fair it was like that for MAC I think, I swear it was only three months after announcing that it released

also there’s already official footage from a lot of the up coming stuff, very short but all look further ahead than we thought

Does make me wonder if the roadmap only showed old stuff like a few months ago compared to current since according to firefly their stuff was pretty ancient, could be Same for the others

but this just my theory

 

I still think that this will be this year's December route. Which is good (nice Christmas present) and bad (probably rushed release to meet the deadline) at the same time...

At least all those screenshots give hope that the route is in a pretty advanced stage already, and they are taking their time to iron out the biggest kinks and issues now

 

What I don't understand is what does TSG have against 3D looking ballast? None of their routes have the 3D effect on the pebbles, it's all 2D. Makes it look like track ballast from TSC.

Even Union Workshops's Tadami line has the 3D pebbles. Why not TSG routes?

 

Truth be told barely notice 3D pebbles on routes that have them and it probably comes down performance

 

I've been pondering that one today as well with regard to it being older stuff? JT said they were aiming to up the development updates on their latest update and that + TSGs route are both in the nearest segment on the roadmap!

I feel ATS must be a little further back being in the in development section. As you said though the videos looked quite up to date so we'll see what materialises!

 

Bruh parallax mapping has basically zero performance effect on a modern hardware. There is no excuse to not use them when literally every other TSW route does. Makes their routes feel much cheaper compared to others.

 

Just take a look at the ballast and sleepers on TSG's promo shot.


And compare it to the ballast and sleepers on the Czech route for example.


If you think the difference it barely noticeable, then I can advise you to invest in your eyes.
It's not just the ballast itself, but also the bumpmapping on the sleepers.
TSG tracks are completely flat and TSC looking in comparison.
It's just flat textures without any bump mapping, material properties and parallax.

 

This route and the additional stuff coming for it will probably be my personal highlight for this TSW part.

 

Two more pictures that I have not seen anywhere else (this should solve the question which tram was modelled):


found on TSPs YT channel over here: http://youtube.com/post/UgkxQEVFdd6qO6I9UkZnxOB0jTFrY_-lNHTS?si=8cHl1KM9dZVuE6R1

 

Seeing that AI tram is going to be so lovely. Love it when route developers put things like these in. It should definitely happen more often, AI-only rolling stock should be a much more frequent thing in TSW.

 

Not just the tram looks good, but look at the cars
That's what I call attention to detail! Starting to think this will turn out to be the most immersive of the German routes so far

And all the details in the cab of that 323! Can't wait to get my hands on that little bundle of joy

But seeing all that, I'm starting to hope this route will run at a decent amount of FPS...

 

Well, you do have to consider it's probably about as much work as an item of rolling stock for much less gameplay impact...

 

Not really. An AI only train is just an exterior model with simplified physics and sounds. A full functioning rolling stock is high detail exterior AND interior, full simulation, exterior and interior animation, sounds, safety systems, etc.

 

Gotta love the green and white police Beetle! A real blast from my childhood (I used to have a Corgi model).

 

I suspect simulation for rolling stock in most cases is a matter of plugging different numbers into existing frameworks, and no one pays attention to rolling stock sounds anyway.

 

Ah yes I’m going to be paying attention to the ballast while going 160kph with the 103 or taking in the mountains with the 1020

I’ve got more important things to focus on like driving the train

 

Thank You for the explanations.
Yes, if no Purpurrot version is coming, not a big deal. However, TSG being TSG I think there’s a realistic chance for it to happen.

Either way, those that own the other TSG DLCs will be in for a nice treat here.
Such a variety of rolling stock and liveries around.. ☺️

 

That's the case in every other route as well, yet those still have nice looking ballast. Even the ones where you go 250km/h. Because it's standard expectation in an Unreal Engine game in the 2020s. We are not playing TSC anymore.