As one DLC comes out today, another one is being prepped for release. In this case, it's the C40-8W for Sand Patch Grade as it's stats were added in the same change stats as the achievements for the BR 363 & Preserved Collection part 5 becoming unhidden: This means where probably getting the C40-8W very soon, maybe even this month. Source: https://steamdb.info/app/1282590/history/?changeid=U:19553819
Guys as a European I would like to know this... Don't hate on me please. What's the actual difference between a Dash 8 and the AC4400CW we already have? I know the Dash 8 has a little less horsepower, but why are so many people hyped for it? For me they look kinda the same... But maybe US railfans say that about the DB BR 423 and DB BR 425 too, lol. Again, I am generalising, but I would like to be part of the hypetrain too
The C40-8W features DC traction motors vs AC traction motors found on the AC4400CW. This lead the AC4400 to have larger inverter boxes on the left side of the locomotive behind the cab. The Dash 8 is also slightly shorter than the AC4400CW. Dash 8 AC4400CW
I am not interested in a Dash 8 DLC, given that we already have the AC4400CW. Perhaps if it adds services to PIC or CNO or re-adds the missing freight wagons included in the GP40-2 DLC I might be more enticed.
Don't know what rolling stock will come with it, but, as it's a CSX loco, it will only add services to SPG for the time being, I suppose.
Matt said on the stream yesterday that a loco takes about 2-3 months to produce, and this loco has been in the in production since the roadmap started on August 15th so makes sense its coming out soon. Class 313 and 187 should be before Christmas as well since they went "In production" in mid september (though 187 is third party by Skyhook so timeframe could be different)
Looking forward to the Dash8 - just added to the available North American locomotive fleet and is a good representative of the DC traction motors of this older class.
The good thing about this release is that it will probably come with a handful of fixes for SPG, like the ever delayed Powering America improvements. I really want to like and play SPG but a run takes at least 2 hours. I could not bear to encounter unchanging red signals at the end or running a red light because of unforgiving gameplay mechanics. If I just could save the game knowing it would not break anything I would drive the hell outta that route. Did a climb in TSW2020 once and it was pretty fun apart from the 2 hours it took. So I will see if anything gets added along the loco but I doubt I will buy it before it gets around 30% to 50% off, plus considering that it looks alot like the 4400. (Which I know is common with these locos to keep the appearance quite similar even though one could not even compare these models from a technical pov) But I am very happy for all fans of American locomotives, you had the longest wait for content since release of TSW2!
Seems like GE has a "If it ain't broke dont fix it" for their mainline locomotives, as there is very little difference from a Widecab Dash 8 to the newest Tier4 ET44 EVO. Dash 8 Dash 9 AC4400CW ES44AC ET44
Indeed, it's like EMD with their standard or nicknamed "Spartan" cab design from the GP38 and SD40. Plus, the Dash 8 was the first to have the Wide Cab design before the others (Like the AC44 for example). But, I'm glad it's coming. Even if some of you don't like it. Since without the GP40, the route just feels too standard to drive on (And I only liked the AC44 because of it). Plus, it's high time for GE models to have a chance for once (Even if it's for one good route to work with for now).
Not only has American content been axed for TSW2 (NEC & GP40-2), but the base American route was not even a new one like for the UK and Germany. So yes, American rail fans have been very patient.
I'm kind of looking forward to this one, I grew up next to a CSX line and except for locals pretty much every train came through with 2 Dash 8s back to back. I still would have preferred an EMD however like an SD70ACE. I'm really looking forward to some older EMD power like an SD9 or similar, especially in the BN cascade green paint scheme, hope that happens someday.
Well that is a mature response... I do hope you find locomotives you enjoy and everyone is entitled to their likes and dislikes, but for me, nothing better than a string of 4 “trash” locomotives hauling a consist of a mile or more over steep gradients... now that is railroading...
Fans of US routes who already had Sand Patch have had an awfully long wait for somewhere new to drive. The last one was Peninsular Corridor, which was released in black & white it was so long ago. There was that Canadian one (doesn’t really count) and we console players got SPG but there’s not been much going on other than a handful of loco DLC earlier in the year. The wait continues.
Moved from in production to next arrival in the latest roadmap. In a stream a while back, I believe it was Adam that said they were waiting for a more stuff so they could have a North American update, fixing/adding things for the NA routes all at once.
Now that, I have no idea (I didn't know these Commemorative Logos, as they called them, existed until now). Guess we'll have to see what's included in the article this week then.
Very unlikely we'll see any of the commemorative locos in this pack. I would expect a standard 78xx or 79xx in the 2 liveries. I'm more interested in the cab details and functionality as well as the rolling stock.
Well, maybe half of the 79xx. As the other half is from LMSX. Just saying. Plus, there are still a few 77xxs still active in the roster. So maybe that's the number range that Dovetail is gonna go with (Examples from TS1s Miami and Hanover routes). But, it's just a guess of course.
I think it will arrive next week Thursday. If I was a betting man, I'd bet on it. https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-sim-world/articles/article/tsw2-mainline-mainstay Now that we have our first glance, we are getting the CSX Dash-8s in YN2 livery, along with CSX 100 ton coal hoppers. It appears that the Dash-8s will sub in for the timetable, and the DLC includes new scenarios. The locos will be numbered from 7600 to 7999. Overall I'm excited, I will definitely buy this the day it is released.