Train Sim World 2 - Boston Sprinter Climb Aboard On The Corridor

add acela and hsp46 please

 

Shudders once more at the texture of the MBTA cars.

 

What’s wrong?

 

Map Detected

 

complete lack of any weathering. atm those coaches look like plastic models

 

The second Pis says no Travel Destination.

 

There is weathering. It doesn't show up well, but it's there along the bottom of the carriages and around the vents, and scratches on the paintwork on the front of the cab car. It's not much, but it will probably be more noticeable in-game.

 

Is it just me or does the cab of the F40 seem less textured than usual?

 

There is some weathering on the cars as mentioned below...

...but the cars still look very bad especially on the sides.

I'd say it might be something with the "material" chosen. The real cars have a bit more dirt, but the key is they still reflect a bit and look a bit more glossy, not pure plastic matte as the ones in the articles. The sides are not perfectly flat, which stands out in the light. The ones in-game are and miss any kind of texture that would simulate this (and TSW can do that, Arosa locos have even more texture-based imperfections).

So I'd say add a bit more weather, make it a bit more glossy and the reflections should be a bit uneven (-> simulate uneven surfaces).

 

Nice article, can't wait for this Thursday's 2nd preview stream

 

Yep. They just look too ‘new’ and ‘plasticky’ these are old cars that are exposed to the elements. They should have better texture/weathering in game to make them feel more realistic. It’s really bugging me. But, I think I will still get the route. The ACS-64 and it’s cars look nice.

 

I think the main issue is the glossy/metallic finish doesn't come through enough, this is why they look a bit plasticy, but actually when you compare the real and in game versions they are surprisingly similar.

 

Still no mention if Amtrak #642 “Veterans Unit” is included. Hopefully we can get an answer on the next live stream

 

We have already got a "no" to that one. There won't be special liveries.

 

Thank you for the clarification

 

Matt confirmed it in another thread that none will be included.


At this rate, I dont think we will ever see any new or alternate liveries from Dovetail, at least at this rate.

No alternate liverys for Clinchfield
No Special ACS-64 for Boston Providence

Skyhook did have the clean and dirty AC44 for Cane Creek, but thats about it.

 

The MBTA train looks like Modelleisenbahn in h0 with the material

 

some train companies don't allow DTG to weather their coaches so their company looks like they take good care of their trains, I'm pretty sure it's like this on LGV Marseille. I'm not saying this is the reason but it could be why there is only light weathering

 

But the LGV looks good, even without the weathering. It looks relatively realistic. Night and day better compared to the MBTA cars.

 

Matt crashes through the train door screaming and charging full speed in a furious rage at the map, as per usual live streams.

 

I believe the problem with that is licensing is additionally needed from the US armed forces for things used on 642’s livery, and that’s why it won’t happen.

 

Yeah, that's the case. It looks weird.

 

We need it

 

It is possible thats the reason....


But Bachmann was able to release an HO version of it, though the decals underneath the Saulte our Veterans logo are missing.


And it's not like the removal of those is painfully obvious (Unlike the Gorail logo on TLSs SD60Es). So it could be possible DTG could added it in if those are removed.

 

i noticed that issue on a Boston PIS screen on last weeks stream aswell

 

TrainSim-Matt are you Aware of this issue?
The headlights and backlights was mentioned on the stream already to be fixed.

 

According to ModelTrainStuff.com’s YouTube channel, Bachmann left the ribbon out due to the licensing fee cost. If that’s the only part owned by the US Military and the rest of it is purely Amtrak, I don’t see why it couldn’t be included.

 

There’s no need to include it in the game just because it exists in real life. Also, I won’t go into it here because it’s off topic but I can think of a couple of reasons to specifically not include it.

 

I don’t know how wise it would be for a company to release a loco honoring America’s military to the international market. Too many potential conflicts there. Just a guess though.

 

Is there really a license on... colourful stripes? Out of all the things on the loco?

 

Each ribbon is related to different award or decoration that an individual may have earned during their service in the US military, so it is safe to assume the US military does own the rights to each ribbon on the locomotive, Bachmann didn't want to pay the licensing fees for them for only 1 locomotive.

 

I know they're connected to specific awards, I just never even thought something like this could be licensed (even the whole medals). You learn something new every day.

 

TS has a UP SD40-2 festooned with the Stars and Stripes celebrating the 200th Anniversary of American independence. So political and cultural statements are not contrary to any DTG policy. But nothing's coming so the question is moot.

 

UP 3300 was painted for United Way, a non-profit organization , and the locomotive was never advertised on steam with the United Way logos applied (Though it does come with them)
https://www.up.com/heritage/fleet/commemorative/united-way/index.htm


A more better example would be The Loco Shops SD60e skin pack, which comes with Norfolk Southern #6920, a "Honoring Our Veterans" Unit, which did get approved by DTG be released on steam with no issues. (Yes, its 3rd Party, but DTG must of approved of the pack if it released on steam)

 

To be honest, I don't really think the Veterans unit would make that much of a difference to the route.

It's good for realism (me dodging political bullets here), but it would be game-changing.

 

Would be cool asf tbh...

 

Speaking of gaudy liveries, stars and stripes aside, that MBTA livery is going to take some beating as the worst standard loco livery on the rails anywhere in the world. I suppose that you don’t have to look at it while you’re in the driver’s seat, so that’s a blessing. I’m looking forward to driving it though and the cab car with its simple cab too.

 

Well I quite like it personally, but to each their own I guess. I would like to see more weathering but I understand why that’s not something they can do. With the cab car and passenger cars I think they should be way more metallic like the M7’s on LIRR.

 

Talking about special liveries for ACS-64s there's also another one requiring only one more license (I presume).

 

The Coke train. Cool.

 

If there is something I've learned from NASCAR diecasts, it's that Coca Cola is pretty stingy on their licenses.... This is why I have never mentioned this unit, as it will never come.

Also, 606 has lost its livery sometime in 2020.

 

it was a temporary partnership between Amtrak and Coca cola since Coca cola wanted to sell there drinks on Amtrak trains also 606 was put into that livery January of 2020

 

So I'm assuming the MBTA F40 will have automatic braking

 

But surely in-game it would be regarded as free advertising? And also, CC will have paid Amtrak for the livery, which is effectively a moving billboard.

 

In the world of corporate branding nothing is ever so simple. There are thick books governing how to use a logo, how to approve partners, what conditions need to be met and so on, because one Twitterstorm caused by an ad carelessly placed may have consequences to the company reputation or even stock price. Or at least so goes the theory. If that's fully reasonable might be open for debate, but strict brand rules and codes of conduct requiring thorough checks of business partners are a fact of modern life.

It's also my guess (as expressed by others already) that the very same phenomenon is behind somewhat unimpressive weathering on trains. It's the same in other games too, like in ETS2/ATS, where there is not only no weathering, but also no damage model which is pretty unrealistic for a truck sim. But you can't have it any other way with officially licenced vehicles.

 

I agree, the distinction between commemorative liveries and moving billboards is important, we shouldn't see these adverts in game. I am surprised that the US doesn't subsidise more of its rail with adverts and sponsorships. Having watched motorsports for years every last thing is sponsored.

On the subject of wear and damage I would love to see a model where this is randomly put onto the trains as a layer over the livery. If it is true that there are certain brands who don't want to see this then that is a significant impediment though.

 

My guess is the railroad companies (Class 1 in the US) use the locos as ads for themselves mainly. They are probably more interested in the loco bringing customers to them than ad revenue. That's just me guessing though.

 

Will there be runs where there will be train traffic/yellow signals?

 

Oh there will be all right, plenty of them. More than you can imagine. It ain't called Rush Hour for nothing.