Hello, I am new to the game, haven't played the previous versions. I have the TSW3 Standard Edition from Gamepass, playing on PC. I've also purchased some additional routes, amongst them LGV, GWE and BML. If I understand correctly, the Off the Rails option would let me use any train on any route, even if it doesn't make sense (e.g. EMU on non-electric route). I would have thought that unchecking the box would still let me use locos that work on the route I am planning to use. Not quite so. 1. on SEHS, it allows me use the 377, but not the 387. It also doesn't let me use any GWE trains, although I would have thought that diesels can be driven on any route. I can also use the TGV if I want! 2. on BML, it lets me use the Class 166 from GWE, plus 395 and 465 from SEHS, but not the 375! 3. on GWE, it won't let me use anything electric, but that was expected. Is this "the synergy matrix"? I saw one for German routes, but it's hard to read. One more question, if I may: if I buy East Coastway route, can I ride a train from Victoria to Brighton and then hop onto a train to Eastbourne? I suspect the answer will be a loud no, but worth a try...
Generally, off the rails mode is the only way to use trains that don’t appear on the route as standard or in a layer. It’s pretty much a must to check it for every scenario you wish to make. As for changing routes at Brighton, you must enter the menu system and load the other route, as the routes don’t connect in any way.
It’s changed slightly from TSW 2. It used to give you all the locomotives from that country on normal mode. Now it just mostly gives you those that come with the route. If you want to run something electric where there is no electricity then you also need ‘off the rails’ mode.
I mostly turn on off the rails mode anyway, even if i just want to use the stock available without otr, as somehow, the Dispatcher seems to be better in off the rails mode. Once i made a IC Scenario for rapid Transit, and when i tested it, i wouldnt get a green light out of the station even if nothing is in the way, with off the rails mode on, it worked as intended.
The permanent red light happens if the scenario has issues, for example trying to run a locomotive incompatible with the route. Here's an example: 1. create a route from Faversham to St Pancras, using 377. This results in permanent red light, because the train would not be able to go past Ebbsfleet, since it needs a panto, and it doesn't have one. 2. edit the route and terminate at Ebbsfleet, with the same 377. This will work as expected, and you should get the green light. This is the reason I would like to create scenarios without "Off the rails", as it would stop me from creating/playing bogus scenarios. However, if I was able to use the 387 with the scenario (1) above, then it should work, because the 387 has both Third Rail and Panto, so it could run the route all the way to St Pancras.
You might get an issue running the 387 (without off the rails) to St Pancreas due to incompatable signalling systems. I haven't tried it so it might work but you may have issues.
It works fine, it’s just you can’t use the TVM as it’s not installed. When making the scenario you’ll just have to make sure there’s nothing blocking you on the TVM section to avoid SPAD’s as you won’t know if you need to slow down.
