Before we begin, let me just mention that this thread will contain spoilers regarding the update that came out last week, so if you haven't found this yet and you don't want to know, then click off this thread right now. If you have already found it, or your just curious about it in general, then stick around. So with the new update that came to SEHS this past week, along with bringing some new railtour services, as well as mainly preparing for the arrival of the Class 700/0, there was also mention of a new seasonal static train being placed somewhere along the route. No info about where it was going, what month it appears or even what stock it would involve was given at the time. But not the update is out, I went off into SEHS to try and find where and what it was all this time. It wasn't easy, as I had to go through every month of the year, and check the map repeatedly to see where it might be, but I think I have now found it, and I want to use this thread to share with you all what it is. I know I put that spoiler warning to begin with, but I'm going to put where and what this static train is behind some spoiler tags, as an extra measure. Spoiler: SEHS Static Train Reveal So this train, after checking the route multiple times, appears in the winter months of January & February and can be found at the Hitachi Depot at Ashford. So it appears this new train consists of a single loco, and a 3-car multiple unit. I definitely thought the single loco was the Class 37 from loco bundle 2, but I wasn't so sure about the 3 car unit. But it turned out be something I wasn't expecting, and to give you a clue, it happens to be related to the Class 395 that runs on this route. Yep, it's a Class 385 from ScotRail Express, parked next to a Class 37/7. So in all, definitely a pleasant surprise, something I would be curious how this came about, and whether it actually happened in real life. Unfortunately, you can't couple the 37 to the 385 (Which I have tried by the way) probably because they aren't compatible with each other right now. But I don't think there's anything else stopping you from driving the 37 around the depot in freeroom right now. Certainly a lot of fun to be had there, even if you can't couple it with the 385.
Spoiler: Keeping it a secret :) The 385s are, of course, Hitachi units, so it's a possibility that it could happen in real life. However, I don't think it has to date. There's a Hitachi depot in Edinburgh which is used for essential repairs, whilst ScotRail look after them day-to-day. There were a few shipped in from Japan. I wonder if they stopped by in Kent...
It actually did happen a few years back while the 385's were still being delivered, I can't quite remember the exact reason why it happened but it definitely did happen.
I used see 3 to 4 stabled engineering trains featuring class 66 with some top and tailed outside St Pancras below the running lines. I can't get them to appear anymore even changing the time of year.
They've been removed because when the class 700 releases there will be ai class 700 services there instead.
This game becomes more and more gimmicky & fantasy with every update. And they have the nerve to call it a simulator.
To be fair, Hitachi trains at a Hitachi depot is much more realistic than a lot of other things we see, especially if it is something that has happened before. Thameslink running in and out of KGX is much better than the static 66’s too.
Seems like if something happened once or twice ever then its justification to include it. Its not just this, its the ICE3 and TGV layering in (SEHS), its steam locos without AWS (multipe routes), its mixed era stock (WCML), its GWE HST's (on BCC). BR612's where they shouldnt be (BRO), its ICE1 & BR110's on freight (LFR). Its train drivers getting out the cab to take photographs mid journey and I could go on. The game is heading more and more to the make believe and ludicrous, and its ruining immersion. There's off the rails and custom scenario designers for those who want such things. Just stop forcing la la land on the rest of us. Ive already decided Im on a hiatus from buying DLC until such silliness comes to an end, or the very least can be turned off. This has cemented my decision. The really annoying this is that they are adding gimmicks to existing routes already in my collection, and as easter eggs in new content so I cant make an informed decision to buy or not and I've no way to turn it off.