The headlights need work. I can either see absolutely nothing, or what's coming in 100 yards or so. A better headlight effect would really add to the immersive experience. On-coming trains should be bright as the afternoon sum, not horribly muted
You are correct and I do remember seeing this on some US routes like LIRR and Sand Patch Grade. You are basically driving in the dark. sadly the game doesn't follow but the actual Federal Railroad Administration guidelines which requires bright lights at all times other trains incoming switch on to dim. That also includes commuter rail tabs I remember seeing this on New Brunswick Northeast Corridor route August 2021 end more recently February 2023 Raritan Valley Line where the cab control car if placed in front bright lights on incoming train turned off to dim
Switching to dim is not automatic on American trains? I really don't know how I achieve all those gold medals. I must be the most terrible driver ever.
Since TSW3 came along it isn’t even possible to switch your headlights to dim on many locos. All settings on the headlight switch result in the same brightness of the lights.
You might say that on US locos in TSW the headlights are permanently fixed on " dim " whatever the HUD might indicate. With a few exceptions, such as the SD40-2 in CJP, DTG has never figured out how to consistently model US headlights. Ironically they got it more or less right with the original locos in SPG, but that guy or gal must have moved on or takes vacations at the most inappropriate times.
The overall brightness levels may never be bright enough, and more of an issue is that the lights never project far enough ahead, but I do expect that if the light has three settings on the switch the intensity should be different for each, not just the one intensity whatever is selected. But we do know the devs don’t have enough time to get these things right. Deadlines to be met and all that.
The issue might be that it also shines too brightly in the sun, meaning everything is washed out. The new lighting works better with making headlights brighter. But if the ai headlights are extremely bright just like in real life in tsw, you might need sunglasses lol.
I am on PC. But I also made a thread on headlights as well. The throw distance is not good. It will illuminate 10-20m in front of locomotive only. I'll go make some screenshots now for the US routes (below is a German route with a proper headlight). Matt Peddleston has said this needs working on. It will get done, but when is the question. I found the only good headlight is the DB 612 on Tharantde Rampe Dresden Chemnitz route. The headlights are close to the ground. Unlike US locomotives in TSW. I hope and believe it will get fixed.
Seems to me the headlights have a 150-160 degree spreach rather than a focused 30-35 degree beam on the ES44. Ditch lights were not on but when on seem to add the wide spread of light as seen here. Barstow is pictured from Cajon Pass, taken now. In the cab it is very dark. It is probably about 10% of the actual brightness as experienced in real world. But Matt knows.
I love the new lighting in TSW3. It makes it feel so real now. I have a screenshot from Kassel Wurzburg route and you can't tell if it's in game or real!!
They do have different brightness settings, however it’s still not bright enough. Our trains at night is like looking at the sun coming your way. It was funny when the Devs said the class 700’s lights are really bright. (That’s nothing compared to our trains lol).
Sorry that post had headlights on dim..... Here they are bright + aux But you can see they don't have a focused beam.... It seems like a lot of light is on the ground 5-10m in front of the locomotive. Rather than a beam like the 612 above. aux
Correct, the beam on the headlight should extend further out! The way the lights are now on the US Locomotives is useless with it pointing so much towards the ground. Really hope DTG fixes this issue soon.
The one US headlight I like in TSW is the Bi level cab car on the baby bullet from Peninsula Corridor. Every setting has noticeable difference and can see good bit at night with it.
