I've been trying to unsuccessfully to get into German routes lately. US routes took a while too, but I really enjoy them now. German routes just haven't "clicked" with me yet I guess? These are the routes and locos I own, can anyone recommend what I should try that's interesting or different compared to what you find in the UK/US?
I think Nahverkehr Dresden is the best route of the ones you have. It has many kinds of services, including local, regional, freight and even a bit of shunting. Driving trains is driving trains. It is somewhat expected that driving a train seems very similar, specially if you are not turning on the safety systems.
I agree. Dresden is awesome. So many different services and different "vibes" you can lean into. The 143 is really cool because its operation is different from the other German stock. It has an older version of speed control that isn't as precise as AFB is. This is especially true on Dresden-Chemnitz with the heavy downward grade going toward Dresden (different route I know). The German stuff really clicked for me when I learned PZB, the signals, and all the different on board systems. German trains are really really cool, and it was TSW2 that made me realize that. If you want to dive into German stuff, I suggest taking the time to truly learn what's going on. It's interesting stuff and the challenge was satisfying. I knew absolutely nothing about German railways before TSW2 and now a few German routes and trains are on my list of all time favorites. Matt's video on YouTube helped me get started. You can always DM me with questions too.
I may be getting ahead of myself here. If you're a beginner learning PZB I'd recommend running the Talent 2 on Koln-Aachen.
RSN is quite good with some nice scenery and a few gradients. If the PZB/LZB is a bit daunting at first try running with it off until you understand the signalling sequence. If you have the helper switched on it will also pop up in the top RH whether you need to hit acknowledge and what speed you need to reduce to. The important thing to remember about PZB is that you can’t hang around getting the brakes in, particularly working freight trains, as you often only get 1km from the distant (vorsignal) to the associated stop signal. Most German routes improve the more of them you own, due to the intricate layering which makes them far busier and varied than US or UK routes. The only two German routes I don’t own are Rapid Transit, due to numerous issues and West Rhine which I will probably pick up in the next sale or if a bundle comes along. I also quite rate Hamburg to Lubeck, I put off getting it for a long time as I thought it would be a dull straight run but it’s actually rather good. Also highly recommend the G6 shunter from TSG, other than one broken Journey which is waiting forever to be fixed, it’s a fine piece of DLC.
Totally agree, for no Hud drivers without much sparetime to do extensive route learning / appendix documents, german routes are "safe" and easy to drive even without knowledge. Its worth learning the pzb rules and the signals. I only drive no Hud, so if there is not much time i just print the wikipedia line with the mile markers for each station. At night its recommend to have at least a basic knowledge of the speeds. Totally different on uk routes, no chance to drive them safe & efficient without heavy route learning. Quick edit: the advanced brake system since riesa dresden with p/g/r, the brake weight etc. Makes it even more fun and realistic. Also the deactivation of the wagon brakes. Now the player can use the entire freight train calculation for setting up his train.
OldVern Very good point there about the braking technique with PZB. You gotta be diligent. I react to the signal the moment I can see what it displays, even if it's from a good distance away. Also, about West Rhine. I'm not sure if you're on PC or console, but on PC there's a mod that replaces all the traffic with more modern stock. Running the 101 on that route is pure bliss. Highly recommend it.
This! You really need the entire collection to get the most out of it. I would also suggest Tharandter Rampe. Most underrated German route. But from the ones already owned by OP I also would suggest to play Nahverkehr Dresden
Well I actually prefer the older DB stock and was a bit gutted the route didn’t come with some UIC AM/BM corridor stock, the ones with those lovely comfortable (not) half back plastic seats. However I do like the 101 as well. At the moment keeping my Steam credit for the big pack in September and the Just Trains Blackpool route but once that’s sorted if there’s enough left over or I can persuade the wife (!) then I’ll grab West Rhine.
I snatched this link off a thread somewhere, can't tell you who made it. You can use it to figure out additional traffic layers among the routes: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...DmY4gNyMw_dRNi86G57o/edit?pli=1#gid=390436278 MSB in particular is good for adding pretty heavy traffic to a number of your routes, making them really come alive.
It's funny you say that about seats. I can FEEL the seats on the MBTA cars that are represented in game. Those blue seats. They were awful. Thankfully, to the best of my knowledge, a lot of those cars are retired now. Those actually had seat backs that would move to create a spot for 4 to sit facing each other. I remember one day as child seeing a conductor do it and it blew my mind.
If I were you try the Leipzig Riesa Coswig Dresden Railway route due to it having Regional S-Bahn Switching (In German Rangieren) Intercity gameplay. In some runs I did here I got held by mainline traffic at Coswig S1 Meißen Schöna RE15/18 RB31 at Priestewitz and also freight runs following a Regional IC and freight. If you want to go retro GDR might as well get Bremen Oldenburg for the DR BR250 and then run it here using a GDR-era skin. SKA 442 is counted towards Riesa Dresden 442 mileage run. HRR 422 counts towards RRO Mileage Run 422
I would not,160kmh and 1000hz magnets are stressful, even for me with knowledge and experience about PZB.
For HRR you're looking at German Wiki Bahnstrecke Witten/Dortmund-Oberhausen/Duisburg. For Riesa-Dresden it's this Bahnstrecke Leipzig Hbf Dresden Neustadt. When it comes to PZB do you use a Keyboard or not? On the Keyboard it's helpful because you have dedicated buttons for PZB Override Release and Acknowledge
I guess it was done to make cleaning easier but up until the mid 1980's even the early 90's, a lot of European railways only provided plastic or faux leather seating in standard/second class, compared to the UK where cloth upholstery often on quite sumptuous seating was always offered. The DB long distance coaches were particularly rancid as the seat back didn't even fill the entire wall of the compartment and you also had a hard headrest too. Yet these coaches were used on long distance IC and D trains, journeys in excess of 12 hours like Hook Of Holland to Copenhagen or Stockholm to Hamburg, forming the bulk of a common pool of rolling stock for through services.
Yes and yes. In terms of simulation, it basically got improved a ton by cwf.green who improved on the physics. It doesn't have a cab car though so it could ruin it for you. Layers onto kwg, hrr, ska with new journeys, dra, adds ai only traffic on dcz, bro from what I remember.
It is. In fact, I’d argue DRA is one of the best routes to run her on. Fantastic loco and certainly one of the best locos in TSW.
I would echo what someone else already said and say you must learn the safety and signalling systems to get the enjoyment out of German routes. Use Matt's video then try it out using the Talent 2 on a simple route like Koln or Rhein Ruhr Osten. We say use the talent 2 as it has an electronic display which tells you what speed you should be travelling at so it is easy to learn. Most German locomotives and units show this information through a selection of steady and flashing lights on the dashboard which is not very helpful when learning. You will make loads of mistakes, particularly with the PZB but don't give up. Once you master it then it can be really satisfying. Then move to some of the busier routes and enjoy the excellent German timetables and layers.
Just to echo, despite the lack of cab car the DB BR 101 is well worth the money. It was good when it was released and then, as mentioned, a whole lot of enhancements were done. I’d go as far as to say it’s a level above all other German trains in TSW.
