I think it has more to do with the focus acquisition, that’s probably the main reason why we got the new game. If not we might have had TSW3 for a bit longer, maybe focus are calling shots now
I don't think focus have anything to do with DTG launching a new game. Other Focus owned titles aren't releasing new base games every year/ few years, so I don't see why they'd 'make' dtg do it? Focus are more there for financial stability and market covership, than dictation and direct involvement.
its still an good route, over 40 minutes non-stop while taking an hour for a stopping service though the missing class 91 is a missed opportunity
I doubt it, i suspect it is just DTG model that 3 new bundle routes and some backdoor changes every 1 -2 years is more productive business model than constant dlc. The same model works for Giant's Farm sim. While Saber's Snowrunner has settled on season passes and quarterly dlcs, with the occasional licenced truck. It's just, what works for the company to keep the fanbase fresh and invovled. For example, I don't play non uk routes, bar Arosa and LGV, but if I *had* to buy a bundle, then I might enjoy a US route and buy more US content. If I didn't, then I wouldn't ever do so. The core game numbering is pretty irrelevant, unless the only way to iron out problems or software issues is a fresh basecode, which is likely, given companies like Bethesda still contain 20-somthing year old bugs in their core programming in Fallout 76
Why did you choose this section of ECML? Wanted to have a ‘race track’ route to allow the Azuma to stretch its legs Covers the stretch of line in Lincolnshire the Scotsman broke its 100mph record, so you can recreate it yourself! Scotsman was built in Doncaster, so it’s coming home! No extensions are currently planned in the roadmap Hentis
They have London - Peterborough on TSC. Including the Cambridge line, even. Surely they can use that to create the same in TSW?
You know what else I don’t understand, DTG had all the licenses to run a relatively stacked timetable, why didn’t they just do the southern portion of it? It would have easily been the best TSW4 route and would have made use of the 700
A bit disappointing but will hopefully have some surprises up their sleeves for the preview stream. I really hope so otherwise il probably wait for it to be discounted. Been wanting ECML since TSW original release and now that it’s out there, i can’t believe they’ve chosen the section and overall routes that they have done. Could add 800 layer to Edinburgh though and surely, SURELY, if they ever do extensions, ECML MUST get prioritised. Edinburgh Waverley, class 700, 801 now in the game. Come on DTG, you can do better!
As mentioned on the stream, it's possible they picked this part as the Scotsman hit its speed record here. It also gives 5 stops for the Azuma, rather than the 2-3 stops Kings Cross-Peterborough would.
I don’t think it would be viable to continuously extend until it’s all done but who knows how things go Just hopefully this won’t the the last we hear of ECML hopefully may also create more desire for DTG for WCML to enter TSW also.
I’d hazard a guess this section because it was quick, easy and cheap to make. Virtually no stations, no scenery to look at and no major termini to model. Most of the scenery is probably autogen. Of all the possibilities from the west and east coast mainlines this has to be the dullest section of all. It will get boring very quickly, particularly if the unit isn’t up to much.
I don't mind KGX is not in the route but Doncaster seems like a weird place for the route to finish considering the TSC route ends at York. Would've been nice.
Yeah although it's 2-3 stops with the Azuma, it can be a lot more with the 700 and 387 down South....
This is very disappointing the flying Scotsman won't even be available on day 1 it releases on the 26th October.
I love the ECML, I live on it. Will give it every chance but I just feel it could have been more. Flying Scotsman could have appeared anywhere on ECML and people would have been more than happy. Here’s to TSW5!
Does anyone know which subclass(es) we are getting for the 801? I could only see the 801/1 on the VT they ran, but I could've sworn "9 carriages" was said at some point? There doesn't seem to be any specific mention of /1 or /2 on the FAQ or article either.
York to Northallerton is far worse. This section at least has Stoke bank, legendary in railway history.
I'd say you are reading that wrong. That just says they will be available for individual purchase from October, not that they won't be available on launch for deluxe customers.
I love this content! I have make a ride with the Azuma back in June this year and i love this train. Overall the class 800 is a iconic modern train now days in the UK. And 128km is a absolute stunning lenght with no tunnels to remember.... way more to see than on the Kassel Würzburg route And oh boy the Flying Scotsman is an absolute brute machine to ride! I love this loco and it's really shiny!!
They have already shown videos in the direct of the Scotsman working, I can't imagine they need two more months for it.
FS is available in the 2 largest pre orders (not standard). If you want it separate from the pre order packs then you need to wait until October.
The route should be pretty cool regardless of section chosen; high speed express, so happy we have this at all and looking forward to playing it. This forum moans incessantly about London / South-East / EMU content, so the “vocal minority” should wind it in when complaining that we’ve got a slice of the Northerly section. The London end, EMU stacked section with Thameslink 700’s, Great Northern 387’s and the Azuma would have been a fire timetable, but you get what you moan for Hopefully the new UK route for DTG is BML updated to TOD 4 etc and extended to London Bridge with the 700, so we can get another legendary network dense / rolling stock rich route like SEHS !
It really does feel like DTG missed an open goal deciding to do this portion of the ECML. They had so many of the necessary pieces to do a truly great King's Cross to Peterborough, but for reasons known only to them they did this. They must have known we'd be underwhelmed. There's no excuse for not including the HST. I'm assuming they wanted to rigidly stick to present day so the Flying Scotsman could be a "centenary" edition, although no one would bat an eyelid at it's inclusion in a 2019 era route set during the transition from HST to Azuma. At least a Class 91 DLC is still possible. And it would look gorgeous in the current LNER Swallow livery they're wearing. They can't really do anything else loco wise for this route. Grand Central's 180s are non stop to at least Doncaster to my knowledge.
It’s really odd that they’ve chosen the section they have, there must be a specific reason for it. I always think that the routes going from less recognisable places must sell less than ones that have a lot of notoriety - there has to be a good reason that DTG didn’t want to go with “one of the UK’s Mainlines from the venerable Kings Cross” They’ve got to have lost customers just from that lack of notoriety? I’m from the UK and can barely remember where the route starts and ends? It really is a nowhere to nowhere. The UK finally gets a long mileage route that isn’t SEHS, and it comes like this? It’s not great. The longer Highspeed lines aren’t exactly the most exciting things, usually a lot of the allure is taking an iconic train to a big destination, personally I can’t say I’ll feel too much point in running this service pattern. Also choosing the 80X over the 91 was a mistake, there are various places we could have had an IET, but it’s only the ECML we could have a 91. All said, there has to be more to the plan with ECML, I just don’t get how one of TSW 4’s headline routes is so….dull.
They picked this section for two reasons I would bet. 1. The Azuma is the star of this route, and this section gives it 5 stops. Kings cross - Peterborough would only give it 3. 2. This section includes where the Flying Scotsman achieved it's 100Mph record.
That's only if you plan to buy it separately, if you buy it as part of the deluxe edition you will get it day one.
You would have to assume that the class 91 would come as loco DLC… it’s just leaving money on the table otherwise; no-one would care about authenticity of time frame I don’t think, though there would probably be an OG and updated version of the timetable to suit all pallets
I reckon there could be something brewing on route extensions and joining up… this could be part of a MML extension that might arrive down the line?
King's Cross to Peterborough would still be a nice long high speed stretch, which DTG seemed to be more interested in. Class 91s are still in service today so the timeframe isn't an issue.
King's Cross - Peterborough definitely wouldn't have been as interesting as the current selection for the Azuma. But would have had more variety. Hopefully the route gets extended at some point.
