Just bought Peak Forest and the sound of the class 4F is I can't find words to describe. Surly something can be done to rectify, sounds nothing in any way authentic. But I must add the route as is is superb. This is part of my Bromsgrove - Manchester - Sheffield route that took me 10 or more years to create for Train Simulator, I know every inch of it and can drive it like I had been on it 10 years! i.e. going through Rowsley station, open up full because you know the incline soon start. Superb in every way except that class 4 sound. Makes me hope they do not use the Jubilee 3 cyl sound on the Flying Scotsman, that would destroy it.
I think the 4f isn't too bad up to about 20-25mph but I didn't ever see them out of preservation as I was born in the ER when and my earliest memories are of diesels, not steam so I don't remember ever seen them working properly. From what was said on the stream Scotsman has new sounds which is good as it has a different chuff to the Jubs. I do agree though that peak forest is a beautiful looking route.
Steam sound does need some love, the distinction between the same locos in TSW and TSC is quite marked. Up to about 25 MPH they are okay but over that seem to blur into a wall of white noise. Maybe it’s a Simugraph thing. Personally I feel the 4F sounds quite good, at least at the lower speeds it spends most of its time at, better than the 8F and Jubilee, has a wicked whistle too.
Yes, though I must say after using the method in this thread the Jubilee sounded much better on a Crewe to Liverpool run yesterday, though still not good enough.
I’ve been following that with interest and keep meaning to give it a try, though currently doing a scenario on Horseshoe Curve.
I'll definitely be listening to the Scotsman with interest having just visited the Bluebell and seen it running (all be it at a rather spritely 25mph).
Been waiting since SoS for a premium virtual steam experience, but it does not seem to be a priority for DTG. I know they've had their hands full with TSW4 and the constant bugfixing, but I think that perhaps they should take on board a 3rd party steam expert like Victory Works to help with the ongoing development of steam in simugraph (sounds and physics).
I write my criticism of the 4F sound based on the fact that I worked on them in the 1960-64. Here is a picture of me on 43949 taking water at Whitacre with 56Trip, Kingsbury - Hams Hall coal. The sound fix on the Train Sim 4F is as real as it gets.
They had Scotsman for 2 days IIRC on the East Lancs railway so all sounds SHOULD be what the recorded from tha actual loco. I'm interested to see how they handle the sounds above 60 mph though
The Scotsman sounds are good upto about 45mph, then the wheels turn faster than the exhaust, and the exhaust doesn't keep up with the wheels. Has a real 4F been recorded for the Peak Forest route?
They used a combination of Videos but couldn't record one as there are none currently in service as they are all out for overhaul I believe. But I do think up to around 30mph it sounds fantastic. Not sure how it measures up to real life though
This is on PS4 with the Peak forest Route Out of of six attempts at the scenario "Breaking The Bank" I've only managed to get the train moving once, and upto the stop at peak forest.I tried slightly setting back, 8 percent regulater and gradually increasing the regulater once moving. The 4F just sits there while the 8F wheelspins. I tried full regulater, 10 percent etc and nothing budged, no wheelspin. And in FF gear. Anyone had trouble with this scenario?
A general problem for all vintage UK locos is that if DTG can find one to record, it's usually on a heritage railway and therefore limited to 25 mph- everything above that has to be "constructed." Only rarely do they get the opportunity to record one out on the mainline at higher speeds.
I suppose there's the GCR for higher speeds, but I think that's for testing and running in for mainline use, so probably not too many opportunities to record specific locos. On the PS4 I keep getting "scenario failure" on the Peak forest " Breaking The Bank" either just before the tunnel or at the other side of the tunnel. Can't see what causes itno SPADS etc. It's a shame as that is an interesting scenario. It did manage to let me complete it once. Just the usual dovetail bugs maybe?
Make sure you firing is set to automatic OR if you keep it in manual the door is fully open (check this throughout the trip) for the duration of the journey.
I don't like steamers in TSW (love them in TSC though), but can you recommend PF for the route itself to run some Diesels? Might get it on a sale.
100% yes to that one mate. The Peak is an absolute joy to drive on it as the route itself is a really lovely, well made route.
When doing the ICI wagon banking turn with the 8F, it seems the brakes on the 4F won't release. On the 8F It says give two long whistles to notify the banker to release the brakes. I have tried two long whistles, the brakes didn't release, and I tried one short whistle. If I give three or four short toots on the 8F whistle that seems to release the brakes on the 4F. If I use the camera angles to leave the 8F footplate, and look into the 4F cab, and then give one short whistle from the 8F, I then see the brake handle release on the 4F. Seems a bit random...
After driving the 4F I agree the sound is all over the place. It is one second slogging along with loud exhaust, and then goes quiet, then loud.... After 25mph the 4F becomes quiet even with full regulater. Some of of the 4F sounds are quite good, and it does sound like a 4F , but too erratic and inconsistent. AFAIK there are not any 4Fs running now, so not sure how a better sound could be obtained. As Eric Morecombe might say "The 4F is playing all the right notes, not necessarily in the right order."
