Hello everyone, TrainGeek08 here, and tonight I am going to give you, the community some special tips and tricks to help you make scenarios (this is intended for newer players and those who don't use SP) but everyone can take this advice regardless, anyway, onto the tips then... My advice on how to make a basic scenario: I use Realtime Trains for scenarios set in the modern day Or I use Network Rail Working Timetables for backdated scenarios between 2003-2022 If there are scenarios when there is a lot of trains, I spawn it in a station, then as more trains are added, I bump them back or forward a station, but that depends on train density On liveries, I go for quality over quantity, meaning I prefer to get nitty-gritty into all the details and markings Tips for starters: Pick a route you like Use reference websites like RTT, OpenTrainTimes etc. then build your scenario based off the timetable I'd recommend testing scenarios to check everything works before releasing it on CC Don't make it too busy, otherwise it will be very complex, leave that until you're more experienced Tom Fresco's tips & tricks on how he creates his awesome scenarios: Look at a Map of the route and remember/write down the stations in order Set up your player service, if you don't know the route well, write down the Path it takes and the Platform it should arrive at its destination, as well at stations it passes If your Starting station is big enough or has more platforms available in Scenario Planner, add static stock. It will be static if you either set the departure time hours after the scenario starts, or 5 mins before the player service starts. Now you can add AI Traffic in order from the nearest station from the start to the destination. Of course in the opposite direction that you are going. It doesn't matter if some AI Trains that don't go your direction have the same Destination platform and will get in a jam, as that will be way behind you and no one will notice. If there are Sidings or other Platforms that wont see passing traffic available in Scenario Planner, you can also add static AI there Depending on how much AI is added, the departures of them should be set evenly apart, yo there's always a constant flow of trains coming past, and not 5 in the first 10 Minutes and nothing after. If you wish, you can add a train in front of the player train. But it must have a different destination / arrival Platform than the player train, a fitting departure time, so it doesn't block your path for an eternity nor departing immediately and you in your train notice nothing from the one in front. Test the entire thing to see if you're happy with AI timings and that nothing gets stuck in front of you, if there's a massive traffic jam on the other end of the route by the time you arrive at your destination, it doesn't matter. If you want or its necessary, you can make changes or fixes and the upload it to Creators Club. Hope these are helpful, these are from me, a rising star on the Creator's Club, and Tom Fresco, the best scenario creator on the Creator's Club, if you have any questions or queries, be sure to put them down below and we will check this thread (well I will, dunno about you Tom ) and answer them, or you could DM the questions to us and we'll answer them that way, enjoy the rest of your evening (or day, depends on where you are in the world), I've been TrainGeek08 as usual, until next time, it's goodbye from me EDIT: Lowered the text size and changed the structure slightly to make it more readable and understood
No offense, but the result will be nothing more than a timetable service. Isn't a scenario supposed to be different? Where is the re-routing caused by train hijackers, or by a malfunctioning train blocking a track, or at least a cab change, not to mention the story that can be introduced with dialogue. While I appreciate the effort you put into this post, I would rather ignore the so-called "Scenario Creator" until they fix it so that a proper scenario can be created.
I understand, Scenario Planner isn't how everyone expects it to be, I agree, we need either examples of scenarios like derailed trains, signal failures etc. otherwise like you say, it is effectively a timetable service, I also agree on some dialogue too, if normal scenarios can have it, why can't SP have it too I thank you for appreciating this thread, not everyone likes SP, and I think DTG know that, I was discussing yesterday in another thread about it and people are saying exactly that, I feel the experienced scenario creators are keeping it afloat, whereas others use it for fun, they need to look at your feedback and rethink about SP 2.0
Most of the time, it is different from the timetable Mode, as either in the scenario you drive a train that is not avaible in Timetable mode on the route (the case in most of my scenarios) and/or you have good and mixed AI, which also wouldnt be in Timetable mode. Take Rapid Transit for example. The Route is something completely different on an IC service, encountering Freight, ICEs, regionals and S Bahn services as AI compared to the sparse S Bahn only timetable Mode. Unfortunately as you Said, something really special, like planned rerouting or more complex tasks arent possible in scenarioplanner. One of the special things you can do is set a train infront, which also Happens in the timetable, but not on all routes, so you can make routes with a quiet timetable busy. I wouldnt do a scenario like driving a 377 on BML, as it wouldnt be able to compete to the awesome timetable. But something like taking ICEs or the n wagen on routes they dont appear in the TT, but in reality, can really give the route a new feel
Well it’s not even a timetable mode is it? You can’t follow a timetable, as there are no timings you can enter or even auto-generated timings! I know thankfully, it’s on DTG’s list of things to do.
I agree, DTG really need to reconsider SP 2.0 with some dynamic events included like derailed trains etc. Gonna tag DTG JD and DTG Matt to add this to the company's list of things to do in TSW
I'm with you. I'm a complete novice at the SP, but I made one earlier with 20-odd AI trains and me, all set to just be going random places, at staggered times. The first 3 trains left at the same time as me from London, as there are multiple tracks and it looks pretty cool - like a kind of race. I had to tweak it a little, but having just played it I have a really good scenario. Nothing spectacular, but nice and busy, with a freight mixed in too. My point is, I didn't use a timetable, or write anything, I just completely winged it, and got something good by accident. I think that's often how the best things happen with stuff like this. Just my opinion of course and my next effort may be dull; - but it won't stop me from trying. I think if you want real control over consists, buildings, track layout etc, you need Trainz 2022. I just got it in the Autumn sale after watching some YT videos. Some of the Rockies routes are out of this world. Not tried it yet, cos the learning curve demands full attention and I'm too busy with work right now. Cheers fellas.
Sometimes doing something random can work, I personally put trains down at certain stations sometimes in the hope that the player would see them as AI if that scenario is not based off a timetable service
For me the main problem with Scenario Planner is the lack of a decent variety of paths on most routes. Most sidings and platforms are unavailable and, on nearly all routes, portals were hidden. These factors really limit the scope of a scenario creator and make the game really basic. I don't know why this is. Is it really so hard to put a few extra paths into a route? (Even BPO is guilty of this).
Thanks a lot for your help. As I said, I'm a complete novice so for now the 'suck it and see' approach is having to do, in lieu of actual ability.
Also, am I right in thinking we can't tell our player driven train what time it is expected to arrive at the stations? I noticed on my scenario there is no arrival time for the stations. Also, can you help with this issue? https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/scenario-titles.76807/ Thanks in advance.
No worries at all, glad this helped you get into scenario creation I think you can't set arrival times in Scenario Planner like it is in timetable mode or scenarios but you can make up arrival times if you like
What (network rail) working timetable should I use for a backdated (still EWS era) Tees Valley scenario?
I would say anything from 2000 to 2008 as anything after is DB Schenker and subsequently DB Cargo UK (although both companies have EWS liveried 66s), but if you want EWS era, go between those years .
Yeah, doing American scenarios is a pain however I use Google Maps to get trains added. For example, if I want to do a scenario on Antelope Valley, I will search up 'Burbank-Downtown' or 'Vista Canyon' to get all of the trains that you would see throughout the scenario . However, in saying that, there is probably a schedule that you can download from an operator's website e.g. Metrolink for the above example to help create American scenarios.
What if I want to make a scenario on example on Southeastern but RealTimeTrains don't show the specfic units for trains e.g 465007 but with other TOCs like SWR its quite easy to make scenarios on RTT for that. What website would you recommend to use for references for scenarios for something like southeastern or thameslink
Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do with operators which do not have Know Your Train information on RTT but if you think the service would be worked by a 465, then put the 465 on that service within the scenario . The same principle applies for Thameslink services.
