Metrolink San Bernardino Line Discussion Thread

Well, there you have it. Another US commuter line, expanding on the existing Metrolink DLC. I personally am excited for this one, maybe I’m being biased. This route has never been seen on any train sim platform, ever. DTG spent a lot of time working with Metrolink and creating the equipment for the AVL and I always thought it was silly to put in all that work for just one route. It seems to make sense that they chose to expand on it. Not to mention, we get the MP36 we’ve been wondering about.

DTG is likely always going to focus on stuff they already have a license for or can easily get a license for so it makes sense they would expand further on their Metrolink one.

Like I said, I’m personally looking forward to this one. Wanted to start a discussion to see what others thoughts are on it.

Here's a thread I put together regarding some more basic Metrolink procedures and operations:
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...ngs-and-other-rules-useful-information.78699/

 

No LIRR what a pity

 

Terrible choice for a 2nd Metrolink route, not to mention the announcement has no in game shots or video of it.

Feels like this was an emergency route done up to fill the gap that the issues with the supposed LIRR route is dealing with.

 

Can’t say I’m excited. I mean, yeah they actually using there material and not throwing it away. But on the other hand.. why? I’ve never heard of this route and I certainly did not expect it. This route to me doesn’t feel new, it’s basically a different section with no new rolling stock. And don’t even start with that re-skin of the MP36..

 

As I've posted elsewhere, not too excited. I'm thinking lots of re-used assets and not just the F125.

I can see why they've done it, using the time and information they got from Metrolink. But it's not really thinking outside the box, is it, not much imagination.

And not really much to do with US Rail. I would have much preferred a freight or mixed P/F route away from either coast.

 

This should have been the Metrolink like that should have been made from the start. I do find it ridiculous but not surprising that the MP36 and Bombardier bi levels which were already in the game will be releasing with this route only rather than coming with Antelope Valley from the start considering all they really had to do was a reskin for the most part

But other than that, this route does sound tempting. It will have more services compared to Antelope Valley but I do wish they could just combine the Antelope Valley and San Bernardino together. I could see why this route may not be tempting for some considering that there will probably many reused assets and the Metrolink network as a whole is not as appealing as say the MTA Long Island Railroad for example. This will feel quite similar to Antelope Valley in terms of the driving experience as well

 

I like AVL so I’m ok with this being the next release, it’ll be interesting to see what it looks like. It’s looks like there won’t an LIRR 2.0 isn’t making me sad tbh, Harlem Line is good enough for me

 

I think it was planned all along. I’m sure they did plenty of riding and planning on the SBD line when they road and did all the planning for AVL. It would make sense to combine the two routes into one trip. So I’m sure they always knew they were going to do this route as well. They may have decided to release it earlier than LIRR to fill the gap, yes. But I’m sure SBD was planned from the beginning.

 

The San Bernardino Line was the line I took all the time when I lived in that area. Can’t wait to play this route. Also will do some free roam with freight trains on this route. So excited for this route.

 

I imagine this route and AVL were planned and maybe developed in tandem following the trip to Southern Cal last year.

I'm pretty sure they didn't make a second trip out there.

 

I don’t think we know that’s just a re-skin. That’s just pure speculation. For one, the headlights are different on the preview shots of the Metrolink one. The Caltrain one features LEDs as well as the LED number board on the front. Neither of which exists on the IRL Metrolink MP36, nor appear in that preview shot. (Some Metrolink MP36s have LEDs but they’re completely different from the Caltrain ones.) So if they changed out the headlights to non-LEDs, I think it would be a safe bet that it might be a redesign of the existing one. The cabs are also quite different between the two as well.

 

These are my thoughts exactly. This has been planned all along.

 

Apparently there is a comment on twitter where they are developing another unannounced us route. Mentioned licensing is an issue, so maybe it's that considering there are many leaks are present

 

And on the roadmap too!

 

I find it funny this route has the Auto Club Speedway stop, despite the last race there being in 2023, and the track currently being torn down...

 

Time to save my money for the next 6+ months probably!

 

Also, line description from Wiki

 

Without BNSF freight yards and BNSF freight services this route will not be immersive and note complete.

 

Why are there licensing issues this far along on a promised route? I’m confused. Isn’t this stuff supposed to be approved before they even begin building/modeling?

 

I think they ment another route. LIRR 2.0. Licensing perhaps the DM30 loco.

 

It's something I feel that would've been better served done in maybe another year or two, give some space and actually make people actually hunger a little for a second Metrolink route. As is getting a new Metrolink route this soon to me is like having a alright but bit tiring birthday, then going to bed looking forward to spending the next day relaxing, only to wake up to a second birthday party. I'm not saying the second birthday party's nessicarily gonna be terrible, but by the same token you've kind of had your fill of cake, balloons, and chatter for the year.

Also, I'm really surprised this second US route wasn't a freight route, I figured if they announced to US routes one would be LIRR, and then the second being some freight. As far as I remember we haven't gotten one since Cajon, so I thought we were actually overdue for a new one.

 

Seems like the only major freight component would be BNSF's yard around Fontana, outside of that, is just industrial sidings and UP's LATC yard.

 

They might have a change of mind in the middle. Who knows. The mta system as a whole is a mess if you check the news.

 

fo

r me it will be free roam freight ..like i do on antelope i like the northern half best where the tunnels grades curves are

 

It would be nice if they merged AVL & CJP onto this one...but that's a pipedream as merges aren't a thing. At the least there should be AI traffic at both ends if you own the other 2 routes.

 

Even if you do merge the routes, there isn't anything that can run on all 3 directly, so there really isn't a point to merge them all into 1.

 

I must say, it is good to see Dovetail building upon existing content again. Similar to the Dresden Double, it all adds up and I'm sure will only make both routes (certainly, at least, the San Bernardino Line) a lot better and more interesting.

 

Good choice imho.

 

Bottom line, no matter what route they chose to release, people weren’t gonna be happy about it. There’s not a single route they could release that everyone would be happy about. It’s a lose/lose situation. This route makes sense for them based on licensing, existing DLC, etc.

That said, I agree. A good choice in my opinion. I’m looking forward to it. Can’t wait to run 6 car trains with an MP36! Not to mention the express trains that fly through stations at 79mph!

 

Not sure about this one. Barely played AVL. First timetable service I tried I was stuck at a red light at the very start with loads of other trains backing up everywhere. Turned my PS5 off in frustration and haven’t touched the route since.

 

Glad to hear that its another US-Passenger route (not freight only).

 

Right, this line is fairly flat and high speed running between stops. I am also looking forward to this release.

 

What I don't understand is why, out of the selection of Metrolink routes to choose from, this particular one is a good choice. It doesn't seem to have high service frequencies, or also feature Amtrak, or also feature freight. I don't know much about it, but aren't there other Metrolink choices that would have offered some of this? How is this the best choice? How is this a better choice than the Orange County Line?

Very honestly, if anyone can tell me why this flat low-frequency line was the best next choice for Metrolink on TSW after AVL, which is a hilly low-frequency line, I would like to hear it. As of right now I have 0% interest in this, or anything else that has been announced TBH.

 

I would imagine that it takes far too long to sort out licencing before starting work on a route. It is plausible that routes get developed during negotiations, and since the Long Island Rail Road and the Harlem Line are already in TSW, I should imagine DTG expect negotiations to go favourably.

On a more speculative note, the licensor may see the ongoing development of the route as a sign of genuine interest. Perhaps DTG can show something to help convince the licensor that it is worth their approval.

I should add that my views on this matter come from my total lack of experience or knowledge in licences, videogame development, and the USA.

 

I think they are going to re-build a new track in it‘s place right?
As a motorsport fan, I‘m actually looking forward to being able to drive here in TSW

 

I don't know much about the route, to be honest. But I am interested because of the MP36 - it is a much prettier locomotive than the F125. I was somewhat interested in Antelope Valley, but the scenery quality and the F125 didn't really got me into buying it. Another Metrolink route in the same area, but with a more appealing rolling stock, like the MP36, sounds much more lovely.

So I will be looking forward to this one.

 

Actually back in a old roadmap (sometime pre-TSW3, can't remember more than that) they actually said they made sure to have their rights in order first. This is because in TSC once made a route focused on a US railroad (I think they mentioned they hauled chemicals), assuming they'd get the license sorted out, they didn't, and thus ended up scraping the route. The fact they apparently made LIRR without doing so is actually a notable change in policy for them.

 

Intriguing! Perhaps, then, it is more plausible that an issue has come up during development, causing negotiations to restart.

 

Apparently there is a brand new 2024 timetable that makes most metrolink routes busier so if dtg decided to use the 2024 route, it can be busy. If not, it's going to be a quiet one

 

All the Metrolink lines are low-frequency. IIRC the San Bernardino line is actually the busiest, especially if DTG use the timetable being introduced this year with half-hourly trains to Covina.

 

"Supposed", but I'm not holding my breath.

 

San Bernardino Line has the most frequency of any line. It has the most trains. People complained about the hilly, slow speed running on AVL and wanted faster running. Now you’ve got faster running that’s flat and people still aren’t happy. It’s a flat, high speed commuter line with the most trains out of any of Metrolinks lines. What more would you be looking for?

As far as the OC Line, that has much less frequency and likely requires additional licenses beyond a single Metrolink one.

 

Still would of preferred the combined line between LA to Oceanside, with Surfliner Stock. Plus it mixes multiple Metrolink lines into 1 route, also some mainline BNSF freight.

At least with the Mp36 stock with San Bernardino means if DTG ever actually gets around to this route, they would only need to focus on Amtrak Surfliners stock....

 

At least we are getting the MP36 and Bombardier coaches. Combined with the formation designer we can actually make proper trainsets. San Bernardino Line regularly sees 6 car trains.

 

While I do like the F125 and AVL, I agree that the MP36 is more appealing visually (subjectively to me). Since we may or may not get an update to Peninsula Corridor, this Metrolink MP36 will be a great way to experience the loco with better lighting and such.

Question: is the MP36 the same type as the one on Peninsula Corridor (MP36PH-3C)?

 

For the most part, yes. There are a few subtle differences on the exterior and the cabs are laid out different among the two. But otherwise, they are roughly the same locomotive.

 

I'm very happy with this announcement, and have been hoping it would come soon since the release of Antelope Valley. I don't know anything about the line, for what it's worth, but I'm excited to have the link between Antelope Valley and Cajon Pass.

 

I'm fine with it overall. It's a new-ish train and a new route. I thought AVL was really well done (especially the trains themselves) even though the route itself is pretty boring. Just wish it was a bit busier i guess. Since it doesn't look like we're ever getting Amtrak diesels, better to stay away from routea where they feature heavily imo.

The issues with "not-LIRR 2.0" are mind-boggling though.

DTG certainly aren't new to the licensing process, so i just can't figure it out.

Maybe licensing is more of a publisher thing and Focus didn't realize all the complexities, but, wow that's a bad look. The trophies are already live- that usually indicates a release in 4-6 weeks so it's very late in the game. Hope they can get it resolved

 

Does Southwest Chief goes on this route?
We need P42, DTG!