Does Anyone Think Us Freight May End Up Being Dropped Like Steam Hasin Tsw

i kinda wonder if US freight may end up being dropped like steam has they ignore it havent released any decent freight stuff in a good while and seems none in works anytime soon .and being the 2 new us routes beig mostly all passenger and they having licencing issue with the one ..seem DTG s train for US freight isnt making the grade the wheel slip light is on stall may be coming

 

I don't think so, it's not a technical challenge with US freight.

 

Yes, in fact i'm convinced that's the case.

I'd love this to be the thread where DTG comes in and proves me wrong and confirms US freight is still in active development.

 

^This.

If US freight does not sell as well as passenger routes do they will just release more passenger routes and less freight routes, but not stop releasing them completely.

 

Exactly this. In some respects, US freight routes are easier, it's station modelling that takes quite a lot of time. You don't need to do that with a freight route.

 

Does US passenger really sell that well??? . Dont see too much fanfare about antelope the NYT doesnt get rave reviews peninsula really dont it needs upgrade ..id say maybe long island and the M T A ny route boston providence may be the most popular..the up comming san bernadino route dont seem like that exciting of a route flat not very scenic not much freight be lucky if we get a decent fontana local freight layer they claim its to be in there but better be decent not just a few lackluster runs saw some videos of it in another thread seems a decent amount of local freight using a variety of bnsf power

 

Dtg did say antelope valley was one of the most played routes in tsw. If it didn't sell well, I don't think dtg would have continued making them

 

Apparently, AVL and SBL were researched, planned and developed pretty much simultaneously. They released SBL regardless of the success or failure of AVL.

On the question of whether DTG will make more US freight routes, we really can't be sure. They surprised us by completely abandoning 1st party steam without much explanation. They could do something similar again. Without specific assurances, we just don't know their future plans vis- a- via US rail.

 

antelope was the US release with TSW 4 if it was sold as a dlc it wouldnt be a hit i read the antelope thread on here not very many great comments on it more complaints than compliments and the cheap freight layer that you have to have cajon and sherman to acess ..my only favorite part is the northern section soledad canyon and i just mostly run freights on it the movie scene scenario was good the others not really ..1 is bugged cant complete 2 freights get stuck and wont clear move so you can continue its the one where you transport a prisoner at night

 

they probably afraid to talk to us on here about it they ignore in the stream s too ..the silence is deafning

 

Do I think it can be ruled out, No, but do I think that if every American route isn’t freight focused then people are jumping way to quickly to say it’s cancelled, Yes

 

Definitely not. The lack of US freight routes is down to interest. I personally enjoy them, the low speeds, lack of other traffic makes driving them quite relaxing, but with gradients make it challenging too. CSX is certainly long overdue for a new route since their one and only route was TSWs first ever route. But its undeniable commuter routes are far more popular hence why we get more of those

 

There's always a lot of jumping to conclusions, but i just keep going back to this post by Matt:

That sounds a LOT to me like nothing is currently in development.

I've read it about 50 times and the most charitable reading i can give it is "maybe we'll see another period route like Clinchfield", since they can maybe obtain some heritage stock recordings.

Maybe i'm being too negative?

 

i think there needs to be at least 1 US freight route a year on top of also a new freight loco freight car dlc a year also .havent gotten a new freight route since cajon and that was with tsw 3 release there not even a hint of a US freight route anytime soon unless matt is sucessful in coming through with a beautifully remasterd clinchfield route but thats not set in stone bet Pacific surfliner prob be main tsw 5 route again no freight on that line either so not looking good for us freight fans just a shame that in a country where freight dominates DTG thinks the only train in US are passenger where i live here in US passenger trains not a thing none to ride ill prob never ride amtrak never a reason too the closest amtrak trains to me go to places i dont need or care to go to the only other is a steam and diesel museum railroad but ppl want sleek fast modern buses and plane like trains that go at speed of one to play in TSW big powerful slow boring freight trains not liked in the game ..freight is too slow hard and boring for people so guess there is no futre for it in tsw ...change it to passenger traim would be apropriate

 

what they have in development I’m not privy to, and would only be guessing, though everything is always subject to change that included what Matt is saying in that quote as he states himself.

I don’t have knowledge of what class 1 are so I’m not going to have a clue what seems possible or not, so I won’t guess.

They have done US freight routes for a while, if the opinions or money income or both are coming back that they are not wanted then there likely hood I would say decreases, that’s partly on reality and partly on what people are happy with.

 

At the end of the day its going to boil down to:
1. Market - how many people are buying it.
2. Cost/effort to make - how much knowledge/time/effort goes into the route vs others.
3. Reference material/licensing - the user base is clear that we all want accuracy to the greatest extent possible when it comes to physics, sounds, licensing and scenery.

As it stands now it seems like the player base is pushing toward passenger stuff and DTG is having an easier time getting the right kind of technical knowledge and reference material for those routes in North America.

Doesn't mean it will be that way forever. And now with more 3rd party studios trickling into TSW, maybe some of the TSC teams that focus on US freight stuff will start making an appearance.

 

ya they need should bring TSC us freight routes more to TSW ..id like to see Saluda grade be ported to TSW they have NS high hood SD40 2 s as well as southern railway skin F units etc classic and modern together ive seen some of the US freight when cheched out TSC site a shame that some of it cant be ported to TSW so us console only players can enjoy it

 

I would say that we aren’t to expect a lot of US freight content from DTG but I doubt they would drop it completely. In reality, as has been said above, only DTG will know the exact depth of their issues with it, and will proceed in whatever makes most sense to them. I really like US freight so hope they, or a third party developer or two, can bring more of it to TSW.

 

Well, Class 1 means all the big railroads: CSX, NS, BNSF, UP, CP, and CN.

So, you're left with potentially a short-line (which, yes, that could be great, IF they really gave us the full line and all equipment), or something retro (if they can manage to record on a preservation line or at a museum).

Edit: the last US Freight route was Cajon Pass iirc, which was a TSW3 launch route. So, we're going on 18 months- i'd wager there's never been a similarly large gap before.

 

was just watching some of the saltzburg stream someone asked about tsc routes being ported over to tsw so console players can experience them matt said he not against it said the clinchfield was a tsc brought to tsw but route was different structure etc

 

That's how it's been for a while. Several tsc routes were remade for tsw. It's not just a simple port

 

One thing I've noticed playing around with the Formation editor, is that the game cant really handle too many different pieces of rolling stock at once, something that really holds down US freight for a bit. Every time I try to make something decent, the game completely freezes, while other times, I'm completely unable to put down a consist.

I at least would like to see updates to current routes, give them 1 standard, make sure everything is compatible with one another, fix long standing bugs. (Like the impoper EOTD location on the coal hoppers that come with the CSX C40-8W). Fix the UP Heritage Paints. etc....

 

Well the verdicts in matt has spoken ..very sad to me guess im going to send tsw to the bone yard tsw4 is last tsw game ill buy after this VERY DISAPPOINTED

 

Well goodbye then. Don't have to say you're departing from tsw for good.

 

Well, there ya have it. Pretty stunning IMO.

Maybe a 3rd-party will step in someday, but hard not to be sad about it.

Lot of hopes riding on Searchlight Simulations route for SimRail for North American freight fans, huh?

 

After todays verdict i will be watching sim rail for what us freight content if any they do and hopefully the console version will make it out sooner than later but if they dont do us freight no buy for me either

 

i

will still play what us freight content i have on tsw but not investing anymore money twd it unless they put more us freight and actually put effort into improving it making it work..the freight haters have won and the passenger train happy crowd the traim market is too flooded with passenger train content freight gets the shaf

 

Well well well!! First we lose steam traction and now US freight. Yes, yes I know it's not officially abandoned, but then neither was steam. I can read between the lines as well as anybody.

I don't know what's left frankly. There's nothing in the pipeline for US players. I had suggested maybe some short lines, but I guess that's out of the question too.

Honestly I don't know where to go from here. I've virtually exhausted SPG and the other few US freight routes.

I'm at a loss.

 

It took my post to get the anwer did not like what the answer was but the cat is out of the bag...thats why i made this thread cause they been quiet about this and keep getting sorry excuses cant get proper souds cant get access cant get licences ..DTG prob never get a us freight railroad to let them record why cant the es44c4 sound be used for gevos the sd70ace not too bad but it just mute anyways they cant get anyone on board that can help them but no hope ..third paties prob not want to touch freight either they prob do moooorrrreee passenger train us content

 

So why can't they make an extension to existing - SPG, Clinchfield, etc? Or are only *new* US freight routes what people want?

 

I like Clinchfield. Don't play it often enough as it looks very old now, without TOD4 and the like, but it's very enjoyable. I love the branch lines, and recall cursing at the dismal traction as I crept up that &**( grade at like 2 mph for 0.7 mi. Very fun. More of that would do me.

And, of course, I'd love to go through the spiral tunnels in Yoho...and an extension to Oakville. Freight and passenger between Niagara and Toronto. Double dog dare you to put the CN tower in...

 

I mean, what do you actually want them to do? Everyone constantly complains about the audio. If DTG could go and record one of the trains they would, but none of the companies will let them.

 

Maybe have more pickup freight services (serving various industries) instead of just A to B runs (Like Run8 has).
Something to make US freight services more interesting.
Mike.

 

Personally, I'm fine with the audio being not 100% accurate if you have no other choice. If you've made the best efforts to source (which it sounds like you have), I'd rather just have inaccurate audio than no content.

I like freight routes, and I really love local industry being serviced on passenger routes. Something like Antelope Valley has quite a few local industries along the line that could be delivered to in services.

 

I think if people try to convince them to still do them despite the challenges of Audio and Physics, they will still get the same complaints at every release about it, and that may be a big nail for them, personally a wait and see approach seems more practical regrettably not good for US freight fans but reality isn’t always fair.

personally liked Clinchefield, branches were one of the best things on that, minus the speed limits haven’t played as much as other routes but enjoyed it when I do.

but on the topic of including it as a secondary kinda thing on new routes, maybe have them do stuff more than straight runs, kinda like shunting have them be doing stuff and not just travel where appropriate

 

Here's my thought. If Class 1 RRs dont want to do anything with TSW, so be it.

Go for Class 2s. Wheeling and lake erie, Wisconsin southern rr, alaska rr, etc.

Its simple what we want. Accurate audio and visuals. Id rather you guys build their equipment and their short line and add more to make it a longer route(just make it look appealing to the players eyes.) As long as it seems modern(seems to sell best) and accurate trains then Id see it be appealing to the players. Plenty of class 2s use dash 8s, 9s, and passed down gevos so itd be an awesome mix up.

Also Matt idk if you can answer this or not but in regards to licensing, is substitution allowed for most or all routes? It'd allow a class 2 to have variety on the route.

 

I think others are too demanding about the sound quality more over lots of people hate on the us freight its to slow its boring it s too hard the line aint scenic enough ..I play all the freight routes a lot im fine with them sure some thing s not perfect but nothings perfect in Tsw or any other train sim out there ..I got into train sim world because it brought the first train simulator with US route to consoles TSW2 and csx sand patch then saw HSC as a DLC i grew up in Pittsburgh PA close to those routes ive railfanned these routes in person and enjoy driving trains virtually over them even if the sounds aint perfect that dont keep me from enjoying it 3rd route i got was CN oakville been there in real life railfanning i have all the US freight routes ..Also people dont seem to understand freight rail is biggest component of rail here in US ..it would be like making the ECML inuk with freight only and not many passenger trains passenger trains are bigger business over freight in UK ..as far as visuals too high of expectations can only do so much i play on console only first was xbox 1 then series s and just got a series x then the pc crowds bashes the consoles they got mods more powerful system s i dont game on pc its too much tech maintence doing drivers etc

 

cotinued

also some complain abot train length but they dont understand that cant have 14,000 ft monster freights in tsw they got to accept the limitation s of what ever system they use just be happy can get us freight train to run ..as far as route size most us crew districts long 150 200 miles it just again ppl expect to have a full 200 mile freight route ..it just seems like lots of things getting in the way to have freight routes id love to see more classic stuff but again no one likes the good old trains has to super sleek modern and fast ..the oldr trains are awesome shame cant have alcos older ge s emd s older freight cars etc cause nobodyn wants them enough

 

I agree. The sounds could always be sourced at a later point if need be. But hey there are also mods for people who want them. Also, the sounds from the ES44C4 could also go into other GEVOs. Heck it even gives us a little variety. I'm okay with whatever sounds you guys have. It's more about the variety for me at least

 

might be difficult trying to sell it depending on how popular or unpopular something is

 

You know you can just edit your original post right instead of replying to your own post

 

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Part 3 seems US freight cant move forward cause too much division and too high of expectations demands ..more routes should be done with licences that already exist thers many miles of csx ns up cn bnsf trackage that could become routes how about the bnsf transcon in midwest fast running 70 mph stack trains have grain elevators load grain trains there needs to be more switching pick up and set out cars along the way ..Minnesota. Iron range on cn load ore trains load rock trains have a coal fired power plant unload a coal train how about a working intermodal terminal refineries steel mills there tons of things

 

You've already seen the fail to place consist here: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/formation-does-not-fit-in-this-scenario.78515/

 

I enjoy shunting, coal loading, preparation services and have branchlines like clinchfield. Anything that isn't just a long mainline run. I personally don't know much about freight railroads, but I like having different activities that can keep engaged. I also like some challenging routes where you have steep grades, constantly changing gradients, etc.

 

What about other types of freight loading like ethanol, grain, aggregate, potash, or even phosphate and other commodities. Like we could have another CSX route that is set in Florida as we haven't had a new CSX route for years

 

just need more variety in us freight services similar to passenger runs in passenger routes there the stop at every station run s the point a to b express run and srevices that stop at certain stations freight can have the pount a to b runs local freight runs freights thatset out pick up at sidings and yards along the way there is maintenance of way trains needs to be more research on how us freight is done watch you tube videos there is tons of videos that show it all in action to get ideas

 

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention there is an 8 episode documentary called Rocky Mountain Railroad where we get some insight on what Canadian Pacific, now CPKC does. They show us them loading potash in Episode 5 and they even show us them loading grain in episode 2. That could be insightful for the industries served by CPKC or any other railroad