This is just asking for reviews of TSW traction models (visuals, sounds and physics). Not necessarily your favorite to drive (myself I love the fairly blah 146.2), but the most successful representations of real-life power in digital simulacrum My suggestions: 1) Vectron 2) British Rail Class 101 3) CN GP9RM 4) DB BR 101 5) MP15DC Honorable mention: OBB Taurus, Vossloh G6
Class 465 Networker Class 387 Electrostar and the London Commuter Class 377 The 465 I'm sure people will agree with, but I suspect they will disagree with me on the Electrostars. Personally, I find them to be modelled accurately, with good physics and sounds. Yes, I think the cab sounds are that quiet in real life.
For me it has to be the Class 31, Class 20 and the Class 158. Edit: JT's class 142 as well, can't believe I forgot about it!
I actually say everything done for TSW up until now EXCEPT, the Electrostars(377,375,387), The Class 37,40,45. I say everything because all the trains were either extremely close or spot on to their Irl counterparts. It's just the lack of an engine room that hurted them in the process
In no particular order: Class 700 (model specifically) Class 710 Class 20 Class 31 Class 465 Br 401 Br 101 Br 442 Br 193 Acela Express Lots more but I don’t want this list to get too long
My only nominations are the Class 20 and 31. Quite frankly I don't think there have been better UK locomotives since. Actually I disagree with both. The Electrostars have a number of problems with their modelling and the interiors, the PIS system still has issues, and the sounds are odd. The 465 doesn't have any of those issues (other than the PIS) but it is unforgivable how they got the interior wrong despite multiple chances to correct it and the problem being raised time and time again. That said I'm a very cynical person (for good reason, mind you) so this probably won't be the right thread for me...
The Pacer is the bar setter for the entire series. That’s the best model in the game. For DTG I’d say the 465 is their best model. I also have to give a shout out to Skyhook for the 158 which is really well modelled.
Well every time this question comes up my answer is the same ( so far ). British Rail Class 101 CN GP9RM Class 20 ( last minute addition ).
Class 323 Class 465 Class 700 I’m especially impressed by the modeling of the 700. It’s has such a unique shape and the silhouette is captured beautifully.
Everybody writing down the 387/465 EMU, which are both good units but my favourite is the 323. Working pantograph isolation, traction isolation and parking brake. Very detailed in my opinion. All the br diesels too. Cl20 - 66 are very detailed with their traction and brake system. I enjoy most locos. Rivets rolling stock is usually visually superb, but lacks major feature and sound basics. Not fun for me constantly seeing modders can fix things in 2 days while Rivet refuses to even accept critizism and improvement. Overall skyhook convinved with the 158, and DTG has a high quality level of the rolling stock (except for fixing the bugs). Same for maik and tsg, which are the only blind purchaises i make.
I think the BR155 should be on this list. Plus the 101s, both lovely modeled. The old BR irons, Class 20, 31, 40, 45. And yes, when you strictly answer the ask from the OP, the Vectron as well. Although with the latter kind of loco/EMU/DMU I've got some philosophical itches. Drive by wire: Basically a (game) computer simulating a computer driven train unit. Hmmm. :headscratch:
Limiting myself to just 1 in each country/region: NA- The F125 for AVL. I don't even like the route that much, but the loco is really well done and i like to use it as a stand-in for the missing Amtrak diesels using free-roam. Honorable mentions. ACS64 and Acela. UK- Probably recency bias, but the 710 is fantastic. Honorable mentions for the 323, 465 and the 142 Pacer. EU- The Vectron is king IMO. I can't imagine using anything else for freight runs. Honorable mentions G6, DBBR101, OBB Taurus.
I think the 142, 158 and the 31 are on the tops of my list, for model alone. To be honest, I don't think any of the TSW trains look... bad?
Well, um, I have... ... in fairness it should certainly be on my list and I should be giving myself a slap on the wrist for not originally including it.
Even though the sounds are old, the Sand Patch Grade locos are high up on my list for models, due to having an actual modeled engine room, cold starts, and visual variations between the Yn2 and Yn3b locos for the GP38-2 and SD40-2.
1) 193 2) 158 3) 465 4) DBAG 101 5) 142 All in no particular order. The Vectron has by far been one of the only European locos I’ve wanted to drive since it came out, the entire experience of it is awesome. Only downside for me is the lack of passenger operations for it. The 158 is quite well made & you can really see the passion that was put into it. To me there is something a little underwhelming about it - there simply isn’t a good enough run on it. There’s the short runs on MML or the no interaction required runs on ECML. We really need a dedicated experience for it. The 465 joins the DB 101 in that it’s a unit that’s aged really well, much like the Vectron there is so much about it that just makes it an incredible experience to drive. We really need more to do with this one. DBAG 101 - as said above, it’s a loco that’s aged really well, for a long time the only German loco I looked to drive regularly. Again though, there’s not too much to be done with it, although Rosenheim was a very good route for the 101, and whilst it lacks any high speed running, it’s definitely been one of my favourite German experiences in TSW. The 142. Now here we have a loco that has incorrect sounds, some basic modelling going on in places & incorrect liveries, but the way it drives, the little details in the sounds & physics along with suspension make this one of, if not the best train driving experiences within TSW. It’s also a shining example of what should be done when branding & real sounds aren’t available, make what you can & do it with quality. I do want to point out a running theme, the majority of the better trains in TSW don’t get used anywhere near enough, while some of the less desirable stock gets repetitive use. It’s a real shame.
If we were talking exclusively about reproduction of the exterior I could mention the much underrated DB BR 187. From the inside however, in terms of fidelity, it would lose many positions. From the inside, however, one of the ones that surprised me the most was the British Rail Class 101.
Not saying there's no other fine models, but for me the DB BR 111 has it all. Fine modelling, sounds and functionality, a good challenging driving experience, and it really shines on its home route Salzburg-Rosenheim which imho is DTG's best effort so far and a joy to drive each time due to its hills, scenery and amount of layers.
The 314 is flying under the radar a bit here. The only thing missing is the doors between the carriages opening and slamming shut every 10 seconds, although that's hardly anything anyone wants to listen to. It may not be the most fun train to drive, certainly not on the most exciting route, but it's well-made as a loco. The 142, 700 and 465 are all in the same range too.
1) Class 377 (BML variant, not the older East Coastway model). 2) Class 465 (superbly modelled, superb sounds. All round lovely unit) 3) Class 710 (absolutely superbly modelled. Physics and sounds that are superb) 4) Class 47 (updated Blackpool Branches variant). 5) Joint place Class 142/Class 47 (Blackpool Branches variant of the 47)
