Quite a few years ago I bought WML from JT when it was just Paddington to Cardiff and Exeter. Was finishing up my service reinstall of TSC from a few weeks ago and realised I hadn't put this back on. Opened my account at JT to redownload and install. Just gone into the "9" map at Paddington and scrolled through, appears my orignal purchase has upgraded to include all the extra bits that have been added, all the way down to Penzance (with both MLN and the route via Westbury) unless my eyes deceive me. My Lords. That is one mega route to play with,
Could be wrong and I can’t tell as I have it fully installed with all extensions, but didn’t it always have the full map, just no scenery on the bits you don’t have the extensions for. If I‘m wrong - Good Result, not the best JT route, but very enjoyable.
Ah that could be it. I will have to check in a bit more detail. Thought it was too good to be true! Yes cancel my excitement. Just dropped into a scenario starting at Plymouth and just barebones scenery.
I wish somebody would do an Electrified version of the current GWR out to Bristol Parkway and Cardiff. There have been a few attempts on ATS but nothing covering the full run to Cardiff.
The big problem is the section from Paddington to Reading. It needs a complete new build by todays standards. Route builders have claimed that the old DTG Version and even the JT version are not anything to work with for a modern day revamp.
Usually good enough is better than nothing. I did DJ mixes during the pandemic. Early on I just had fun, posting them regularly. Then I wanted to be perfect - partially me, partially feedback - and eventually posted one during the last two years each. Perfectionism is an archenemy of creativity.
On a related note, I'm assuming if I bought the Steam versions of the route extensions, they won't integrate with the original Western Main Lines from JT? Just probably cheaper to pick up in a Steam sale than from JT themselves.
The DTG (RSC) version is a Keith Ross rework of the original Kuju route, adding scenery, dynamic lights and the (then) new skydome. Keith originally added the Heathrow branch, but that was dropped as presumably they wanted to preserve full tracks.bin compatibility. I guess to have the fully merged GWR network, you must buy from JT directly. (Though I don't mind having separate routes, as you can create scenario series across routes, and don't need to save).
I think you might be right. Though that said, both the Highbridge to Plymouth and Plymouth to Penzance routes have very negative reviews on Steam. At this point, probably better to spend the money elsewhere - I still need to add Ringbahn to my route collection along with Brockenbahn once both get a discount in the sale and I want to rebuy the Springfield route too. Paddington to Cardiff and Exeter is still a mega route in its own right.
The negative reviews mostly are due to the fact that JT's Steam distribution often fails and clashes with other routes of theirs. DTG are making the Steam depots, and it seems they are only testing the route as a single install, which works. Needs a holistic approach to spot the mistakes They have this whole network on their systems, then cutting out tiles and assets and bundling them as a route or expansion pack. The policy of one route - one asset pack is ignored by them, leading to still unresolved issues like SWEX and Cornish Main Line crashing the game if both installed, as there's different asset versions being written into the same folders. You need to install to dummy folders and merge assets yourself. I've got SWEX to Reading, South Devon and Cornish Main Line installed. They are beautiful and running well once you rearrange the problematic assets in the JustTrains\GreatWestern folder.
Edit: South Devon is actually rubbish and has ugly vegetation assets, low resolution and 0/255/0 green. Must be pretty old. Worlds apart from their recent standards. Half of the route is featured in SWEX in a much better state. As I see it, the only unique part is Plymouth to Exeter. Imho they should make a full GWR and a full MML package. Their portfolio of routes and extensions and mergers is very confusing.
I did confirm with JT Support, only their version of the extensions overlays the WML. However as you say Spikee, at this point better things to spend the money on like Ringbahn.
Yes, the full map comes with the route by default but there is nothing there. I still have to get Buxton on the MML but, if I download the update, would still have the segment of route on my MML and could even feasibly make and run scenarios in the area (which is an option as trains go in and out of there daily even today). The area would just look pretty bland. This is why I advertise not to buy the Steam version of the MML. Same route ID and game would be confused with both installed. That said, if you don't plan to run the super long scenarios, or scenarios with trains going across routes as AI, then you are fine to do so.
