Upcoming Release Db Br 218 Diesel Loco - Coming Soon!

Inflation and interest rates are not just words thrown around casually in the news.
In the end the noose tightens around the throat as in everyday family expenses.

 

at least that's what it seems
as you can also see in the image, there is a 218 at each end of the dostos formation making the dosto cab car functionless

 

Nice to see the newest Member of the V160 family, the wonderful BR 218 with it's impressive diesel engine with turbo charger in TSW. We had to wait for so long to get our first german mainline Diesel. I'm sure it will have the typical high quality standard from TSG. Hopefully it will not take so long to the release of the DB BR 232 = DR BR 132 from the wonderful V300 family.

 

Dear DTG team don't forget to give us the fast moving external camera on consoles back please. It's missing since TSW4. Railfanning is nearly impossible now.

 

Maik made this post some time ago:
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/br-218-expectations.80992/#post-833446

To me that sounds like it’s going to work.

As these services were substitutes irl I would actually assume that they ran like this. You do actually find pictures like this if one makes the effort to google it:
https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/deut...n/1155400/am-29122017-fahren-218-430-und.html

 

hmm, I remember this post from maik, however it came to my mind that 218 doesn't have a MU switcher, so how do we change it when we want to control 218 from dosto cab car?

 

Well, Horseshoe Curve not getting an upgrade has nothing to do with DTG, as that's a Skyhook route. The 218 is actually the first Loco DLC for a DTG TOD3 route in the TOD4 era.

I do agree that the 218 would be much more attractive with a TOD4 upgrade for Hamburg-Lübeck though.

 

Here is a preview video:



Sorry this is already shared

 

Exactly, they ran with with two 218s.

 

If the sounds are bad then I don’t think it’s going to be worth that price. Proof will be when the early adopters stream their reviews but I had hoped for the mighty TB11 roar not some muffled experience. As mentioned Hamburg to Lubeck is not the most exciting route to put it on and I don't own maintalbahn due to the known poor quality and issues.

At best probably wait for a sale - depending what discounts are on offer in the Steam sale that £14.99 could buy me a good chunk of Berlin Ringbahn or the Brockenbahn for TSC.

 

if you look closely you can see the gap

 

hmm, but 218 doesn't have a MU switcher as far as I know, or does it?

 

That's a little misleading. The 218 is just another variant of the V 160, which first rolled in 1960. The 218/ V 164 is simply a V 160/216 with HEP.

 

The TSW 218 does have the switch. When with a Dosto cab car (only the HBK 766 works with the 218) ZWS is used and is set by default. When using the Bnrdzf 463 you need to switch the loco into KWS mode (already done in scenarios and services, but not in FreeRoam where you have to set in manually).

 

Well,

UP Heritage - DTG
NS Heritage - Skyhook
Class 380 - DTG
BR 218 - TSG..., I guess third parties aren't able to update DTG routes at least...

 

Fabulous. I’m really looking forward to next Tuesday

 

Can we talk about these loco DLC prices? They’re getting very expensive. At least we have two layers coming with the 218 at launch, although each one has just a handful of services and not massive amounts of variety. After all, it’s just a single loco with a very slightly modified cab car, and not a big train with lots of unique wagons like the Acela. I know people gotta pay their bills, but there simply isn’t a ton of gameplay for the price. As we can already observe in this thread, the high price is ruling out a purchase for many. It’s just too much for a loco.

 

Perhaps if the BR101 will be considered success, it will be followed by another pack in future that will see some developer time spent on freight features as well. Not that likely, but I understand that Matt is a fan of freight himself.

Yes, but that does not give me any incentive to buy it now and for full price. June release means it will be likely for 20% in autumn discount runs, and we will not see any routes released until then. Do not get me wrong, I am happy with what I see on previews and I will definitely buy it, but the developer is somewhat shooting their leg with not providing a full range of gameplay to cater to all segments to incentivise them to pay the full price immediately.

I do in fact expect the next route (if not the TSW5 release one, then the first after it) to be some diesel mainline that will be provided with 628/642 and timetable cut in half, unless you buy the 218 for it. Probably with the freight completely omitted without that layer, with just 363 doing few shunting movements otherwise.

 

Looks great. I know it will be quality so the price is fine.

Disappointed that I have to buy Hamburg for no other reason than to get this locomotive. I did the same with HRR for the DB101 and after 1 trip have never touched the route, just using the locomotive on other routes.

The layering is very disappointing. They talk about all the different roles the locomotive performs and then include hardly any of it. The 'you can use it in free roam' excuse isn't great.

 

Uhm. You don't have too. The 218 isn't connected to Hamburg to Lubek, so you can just buy the 218 and use it's full features. Any DLCs TSW 3 Onwards(Including the 218) has been decoupled and you DO NOT have to own the home route. You have the Green light on the 218

 

In general you should not need to buy the route for TSW4 loco DLCs. The note in the article is probably because Maintalbahn does not include the dostos on its own, so you would likely miss just that particular consist, but still have the others (developers should certainly clarify that, though).

 

There should be a much bigger gap (my photo)

 

That's good to hear. I was confused as it specifically says you need Hamburg for the layers on Maintalbahn.
Since I don't have Maintalbahn then I won't worry!

 

Damn, I really wouldn't enjoy making DLCs for DTG. With the RRO update, they first broke the G6 DLC and didn't bother fixing the damage; now, they don't bother updating the TOD, effectively damaging potential sales of the product again. Way to go...

 

Just to repeat my comments in the separate thread in General discussion, after watching the video clip have to say the sounds seem to be very good. Apologies to Maik Goltz and DTG Matt for my scepticism. Running with all the doors and windows open should enhance that further.

Just, 1. Shame there’s not a 10% preorder discount which would give a more appealing £12.50 (UK) price pitch.
2. It didn’t get layered on to one of the more challenging and hilly routes such as DCZ or RSN. As it is, an upgrade or extension of Hamburg to Lubeck would have gone down nicely. Can only hope there is a DB diesel main line somewhere in the works which will allow this beast to truly shine in the future.

 

First day buy for me

 

Looking great, can't wait! No update for Hamburg-Lübeck is a bummer but I just hope that whoever would've created the update is busy with creating a new route that really matches the 218.

Let's hope the 4-6 month German route from this month's roadmap is this route. And if it really is a 218-route, Hamburg-Westerland(Sylt) would work wonderfully and would have a lot to offer for 218s: IC from Hamburg, possibly also with loco change in Itzehoe, and of course the motorail from Niebüll. That would be awesome!

 

So tod4 makes a route automatically terrible?

 

Dtg don't always have the staff or the time. It can take up to a month to implement it and if they are working on other projects or don't have the resources to do so, they can't always do it. They are working on tod4 on cathcart. Matt is working on todv on clinchfield. Other staff doing other things. Also tsg isn't a massive team like dtg. They can't add layers to every single german route because of their limited resources and staff. Since when did not having tod4 make a dlc bad

 

Tsg isn't as big of a team compared to dtg. They can't include every single thing. Tsg already worked hard building the loco itself.

 

Well, but a short look in history...

Auf der Strecke Hamburg – Lübeck wurden die ersten Lokomotiven in Betrieb genommen, die mit Push-Pull-Doppelstock-Personenzügen arbeiten und die Dampfmaschinen BR 38.10 und BR 78 ersetzen.

The first locomotives were put into operation on the Hamburg – Lübeck route, working with push-pull double-decker passenger trains and replacing the BR 38.10 and BR 78 steam engines.

So, well, it is the first route they were seen on...their home route, so to say.

 

Agreed.
Definitely a "sale" purchase for the future. Mostly for free roam.

 

The new sale on the PS store doesn’t have Maintalbahn in it (just like the last sale), so the wait continues. Getting this loco right away would be more attractive if I had that route already. Hamburg Lübeck suffers from frequent crashes for me (the only route that does) (PS5 in case DTG are reading) so adding even more content to that route doesn’t fill me with confidence, but I’ll have to see if it has an impact at a later date I guess. It does look like a fantastic loco though so I’ll definitely get it as soon as Maintalbahn pops up in a PS sale. Fingers crossed for more routes in the future that can make good use of it too.

And as the article states I could use it in Free Roam. Well I never, really?

 

I don't buy a lot of German content because they are all pretty much electrified red boxes but 1. It's a diesel and 2. It's TSG. So I'm more interested than usual.

I watched the video clip and it certainly looks OK but, for a 2800 hp diesel it seems a bit on the quiet side, even with the windows open.

That's how I find most UK/European locos though, unlike the big American diesels which rattled my windows where I used to live.

Still, if it ever goes on a good sale, I'll consider it.

 

Which is why I mentioned elsewhere there should be collaboration between DTG and their third parties. I have been catching up with the Maintalbahn feedback thread and it seems the route and train still have major issues thus that it doesn’t even seem worthwhile buying at sale price let alone full. The time spent putting layers on MTB could have been used to do Niddertalbahn instead, or putting some Railtour runs on other German routes.

 

While it's a personal value judgement, the Nidder to me would be even worth full price as is because I've had a LOT of fun on it for HOURS.
It's up to you whether to be turned off by what others say though. Personally haven't had any issues and it's been one of my favorites in TSW.

 

Oh Niddertalbahn was a Day One purchase for me at the time and still one of my favourite German routes in the game. Despite the low speed, some 218 substitution would give a nice buff even if not strictly prototypical.

And of course the other thing the 218 is crying out for, are some UIC coaches - 232's, 234's or 235's. These would be more suited to working the through trains to Puttgarden and Denmark on Hamburg to Lubeck, too.

 

Yes, I thought for sure the 218 would be seen on Nidder too, but alas no even though that would be entirely accurate for the time period.
I know it's not era-accurate, but the addition of the Traxx 2E from the 2010s would be kinda neat. I get that it's a very limited sub-class of the TRAXX we have in game (being the diesel variant) but it would therefore be pretty easy to create from the existing models (like the BR 185) by just changing the propulsion, sounds and minor cab changes (plus livery.)
I also didn't know it was related to the ALP-45DP used in Canada and New Jersey....so could be included on the NY-Trenton map as well, in addition to layering on virtually all the other German lines.
But, I'm getting off topic. That's what I like about this game... there's so much to keep discovering!

Alas, the Nidder missed out on the 218 it should have....

My question would be... would the 218 be used for the few freight runs/scenarios on Nidder? I don't think so given the 365 is already being used for that, but they were there...and in other areas the 218 was used for freight.....

 

For me, since tod4 was introduced, anything that doesn't have it is lesser quality- only my opinion but i feel it pretty strongly- the old lighting is undrivable for me at night, which takes a lot of gameplay away.

And, i guess i don't see the logic of Matt working on tod4 for Clinchfield (as much as i really, REALLY am looking forward to it and appreciate it) when a paid DLC is about to go out the door without it. Shouldn't that take priority?

 

Matt isn't doing it at work. He's doing it on his own free time as a passion hobby.

 

I have to admit that I don't really understand the decision to put the 218 on a very old route like Hamburg - Lübeck. Especially not if you leave this route untouched. The Niddertalbahn would have been so much better (but then in the oriental red color).

Since the 218 is now coming alone, the opportunity to release iconic routes like Hamburg - Westerland, where mainly 218 (and 101 to Itzehoe) run, has probably been missed. Because then you would either have to release a route without included locomotives, for which separate DLC is mandatory, or add the locomotives again - both of which are somehow not good and unrealistic. What a pity.

My interpretation of all this is that the 218 will not be the main vehicle on a new route for now, but at most an additional layer on top. That is simply a missed opportunity for such an icon.

 

DB BR 218 is “the” diesel locomotive of DB.

I would have liked it if:
- A new diesel route was created as hoc for the loco?
- a remaster of HBL?
- an extension of HBL?
- different liveries (orient red)?
- content for NID?

to all questions above: Yes of course.

But, again we are getting “the” diesel locomotive of DB. And:
- I have it in not one route but in two.
- not with just one set of wagons, but in three: n-wagen, dostos, and cargos.
- with option to double headed
- same developers that 2 of my favourites locomotives (Br 628 and BR101).

Conclusion: looking forward to the release.

And hopefully eventually we will get a remaster or extension for HBL.

 

At least they could think of an option to hide the ToD3 routes which I no longer use except for layering, as they unnecessarily clutter my view in the route selection screen and just annoy me.
They should wake up.

 

Make sure they'll think about you when TSW5 arrives in September

OT: looking forward to the BR 218!

 

This is pretty much your response to any comment you perceive as criticism tbh and it comes across as overly defensive of a company that you don’t even work for

Look, I get it, they’re busy- but that’s everywhere. Every business is running with the minimum amount of staff needed to meet their goals. That doesn’t automatically make feedback invalid.

Also with all help they get from Maik, it would’ve been nice to see DTG jump in to upgrade the lighting + investigate other routes where this could layer.

Maintalbahn and HBL are average routes at best so hopefully this will layer onto future routes. Otherwise, it’s just going to be a great loco/meh route situation. (But we can use it in free roam!)

I just never want to hear “loco dlc doesn’t sell!!!” when it’s deployed on bad to mediocre routes, especially with the route library continuing to grow… with inflation also affecting the customers, a lot of us are looking for bang for our buck and this ain’t it

Also if you’re trying to imply tod4 doesn’t mean much, why is so much time being wasted on upgrading clinchfield to tod4? Obviously it’s good for something.

 

The worst behaviour is speaking for DTG in the Q&A thread before a stream lol

 

There will be no discount for i think the first 2 years how TSG said because he made to much - money (thats probably a lie)

 

To be fair, tsg makes very little because they don't get 100% of the sales. Dtg takes a portion. Focus, now pullup takes a share, platform costs, licensing and much more. Tsg is still a company after all

 

Many of the answers to the questions are in the roadmap article anyway or already answered by a developer in another thread. Some questions are questions dtg wouldn't answer anyway such as "is x route not on the roadmap coming to tsw" or they ask questions dtg have repeatedly said no to.