So, another "Expert loco" DLC thread, and I'm not trashing the BR101 so put your pitchforks down. Just thinking, a lot of train operating companies (mostly the American ones) are refusing to work with DTG on licencing their trains to be featured in TSW, or they are demanding that features are removed from their trains that are already in TSW, because they are scared of people messing with their locomotives in real-life. This goes against the whole point of "Expert locos" in TSW, because they require realistic cab features and functions for the player to operate. For example, you are not going to get Amtrak or GBRf allowing "Expert locos" with their branding in TSW, because the thought of players getting ideas and boosting real-life trains scares them to death So wouldn't it be more sensible for "Expert loco" DLC to be trains no longer in mainline service or only appear on preserved railways? For example, you wouldn't have to worry about people playing TSW, and then trying to hotwire a BR Class 20 or an EMD GP30, because you never really see them anymore in real-life. Anyway. It was just a random thought.
Actually, ok, I can only speak for me, but me, well, at least from the experience in the game, I know, that it's quite dangerous to do so...I mean, I have absolutely no control, where I'm going, as I would need a dispatcher setting the junctions for me, so mostly I would use a path, that is setted for another train, what I can't change and will sooner or later end my trip. Every time, I'm in game, I experience, that I can't brake on time, when I start seeing some obstacle in my way, I have to guess that something is getting in my way. So, a dispatcher can just send me into some buffers on my way, without me having any influence on that and no chance to react right on time to avoid an accident. (A train/loco just needs more time and distance to come to a stop than a car, for example.) There may be other things, that are out of my control, all in all, it would be somehow like in game, running a red would be a 'game over' for me. So, all in all, with the game experience as background knowing, at least, I wouldn't be that crazy to hijack a train/loco and go on a trip, just because there's a chance to do so, as I'm still depending on others to 'guide' me safe on my way. Even though, if there would be some 'Open Day-Event' at a yard somewhere , where there would be a possibility to try it with some guidance, I guess, I couldn't fight the temptation to try it out...
You sound like a competent individual with sound logic. Unfortunately, there are people out there who do stupid things. This is why most US train operating companies won't allow DTG to have their licenses in-game. If some mentally deranged person tries to boost a DB BR101 somewhere in Germany in the next couple of months, guess where the finger of blame will be pointing.
However, there is still a cost involved with damaging a train that can be avoided by not giving DTG access, not to mention the chaos to the timetable. Also, I like the commas. Gave me a good laugh while reading it. Thank you. Much better than the unpunctuated wall of text I'm used to.
Certainly an interesting point, given the recent LIRR requirements. To me though, expert as being applied in TSW seems more fitting for modern traction with complex computer systems. Older UK locos and MU’s tended to be fairly straightforward and as we’ve discussed, very little the driver could do in the event of a failure or shutdown before calling a fitter or fresh loco. While I want to see more classic BR traction in game and would even pay a slight premium for same, should not necessarily come at the cost of “Expert” branding.
