Must say I'm quite excited at finally seeing a Dutch route come to TSW. A question to those local of the route, does it actually see any freight traffic?
Great to see that country now in TSW. But honestly: why this route? Drove it some time ago in TSC and I came to the conclushing: its a boring route. Less stations, lot of straight track. Down to Arnhem would be more interesting
In real life it does, though sparsely. Maybe like 2 to 4 a day? Mostly at night though. I'm guessing some of the cargo is intended for and originates from Eemshaven, though it would have to switch loco's to a diesel on in Groningen for that to happen. There's also the "VAM berg" which is an industrial siding inbetween Hoogeveen and Beilen. We'll see though. Interestingly though, some of the German freight locs in the game (193 Vectron, at least) can drive in the Netherlands IRL. So I'm wondering if the new ones are going to be programmed to have ATB capabilities to allow that little bit of freight traffic. They wouldn't even have to rework the locos. Also fun fact. The ICE 3's are also equipped with ATB and can drive in the Netherlands. You can even see the ATB panel in them in the game. Though currently they're not functional.
Another interesting detail to capture would be the loco at the restaurant named Perron 3 (lit. Platform 3) at Tynaarlo. It is located next to a crossing and the location of the former station Vries-Zuidlaren. The restaurant has a piece of track next to it and a small locomotive of the type NS locseries 200 parked there (you can see the actual railroad in the background): There used to be a platform in between the rails (now long gone), which is why the tracks diverge noticeably there. You can see them widening in the OP's video starting at 44:00, with this crossing, restaurant and loco (on your right) passed at 44:21.
DTG forgot the Köf II and the BR 144 in Freilassing at Salzburg-Rosenheim, but we will see... I am also excited for the NL route. I have been enjoying Dutch trains in Roblox and really liked them - already aboard the hype train!
Interesting, thanks. It would be nice to see a handful of Vectron services, anything that increases gameplay variety is more than welcome.
Yeah, so this is honestly one of my main concerns. It's a great route idea and very scenic. But I'm afraid this specific route is mostly for people who are already sold on Dutch trains. I don't intend to be a doomer on this, but this route does kind of prove the skeptics right that have been commenting every time I argued for Dutch content somewhere, when they argue that a Dutch route would be boring because it would be very flat with little diversity and relatively little to do. It doesn't bring in iconic landmarks either, nor the insane traffic density Dutch rail is known for. It really does kind of ride on the uniqueness of the Dutch rolling stock. Particularly the NS ICM Koploper. I hope Christrains will be involved in their development and for them to knock it out of the park. I think Dutch routes bring a unique ultra dense network to the table with beautiful and unique trains that are attractive to every railfan. I've long wanted to prove that Dutch content is worth it and worth the risk despite the flatness and smaller size of the Netherlands. Last thing I'd want to see is for the pick of the route to fall flat, proving the haters right, and giving DTG cold feet in creating the better and more appealing Dutch areas like the Randstad area. Though, assuming they'll make 2 or 3 Dutch routes total, it could be wise to start with the more boring, safe option that you can't really fail either. Especially if it means you already have 2 trains covered, including one of the most iconic ones out there, for when you create the really dense traffic areas that would really benefit from more local trains already being in the game at release to properly fill the timetables.
I have very similar concerns. Even though I live right next to the route, when thinking of route suggestions in the past I never seriously considered this particular stretch. For non-Dutch players I would think having a route with locations known worldwide, such as Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam CS, would be more interesting. Maybe extend it to Haarlem (earliest route in the country) and on to Zandvoort (scenic dunes, sea). For freight, obviously Rotterdam harbour, then in the direction of the border with our German neighbours. And preferably not just an A-to-B route, but something with at least one branch. That said I'm not complaining, and I hope this will be a well-developed and enjoyable route.
Yeah, same. I know I for sure will be driving this route on an almost daily basis. But I just hope this doesn't lead to low enthusiasm from the overall community, leading to poor sales, leading to DTG being discouraged from touching Dutch stuff again in the future. Also, look at my signature. You're describing something that sounds an awful awful lot like my most recent route suggestion; The Oude Lijn Which I still am convinced would have the potential to be the best route in the entire game, hands down, whether or not you like Dutch content.
No concerns on how boring the route will be. A lot of praised UK routes are boring as hell. This one even goes faster than 60 km/h
As a non-Dutch player, while I've never heard of this route, I do think a quieter route like this is probably the more sensible decision for a new country in TSW - especially considering that rolling stock will be limited to just two trains, hence it would be too soon to feature a much busier route such as Amsterdam etc which would probably feel pretty empty otherwise. Regarding UK and German content, quieter routes like East Coastway came before BML and MSB before Frankfurt-Fulda etc.
I will guess they will bring later more but its better to begin here than in a larger area! With 2 trains this will not make any sense besides nearly empty stations
That's a good point. And also, with them having the knowledge, the assets, and already 2 rolling stock acquired from this route, it would make it a lot easier to actually make one of the more iconic routes later in the future, and to actually do it justice and do it properly.
yeah I would love to see Amsterdam - Arnhem. as a full route one day. 90km sounds doable. if service variaton is preferred. extend it to Zandvoort over Haarlem. of course that will need both sprinters. all three IC's. and update the SKA ICE and some freight loco's. I'm glad about this choice and hope to see some ECS shunting to De Vork in Groningen and Zwolle Yard. or some ECS on the whole stretch to have some more service variation. Zwolle - Utrecht Centraal over Amersfoort (also 90 km) instead of almere sounds like a cool idea too. Calm like going to groningen but some actual freight too and after entering Amersfoort it gets busy. Maybe adding the sprinter to the Spoorwegmuseum or later the Baarn branch Going from Amsterdam over Weesp to either Zwolle/Almere or Amersfoort/Hilversum to me looks like one route unless they want to do the whole Amsterdam - Weesp part twice. The Netherlands has a lot to offer that makes routes not be A-B. either a Dresden - Riesa approach or fork it like I said here. a lot of mixed traffic so I imagine with all those routes being announced maybe the loco addon packs make a return the coming year. Something seen on routes for other countries that I fear will happen here too. both the ICMm and SNG come in a 3 car and 4 car variant. most MU stock ingame that has more variants only comes in one length. hope that isn't the case here.
I'm excited for this. I think it is a safe choice to start and really look forward to driving ICM. Hopefully more Dutch content later. I'd also like to add as a suggestion: (part of) Eindhoven-Rotterdam. Lots of different timetables, rolling stock of every variant (including the new ICNG), lots of freight as well. Freight can end at Kijfhoek, somewhere in between Rotterdam and Dordrecht. Trainyard just before entering the harbours. Could even have a part of the HSL in between Breda and Rotterdam.
Eindhoven-Rotterdam sounds like a great 2nd Dutch route. Dip toes in the water as it were with this first one we are getting then go full bore with your suggestion.
I am very excited, the Koploper nice! The Sprinter from Groningen to Assen is also something special, it arrives in Assen on Track 2 at the end of the platform, after the train arrives is go's back to the other end of the platform of track 2 and wait there to head over to Groningen. The layout of the switches is very strange but it would be a nice addition for the timetable. Also curios about the NS Workshop in Onnen, witch layout has the shape of an Bahco Wrench, no joke!
Though I last travelled by train around Holland in the 1980’s I am really looking forward to this one. Flat terrain doesn’t necessarily equal boring, as the Dutch countryside has a unique style and feel to it. Hopefully if successful lead to further content, maybe something out of Hoek Van Holland when it was still a proper railway not a metro and you still had several international trains a day to and from.
I've actually suggested Amsterdam/Schiphol - Amersfoort/Lelystad because I think it has more variety to offer. I do share the concerns of Zwolle - Groningen being a tad too boring. Lets hope that's just because DTG still needs to build a library of Dutch assets. The route does have a decent length and comes with two brand new trains. That's pretty amazing and probably the biggest selling point. And these two trains can be seen throughout the whole country, so plenty of opportunities for a 2nd Dutch route.
I'm English and I've been learning some Dutch on-and-off. My mouth can't make all the sounds properly. I'm sure if I spoke to a Dutch person in Dutch they'd very quickly switch to English
I heard one of the ambassadors already give a preview of what we can expect to be the names pronounced. It ain't lovely
Just let's get it over with. This route is the teaser to Rotterdam - Antwerp. The pinnacle of train routes in Europe.
I still can't believe we'll actually have a Dutch route in tsw, especially with the iconic Koploper. I'm so excited!
If anyone would like to see this route, Stefan has a recently posted video on YouTube of a run from Amsterdam to Groningen. Zwolle is at the 1:05 mark if you don't want to watch the entire video. Video link... Train Cab Ride NL / Annoying Passenger! / Amsterdam - Weesp - Groningen / DDZ IC / July 2024 (youtube.com)
looking forward to learning new stuff was hoping they do some Vienna content, but the announced pieces plus this one are pretty great so... apology accepted
Going into a new territory it's always wise to tiptoe. Nobody thinks this is going to be the ultimate Dutch route. What want is to see what the Dutch community and enthusiasts of Dutch trains think before we dive into something more adventurous. We have signalling systems, ATB and local environmental assets to make. There's a ton of ground work to be laid here. I have plans (from talking with a Dutch driver, not pulling them out of my backside ) for more adventurous routes with bigger names that should be much more substantial - but hitting those with one route under our belt and two bits of stock already done, will be significantly better than trying to do them out of the gate. Not making any guarantees any of this happens of course, just that there is thought into why this route. Matt.
Thanks for the insight, Matt! I totally understand the approach, and it makes sense to start with a route like this to lay the groundwork. I’m really excited about the potential for future Dutch routes, and I appreciate the thought and planning that’s going into it. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for the Netherlands in TSW!
I agree with antwerpcentral to go from rotterdam to antwerp central next! And then maybe to aachen (through brussels)
Would it not have been easier to shed the risk of new territory by building another border route into Germany?! I remember that this was the argumentation around the developments of the first Austrian route. Looking forward to this, though. Even though I would have been more of the target group for a border route…
Looked into it but honestly - didn't feel like we could capture a Dutch experience doing that. At least the Austrian routes felt Austrian. It felt like doing a German route with a bit of Dutch content so you could claim Dutch content and nobody really walk away feeling satisfied by it. We ended up with three options, brought that down to two - originally this was the second route to make, until my team slapped me upside the head and said make the more straight forward one first and the mini nightmare second. So that's how we ended up that way Matt.
No, we have almost exclusively EMU's here. Both ends are the same, other than one end having a pantograph. Hello Matt, thank you for your input This does indeed seem like a wise and understandable course of action. I just hope it meets expectations and shows people the beauty and uniqueness of Dutch rail, but it is indeed, a pretty safe route to choose too. Personally I'm only hoping the route is set in 2023, so Hoogeveen retains its original platform 3 and the southwestern siding, including all the related switches. And the old curve with the 80km speed limit over the current 140 now that the curve has been remade, which adds just a little bit more of variety in speed limits on the route. Also, practical question. I happen to be local to this specific route. Is there any way I could help in terms of delivering photos of specific station or trackside objects? (supposing I could get close to them in a safe and legal way)
Send me a DM with your contact info and i'll send it to the team - if they need help they can then get in touch. Matt.
Love Machinist Stefan's cabrides. Imo he's one the very best out there. For anybody who does not yet know him, check out his channel, you won't be disappointed.
No, we ruled out border crossings quite quickly. All the candidate routes were entirely in the Netherlands. Matt.
