There's nothing I enjoy more than walking to the back of a 80 car train to throw on a couple of helpers then walking back to the front again. But yeah manual switching is the way to do it.
Different strokes for different folks… that’s great. But as to the post you were commenting on, I do the same manually throw the switches and use the 3 camera to ride front car in a shove as would a real life conductor… I know not truly realistic since I am still driving the locomotive but hey, you work with what you got. . I know that such procedures aren’t for everybody, but it beats being a glorified bus driver - open doors, close doors, accelerate, brake, rinse and repeat ….. . Before all passenger aficionados get out their pitchforks… the above was tongue in cheek I do enjoy passenger runs as well… but I also like variety and I don’t believe there is a right way or wrong way to enjoy the simulator… that is up to the individual.
ya also real life conductors have to walk and inspect their train s if they get the defect detector or go into emergency..a friend of mine that a conductor for us freight RR told me a experience he had where his 10,000 ft train went into emergency 3 times in 1 run he had to walk that whole train 3 times top to bottom bottom to top as the term his Rr calls it multiply that 10,000ft 6 times he walked a lot of miles that day on top they had to be relieved by another crew cause they were on duty 12 hours thats the limit to how long you can work a shift here in US its hours of service law
I do actually enjoy the walking around changing switches. Some locos you can slow right down, jump off and change the switch up ahead then climb back on it without stopping. Which I've seen done in freight yards. Obviously not the driver though. Sometimes I will walk the train inspecting the couplings and hoses, just for a bit of emersion.
I don't see throwing switches as realistic in a modern sense when the routes are digital and switches are centralized. However, they DO make sense in historical settings and/or short branch lines. Then again, those also give you a deeper experience since there isn't specialization like on the Class 1's so you do get to do the switching, stacking and running all with the same crew into and out of industries and to the mainlines. It's very possible... if there's a willingness to do it. There's just not. You can get a taste of it on some of the routes. Clinchfield gives you a slightly older (1970s) era. There's the broken down mission "string" on Sand Patch where you prep consists, then drive them in stages. Would be nice to have more than a one-off, but it's a compromise that shows it's possible if there's a will to do so. Oakville has some nice short runs that are essentially "industry to depot yard" branch line stuff that is the industry to Class 1 handoff movements. Have had a lot of fun on it, even if people pooh pooh it because it's not super long and super fast or a "new engine." I just don't see the same depth on newer routes like Sherman, Cajon, Cane Creek, etc. They really are just A-B runs. You don't go into the industries. You don't get in-town runs. The stock is all modern. I keep going back to the older stuff that's more interesting.
In TSW you are a 1 man crew .lol you are engineer and conductor ..it funny when you doing everything and the conductor just sits there staring around..lol
1. Freight routes are by far the most popular/common/demanded US content in train sims generally. Look at Run8, the entire game is based on freight, or TS classic, pretty sure most US routes are freight. 2. What is or isn't boring is personal preference. Plenty of people think that single handle EMU start stop routes are boring but we have a ton of them. I find freight routes that involve downhill and braking pretty engaging if you understand how to actually do it realistically. It would be even better if they could get more realistic controls for multiple units, longer trains, etc but I digress. It probably won't be happening soon. Local US freight can also be pretty fun to do (there hasn't been a ton of that in game).
I've got to say I thought the MP36 was marvellous. I understand it's been rebuilt from the ground up and the detail that's gone into it I was highly impressed with. As I've mentioned in another thread, I've always been a strictly UK based route person, and do not take much interest in US or European stuff (with the exception of LGV), but Antelope Valley and this forthcoming US edition have warmed me to US stuff. Antelope Valleys locomotive last year was very well made and you can see the team had full access with the quality of the locomotive sound and overall functionality (I think the incab signalling was the only missing thing? But that was because of the complexity?). And I know for sure this is going to have the same effect on me, and introduce me more to US stuff. So looking forward to this route. And looking forward to the locomotive as I can see how high quality and how much effort has gone into it. The MP36 looks like a meaty locomotive and having full access has made all the difference, and is reflected in the quality of the end product. I don't know what the sale stats will show, but the stick that stuff receives on the forums or in YouTube comments sometimes (as you probably well know) doesn't reflect the feeling of the majority. It's always the minority that make the most noise... The only criticism for me was the floating or stopping cars on the Highway (Motorway, but as the saying goes when in Rome... ! )But that's a small issue that can be ironed out.
But it hasn't been " ironed out " in other routes, including Cajon Pass ( TSW3 ) and Antelope Valley ( TSW4 ). Also, could you point me to the " stick " that Matt and you say the MP36 has received, because everywhere I've looked it seems to get very positive reviews.
I would kinda love to know the extent of the overlap between the "It's not realistic enough" brigade and the "It's too boring" crowd, and how those within that zone square that circle.
Part of it is the unrealistic expectation that you MUST have spectacularly new locos on EVERY route. You don't though. I'd be fine with the same old "regulars" and then selling new locos that sub in. For example just about EVERY railroad has at least one GP-38 or SD-40 (or did at one time, and have AC4400s or SD2070s now) so you can do just about any route with those three. It's just a matter of different liveries. Now if you WANT you can always work up a GP-40 or go into sub-variants of the SD-70s to your hearts content, but I wouldn't let that OBSESSION with "new new new!" get in the way of new routes. A LOT of the TSC maps just use the same basic locos with different liveries. The players are good with that. It's like the GROANING that happens when a UK route has the Class 66 or a German route has the 185. Well... those are 90% of the freight so.... they make sense. You don't NEED more than that to do freight. And doing things far outside the "norm" starts to erode that same "authenticity" that people say they value. What? You NEED that loco they made 30 of or your route isn't complete? REALLY? There's 500 Class 66's made and 600 Class 47s... but no the world stops if the 50-piece limited editions aren't included.... Don't get me wrong... new locos are AWESOME. I think they should be options out there to buy and layer into routes. I'd still LOVE to see a Class 68 or Class 25 out there! However, holding up routes or judging them harshly because they "only have the common stock" is just silly. It's like refusing to take the bus to work because it's the same bus you take very week.
Yeah I don’t know the obsession with new locos, I love trying new things but I’m fine with reusing locos on new routes if that’s the real train that runs there IRL. And as long as any differences in configuration for the new route are done. To me the MP36 Metrolink version is a perfect example, I WANT it, and it’s Metrolink’s 2nd most common locomotive after what we already have (F125) so of course it makes sense to include it and I do NOT consider it a reskin.
As long as reused locos are somewhat resemblance of the correct railroad and what not, and not a blatant copy and paste with a reskin, the UP AC4400CW that Skyhook did is a good example, it's terrible. Also, the BNSF SD70ACe was also an issue with the lack of the ISO cab, DTG got at least the alternate headlights correct (Though the off colored Orange was weird) The ATSF F7 is nice, but should of never of been made for modern Cajon..... DTG just needs to figure out what works and what doesn't. We really do need a BNSF GP38-2 at some point, as its the only modern Class 1 railroad in game without any 4-axle unit. On the other hand, Skyhook gets commended for modeling the window door on the Monongahela heritage unit, as it is IRL.
Love US freight and want more. Did a Cane Creek(still better looking than anything seen recently) run yesterday, ignored the speed limits and still got gold! I'm usually good but fancied a quicky.
Cane Creek is nice for scenery, that’s for sure. I do think DTG or rather Skyhook should have taken a bit of latitude with the speed limits and outside yard areas increased them by 10 or 15 MPH. That’s what Trainmaster 4 did all those years ago when CC was one of their featured routes.
It's not that - it's more that we're spending a lot of time making new coaching stock and diesels for the main purpose of the route, which we feel is probably more important. I'd love to do some upgraded CSX stock at some point - but the scope for work inside a pack isn't unlimited. OldVern We do have a Florida route that i'm looking at currently, CSX-based so fits the licensing we have too. Nothing that's made it to a plan, but it looks interesting and focuses on the local traffic aspect. Matt.
Don't get excited - it's a long way from anything resembling a potential product But as my in-laws spent years living in Port Charlotte, Florida and I visited there a lot, I'm kinda keen to get some representation of the area in too, plus, it's something different Matt.
Nice! Look forward to that. Hopefully you can get a licence for the Tropicana fruit juice refrigerated boxcars.
Matt Are You talk about the 70 Miles West Palm Beach Route from TSC? There was a Lot of freight plus Amtrak Passenger Trains.
It could be an opportunity to finally bring Amtrak long distance equipment to the game, given from what I've looked at there is more than one train a day on some routes. Though from what I've seen the SE trips tend to use Viewliner and Amfleet cars rather than Superliner stock/
There is more than one Florida route being looked at, and its equally likely none of them will make it any time soon - to be clear. And no, you're not going to squeeze any more information out of me Matt.
Funny you mention Florida. I was doing some reading on US commuter routes in general yesterday thinking where else TSW could go and I noticed a commuter railroad in the Miami-Palm beach area used a familiar looking cab car/coaching stock… Tri-Rail - they have Rotems and Bombardiers… 80 mile system fits right into the usual TSW scope… Their main loco is something called the Brookville BL46PH… which I had never even heard of until today… but they look nice. Apparently they are the only user. Interaction with CSX and Amtrak… No idea if this would be a decent route, or if the reference/licence would pan out… but they have a nice livery at least, and would let them repurpose a decent number of assets from California (like those nice palm trees we see on San Bernardino)…
Well I think for now we should just thank Matt for letting us know that Florida is on the agenda rather than speculating or suggesting on potential routes that might feature. Hopefully it will come within the lifetime of TSW5 and, just like the SE in Run 8, provide a different experience to the existing US freight. Very likely a Day One purchase for me!
Always liked Tri-rail, Miami West Palm Beach was a fun route in TSC. That's their older livery - they have a simpler more bold/striking new livery... i'm torn between the two for a favourite because this photo based one just screams florida to me and is so different to anything else... but the one one is really bold and different but in a more modern simpler style. It's interesting that each of the operators have evolved out of their old school F40 and MP36 base to different solutions that look somehow similar but not - with Metrolink going with EMD for the F125, MBTA going with MPI for the HSP-46 and Tri-Rail going with BLI for the BL36PH - and yet, you can see common threads in their designs. Go-Transit seem to be just evolving their MP40's in to the MP59's, but then they had a fairly radical soluton to the Bombardier Bi-Level safety issues with their complete cab redesign, where others just went with a new set of coaches entirely US passenger is fascinating to see how it evolves. Matt.
GO is currently going through a massive electrification project where they’ve partnered with DB (infrastructure) and Alstom (rolling stock) which is why I think they’ve held off on any new diesels. I know there was some talk of EMUs but last I heard it sounds like they will be sticking with their existing coaches but getting electric locomotives. To your point about the new generation of diesels one of the interesting things that stands out is how one manufacturer (Siemens Charger) has managed to snag A LOT of buyers while a bunch of others exist but seem to find only 1 buyer each. Driving the F125 in TSW has made me a big fan of it so now I’m disappointed it hasn’t sold to other agencies, I’d love to see them here in Canada but the recent passenger rail purchases have been Siemens Charger (VIA and Ontario Northland). I love diesel commuter routes so if more are coming to TSW I’ll be happy. Diesel commuter trains are big and lumbering and imprecise compared to European electrics and emus so keeping them on schedule and stopping in the right place is a challenge.
Don't forget to bring in some MP15's reskinned and repurposed for CSX... Hopefully our TSW Florida route will have slightly more contemporary foliage!
As a non US fan, I would like to see the Pacific Surfliner (LA-San Diego) in TSW... I think it would be great for views of the ocean and to catch the attention of non US fans. Also had the route in TSC.
I am still also hoping for Pacific Surfliner at some point, but I still want it split cause it does open up the opportunity for the southern section (If DTG can get the licensing for the NCTD) to run both the COASTER and SPRINTER trains on 1 map, which I still think would be interesting for TSW, as you have 2 different trains on 1 route.
What about just LA to Oceanside? You would only need Amtrak, BNSF, and Metrolink on that section? Then you can do the lower part to San Diego if the NCTD ever comes around. Would also benefit from the route hopping feature at Oceanside too.
Honestly, I figured people would like a break from Metrolink LA routes for 5 minutes But the Orange County line is certainly on my radar. Matt.
Is Coaster on the potential license list? I know some of the heavy hitter commuter lines - SEPTA, MARC, METRA are off limits at the moment... as is my personal first wish: GO. When I was doing my little survey of US commuter lines yesterday some of the operators that stood out to me as interesting were Coaster (San Diego), Sounder (Seattle) and the aforementioned Tri-Rail.
Once again your candid participation with a US route discussion is very much appreciated Matt! Of course I'm very biased with my interest in Florida, but it's very cool to know you're personally familiar with Port Charlotte and the surrounding area. My Aunt and Uncle lived there for many years and a visit with them was a quick drive from my home on the east side of the state in Palm Beach Gardens. Fingers crossed that a plan will come together with all of the ideas you have. Now back to spending my Sunday afternoon watching CSX Bone Valley YouTube videos!
I second this. Granted, I only really drive US routes and services, but EU/UK freight services are actually a bore to me. They move faster, sure, but the trains are shorter and more reactive to inputs from the single handle in the cab. The EMU's are understandably and expectedly super easy to drive, especially with what I got used to with the F40-2CAT with its vacuum air brakes. The German freight services (I only have Vorarlberg) handles near identical to a passenger service on Peninsula Corridor, without the many station stops; it's simple. Cajon Pass is a lot slower and the main interest point of the climb up the grade is the idea of thundering (the noise and the engine power, not necessarily the speed), up a winding 2-3% grade with a mile long freight train. Admittedly, the climb can induce some yawning, I tend to listen to commentaries on Youtube on the way up, looking for crossings and the alerter in the background. The descent is where the fun is since, managing all that weight and balancing the multiple brakes available to a US locomotive, preventing a runaway and a subsequent recreation of the 1989 San Bernadino Runaway Train wreck, is what keeps me engaged and replaying Cajon Pass over and over.
The original Tropicana juice trains ran from Bradenton Fl area to Tampa Jacksonville,then up to NJ .I lived in Tampa FL area from 1993 till 2005 back in 93 on my first railfan outing which was Dade City FL that was closet location to see trains for me but when i got there a CSX freight was first it met a NB amtrak then right behind them was R250 the Juice train pulled by 2 CSX GE s i captured these on video then..also enjoyed the Bone Valley Phosphate operations that was and still is a fairly big operation maybe less today but back then in 1990s was busy
