Australia recently discussed and DTG stated none of the train or infrastructure operators are prepared to talk about licensing or access for research.
As OldVern said above..... It's all down to licensing. If an XYZ operator from Australia, Greece, Italy, USA, Canada etc. doesn't want their trains/infrastructure in the game, simply it's not gonna happen. Recommend you to check the Suggestions page, and check people's route suggestions & maybe you will find something that is differend for the game.
Dovetail keeps saying need licence's but why is it that TRAINZ have rolling stock and routes from old VR Days example Bairnsdale to Orbost how can TRAINZ do this as this is just one of many available as are Australian locomotives. TRAINZ is not in the same league as TSW-5. For graphics and realism. But I find it a bit strange how one can do it and not the other cannot.
Adelaide Metro might be open when they are brought back under public ownership also OldVern do you know where they specifically said the infrastructure operators aren't prepared to talk about licensing or access for research.
Buried now but it was in one of the Australian suggestion threads. Search for posts by Matt P and you should turn it up.
Matt only mentions one operator which is Aurizon so I'm guessing they wanted to do some freight standalone route or passenger and freight route but weren't able to get the license but nothing mentions them being unable to get permission from ARTC for research or licensing. So it's still possible to get an Aussie route with or without licensing as they can easily do one of our own heritage railways which they shouldn't have problems with or they can do some of our now closed rails lines which would bypass the need for licensing as no one has trademarked Commonwealth railways or the SAR and they had a plectra of routes that people would like.
I am curious to see where QR would stand with licensing, with Aurizon (formerly QR National) being part of the QR group until a few years ago and from what I have heard still having simular Organizational cultures. QR also has that podcast they do as well as they seem to work quite well with historical societies which makes me think that they would be more open to licensing their brand.
It could be dependant on what state DTG wanted to do as I think under Aurizon there is different management per state form what i remember.
They could do with focusing on areas outside the big three, many countries have scenically and/or operationally interesting railways. A new country wouldn't make it more exciting for me though. Timetables and quality, length, and such are what attracts me.
when I was working on locomotives You had to know the route and speed restrictions if any no computers back then new routes make it a challenge when it is new and you have not worked it before. we all enjoy TSW5 with people making suggestions it all helps. formation's and subscriptions help. I have done some search VR or VLINE