Overblown because you have differing opinions on what is acceptable? No, I don’t necessarily think so. No one is trying to stop others enjoying the DLC.
Poetry or no poetry, having got out of bed with mixed feelings about whether to purchase that clinches it. And I am not going to hold back on the adjectives here - lazy, lazy, bluudy idle rip off. For £30 they couldn’t even be ars ed to do a half decent model of the main station on the route. I mean this is a 20 mile mini route, the opportunity should have been taken to put as much intricate detail in there as possible. If those views put the EP’s or anyone else at DTG or Rivet noses out of joint then so be it. But that level or rather lack of, is inexcusable. Even though I was cr@p at it and only ever used Train Sim Modeller, one of the things I prided myself on when doing routes like Blackpool Tramway for MSTS was to make the best 3D models I could, like the North Euston Hotel at Fleetwood, including the sides of the building that wouldn’t be seen from the tram. IMHO DTG should pull this from sale, refund those who bought it and hand it back to the route builders and artists with a final warning to finish the job properly.
Of course, I was just saying from the point of view of a community, any community. For example if a dodgy builder or plumber or whatever, starts plaguing a community, word soon gets around and he either has to mend his ways or move onto another area. By contrast rivet seems to be getting away with sub standard work for TSW for years now. Perhaps the time has finally come to send them a message? Likewise I will probably buy this in a deep sale, like you. I do like the subject matter.
I don’t agree with pulling it from sale - that’ll do more harm than good. I don’t know what the financial implications would’ve been if they delayed it from Q4’24 to Q1’25, but all new DLCs being rushed out before that point (other than the ATS one it seems) does suggest that money very well may have been a part in it being released like this.
Yes. It is also a quite short route compared to most others. There shouldnt be any below average quality spots if they are selling it full price.
Maybe not pull it then, but they should certainly review the pricing level, along with a public admission and apology from the EP that this isn't good enough and the route is being handed back to the developer for a major rework.
It ain't all bad. I quite like it, if I look past the problems (not specific to this route) but seen on many routes. The 150 sounds still sound like poo. It's a bit short for 30 quid. I'm unsure where the Marston Vale livery 150 came from?
So i was gifted this by my son and its not has bad as i thought it would be it really shines in some places but looks horrible in other places routes tasks are at all stations locos are ok I'm stuck on bay blockage red signal will not change anyone done it yet.
Unfortunately, on the Class 153, a common problem is noticed-getting stuck between the seat and the cabin(( In the "St. David's Day" scenario, where you need to constantly jump back and forth, this is a nagging pain. Long live TrainSimBug 5!
Scenario Bay Blockage You cant get into Cardiff Queen street to finish the Scenario you are struck a constant red the path is clear
I spent almost all of my shift at work last night thinking about the route and how much I wanted to play it, which is surely a good sign. I'm surprised at how fulfilling some of the runs turn out to be. I know I have a worse attention span than most people but personally I find the Coryton to Penarth and Radyr to Radyr services very enjoyable, and almost the perfect length for me. I still think it should have at least gone to Pontypridd/ Barry Island/ Caerphilly, but what we got doesn't feel as bad as I feared.
PPD may have been too far with it still being another mid service terminator. BYI would be the most logical option of the three.
Interesting that the introduction text for the 'Translator' scenario pretty much needs translating into English to read properly
Is 50mph the limit for the 153s? Can't seem to get them to go any faster than this. A quick look on wiki says 75mph is the top speed.
I'm gonna hold up my hands and say i was too harsh about this route before playing it. I was wrong. It's a fun little network to drive around on and you're not always running the same path, which i quite enjoy. I'm finding both trains fun to drive though i'll defer to others on their accuracy or lack thereof. Just wish there were more complete branches represented because i do like driving a full service when possible. My biggest gripe having been all over the route now is still Whitchurch (and it is really, really bad), but tbf it's not representative of the rest of what i've seen. There are definitely some bugs to be squashed but i hope it's successful and someday we get an expansion because if nothing else it's made me want to see more of Cardiff and Wales in general having never been there, so that's gotta be a good thing lol.
They will do 75. I've had the unit up to 70 on Cardiff network (the fast stretch from Queen St to Heath High Level). It just takes them a while to get there.
Oh, not sure. When the route was announced I was talking to people. I won’t say who. *But* allegedly, and take this with a HUGE grain of salt; it was supposed to go there initially but got cut. Please don’t quote me on this - I do not have evidence to back this up.
Last ni Last night it was stuck exactly at 50mph, Wouldn't go any faster. I'm wondering if maybe there's something I should be enabling or disabling.
It's pretty easy to reach 70mph+ from Heath down to Queen Street. Heading in the opposite direction is different as it's uphill. There's nothing you should have to enable or disable. Are you sure you haven't left the brakes on?
They’re sprinters in comparison to their predecessors, which were some pretty decrepit rolling stock.
From what I looked at the other week, the additional equipment added when the 153’s were created out of the 155 cars added around 3 tonnes to the weight. So that part at least DTG seem to have captured correctly. If the transmission is simulated correctly, it should transition into final (direct) drive around 47 or 48 MPH.
It's quite normal. There you have a speed drop, which breaks your run rhythm. Add to that 1.5% climb and you're done. I also noticed that 153 struggles uphill more than 150! Over 55/58mph it doesn't hammer anymore! Yes, transition is exactly at 47mph(both 153&150). Once in direct gear they "die", slowly losing speed uphill! PS. I don't know if a pair of 153s could perform better. Usually diesel-hydraulics work like this...
Have to admit I'm in two minds about this, leaning more to the "wait for a sale" option. I generally like a route that offers a chance to stretch the legs of a train a bit as well as stopper services - Blackpool/Preston remains my all time fave for this reason, this of course WCMLS has this too. That said, if I get the itch for a new route when I have a few days off work (maybe over Easter weekend) I could well end up biting the bullet! Did wonder if the trains from this would layer onto the coming ATS Manchester commuter routes, as you'll often see TfW trains on both lines that will offer, but I'm guessing not judging by the trains not being lost distance types.
Nothing has changed my mind to wait for a minimum 50% sale for this route and I doubt I'll have to wait more than 12 months to get it
FTFY! Seriously, I can honestly see this getting Shermaned. It will be 20% off in the summer sales if not 50% and at some point they will be pushing it for 80% off. And if the TSW project management had a shred of integrity they would already have dropped the price to £20 and refunded the difference to those who already bought it!
I have no irl experience but this was my experience in-game: I was able to hit 70mph in the 150 between Llandaf and Cathays but you really need to be quick off the start to be at 60 right when you hit the 70 zone to get there in time to brake for the stop (without giving your passengers whiplash at least lol). Service was 2B18 Pontypridd-Cardiff Bay, custom weather, no preciptation 2 clicks on the "wetness bar" if anyone wants to try it. Edit: you can hit 70 the other direction too it's actually easier because you can brake a little later going uphill. Did it on 1M14 Radyr-Meryth Tydyfl (after you go through Cardiff Central and are looping back to Radyr) in a 4-car set. Having a blast trying to keep to the timetable. I've seen advice to be using notches 3-5-7 and it seems to work pretty well so far.
I initially wanted to get this route to support the introduction of TfW as I really want North Wales Coast Line to be produced. Unfortunately, I feel the class 153 is the only part of this DLC of value so I agree with you waiting for a 50% sale as that brings it in line with the sum of a MU/loco add-on.
Ok well I went ahead and bought it and I've got mixed feelings about it. I actually think the level of detail is passable, I'm not from the area so nothing particularly jumps out at me as in the wrong area or missing, however there are the obvious things such as the flats in Whitchurch looking a little "off" and the Cardiff Central concourse. I expect that the route would look far better once the "usual" modders have had a go at it however I believe they've said enough is enough with fixing DTG/rivet messes so are not touching it which is a huge shame if true. I think the 153 is good, it is fun to drive though at the moment there is an issue where the brakes will not come off once you change ends. The 150 seemed ok too, it looks good and the sounds are fairly decent. I know a lot has been made about the revving up on a 3-5-7 departure but I think it sounds better going 4-6-7 as it seems more noticeable. They have definitely tried to do something with the sounds so they are better than WCL but still not quite right. The only issue I've had with it is that a full service brake application is like dropping an anchor, just a bit too effective. One bug that is very annoying is the trackwork itself, particularly points and junctions which I'd swear if they were like that in real life there'd be a derailment daily due to how rough they are to ride over, I might take a pacer over one to see if I can bounce into orbit. My only real gripe is the route length, I get it that it's a network route but I was hoping to do a fair bit of "end to end & change end then repeat" work but instead find one end of the route will inevitably be "off map" making for a rather disjointed experience. Granted there is the odd end to end run in the timetable but usually the return working goes elsewhere. It also isn't so great that the timetable screen is cluttered with 2-5 minute long shunt moves.
Was going to post my thoughts after about an hour of playing but this post sums up pretty much all my opinions on it! Would say that’s a spot on assessment.
