Athena Simulations: Ecml Diesel Railtours

I believe they wanted to replicate 47484 in it's true condition. It never received GSMR of any form as it was scrapped long before it was implemented so it is accurate in that sense. Not sure about TPWS.

 

but they said ‘fit for modern railtour duty’ so that implies the modern safety systems. The DSD is still broken as well.

believe it or not 47484 hasn’t been scrapped btw. Instead it’s rotting away slowly but surely in a yard in Wishaw.

 

Could some kind soul check something out for us please and report back.

For a PlayStation user to help us please. I have just seen "Brunel Comes Home" on a stream and it looks like the popup info, such as scenario objectives and information on Brunel may have been missing? There should be a couple of popups whilst sat on shed at Doncaster and then throughout the route you get periodic info on the life of Brunel appearing on screen. It might be me, but I think this may have been missing on a stream I have just seen.

PC version is fine, so would appreciate someone checking this on PS5 for us please.

Thank you!

 

This is quite correct, it did not have TPWS either. We thought long and hard about this and a call was made to recreate Isambard how she was in service, rather than adding in features that the real loco never had. It rather felt like adding brush strokes to the Mona Lisa to modernise it. I believe we went through this on the showcase stream with DTG for those who have not seen, it may be worth a watch.

I keep mentioning this, but this is much more than a reskin. There is significant new 3D modelling throughout the loco. We have over 20 modelling changes on the loco, plus optimisations and some new tech for 3D nameplates we created in house (which we can carry forward to other projects) We spent many months researching and updating the model. We could have reskinned a default 47 in a day, but I have a real passion for this loco so we literally spent months researching and modifying to make the model unique and representative of the actual 47484. We got to speak to a lot of people familiar for advice, hunted for archive material with an enormous amount of work and validation.

I feel strongly (rightly or wrongly) that 47484 deserved to be represented exactly as she was in service to do Isambard justice. I also think all of you deserved much more than a reskin as we wanted to produce a definitive version. We spent nearly a year on this project fulltime such was the level of research.

 

But if they are going to not include GSMR and TPWS as it never ran with it. Then they might as well remove it for The 1970's diesel legends pack as it sure hell never ran between Reading and Paddington in the 1970's in GWR GREEN!!! That wasn't painted until 1985 along with 47079, 47500 and 47628 as part of the GWR 150 celebrations.

Hentis

 

And the hugely controversial repaint of 50007 which was also renamed Sir Edward Elgar from Hercules, it thus became an object of derision for the “Vac bashers”, particularly as there were rumours the renaming had some political roots possibly related to the Falklands War.

 

this is really helpful feedback, thank you!

 

Worked fine for me on PS5

 

The diesel legends pack is an anacronism, I can't imagine it was a serious attempt to recreate Paddington in the 1970's but an sort of vague example of what it might have been like.

Blue/Grey class 101's never ran on this line in the 1970's, the five blue/grey 101's the WR had in the 1970's for a short time ran on the western end not the London end.

Class 40's and 45's, whilst not unknown at Paddington were very rare visitors, around the time the class 52's were running the 45's would not have had their headcode boxes removed in the fashion they appear on NTP.

Paddington to Reading between 1960 and 1993 without class 117's would be like having the BML in current day without Electrostars.

I would say the GWR liveried class 47 is not less realistic than the rest of the pack (apart from the class 52). They might have been better doing a 1980's or early 1990's pack.

 

Then in the late 80's prior to the Turbos, were either used alongside the few remaining 119's on the North Downs, or the Thames Valley branches (off peak). They were rarely used on main line stoppers except as a last resort due to the huge station overtime that would occur with hordes of passengers trying to board and alight through only two narrow doors on each vehicle.

 

appreciate that thank you, not at work this weekend so was not able to check myself. Thank you for the help!

 

I remember on the day of Charles and Diana's royal wedding, they had a special go anywhere for £1 offer. So I bought a return from York to Penzance. 13 year old me. I was all excited to get my first Class 50 haulage being a northerner, but the night sleeper from Paddington to Penzance was substituted that day with a Laira peak. So I can vouch for them at Paddington. I was gutted! I did, though, get a Class 50 ride coming back north on my way home.

I have seen Class 40's a Paddington (I was on a railtour to Paddington with one) but never saw one on a service. (Rode a double headed Class 40 in to Euston with the Christmas Cracker 1 tour, Anyone here was on that tour or am I showing my age )

 

I recall quite well the release of Diesel Legends, as it was the first preview livestream that I ever actually caught live. The intentions with it were not really a specific recreation of anything, the 52 was just a reskin from the WSR version and everything else was just copied in from other addons. What I recall from the time and what Matt and JD said on the stream was that it was basically an experiment in the idea of releasing timetable packs - alternate timetables from different eras on already existing routes. It was also the addon which created the system to have multiple timetables on different routes, which many addons now make use of.

Ultimately it sold terribly and was one of the main contributors to the "BR Blue doesn't sell" phase. The alternate timetable function of it was the only thing it really made which stuck, which has since been used in the Gen8 reduced timetables, addon specific timetables such as with the 313, or sometimes alternate timetables in the same time period such as with the weekend timetable on the most recent Metrolink route.

 

The guys who made this add on seem to really have a passion for trains, you could meet them down the pub for a pint and probably spend hours talking to them. Makes all the difference having a true passion for something, can't wait to see what else they make.

 

I created a new formation and named it 47484_MK1set.

In formation editor, just type 47 and you'll see 484, select that then type Mk1 and you'll see a list of ECMLMk1's with various formations, just add them and you'll have your formation to use for freeroam without having to couple up separately

 

If I recall correctly it was a case of the gameplay team having some extra time on their hands and DTG wanting to try something new. I think this was the first gameplay pack and the intention was simply to create more gameplay. It's interesting to look back at the experiment, but I'm personally not a fan of these kind of packs as the difference between the era of the stock and route is just too big. The addition of multiple timetables though has been really nice to have afterwards.

I can't remember this addon being mentioned directly when I've heard the "BR doesn't sell" messaging. If DTG took this DLC into account for how well BR Blue sells, that is very disappointing, as this pack is not a true historical experience with the route being modern.

As for the ECML railtour pack, I really want to like it, but with the DSD bug, lack of static stock in scenarios and numerous bugs with the MK1 coaches I can't get myself to buy it yet. I think the new livery looks well modeled however, and 10 scenarios is a lot of gameplay, so I will probably pick it up at some point.

Since the Diesel Legends pack is so far from reality already, I think it makes sense to add the Brunel 47 to GWE. Especially as the man himself built the railway. I would rather it had its own railtour services in the modern timetable however.

 

Apologies if this has been mentioned already but there are no brake rub sounds in the 47 as there are in the JT version and neither have traction motor whine as AP's version has.
Hope this is helpful.

 

thank you!

 

The updated BR stock included on Just Trains' Blackpool Branches and WCML Shap all have updated exhaust visuals, the new effects give off this really nice haze effect too. I noticed 47484 uses the older exhaust effects as seen on Northern Trans-Pennine. I know that JT provided those effects to DTG for the Class 153 included with the Cardiff route.

Would it be possible to have the improved exhaust added to 47484? I think it would really benefit from it

 

Whilst the blue haze is aesthetically pleasing, I don’t feel it really works with the class 47. It was not a common occurrence to see 47’s billowing out blue smoke, so I actually prefer the NTP version.

 

It's not just the colour of it, but how it acts as smoke overall. It's a lot more realistic than the NTP version which is really outdated by TSW5 standards. 47484 would definitely be benefit greatly from JT's exhaust effect.

 

From DTG
“Despite declining into disarray, this fallen legend springs back to life for modern railtour duty, courtesy of Athena Simulations”

how is it fit for modern railtour duty if it doesn’t have modern safety systems?

as for it being more than just a reskin, with the greatest of respect, it doesn’t seem like it is. I feel like I’ve spent £11.99 on a reskin and I’m not pleased about it.

 

Thankful I read this thread before buying. Probably the first UK add on I've not bought, actually.

 

Something I'll note about it, lot of people at the time actually expected the pack to have a new engine included. Remembered reading threads and there was much discussion on what new engine was gonna come with the pack. People were not happy discovering that the BR Blue 52 was in fact the selling point. Nor were they happy finding out that said pack basically costed the same as a new locomotive would've. They frankly should've done a much better job setting the expectations of what the pack was, and probably should've cut the price by $10 or so.

What's stupid is that I feel something like GW Legends could've actually done ok if it wasn't covering the already relatively saturated BR Blue market. Sounds like a foreign concept now, but initially with WSR, NTP, TVL, and the loco DLC's the BR era was a constant presence in the early TSW era. If you wanted BR content you had tons of it to pick from, and frankly NTP or TVL are much better values than GW Legends is for many reasons. Especially since by that point they'd be old enough to get good discounts, and also were needed to get the most of of GW Legends anyways.

Doing a backdated pack for something that hadn't gotten coverage yet such as one of the many American railroads in the game like High Iron are now doing probably would've went down way better. High Iron ironically shortly before or after the release of this would do the same basic idea in TSC, and those packs have been pumped out consistently since I believe, so there's a market for them in TSC. And I imagine DTG could've tapped into that and tried to win over some of those people and get them into the TSW ecosystem.

 

First, I'd like to say congratulations on this release! You've managed to lower the bar even further than we thought possible.

Im gonna list off some issues I've discovered before I refund this pack.


Broken texturing on all coaches at both ends where piping and ETH is


Weirdly shiny wheels?

Complete lack of bump map, mk1s werent this smooth or shiny?


Lack of sounds on compartment doors/ incorrect door sounds in multiple places

Clear just reuse of steam era textures on the inside of the coaches, im sure in the 80s £25 penalty was atleast double or triple that by then.
Ability to open doors from the inside without lowering the windows (which is impossible in real life)


TSO has no climb up feature. lovely.
End sliding doors make no sound either.
Middle TSO door cant be closed from the inside once opened
ill post more

 

The worlds shiniest table, low quality texture work with the seats in general.


Shall we move on to the star of the show?

Texture warping on the bogies

more texture warping


Closest weve gotten to an orange cant line

i mean come on

 

Just a few more because this dlc cost nearly 4 times the ROG37 pack and this is what your getting.




Baking 101? anything that moves shouldnt have its moving part baked onto it


Did you guys look at this skin before you released it, was it 1 year in the folder then 1 week actually on the model?

 

The thing is, in TSC it just works, but it doesn't seem to in TSW. An NSE 4EPB on South London Network complete with London Overground branding doesn't feel too wrong, yet everything looks out of place on DLGW, I think so anyway.

 

You’re complaining like this isn’t a issue of on more than 90% of the stuff in this game, yes the pack isn’t perfect and could use some work but if I remember correctly it’s their first addon for tsw and you’re being extremely nitpickly.

i’m not saying you shouldn’t criticise but be mindful it’s their first time. (I think), also quite a few of the things you point out are tiny things most people won’t see (mainly the tiny parts of the class 47), hell I didn’t notice them until now and I’ve been driving it quite a bit (linked to train not the rolling stock)

anyways the only problem I truly have with this pack is there’s no formations in sandbox mode on Xbox for the class 47.

(ps I’m writing this while very tired so might not come out well written)

 

For context, mildmay line was made by one person. this pack was made by multiple people. who have made previous TSW content. This is the groups first release but not the first thing the devs have produced. i have all the freedom in the world to call out this pack for being a scam.


Just noticed the plug isnt even attached its just a floating cable in this image

 

This void where the old Steam heating exhaust is, isnt even there on the real loco.

 

Well going off your logic every loco pack is a scam, they all have these tiny problems that you think are enough to call the whole pack a scam,

a actual scam is not getting the item you paid for, not it missing a few things.

 

ok. Don’t really care? This product is 3 times the price of a gameplay pack. These issues shouldn’t be present in a product of this price. It’s a linear pack focusing on 1 locomotive and a set of coaches.

I’m gonna play with actually good content now, [EDIT - Jan - Quarrelsome]

 

The issues pointed out are not "tiny" though. Most of them are clearly visible and are quite distracting in fact. You're paying £13 for a gameplay DLC with minor modelling alterations and two BR locos that most people will already have by now.

People absolutely have the right to pick out what's wrong with it, and bearing in mind that this has been in the works for a year now. You want to wonder what on Earth happened behind the scenes for this pack to release in a frankly appalling state even despite the community feedback.

And let's not forget in Mikes own words "They are whole new modelling" when nothing included is even remotely new.

 

Imagine making a copy paste pack for a rip off extortionate price.

Oh...wait... Athena already have....

 

The quality control this year has been extremely poor. How much playtesting do these packs actually go through before they're released?

 

Well pretty sure the really angry bunch will try and start a petition to their respective governments, and demand they have therapy for the all the horrors they feel they have experienced by getting this DLC.......

 

Also thanks to theicehound101 for the review and screenshots.

I can’t help but contrast this with the £9.75 (courtesy of a bundle) I just paid for the Missouri add on for ATS. Or the @£4 I paid a few weeks to add Austria into Snowrunner. Both add hours of emergent gameplay into their respective sims. In the case of the latter, actually two maps fiendishly designed with missing or damaged roads and downright nasty gravel tracks to tax even the best vehicles in the game. Superb, challenging and ultimately heart warming.

But with this pack, once again we see DTG and their associates price gouging something that seems little better than freeware quality. Mark Ones that should have had an official reskin from DTG themselves years ago and scenarios with no repeat play value which sound little better than what could be concocted with the in game editors. If this is the way forward now for TSW then the game will go the same way as the model railway hobby. Overpriced and in the case of TSW poor quality content, bought and played by a tiny number of lingering customers, until the whole thing withers and dies away. If not free, then it sounds like this pack should have been no more than £5.

 

I would like to DM you about something OldVern (related to this post) and as I am a good butcher I am abiding by the forum rules

May I invade your inbox

 

Define "good content" because anything you post has already been criticized at least to this level if not more.

 

Be my guest!

 

Anything by JT
the new Dutch route
Mittenwald
Just to name a few products that deliver on their price.

but please continue to stick up for the company of lies. As a wise man once said “never the VP of Atari”

 

Is it just me or does the paintwork on the MK1s seem a bit too glossy? It reminds me of the high gloss on Gran Turismo cars lol

 

Yeah, I thought that too on close inspection of them after I bought the pack. I never remember them being glossy, certainly not like they've just come out of the paint shop. Maybe they've put the shine on them as they're a railtour pack? I think the gloss does need to be removed if they do manage to be subbed in on timetable mode for MK2's, just wouldn't look right.

 

I am doing the ‘Take a Peak’ scenario first, I’ve not passed any traffic yet and I am as far as Grantham, is that normal?!

 

I would say there has been a few faults found, thank you to everyone who has gone to the effort of sharing what they found on here, this helps the rest of us with the decision to buy or not buy, at the end of the day it is always down to each individual to make their own choice.

All this feedback will also allow Athena an opportunity to respond or act on all this feedback, but we must allow them an opportunity to do so.

 

I am finding a few things but to be honest they are not stopping my enjoyment but there are things I hope they sort and not just walk away now it’s been released.

 

Although I greatly welcome Athena's entry into TSW and the passion the guys have shown, I am refunding for now with a view to a repurchase further down the line. Just a few too many teething troubles with scenarios (little or no AI) and textures (poor quality or over-shiny), but what will hopefully be a good learning experience for the team.

 

Let's not forget that quite a few of the devs have been involved in previous payware DLCs, with one of them being involved in the release of the controversial (at the time) MML. I remember that thread to this day. How interesting that turned out to be towards the end.