Look. The best arrangement of vegetation in comparison with other TSW2 routes. High detailed stations(as for TSW2 era). Complex signaling system, which, unlike the previous Boston Sprinter and the next New York - Trenton, works normally. Without any fancy suspensions the track config creates pretty realistic bouncing. Highly detailed track equipment(by any TSW standards). I would really like this route to be adjusted a little to modern versions (at least new lighting and some work for better sounds). It doesn't deserve to be forgotten.
The route is well worth its money and i also like the rides as passenger. My only criticism is the lenght. This route should get extended. But yes i like the atmosphere a lot.
Well yes, on the other hand though, it's only half a route and is missing quite a bit of traffic. Neither the diesel services nor the New Haven line trains are represented. And while the scenery is mostly okay, there are a few weird and questionable areas. With more love put into it, it could be much better. As it is now, it feels a bit dead.
The only real downer with the route apart from the short length is that lengthy 10 MPH crawl in and out of NYGCT, though that’s not DTG’s fault! And I usually take it at 15 to 20 MPH anyway - what’s the NY equivalent of tea and biscuits with the manager, coffee and bagel?!
For the style of route that it is it’s a lot of fun, although if I was going to play this or LIRR i’d choose LIRR every time. Now if Harlem was to get the remaster treatment, that opinion may change entirely.
It has its good points, I like the track work in particular, but it's missing a lot. It should have gone to Southeast at least and preferably as far as Wassaic with the diesel extension. Perhaps the most egregious omission is the absence of Yankee Stadium ( or at least a generic ballpark ). This omission makes it rather comical to have services specifically destined for Yankees- 153rd where the foot traffic gives no indication of game days. If a remaster doesn't go some way to correcting these omissions, it wouldn't be worth doing. Apart from these deficits, it's a pretty decent drive.
The Harlem's my local real life line, and it certainly excels in some areas while falling on its face in others. The scenery is pretty good, the trains are well-made (although the M7 missing the automated "This is the train to Grand Central..." announcements is noticeable), the sounds are good overall. The route length is for sure the worst part of it. While I wouldn't have produced it as far as my neck of the woods in Wassaic, I would have at least sprung for Southeast instead of NWP. The lack of push-pull sets and the M8's make for another issue, as the constant M3 and M7 traffic gets a little boring. Adding the through-train Maxi-sets as a post-release DLC with a P32 and a Shoreliner would have alleviated this; even with limited Harlem services they would have added traffic variety coming on/off the Hudson and New Haven lines, not to mention changing modes at 125th would have added a little extra operational experience. The GP35 work units with some MoW equipment would also be a welcome touch to fill out some yard space and add work duty and tow-jobs into the game. At some point I would love to see something akin to the "Diesel Legends of the Great Western" added for the Harlem, back-dating services with FL9's, ACMU's, and M1's.
The Harlem Line is a great route but I agree, it definitely needs some updates to scenery and rolling stock. 1. Between Melrose and Tremont stations, include the overpass for Interstate 95. It was included in the Hudson line and New Haven Line for TSC but missing from the Harlem Line for TSW 2. Adjust the acceleration rate of the M7A. It is overpowered compared to the updated M7 for LIRR commuter 3. Update the Platform Information displays to the real life counterparts. 4. Update the font for station signs as it is not realistic. It was created properly for the Metro North routes in TSC but not correctly represented in TSW. 5. Include M8a and P32AC-DM with shoreliners so we can have more variety with services. 6. Fix the issues with multiple AI trains immediately following trains. I am not sure if this is an issue with pathing or something to do with the AI trains not being able to properly work with ATC in game 7. Include the Manhattan skyline, a proper representation of it 8. For the small spur of Hudson line, Include Yankee Stadium about 2-3 blocks north of the Yankees-East 153rd st Station 9. For Grand Central terminal, Include the lower level and for exploring, recreate the walkable area where the famous clock is 10. Update the route to ToD4 and extend it to atleast Southeast and remaster the route using points #1-9 I suggested above With all of this, I think we could have the beginnings of Metro North commuter, with possibility of adding in the Hudson and New Haven Line in the future
Great points, I am a Metro North commuter myself on the Hudson line and definitely agree with the suggestions. The decision for DTG to cut the length back holds it from it's true potential. I would rather this route was delayed with the suggestions we have all made then for it to have prematurely end at North White Plains yard
AI trains fully ignore the safety systems, until it's a stop signal. Also AI trains ignore any obstacle that isn't one of the train ends. If AI reach tail or head of the other train - it will stop. If AI reach train side it will smash into it. At least there is something on Harlem, unlike LIRR.
I flip-flop between the Hudson and Harlem lines depending on my scheduling and where I want to end up in Manhattan. If I want to keep my schedule fluid and not have to report back for a specific train at a specific time I'll take the Harlem out of Wassaic. If I want to end up on the West Side or just want to go for a joyride I'll grab an Empire Service out of Rhinecliff. I've also got the fancy Amtrak credit card with the lounge passes, so my wife and I will just go for rides to use the lounge at Moynihan. I'd really like to see a clone of the TSC Hudson Line DLC produced for TSW at some point, possibly extended past Croton and to Poughkeepsie. Even as short as it was, it was cool having the option to run Amtrak to NYP or the MTA to GCT.
Lol not quite, railroaders here refer to that particular conversation with their road foreman as being "dragged out onto the carpet"
thats kind of a pet peeve of many US stations - if you take some typical EU stations, even terminus type with buffers, the approach speed is usually around 30 - 50 kph (19 - 31 mph), if they depart, they quickly get to around 40 kph, then cruise and speed up at next speed sign which is usually almost around the corner... many of these termini US stations have those 10-15 mph crawls... they used to annoy me as well, but now when I play Metrolink routes, I actually enjoy that initial chill before speeding up tho where it gets super comical is the Long Beach branch on LIRR... I mean, how is it even allowed to have trains passing there if the speed is 5mph? thats a speed you usually designate (in EU at least) for a piece of track thats barely used or badly damaged (before repairs are done), or is at the end of industry branch line
I don't mind the 10-15mph approaches and departures into and out of the terminals like Grans Central or Penn Station but 5mph into and out of Long Beach is kind of crazy. It usually takes a good 3-5 minutes to get to the terminus at that speed which is like speedwalking, lol
Eh, not dead-on, but I've learned to not get too bent out of shape with schedules. To be fair though, the real trains aren't always exact on schedule, they're usually a few minutes over/under. It's not Japan, the MTA isn't giving out hall passes to peoples' employers for being a little late lol. I don't mind the slow approach leaving GCT, but coming into the station it feels like it always takes fooorrreeevvveeerrr. I love the people that stand from 125th too, like, where are you even going? Lol
At least Long Beach has some scenery to see, unlike the most boring (probably even in the whole world) Atlantic Terminal.
I really enjoy this route. It really needs a nice TOD4 update though. I’d honestly be really surprised if it didn’t.
I always liked the route quite a bit. I did get red light/traffic jams often enough toward the end of the route at North White Plains which stopped me from finishing many timetable services but at least on the newer TSWs you can delete stuck trains.
Fuses should be closed. I don't know how familiar you are with electronics, but the easiest way to remember it is that you need the circuit to be closed for it to operate. If the circuit's open, it won't.
Sorry if this sounds stupid but is the point of the loop at grand Central station. Because you can drive the trains from either end. Thanks
Leftover from the long-distance train days back when the New York Central and New Haven were the tenant railroads and ran trains like the 20th Century Limited. It's mostly used for storage now when it does get used.
I mean, just imagining being a passenger, like, ok, if you are departing from Long Beach and commuting further, it isnt such a hassle, but now I try to imagine someone going TO Long Beach... like... you are almost there... and the approach takes so long that you would outrun the train by running one-legged lol
