This is a series of polls gathering public assessment of which were the exemplary routes at each stage of TSW's development. For this purpose I am counting original TSW and TSW 2020 as one generation, since that was really just a rebranding; and Rush Hour as a separate generation since the migration to UE 4.26 was a major core change. Note also that I have separated the original and upgraded versions of Sand Patch Grade, Southeastern High Speed and Long Island Railroad/Commuter _______________________ The book isn't closed yet on TSW 5...
Honestly the top 5 best things to come out of TSW 4 was 1. Blackpool 2. Goblin Line 3. LIRR Commuter (Took a fan favorite route from 2020 and gave it a desperately needed remaster) 4. Salzburg to Rosehiem(The 111) 5. Berninaline (Rivet's short lived redemption arc) Other than those 5 everything from TSW 4 was a major step back in terms of quality, and route choices. Besides from those top 5 things... TSW 4 was forgettable at best, and we don't talk about that awful Fife Circle Addon(Albeit the Class 170 was the only good thing to come out since it was a great Model) and let's not forget Maintalbahn(Mediocre Scenery, and Poor sounds on the 642)
This one was a bit more of a head scratcher. Maintalbahn because I find this is one of my guilty pleasure routes. Diesel, single track and reasonably fast too is a step away from the sea of DB Red EMU’s and 143/Dosto formations that pollute TSW. The 642 well I know many say it’s poor and inaccurate but I quite like driving it. Blackpool Branches - no need to expound further on that. Ticks most of my boxes. ECML - given my criticism of the Azuma this one might seem a surprising choice. However the route is nicely put together and, until WCMLoS, the only UK main line in the game to give some long sustained fast running. The Azuma does grow on you and, like Maintalbahn, I find this route hits my zen spot very nicely. Now then Bill solicitr , how about a final poll for the most recent content?!
The only two routes I'm using of those are Salzburg-Rosenheim and Maintalbahn. While the former is technically the "better" route, it tends to get a little boring rather fast. I find myself doing runs on Maintalbahn way more often. I'll call it a guilty pleasure as well. So I voted for Maintalbahn here. It had a rocky start and has got a bad reputation (partly justified) but overall it's not as bad as many say. While the 642 brings it down a little (I just can't warm up to it), the 218 timetable also pushes it up, adding variety
Dreadful, really? It's much better than DTG's previous attempts at a Taurus. As for the route itself, I do find it slow and tedious for the passenger services, but getting a heavy double-headed freight train safely downhill is a lot of fun in my opinion. I've also taken the 1020 over the route in Free Roam more than once - also great fun.
Just me. I much prefer more traditional sounding electric locos, like the Class 87 on WCML or the EU07 etc in SimRail.
Since the Leven branch update and the community mods I have to tie Salzburg - Rosenheim and Fife Circle Line. Spent soo many hours on both, mostly thanks to mods though. Salzburg was fine, but with FreddieTheShepherd 's mod it really changed the whole atmosphere towards realism and Fife really began to shine with the rich community timetable by Fawx .
Same for me, just missed out. I’d say it’s Rivet’s best route and I don’t mind that it’s only half a route given it’s already a very long drive from end to end.
They did it for TSC too, but in TSC we got the second half of the line and almost the whole RhB network with their DLC. They should make those for TSW, they were quite good at those routes.
I went for Blackpool Branches, Suffragette Line and Fife Circle Line. Blackpool Branches - do I really need to say why. Although I only really drive the Pacer, which is most of the appeal to me. Suffragette Line - a surprisingly well made route. Fife Circle Line - introduced the 170, a train I both know well and work with.
I'm very surprised that, judging by this poll, ECML hasn't got more votes considering it was supposedly so, so popular? Well, in my opinion, I've never thought it was that exciting and I hardly play it because of that. But, interesting nonetheless.
As I noted above, my initial thoughts were on similar lines but the more I play it, the more it nests in my list of guilty pleasure routes. With regard to Bernina, well I did try it but refunded. Not so much for the half a route thing but I just felt once again Rivet had failed to properly nail decent physics and sound with the Allegra. I can agree what I saw of the scenery was much better than previous Rivet routes and way nicer than Arosa. Though I never actually thought that was too bad. One day I will probably add it to my collection in a deep sale.
I'm having trouble voting. I have 6 routes, the top 5 and Goblin. I haven't played anything enough to form an informed opinion, which in itself seems like a damning indictment. Clearly Blackpool is nice but doesn't thrill, ECML is okay if a little underwhelming, but Goblin has that reality interest factor which could garnish a vote but it's not forthcoming as yet.
I've never understood the wild popularity of Goblin. A short one-train EMU bus-stop route with no traffic: meh. For that sort of thing Cathcart is much better, or driving the 710 on WCML.
For me its boring, but it's beautiful. Scenery really well made. I can't tell about how realistic it is, but looks really nice.
With you there Bill. The route might look nice and be well built but it’s the ultimate electric bus service. That long 30 MPH drag through the mid section. Okay I know it’s prototypical but it does not make for the most exciting journey. Even Glossop you could give the 323 the beans in between stops.
Hands down Blackpool Branches. But got to give Cathcart Circle a mention. The remaster and 380 timetable introduction transformed it. The route might not have been released during TSW4 time period but the remaster/380 was.
I suspect there is something of an opinion split, across all routes, between PC and console players: PC players tend not to be bothered by things easily modded out, like the vanilla Taurus soundset.
To me was an easy choice, LIRR2. Reasons are: the route has 39 stations(including Hillside MX complex and Bolands Landing) (most in game) 40 if you include the abandoned Woodhaven, 2. Total night services 113 from 12am-5:59am(most playable passenger service at those times) 49 spawn points through out the route map (most of any route) , 4. We have a total of 625 LIRR services, M3(32), M7(287), M9(306) with total of 1104 services that includes all AI (4th most playable passenger route in the game) 5. has 25 complete end to end services: (Most in the game) *Unique west bound dual track operation from Hicksville to Floral park in the morning Am rush hours 7am- 7:30am, *Unique west bound dual track operation from Floral park to Hicksville 6pm- 6:30PM (service 1256), *numerous simultaneous departures from Jamaica station track 1,2,3 and 6,7,8, *five branches , 2 different PIS systems, most playable US route in the game, most passengers only services in game between 12-5:59am. *M7 , M9 ATC and ACSES interactive test 11. automatic guard buzzer when doors are closed *M7 and M9 CDP interactive screens,
