What would you say the best and worst efforts at train sounds in the game are? My best would be: Scotrail 314, a pleasure to drive and nothing inaccurate at all imo DB expert 101, again a pleasure to drive and again nothing inaccurate MML HST, great motor and turbo sounds, again a pleasure to drive and it's exactly how it sounded on the mainline GW 165 very accurate sounding imo, especially the interior sounds Blackpool pacers, terrifically done by Just Trains Classes 47, 31, 20, 66 all well updated from their original versions DB 425, very good soundwise DB 442, very good soundwise Electrostars, very accurate Worst now: DB 406, has inaccuracies in departure noise but not the worst by far 72 stock, wrong sounds as explained on the forum before, again you can add the pendolino to that list and the 700 Gwr HST, lack of motor sound in cab unlike EMT version Class 40, not great sound in cab Class 37, not greatly accurate Class 52, needs updating 385, needs updating! Class 170, not especially accurate Class 801, not loud enough especially after 40mph
I agree. Some additional notes from myself: - The Mark 3 coach run sounds for the GWE HST are horrible. - The Class 801's interior sounds are too quiet and are inaccurate (If DTG were going to use Armstrong Powerhouse's sounds for the exterior, they might as well have done the same for the interior.) - Class 700 running sounds are poorly transitioned. - Class 385 is horrendous altogether. (Features, behaviour and sounds). - The 1972 stock motor sounds do not increase in pitch proportionately as they should in real life. - Class 390's interior sounds I like personally, although run sounds are terrible and in fact is just the running sounds of a Class 700 looped over and over. The motor sounds also loop over even when coasting. I think the Electrostar sounds are very accurate indeed (being copied from Armstrong Powerhouse) - They just need to be a little louder. Sadly you cannot hear the motors above 60mph even though in real life they are very audible especially at high speeds.
Best for me probably goes to the Class 377 & Class 387. And the Class 86 & Class 87. Worst is hands down the Class 385. I only really play UK content so I can't speak of anything outside of that as I don't have a real life comparison to see in person.
My current favorite is the HSP 46 on the MBTA. Sounds really beasty. Even the Cab Car sounds really accurate. On the other hand I've never much liked the sound of the ES44AC as it appears on HSC, especially when you really push it at higher notches.
Currently driving the Class 40 on WCL (!) and have to agree, while the sounds are accurate they are not passing through the transition to the full throated roar that the prototype or indeed representation in other sims portrayed. It seems more like a slightly faster than fast idle. Award for the worst sound still goes to the Rivet Class 150/2, their Class 385 and third place the DTG Class 700. The latter appalling consider they run past DTG Tower's doorstep several times an hour. The IOW Class 484 also sounds distinctly odd, not like a DC unit at all. The DB Class 1442 on RT remains the worst sounding (or rather complete lack of sound) in the German collection. Oh and the Dosto cab cars, almost devoid of any running sound or tactile feel. Mind numbing and boring to drive from. The TSG 218 is the clear winner for me, absolutely superb mix. For the US, well it's a bit deflating knowing that some of the GM sounds were simply transplanted from the UK Class 66. I would certainly go with the HSP 46 on MBTA as being the best, with the F125's on Metrolink a runner up, only issue with the latter being they are overpowered so not much scope for a good thrash on AVL (speed limits and short trains), or SBO (straight out boring). I quite like the M3's on LIRR and Harlem but then remember reading DTG used UK EMU sounds from TSC for these, which debunks the experience somewhat. The biggest problem nearly all the traction in TSW has is the restrained way in which DTG apply the sounds. Even if IRL you can't hear the traction sounds in the cab, this is entertainment so buff it up a bit. Looking at you Class 801.
I have been pretty impressed by some of the US train sounds from the cab. Both the Metrolink Rotem and MBTA CTC-5 are good examples of this. The running sound is done well and it sounds like you are pulling some actual weight on the tracks. In addition the bell and horn also sounds realistic and loud compared to earlier releases. While maybe not literally the worst sounds in the game, the old "shopping cart" wagon sounds were always comically bad and I'm glad they have been upgraded (Just listen to the mk2f coaches in comparison). I don't agree with this. I see where you are coming from, but I would rather have the sounds as close to real as possible. That would be more immersive than hearing motor sounds in a cab placed far away from the motor. I would prefer if the sounds one would actually hear in the cab would be implemented well enough to provide the entertainment.
Then give players the choice. Realistic or enhanced. I mean technically you shouldn’t hear any of the BR Classic diesel loco exhaust thrash in the cab with the windows up, but it would be pretty boring if you didn’t. TSW is basically entertainment not a real life simulator so some artistic licence can be taken, as the sounds trains make are a substantial element of the railway hobby for many people.
First thing I do when I sit in the cab of any loco or emu/dmu is to open both windows if possible. Everything about the railway is muted in TSW. Traction, tracks, switches, horns and passing AI trains. The railway is a very noisy place, until it isn't in TSW. ( Of course I'm speaking generally here, there are some exceptions. But not many)
The 86 and 101 expert are in my opinion the best sounds locos in the game, nothing to complain about. The worst sounding train? Probably the RT Br 442, it still has those awful synthetic inverter sounds.
Would highly rate the 87, haven't driven the 86 yet unfortunately though I would say that the sounds are not totally accurate though electric locos are challenging to do the sound generally, the DB 101 needed several updates to perfect.
It’s a shame we didn’t get an Armstrong Powerhouse sound pack for the class 37. It doesn’t sound terrible, but it’s a little underwhelming. The 31 in comparison is outstanding.
