Dovetail Games Dovetail Direct 2025 : Live On 26th August!

DTG Alex just confirmed that there will be now UK Region Edition this year. Instead, players should install the Free Starter Pack, and then purchase one of the core routes individually.

 

TBF I've checked the FAQ and it looks like no difference so fair play.

 

Is ti worth combining the bi-mode IET and the LNER livery for Fife Circle? Quick win there

 

So, what did I take away from this year's Dovetail Direct? Quite a few things, actually.

Dresden-Leipzig
Didn't expect that one, for sure! It's a long route and looks very promising. Does that mean the old Dresden-Riesa will become obsolete then?
The announced rolling stock doesn't blow me away though, none of those are my favourites to drive... I mean, more Dosto, more 146, more Talent 2... Let's wait and see what else subs/layers into the route. As of now I'm mildly hyped

BR 294 loco
Oh my gosh, this one was long overdue! I actually suggested it numerous times myself, glad to see it finally appear. That's a big selling point for the Deluxe Edition
Is there a way to get it even if I get the free Starter Pack and the Dresden-Leipzig route only? Meaning, will there be a standard and deluxe version for the standalone route available too?

New core features
I admit, I was among those who suggested random events and fault simulation on last year's survey. Glad to see that more people thought the same
All of those new features sound fantastic and could add tons of immersion... if done right. Each of them could easily be messed up though, I hope they have been tested thoroughly.

Tadami preview
At least they admitted themselves that they did announce it last year already
Still in the TBA section of the roadmap. Let's wait and see. Looks promising so far. But I won't hold my breath for it.

Czech and Portuguese route
OK, now we're in the "expect the unexpected" section. I did not see either of those coming.
Again, let's wait and see how they turn out. The Czech route in particular intrigues me, I've been to Liberec a couple of times, beautiful part of the country
Nice to see TSW expanding into new territory some more.

Stuttgart-Heilbronn and BR 140 and Wittenberge cab
People who know me might not be surprised that this one's the banger in my opinion
Stuttgart is an interesting area, in terms of railroad as well as scenery. I've got high hopes for this one. The route features a couple of points of interest, like the Kornwestheim freight yard. And Heilbronn itself has got an interesting tram-train system, I'm curious as to how this will be implemented in TSW.
But let's face it, the BR 140 is my star here
Finally we're gonna get one. As with the BR 294, my hope is that it will layer into many, many existing routes. I'll drive the s... out of both of them
Getting the Wittenberge cab is another step in the "expect the unexpected" section. I never thought we would get to see this one ingame. Pleasant surprise, this could be used on many, many existing routes as well!

BR 145 Expert
Please don't hate me, but I'm not excited on that one. It's definitely not unexpected, I figured the next Expert loco would most likely be a Traxx or Vectron, but... meh. Forgive me, but they're just not my cup of tea.
Good opportunity for people to practice on for a train diver apprenticeship though

 

wow...from the FAQ page of the TSW site:
"Random events are designed to work with the full back catalogue of compatible content"

 

Will we get back the fast moving external camera on consoles, that was canceled since TSW4?

 

That’s really disappointing - means I am out for now. I just want the UK GWR route + the 220. Not interested in the other regions personally.

 

I’m so confused now.

can someone link to the announcement from DTG Alex please? Does it have prices of the GWR route and 220 separately?

 

Presumed layers for Dresden - Riesa:

101+IC
ICE1 (AI)
ICE3 (AI)
642
612
Vectron
112
Other freight locos (155/182/197/193)
204/363/G6
Leipzig 1442
193/182 on international passenger services (1116 maybe)

 

Nice! Was this posted on their website?

 

Here: https://support.dovetailgames.com/h...51352.1715695150#h_01K3K7A0CJWW5DC31EY192Z7AT

Additional Layers:

Playable

• HST and Class 166 services from Great Western Express
• Class 66 freight trains layering from WCML: London-Milton Keynes
• Railhead Treatment Trains using the RHTT Add-on
• Class 47 hauled services from Just Trains’ WCML: Preston-Carlisle Add-on
• Class 08 shunting services at Laira Depot using WCML: Preston-Carlisle
• Flying Scotsman running a ‘Cathedrals Express’ rail tour using the loco Add-on
• Class 52 ‘Western Pilgrim’ rail tour utilising the West Somerset Railway and Class 52 loco Add-ons, with BR Blue Class 52 substitution available for players with the GWE and Diesel Legends Add-ons.

Non-Playable

• The Class 158 services using Midland Main Line route Add-on can be seen at Exeter St Davids, running out of the map up the steep section of line to Exeter Central, representing Exeter – London Waterloo trains.
• Two standard gauge heritage railway lines branch off from the route at both Totnes (South Devon Railway) and Paignton (Dartmouth Steam Railway). Though neither of these branches are included in the route Add-on, AI services can be unlocked with the Peak Forest Railway and West Somerset Railway Add-ons.
• Playable shunting services are available using the 8F and Jubilee steam locomotives and AI Class 33 services can be seen coming in and out of the map at Totnes.
• GWR Class 150 services also use the joint platforms and sidings at Paignton for layovers.

 

The 1442 needs to be included for the S-Bahn services but it really seems according to the article that the City-Tunnel will be skipped, big disappointment, just look at how busy the Dresden side is with so many branches and then you get the boring Leipzig with S-Bahn only starting from Engelsdorf...

 

Oh of course. Knew I'd forget something.

 

Here's what he said on Discord: https://discord.com/channels/1324687416128180286/1409868027574485064/1409956255589597184

On the TSW 6 FAQs page (https://support.dovetailgames.com/hc/en-us/articles/29015339200914-Train-Sim-World-6-FAQ) it says the Riviera Line line will be £29.99 and the Voyager will be £12.99.

 

Excellent. Glad Laira and Exeter TMD are included. Only shame is not having Exmouth or the 221, but this isn’t a big issue in the wake of everything else included! The screenshots on the website look incredible too.

 

I think the Exmouth (Barnstaple/Okehampton) trains are taking as read as that uses a driveable train. Many Exmouth trains actually come from Paignton.

 

It's very frustrating, that there will be no american freight stuff.

 

Certainly didn't expect this. Hopefully it will be implemented well
The TSG locos especially with their complexity lend themselves well to some mild fault simulation. I wonder how well the random speed limits are going to work on existing routes, and with existing timetables.

Hope that's true. I'll take the 101, 642, 612, 363 and 294, you can have the rest

 

Mixed feelings about this new TSW!
- Very surprised by the American route, which I consider the most solid.
- The Riviera looks fantastic, really like the GWR "Cocumber"/Sprinter, and 220 gives it that magic touch (too bad there's no 221!)!
- German one makes me turn up my nose, especially lack of new passenger units! Sure it will be the best timetable, though (excellent route already)!
- But lion's share here are the new core features: Announcements and events, finally ! Big step forward here, DTG!
Overall, rate this new iteration 7/10 (so, off the cuff, I'd say) ! Let's say, half satisfied here.
PS. Take a Ticket roster is awesome! 140 and Portugal finally ingame ! Not to mention that legendary Czech diesel loco !

 

My biggest concern regarding the Train Faults and Random Events is how well they would actually be implemented - As we know, Dynamic Weather isn't exactly "Dynamic" - I really hope the occurance rate for Events and Faults are toned to a realistic level, and not present in almost every single drive, and whilst yes, these features can be enabled in disabled via the options, you shouldn't need to keep switching said features on and off to get around a situation like this.

 

German railtour potentially less likely as all the old German stock is from the west, but doesn't rule it out.

 

So, there will be no upgrade for existing Dresden - Riesa owners? We need to buy it once again, to have full route to Leipzig?

 

Having uninstalled TSW in favour of more TSC this roadmap has me conflicted. I haven't touched TSW for 8 months but the presentation has reminded me about all the good things about TSW, a lot of the content looks interesting, especially the Riviera and New Street to Crewe and I am glad the Dresden route is being extended to Leipzig. The new countries will be interesting. The one announcement I was less excited about was the JT route which should be the most exciting for me, I am sure it will be a great route though.

I had seen in various places a few people expressing a view that steam might make a return, it seems not which is a shame and what has happened to the class 104?

 

Mixed feelings also about TSW6.

Whilst the new features and Riviera route look great, I'd been hoping to see something more concrete about the blurry textures issue on series X such as "we've identified what broke them in TSW5 and can announce the problem has been fixed" rather than "we'll continue to optimise and it might get a bit better in a few months".

Sadly for me, seeing as these seem to have been getting worse and now affecting more older routes which never had an issue in previous versions I've lost interest in playing TSW5 and will probably not be pre-purchasing this year unlike in the past, I'll probably get the free starter and see if things do ever improve.

 

exactly...and hopefully the signalling events don't just happen to signals you yourself are approaching. maybe they occur further up the track and only directly impact an AI service, which in turn causes issues further back

 

All I want to know is if the Dostos will be updated. They are so bland to drive and so dated compared to what’s been released recently.
Other than that everything is looking good. The new German route is the perfect place to launch the IC2 though, maybe that’ll be a DLC in the future.

 

Finally , we will get some unexpected things . I' m very excited for the random events , the class 220 voyager and especially the BR 294!

Please DTG, make the engine and transmission gauges functional in the BR294 as they are in the BR218!

 

YEAH I WAS BLOWN AWAY IN A GOOD WAY ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY DELIVER AND GIVE THE COMMUNITY WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE. I AM ESPECIALLY SO HAPPY THAT FINALLY AFTER A LONG HIATUS THE NEW US ROUTE WOULD BE THE NEW YORK- STAMFORD LINE WHICH IS THE METRO NORTH- NEW HAVEN LINE, GRAND CENTRAL-STAMFORD WHICH HAVE BEEN REQUESTED SO MANY TIME BY THE COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH THE CORE FEATURES.
***** SORRY FOR THE CAP*********

 

Its all good, they still give the US the route that they want to see especially mine which is the New York-Stamford Line-- Metro North New Haven Line. Maybe down the road they will added it.

 

I really do hope so. That's what interpret from what dtg_jd JD say, or why else will all the old contents be ported to the new TSW 6?

 

thats what i also wonder as well? Where is the new titles?

 

Hi, I'm not worried about new titles but wondering if blurry textures are going to be fixed on series x upon release of TSW6?

 

Probably not since Matt didn't say anything was definitive and that optimization and perfomance improvements like the blurry texture issue will continue to be worked on after release. During DTG Direct.

So don't get any hopes up.

 

I'm not so my money it's staying in my wallet until DTG can prove otherwise!

(Although... It would be nice to know why, if they're not being fixed for the launch of TSW6 they'd expect me to pay for a broken product)

 

Why still no DLSS and DLAA to fixed the flickering for objects and textures

 

Core optimisation was one of the first things they said would be coming with TSW6 when it was first announced.

 

They say that every release and roadmap, because its ongoing. There will be core optimizations but even in the announcement article from last month it states

Key optimisation improvements will continue with the launch of TSW6 and beyond,

They never siad it would be 100% fixed.

 

Probably not.