One thing I hope we can look forward to, is further use of the Class 465 on full end to end runs! Fingers crossed.
The class 465 doesn't run on this line . The 466 however did in the past,pre 2020ish I think, though it's all 375s now.
That's a shame as I don't find the "in the middle of a journey runs" that the 465 has on SEHS at all fulfilling. Hopefully in the future it will get a route focussed on it as I still think it is one of the best units in the game and probably just needs added suspension to bring it up to standard.
Not only are those runs partial, but you cannot even drive them into a London terminus. Surely it can't be too long before we can drive the thing into Charing Cross, Victoria or Cannon St. Both the London Victoria to Faversham and Charing X to Hastings would Both give at least 2 runs for the 465. In terms of bringing up to current standards, not only does it need suspension, but also removal of that ghastly flange sound. The destination display on the front also looks nothing like the real thing. The missing subclasses would need to be added in as well.
Fair enough I haven't driven it for some time due to the reasons above, I imagine the sounds probably do need an update and yes the other sub classes added.
The 465 was initially a standalone DLC for TSW2 that was then included wholesale in SEHS extended which came with TSW3. I can’t image many people not having it in their collection at this point but yeah, you would need either the standalone 465 or TSW3 to have it.
It’s the same issue that affected the Class 700, well plus the sound balance in that case too. The Chatham “crawl” offered no variety and after a couple of stop/start runs never getting up to full speed got tedious.
There will be a couple of late night Class 700 MVL (non-stop) test runs in the timetable that allow you to stretch it’s legs, each taking about 30 minutes (the AI claims it can do it in 15 minutes, it can’t ).
In response to this thread, and as it’s a plausible but fictional service, we’re going to extend the 700 test run and make as long as is feasible (assuming it will fit into the TT ok). It should end up being about 40-45 mins give or take, and run non-stop in both directions.
Fantastic news. I mean, we could still do with DTG taking another pass at the sounds but at least we will be able to stretch it’s legs - give it the beans as it were!
Ah, Slamdoors and the Medway Valley Line, for me there will never be a better combination. Some happy memories traveling with my Dad as he worked on this:
Wouldn’t it be great if a separate pack was made for the upcoming Medway valley line DLC with these (in the same way we have the class 52 pack + timetable for Great West Express).
Honestly would probably sell great like seriously the only problem with diesel legends was the fact that the 52 wasn’t new at that point but this could work
Trouble is the line was still semaphore signalled when slam doors were running it. It wouldn't be an issue for many I'm sure but it would look wrong to me. If we were getting some slam door EMU's I would prefer a period route for them.
Slam doors are too modern for me, if we were to get a new pack. Bring on a steam BR 30053 with plenty of soot covering the horizon.
Yeah I see where you are going. To be honest all I'd really need is for the LED signals to be swapped for the old style ones and reskin the station boards and bada bing bada boom.
The line scenery really hasn’t changed much over the years apart from signalling and some station buildings (new footbridge at Paddock Wood and strood) and a few new housing developments on a few places. Actually when I put it like that, quite a lot has changed lol
I think if they were going to the trouble to make new stock, not just reskin something existing, it makes sense to built a route for it.
I really appreciate that you are all continuing to engage directly with the community like this, especially seeing as this is an actual product as opposed to a mod pack. It's fantastic to see reasonable suggestions being implemented and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on this route when it's ready.
Well, we will have few services with 4 car 375/6, so maybe if someone has the 465 installed, it can substitute in? With maybe like really low probability for AI? How about that?
I won't set it up for them to appear as AI as it would likely ruin immersion for people as it's technically not realistic for our time period, but I can probably make it so the player can sub a 465 into the services if that is something people would want?
Any chance we could get the class 66 in the Blue & Grey Livery to represent the class 59 which sometimes runs freight across the route? Mainly suggesting this since it’s very unlikely would actually get the class 59 in game
Would be superb to have the 465 as a sub in the timetable, although not regular I have seen them in real life sub every so often. Also it'll enhance the playability of the 465 by giving it another route to stretch it's legs! So it would be much appreciated. So having them as a player only service to sub in would be a complete bonus. On the bonus side as a developer, I think having the 465 added to the route will increase the player numbers too, particularly because they are now becoming a bit of a 'retro' EMU. PS, to add to my original message, I think that not having them as AI is the correct idea, only have them subbed on player services. I agree that is the best way to implement and keeps the routes authenticity! I wouldn't want to change the routes authenticity in anyway so I think that is the best balance.
As someone who has never been to Kent by train except ashford a handful of times, I can tell you I'm very excited for this route, particularly the new features we'll be getting with the 2 subclasses of the 375. Top notch work with the new GSM-R and Guard Panel. My only worry is that the only section where you can really get to speed is between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood (90-100mph, as opposed to 70mph), and seeing as it's the only stretch of proper mainline speed in the route, it feels almost as though the 375/6 doesn't really get to stretch its legs.
Politely disagree there. This is designed to be a self contained country stopper route, and wasn't designed to be a mainline route in the first place. The 375/6 has plenty of room to stretch it's legs on this route too. To be honest, it's not to dissimilar to the London Victoria to Reigate stopping pattern and that seems to work just fine and offers a nice difference compared to the complete London to Brighton runs. I'm excited for this route because of it being a self contained country stopper route. Also I am incredibly grateful we will be getting both the 375/3 and 375/6 so we get both the 3 car and 4 car variants of the 1st Gen Electrostars. It appeals to me massively, simply because of the type of route the developers have chosen. A self contained third rail route that takes you through Kent and the lessor known locations and because of its end to end running capabilities.
From my understanding, the /6's on this route run between Rochester and Rainham, and between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. Owning SEHS, you can only really get up to a nice speed after Gillingham - only up to 70mph though - before having to slow down again soon afterwards for Rainham. I'm fairly sure the speed limit between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood is much higher, but would be the only section where you can really get up to speed, which is what the /6's were designed for if I'm not mistaken. My point is, I'm not sure if there is a lot of space to play around with the latter sub-class, as that's the one which interests me most. But like you, I really appreciate and am most welcome to having new sub-classes to drive around in.
4-car 375s do pop up occasionally on this route albeit they're quite rare. It'd definitely be quite a waste for the updated 375, and even the Tonbridge station model to only be used for a 20-odd mile "bus stop" run. No doubt I'll still enjoy it, as I've referred to it as a "third rail niddertalbahn" before, but I'd definitely rather be flying through Orpington or Swanley at 90mph. So I'm hoping this route will be a stepping stone for a bigger route with more variety. If true, then my previous criticisms of there being too much WCML can be thrown out the window!
It's always a matter of "there's too much of this because there's not enough of that"... (of "what I want" !)
It’d be a nice touch if the 375/6 can be subbed in on the main MVL stretch (even if it’s just from the menu for a player train). Whilst it’s considered rare because they’re not the base allocation - they show up more frequently than you’d think with at least one 4 car along there 6 of the past 14 days alone. The units cycle regularly so as to avoid them getting “trapped”. Here’s a rundown since 19 September - including the second instance of a 377 in service along there last weekend. I am moderately surprised we’re not getting the 375/7 too, given that it’s basically a 4 car 375/3 (they were ordered & delivered at the same time).
Hiya, You can't substitute 3 car units for 4 car in TSW. They have to be the same length for subbing to work. There are dedicated services, however, where you can drive the /6s on the MVL. The SEH 465 can be used on MVL vice a 375/6 because they are both 4 car. We've enabled subbing a /6 for a 465 if you decide you want to drive one. They won't appear as AI on the Valley itself, as the time period is incorrect.
