That wasn’t picked to show it at its best, I promise. I’ve been ruing making that vid as it was made in a rush to meet a deadline and I felt it actually sold it very short to be honest. The proof will be in the pudding anyway, but I’m confident in what we’ve achieved and think you’ll like it.
That first screenshot looked real Everything looks brilliant! I especially love the 375 and the trackside signs!
The difference with this route is that it’s a largely rural stop/start service than city suburban of which, yes, TSW has an over abundance. I haven’t watched the video yet but have it on good authority the night lighting raises the bar considerably. Really looking forward to driving it. Yes we would all have liked it if Firefly had chosen a main line stretch such as Tonbridge to Hastings but hopefully that will come building on their experience doing MV. All we need now is a release date. Take my money!
Watched the video last night and the one thing i noticed and which the developers will hopefully see and change was the audible comms being slightly wrong. I heard the "signaller" saying the word "Over" at the end of each sentence which is incorrect when using GSM-R as it is a full duplex system. It was the older NRN system that was half duplex and therefore used "Over" at the end of each sentence. (I'm a Network Rail comms engineer) As I say hopefully this is something that can be taken on board?
tl:dr Is there a link to the video? I just searched YT to watch while on the exercise bike but all I could find was what looked like an unofficial clip with constant announcements playing drowning out anything else!
Thanks! Thought I was going nuts, loads of clips of the TSC version came up in the search which is not quite the same…
The before/after video really shows just how poorly SEHS; a) was initially made, and b) has aged. It's a night-and-day improvement from Firefly and really does hit home how SEHS' development issues impacted it. I'm quite looking forward to this now.
I know when this route comes out and people see the upgraded sections from SEHS that there will be demand for SEHS remastered, calling it here folks! This route’s looking marvellous, I think Firefly are going to be the ones to watch going forward. Everything about Medway Valley appears to be taking TSW to the next level! DTG should be looking at that lighting and planning TODv5
I don't think I'll be driving SEHS much after seeing that video, maybe for a blast down the high speed section. I never really consider TSW3 routes as seeming that old!
I'm excited for this route having used it a long time ago. Time flies, I remember when I was first on this forum and there would have been an uprising if a new route with Electrostars was mentioned
The issue was never not wanting Electrostars, rather flooding release periods with them. Same as now with all the WCML stuff. What is funny is how we have 3 more electrostars coming in a short space of time. At least this time though they aren’t the only modern rolling stock we have.
Well I admire and am encouraged by that sincerity To be honest I couldn't form a firm opinion about the night lighting from the 4 minute teaser. So I'm happy to wait for the actual preview stream and I'm confident I'll be driving this route at night, unlike many others.
Absolutely! It’s would be a crime not to bring it up to TOD4 standards. I’d wager we’d get a mini extension too. How many people have shouted from the high heavens about an extension to Ramsgate. Personally I’d rather it head to the capital as those lines resonate more with me, and I commute on them daily to work.
I think TSW3 routes are practically TSW2 routes with a mask (TOD4) on. Although in fairness SEHS is still a TSW2 route at it's core.
Yes of course. I remember DTG showing off SEHS with the new lighting I forget it was a TSW2 route. Maybe it is not just TOD3 and before routes which could do with being remastered. Then again where would they stop as new features are added every year.
I can say that lighting on MVL, both day and night, is entirely new (albeit based on TOD4 and on the same methodology as my mod) and we’ve been able to further improve it using techniques that I couldn’t use in a mod. SEHS was a launch route for TSW3 and is already TOD4 for what it’s worth. I believe the sales end soon…if people don’t already have them I would very strongly recommend you pick up SEHS, Class 700, Cargoline aggregates and petroleum, the RHTT, Flying Scotsman and West Somerset to get the full experience
Curiosity got the better of me so I reinstalled TSC, and this route, and then the various AP packs to make it look and sound authentic. You don’t realise how good we have in TSW with the more “plug and play” nature of the game compared to TSC. I had to create my own service, as I never really use the default supplied ones and I can use my own authentic AI. I forgot how much I enjoyed it in TSC, a visually stunning route, so I think we’re in for a treat in TSW! It’s realtively flat with the majority 70 mph limit, but the odd 40 and 55 limits in places so there’s more than just stop / start to keep your eyes open.
I would rather it extended the other way from Dartford into London covering Charing Cross, Blackfriars and Cannon St..Just usure if it should go VIA Hither Green, Abbey Wood or BexleyHeath/Lewisham..Abbey wood would probably be the better option as you can run both Thameslink and Southeastern. SEML in TSC is my go to route with the SEML Network workshop mod, its so good.
That’s my local line right there I want to see more love for the 465 and 700 and somewhere new to drive them.
Watched the stream for the 171 last night and the announcements sounded brilliant. Wondered if they would carry across to the Medway units for this route as would add realism to an already wonderful looking route. Can’t wait either way.
Sounds awesome, thank you for replying. Really looking forward to this one and you all seem to have done some incredible work. Can’t wait to explore.
Not at all realistically, but I think they said 1 full length run is included. Edit: Rainham - Gravesend as per reality & the one run up the MVL.
Don't forget that Gravesend - Rainham is included within the route which will give the 700 a decent run (about 13 miles)
Oh my, I am an idiot. I presumed it was just going from Strood. But yes you’re correct it will be a fairly significant chunk of the SEHS 700 service.
Thanks and good to know. I'm not a big fan of the letterbox cab window of trains like the 375, so being able to drive the 700 makes the route more attractive to me.
Pretty sure you can also use the 465 as a substitute on the full route runs too, so you should be able to cover most of the 375 timetable without actually using it.
Yes it will likely be my main traction for the line too, but I will miss suspension. Hopefully someone will get round to adding it one day. I’m still going to give the 375 a fair shot though, sounds like the devs are going to put a lot of attention into it.
Time for a second remaster of SEHS, done by Liam and with suspension added to all the trains. I will try out the 375 too, but I'm quickly annoyed by the small window, as I can't really enjoy the scenery.
You can drive the 700 from Gravesend to Rainham on the scheduled services, and we added a Gravesend - Tonbridge - Gravesend night proving run as well, which is very nice indeed. There are also some other surprises in the TT but we’ll save those for another day
With the nicely done night lighting, I suppose this will be a lovely trip. Well, now I'm curious about the surprises and waiting is not my strongest part
Yep, one of the four 375s that does the MVL runs can be subbed into as 465. Gives you various runs throughout the day.
Just wondering if TSRs will be implemented (varying lengths, other than 40mph)? Also signal delays? Can't wait for this release.
I don't know if the question has already been asked but now that you, presumably, have access to more of the editing tools is there any chance that this could be released as a fully fledged separate loco for the route? (I know it is out of period but it is a useful addition to the game). British Rail Engineers "Dutch" Class 33 by SprattyHeath
TSR’s and signal delays are core features so don’t need to be activated on a per route basis. Additionally, TSR’s in core are all 40mph as far as I’m aware and as the core is off limits we will not be doing anything with them beyond that. Hope that answers the question
Unsure why its Tonbridge but a big network of services have opened up for you. Could have extended south to Tunbridge West not Hastings as that could be another route. Ran by Southeastern. Like the Redhill services by Southern.
To be honest is there really any point? Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells is like a 10 minute hop, and you can't drive a service from Strood to Tunbridge Wells. If it were me I'd probably include it on a South Eastern Network route. Then you can have proper runs up to London.
It's Tonbridge because Medway Valley Line services go to Tonbridge. We wanted all the MVL services to be fully playable on the route, this way they are.
judging by mileage and travel time (found online), I guess it is a slower route with max like 60 - 75 mph? anyway, looks great
Put it this way, if you’re going 60 you’re on a fast stretch. If you look up PTG Rail on YouTube he will likely have a route learning guide for it, albeit in TSC. I know he definitely has one for a 395 run from Maidstone, not sure about a run from/to Tonbridge.
The Paddock Wood to Tonbridge section of the mainline is 100mph with the top speed on the MVL itself being 70mph.
