I was quite impressed by the preview videos, and have definitely noticed the night lighting looks a little different but sharper than other TOD 4 routes. Great job so far team! For those arguing the route is a 'stop-start' route, in the sense that the main bulk of services call at all points, your not wrong, but what makes this different from other 'stop-start' networks in real life, like the London Overground is that you're able to reach a decent speed in between stations and maintain it for a good bit, unlike the former mentioned where some parts feel like snail-pace and the stations in these sections are so close in proximity you can probably see the next platform/
The night lighting is simply stunning. I'm not afraid to say it, but it's probably the best lighting I've ever seen, compared to other games.I hope this won't be limited to this one route, but will become a standard (may the authors who are currently working hard forgive me).
The video looks fantastic, this is going to be one of the best routes so far. I enjoyed the TSC version very much. Things are looking up for TSW at the moment with all the new content coming from both UK and abroad I have to say. If Firefly and DTG between them can sort out the blurry textures for console users it will make many people very happy I am sure.
I just want to throw in an additional thankyou to the whole firefly team for your work with DTG towards the texture blurring issues! Hearing Matt talk about it on stream how you've worked closely with DTG while developing the route was actually quite reassuring to hear and I hope it comes across with the release! Was also very encouraged by what Matt said RE performance too! Which is amazing to see considering how stunning this route is visually.
Hmm. I have only watched the teaser video so far, but I was a bit disappointed in the ambient lighting. I'll reserve final judgement until I've seen the preview stream.
I suspect that as usual the whole defence of stop start is being overblown on the back of a couple of comments. That aside, I’m surprised there is any outright rejection of the route, considering most UK content lately is centred around express running. Though I don’t really see an issue with people saying they don’t like that content, surely there’s a point in letting it be known that you’re not interested in X product because you don’t like X gameplay. Of course if one person is just constantly spamming the same complaint in the conversation then surely they can just be added to an ignore list, much like I’ve just done with users who display the same behaviour on the other end of the scale. Anyway, from what’s been shown so far this may be the one route I come to when I fancy some night time driving, I’ll have to see more since what’s been shown was clearly there to look it’s best (and it did), but I’d like to see what the actual expected light level will be. In terms of the daytime though, the route looks really great. The detail in not only scenery but infrastructure looks amazing, really loved the signage at Strood.
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.
