Really enjoying the route living locally and knowing it like the back of my hand. A couple of things though: 1. Where is the old wagon at Maidstone West shown in the development thread but then missing on release? 2. Hoo and Tonbridge Yards completely empty of any stock. Even a few rakes of wagons and locos if they didn't want to create memory problems surely. SEHS does it. Completely spoils immersion at these points on the route. 3. Why only the one siding at East Peckham Tip Sidings? Same mistake TS Classic made. Same reference maps perhaps? A timetabled service with some box wagons would have been nice. 4. Would have been great if the gate at Allington was animated so opens when you operate the freight service in there? Not a major problem , but for 2026 surely not beyond the realms of possibility. As a freighty, I have to say it is so refreshing to be trusted witn operating a full length train into Allington with the required shunt moves rather than those nonsense c.8 wagons trains into Newhaven Town Yard or Watford on East Coast way or West Coast South respectively. Makes such a difference. Not sure about the double heading of the timetabled service unless the physics of a single loco are that way off which wouldn't surprise me. The train wouldn't make any money if it needed double heading!
1. It's unlocked in the mastery 2. You need Cargo line 1+2 (currently in the sales) for all freight layers AND have the layer switched on. 3. Oh bugger. I'll flag it! 4. It does animate, so not sure what you mean The double header into Allington was necessary here. Not sure if the 66 is under-powered, but we could not reverse a full load into Allington in the wet without it!
Here - the statics are on a different layer to the running freight, so could you check these are ticked?
The section in MVL is the fun part since you get fast stretches from Gravesend & upto Rainham, but I’ll still prefer the SEHS section as it gives a more meaningful run.
Those lines have caused crashes for me on a number of routes since TSW6 launched last year, to such an extent I had to remove them last September to be able to use TSW6 at all. I would strongly recommend you remove them now. The core of the game is in constant development and flux, so no ini mod is ever guaranteed to work forever.
Ah thank you! Have layered them in now by ticking the 'all layers' in settings. Will now work to get the wagon at Maidstone West . At Allington just remembered the train driving through the gate across the railway but will try it again. Congratulations on a super route. The best in the game thus far for atmosphere, accuracy and feel. And thank you for not skimping on the freight interest which so many British routes do.
Ouch that shouldn't happen at all. Once the exit signal clears the gate opens or if you are entering the siding you have to call the signaller (old TSW style) to get permission to enter. Which way were you going, in or out?
Just to note that the Grampus wagon is Tier 2 mastery - 5/5 timetabled services and 70 miles so very easy. Wasn't aware of that until today as we have no control over how it's administered, and can't see it in our builds as DTL is disconnected.
Directly from the British Ace's stream, on PS5 if I'm not mistaken: the change at Gravesend highlights the overexposure and the 'constant fog' effect of the new route (on the left) compared to SEHS (on the right).
Spent most of the weekend on this route and honestly it’s top tier. This needs to be the non negotiable standard of routes moving forward. The lighting is really nice as are the sounds. Despite playing on it for hours and hours so far I keep hearing new sounds! The addition of features such as the GSM, the adjustable seating levels, the announcements chimes etc make all the difference.
Since installing this route the 395 in Medway and now is SEHS are unplayable due to frosted windows. I have turned off ALL mods but the problem now seems permenant. Anyone any ideas?
The orange PIS mod is known to conflict. If you have disabled all your mods then the next step would be to move your engine.ini file somewhere safe and let the game create a new one on startup
That’s not ini related. It is mod related, so you’ll need to have another look as you will still have some in there.
I don’t know what to tell you. There is no overexposure (it’s actually the opposite) nor constant fog effect on MVL. Nothing has been done to change fog in any way, shape or form, it is entirely default.
I turned off all mods in mod manager and then set the game to turn off mods in the menu as well. Restart: no difference. Strangely removing the ini file has cleared the problem. here is what I removed...... [SystemSettings] ts2.save.CheckpointsEnabled=0 r.ViewDistanceScale=2.3 r.StaticMeshLODDistanceScale=0.80 r.LODDistanceFactor=1.15 foliage.LODDistanceScale=1.9 foliage.DensityScale=1.0 foliage.MinLOD=0 r.HLOD.DistanceOverride=0 r.HLOD.MaximumLevel=0 r.LODFadeTime=2 r.SkeletalMeshLODBias=-2 r.LODBias=-1 r.DetailMode=3 r.TextureStreaming=1 r.MipMapLODBias=-1 r.Streaming.Boost=1.15 r.Streaming.MaxTempMemoryAllowed=384 s.AsyncLoadingThreadEnabled=1 s.EventDrivenLoaderEnabled=1 r.DefaultFeature.AntiAliasing=3 r.TemporalAACurrentFrameWeight=0.18 r.TemporalAASamples=16 r.BloomQuality=1 r.BloomIntensity=0.95 r.DistanceFieldAO=1 r.DistanceFieldAOScale=1.1 r.EyeAdaptationQuality=2 r.ShadowQuality=5 r.Shadow.MaxResolution=2048 r.Shadow.DistanceScale=1.1 r.Shadow.CSM.MaxCascades=4 r.SSR.Quality=2 r.SSR.MaxRoughness=0.9 r.MotionBlurQuality=1 r.DepthOfFieldQuality=2 r.OneFrameThreadLag=0 [/Script/Engine.UserInterfaceSettings] ApplicationScale=0.800
If you wish to use ini changes please see this post here; https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...-discussion-thread.95652/page-23#post-1106607 There is no ini setting in existence that can cause frosted windows on a 395. That is definitely a mod.
Actually, my bad, the overexposure isn't noticeable in that specific screenshot, but the haziness in the shadows definitely is. I'm referring to issues already pointed out by multiple users, especially on Xbox Series X in the feedback section. I also get that same impression of washed-out, foggy, and overexposed images when watching streams of the PC version on YouTube.
I bought it and I'm playing it on Xbox Series X. Here are two screenshots I just took: the one on the right, which is obviously from a different route, shows much more vibrant, less washed-out colors, and there’s no noticeable overexposure in the sky.
"Multiple users" in this case means two, one of which is yourself. And on the stream you mentioned, it's certainly not an issue (IMO). You could also say "I don't like the lighting on this route", as it's your opinion and certainly not factual.
You have different levels of cloud there, so of course it looks different. It also depends on time of day, time of year, where the sun is in the sky, whether or not you’re looking directly at the sun etc etc. It also looks ‘misty’ to me in the distant background of the MML screenshot.
So I treated myself to the ps5 version after buying on pc and I am blown away with the performance. Fully optimized. The first fully optimized route I now own. This just shows now how lazy dtg have been when releasing routes on console. No stuttering butter smooth perfect so it can be done. From what I understand this route was tested on a dev kit and on a normal console and tested until right. Well done you guys. I cant stop playing this route its pure pleasure in stunning 4k. I don't know how any routes after this are going to be good. It really shows now how routes are rushed out grab the cash and we have to put up with poor performance.
To be fair, this route was tested the same as any other. I can say though that we did a lot of testing internally on PC’s of different specs (some comparable to consoles) throughout development to try and gauge where it was pitched. The dev kits then gave us a steer on areas we could optimise further and the final bit, which only comes very late on because of the way the console manufacturers work, was the actual consoles. That was where, thankfully, they confirmed our previous testing had been in the right ballpark. Pleased to hear you’re enjoying the route!
Really enjoying this route. Extra detail not found on other dlc and the ability to explore more of the surroundings make it feel so much more 'real'. Unlike other routes I have experienced very few issues. Here's a few very minor ones I noticed over the weekend - * AI trains are ignoring the whistle board southbound just after leaving Yalding station past the Hampstead Lane crossing. I checked Google streetview from the crossing and there is no W board there in the latest images from 2021 and 2019, but there is a W board there in 2009. I don't know if there should be a whistle board there for the 2025 in-game timetable but the AI is not tooting for the one that is currently there. * Driverless boats chugging along the river feels a bit odd * The crossing barriers at Cuxton are too short. When closed they would cover the whole roadway between the fences, but in-game they leave a footway open on one side. I guess the barriers are stock assets in the game so probably a pain to create longer ones just for this crossing. Only minor niggles as I said, so hats off to Firefly for such an amazing looking and well performing first route.
After doing a few runs I can definitely say that this is probably the best route in TSW, I hope that Firefly can follow this with some more excellent quality content whether that is rolling stock for the MVL (Class 59, 73 and 466 perhaps) or more routes, something like the Hastings line from Tonbridge. 10/10 for sure.
Was too busy playing this route to leave compliments. Yes this one made it to my Purchased list. Why does this route look already remastered on it's first release?
No, it doesn't depend on the cloud cover or the time of day. This washed-out feeling is always there. If it's a specific lighting choice, fine, I’ll take note of that, but denying it means ignoring the obvious. Do you want me to tell you it's a fantastic route? It is, by far the best ever released for TSW in terms of detail and performance. And I’ve been playing TSW since 2019. However, when it comes to the daytime lighting (the night lighting is excellent), they could have done better.
and the same on SEHS, same date, same time, same place I struggle to see how you could possibly suggest MVL is overexposed or washed out.
Yes, that is PC. Console uses the exact same setup except for the cloud layers and layer height which we removed as we wanted to be 100% certain of console performance. Now we know that is ok we are likely going to add that back in. Testing shows that that particular feature it is virtually performance neutral, but it is possible that using default clouds has a small effect on the lighting. As it is it is default however it will be no different to other routes. You are literally the only person I’ve seen saying this, so are you sure it’s not a setting on your TV / monitor? All YouTube videos I’ve watched where people are streaming on consoles look entirely as I would expect them to do. Ultimately the aim of the lighting is that it looks more realistic more of the time (including at night), and I’m absolutely confident that has been achieved. ps I’m just trying to help get to the bottom of the issue you seem to be having
Thanks for the detailed response. I really appreciate it. I can assure you that it’s very noticeable, as far as I'm concerned. Another user in the feedback section reported the exact same issue on Xbox. I’ll try to post more screenshots later, especially comparing them with SEHS.
I have just had my first drive up the Medway Valley. Fantastic!!!! A quick question, I was driving the class 66 and noticed that a lot of the speed limit changes were missing from the HUD (I basically only use the HUD to help me learn the speed limits as I have no route familiarity to start with). This is the only route I have had this issue. Has anyone else experienced this or is it my end?
Just to add, I’m also experiencing this lighting issue on Xbox SX. I absolutely love the route and the attention to detail so hate to bring any negatives up but this is actually spoiling the experience a bit, to the point I’m sticking to night runs for now. As I mentioned in another post, the lighting is very over exposed regardless of time of day or year creating a constant foggy look. I noticed when outside the cab looking up creates a rich dark contrast, while looking down creates an over exposed washed out look. As a comparison, the GWE remaster lighting just seems to be perfect on Xbox so I’m hoping it can be adjusted somehow as I really want to enjoy all the fantastic details.
I'm sorry, but are you genuinely trying to argue against one of the developers? JetWash is an absolute genius when it comes to mods/development. His contributions, as with the others, are second to none. I'm on Series X and I haven't seen any of this lighting issue.
Well I’m on series X and I promise you it most definitely is a noticable issue. It’s nothing against the developers and their amazing talents but clearly something is off/ needs tweaking. No idea how or why you’re not noticing it.
If it helps any, maybe it's the type of screen the images are being looked at on. On my mobile phone the SEHS screenshots you supplied seem to have more vibrant blue colours where as the Medway ones appear to be more dull/grey
That is strange, no idea what’s happening then. I don’t think my TV is the problem as compared to other TOD4 routes, especially GWE remaster it’s like night and day.
It's alright, a lot of us don't think it looks washed out (more than reality at least), but people are allowed their opinions, and things like colour banding/vibrancy realism are matters of opinion. We'll take the feedback onboard generally and look into it. I will say it is a concious design decision for a more muted colour pallete, because TSW is generally more vibrant than reality is.
Here it is: same location, Gravesend, same time, same time of year, and the same cloud cover: if you don’t notice that the bridge and the black of the tunnel in the photo on the right are covered by a light haze, I really don't know what to say. SEHS on the left. I see the same on TV, phone and PC screen.
There's a slight haze yes, but also a much more realistic colour pallete. Look how insanely vibrant the blue fence is on SEHS.
Just to be clear: if it’s a developer choice, no problem. Personally, I prefer more vibrant colors, higher contrast, and fewer exposure shifts between lit areas and shadows. I’ll get used to it. I’ll say it again: the route is fantastic. I was just annoyed by the tone of some users. I'm nearsighted, but with my glasses, my eyes work just fine
In my opinion the right hand image just looks so much better. I think the lighting fits that overcast day so much better. Some of the colours in the first one just look too vibrant in the lighting. But as you say we all have our preferences and our own likes/differences
