Hello, I want to propose a fundamental shift in how we play TSW. Currently, the simulation is tied to rigid, pre-programmed Timetables that take a massive amount of development time to create. I believe we need to move toward a more flexible system where the player has total operational control. The Proposal: Tactical Map Orders Instead of just driving one train at a time, we should have the ability to manage multiple trains simultaneously from the Map. This should be a core feature of the Free Roam mode: Real-Time Map Commands: Select any train on the map and give it a direct order, such as "Drive to [Industry/Siding]", "Couple to consist", or "Wait at signal". Manage Multiple Trains: While you are driving one locomotive, the AI should be able to follow your commands with another train in the background, allowing for complex yard and fleet management. Total Sandbox Freedom: Players should be able to spawn several locomotives and coordinate their movements on the fly, creating their own traffic and logistics. Why this is better for TSW: Development Speed: If developers focus on high-quality Routes and Locomotives instead of hard-coding 24-hour schedules, they can release more DLCs in less time. Player Imagination: This turns the sim into a true sandbox where the player acts as both the engineer and the dispatcher, making every session unique. Operational Realism: Giving orders to other trains makes the world feel functional and alive, moving away from the static experience of current Free Roam.
This would be a big step up in the gameplay department, similar to when free roam was added. Being able to spawn in trains through the map and/or having a faster free camera without controlling a train would be needed though for this to work. I can also imagine this working well on some routes and less for others. I think it would work best for freight or non-standard timetable runs. With that in mind, being able to do this in timetable mode could be really interesting, even though it will probably break eventually. Additionaly, this could lead to some Run8-style gameplay where you continuously play in the same world. This would off course require large improvements to the savegame system which I doubt will happen soon. Still, even having this system for one session is a major improvement.
Good suggestion. Certainly for the US freight routes, TSW needs to shift more towards the Run 8 way of doing things rather than rigid A to B runs or abstract shunting/sorting with no end purpose.
Adding to my previous post: I want to clarify that this system is meant to expand, not replace, what we currently have. There is no need to sacrifice the existing scripted missions or scenarios that provide the structured experience many users enjoy. My proposal is to implement this 'Dynamic Traffic Control' specifically as an evolution of the Free Roam mode. This way, we get the best of both worlds: * For those who enjoy guided content: Missions and scenarios remain untouched, preserving the current gameplay flow. * For those seeking operational depth: Free Roam becomes the 'Management Hub' where we can finally exercise control over the rail network, making the simulation feel like a living system rather than just a sequence of static tasks. We have the routes and the rolling stock; all that is missing is the operational tool to make them truly shine. Dovetail, please consider this as a way to bridge the gap between visual fidelity and true simulation depth, without losing the content we already have. As a final note, this is the main reason why I have chosen not to purchase any additional routes or locomotives for TSW so far. While the visual quality is impressive, the simulation currently lacks the "living," dynamic feel that I am looking for. I am ready to support the platform and invest in new content, but I am waiting for the simulation to offer that essential operational depth and control that is currently missing. I think TSW would be a huge hit with that update; it would be a Fantastic boom.
