This DLC feels like a scam as we were actually promised 387 GWR layers on GWE remaster for players who have BML but then disappeared without trace
Had GWR been modernised, it would have made for great services to Reading. Had Thames Valley Branches included the mainline between Slough and Reading and modernised it, it would have been useful. But for stoppers to Hayes & Harlington on the GWR as it is? It's just not worth it. This is isn't aimed at the developer, but TSW in general. The lacked of joined-up thinking in the sim is staggering at times.
The pack as far as I'm aware will offer far more then the single GWR 387... Yes, its main selling point is the GWE route, but it will also layer onto ECW and if Alan Thompsons ECML South route does go to Peterborough you can expect the Great Northern variation to layer onto that too.
We were "promised" unbranded 387s, but it was decided just to make the GWR 387, which was never going to be free. It also didn't "disappear without trace", they explicitly told us that they were moving forward with a GWR 387 instead of an unbranded one. I assume the difference was the revival of the GWR license agreement.
Exactly this. The GWR license coming back changed things, but even then the unbranded 387's were also released with the GWE remaster so people still got what they were told they would get. This also means you can't just stick a GWR logo on what is a reskinned GX 387 and call it a day as that could upset the license holders. If it was a single GWR 387 only in this pack I'd understand this. But to try and defend it's worth making this pack means I have full control to add things and improve things I couldn't before on the old GX 387, such as multiple liveries the GWR 387 has used in it's lifetime, putting it on Cardiff & MML & ECW, more interactivity with the train, announcements, faults and new train audio. We've also talked about adding Freightliner to this pack to allow for realistic 387 stock moves, giving a complete experience from being delivered from the factory to passenger operations on multiple routes.
That's all well and good, but I'm going to stand by my comment. MML - a drag, no driving the 387. Cardiff - has to be AI only or best short ECS move. As for ECW, slightly out of era?
That's a fair and valid point that I can't argue against. It's made to fill a gap on some routes (hopefully more in the future) with a Class 387 v2 and some Freightliner stock.
I think it is worth it. I will add a bit more variety to GWE and I like the idea of having another self contained service on it. It will make the route busier at that end.
Since it'll be coming with a few variants, will it be subbing onto BML to make use of the updated sounds?
As I posted earlier, it's not a dig against you. Had GWE been fully electrified to Reading, or had Johannes decided to add in the main line sections on his route and modernise them, then the 387 would have been a day one purchase as I use the GWR 387s a lot in real-life. It's a shame you can't get in with a developer to create either a modern day GWE (I can understand if you didn't want to touch that again!) or even a route like a Reading to Swindon or Bristol Parkway where the 387 can stretch its legs. For example, stopper to Didcot Parkway, fast services to Swindon or the Saturday morning one I always catch home from Bristol Parkway.
It's all good I understand GWE is something I would love a break from after this one and work on something new. But with the GWR license and all the 3rd party devs I would not be surprised if we see a new electrified GWR route soon.
I really can't see the point in adding a section of the GWR based in an era that is incongruous with the mainline DLC when the point of the Branches pack was as an addition to that mainline DLC. And all that additional work having to rebuild a section of the route between those branches just so people can do an unrealistic driving turn from Slough to Reading just so you can use a Class 387 pack that clearly has bigger things planned for it as the usable routes for it expand. But obviously, you don't want to pay extra for all that additional content. I was in the Co-op earlier, I noticed that they've started selling packs of vegetables for steaming. I didn't buy the pack but I wrote them a letter of complaint when I got home. I mean why can't they just include a lamb shank with it for the same price for the few customers who might want that with the steamed vegetables. I told them "It's a complete rip-off". Anyway, back to the Class 387 GWR pack. Yeah, I'll get it. Probably not for driving on GWE but in preparation for it's wider use elsewhere. But you never know, once it's in my library it might become my new favourite thing.
Seeing the screen shots in the Roadmap, the Class 387 looks superb! Will be lovely to have TSW7 standard 387 in the game... I think the difference will be noticed when it's released in physical form. To see the difference between the BML one and this new one will be great... I'll definitely be playing the GWE 387 as it will be a staple, but I'm not going to lie I'm going to get more out of it on the substitution on ECW on end to end runs, and as I keep going on like a broken record, potentially ECML by ATS. One question I have, is, does the AC mode on the 387 sound any different than the DC mode?
Yes, if you take a listen to somebody on YouTube by the name of Gap the Mind - Mind the Gap, you'll notice in the 31-38mph range a 'Dual' sound playing in DC, whereas in AC they are two separate sounds which play separately. In the latter mode, you'll hear motor screams at just 70mph and again at around 81mph (yes I know a very precise point in acceleration )
Oh Yes! Now I can definitely say I'm looking forward to this pack One more thing I wanted to ask btw: will there be any improvements made to the TMS screen, including additional menu options and displays?
Glad to hear this. While the 387 holds up quite well, an upgrade to bring it in line with the 377/375/378 has been on my wishlist.
The 387 is good and all but don’t forget the wagons that were mentioned in first announcements which adds up for lack of use of the 387
I can only add to the people who have said that an electrified version to Reading would be good - in theory, add in the Lizzy line platforms from Paddington and even though you couldn't do the Heathrow Airport branch - it would be some good length and driveable Class 345 runs - would be happy to pay for this as a separate route
October Roadmap has revealed a few new interesting pieces for this release. It will come with a Southern branded Class 387 that can be substituted onto London Commuter and East Coastway (all timetables). It also includes a Freightliner Class 66/5 and HHA-A and HHA-D wagons in both weathered and Freightliner Green liveries. It comes with 5 Scenarios for GWE and: 68 playable services on GWE (2017 Timetable). 37 playable services on GWE (2016 Timetable). 6 playable services on Cardiff City Network. 4 playable services on Midland Mainline. There's also a whole host of features mentioned as well.
Looking like a really nice DLC all in all. Are there plans for a reskinned 333 to cover the HX services and complete the London end of the route? Would be nice even if AI only.
Could you please tell me if the Class 387 "Gatwick Express" trainset will receive the suspension feature with this add-on?
These actually work quite well for a 2026 London Commuter. Southern have taken on some more ex GWR and ex C2C Class 387's which retain their original liveries but with Southern logos applied. Quite looking forward to this, hopefully we'll get a new GWR route further down the line to stretch their legs a bit more.
They do actually pop up on Paddington to Cardiff services, so a new bit of GWML from Reading covering that section, or even Reading to Bristol via both Box and Hullavington (for Bristol Parkway) would give somewhere to stretch their legs.
Much as I hate long distances on a 387 because of the seats, whenever I'm working over near Bristol Parkway, there's a Saturday morning service which begins at Parkway towards Paddington. If I wait for the IET from Swansea/Cardiff before or after, they're always packed by time they get to Parkway, but can always guarantee plenty of room on the 387.
I wonder with the official extent of ATS Kings Cross to Peterborough route confirmed if we will see the edition of a Great Northern variant of the 387 when more information is released on that... It would probably make sense. In terms of the GWR 387 and the variants in this pack included, this looks superb. A modern GWML route as far as Didcot from Paddington would probably make sense to get full use out of the GWR variant, but I'm pretty happy using it on the shuttle to Hayes & Harlington on the current GWE. A separate and modern Heathrow Express route would also be a good suggestion to get a express run within a small map too... (Obviously would need the inclusion of HX variant). As I've previously mentioned, I know it's main route will be the GWE, but I personally will be getting more from the ECW substitution so I get to stretch its legs on the third rail system. The work that's gone into this is absolutely stunning. Just as you think the high quality benchmark has been set, Liam throws more stuff at it... His eye for detail and immersion is a real talent. I hope, this can be taster of one of many 'variants' when relevant 387 routes pop up. Although I'm aware that can sound a bit cheeky.
Looks fantastic and will buy to update my London Brighton experience. will the unbranded c2c units not be included? Maybe cascaded somewhere else?
