Hi everyone. I’m interested in adding to my current routes and I was hoping the good people of this forum would be willing to share some insights about which ones are worth my time and money. First up, what I currently have: Routes from TSW5 and TSW6 Bakerloo Zwolle-Groningen Berninalinie Cardiff City network Preston-Carlisle So far, I’ve tried to buy routes that offer some variety in driving experience and scenery (my impression is that the older routes can look a bit naff, so I’m hesitant about buying these). I’m mostly interested in UK routes under £12. Here are the contenders: Spirit of Steam £11.99 - old but it’s got steam trains. Peak Forest £11.99 - same as above ECML Peterborough - £7.49. Maybe too similar to Eus-MK or Riviera, but does have the option of buying the Flying Scotsman for around £3 for at least a bit of steam train action. Blackpool branches £11.99 - I thought this might be too much like Cardiff, but it does have the ‘bus parts’ Pacer that I’ve been a passenger on so many times. Also Just Trains did such a great job on Shap that this one must be good, right? Sorry, this is longer than I thought. Any other recommendations greatly received. For example, any of the Scottish routes offer something unique? What about the cheap ones (IOW, Trans-Penine, and Tess Valley), waste of time or worth a punt for under £6? Cheers again. Appreciate any replies.
I would say you can't go wrong with Blackpool Branches. It's slower paced than Preston to Carlisle, but with the same quality. Also Great Western Express Remastered is very good.
Blackpool Branches is miles better than Cardiff IMHO and definitely worth getting. Of the other routes NTP is one of my favourites despite being a bit basic graphics-wise these days. FYI it's being remastered, and the remaster will I think be free for existing owners, so it's a bit of a no-brainer at less than six quid. I also like TVL a lot and again wouldn't have any hesitation buying it at that price.
After mulling it over for a while, I’ve decided to give up on my steam dreams (much like DTG unfortunately) and I shall be purchasing Blackpool branches. Thanks for helping me decide.
I’ve been mulling it over and I think you’re right. Blackpool and NTP will be getting added to my routes. Have to give up on the dream of driving some steam.
London to Brighton is an oldie but a goldie, well worth a buy. East Coastway remastered is fantastic but for a real experience get the 171 and 313 DLC too! Medway Valley in my view excels in every way possible and is quite possibly the finest route in terms of graphics and eye for detail in the entire game. I would also recommend London Waterloo to Basingstoke, but nobody has struck gold on that route yet.
If you're wanting a steam route I'd probably pick PFR over SOS. Spirit of Steam is far too big (infrastructurally) for it's lacking timetable. ECML is okay but the Scotsman doesn't do all that much - but will probably get more services with the ECML South route coming up. As for the Scottish routes - Fife has the Forth Bridge but that's about it. E2G is a bit lacklustre. Cathcart - while good - is another commuter line although the Class 380 and Class 314 are fun to drive, IMO. NTP - a good investment for the remaster IOW - Very much so unique, and very short so a good one for a "I've got half an hour to kill" job.
Thanks for your very helpful reply. Do you happen to know if the Scotsman layers in to any other routes? Or, given that the steam physics are iffy anyway, I should give up on the idea of steam trains on TSW altogether?
If Steam is your thing I'd still recommend it. If nothing else it's something different regardless of how poor the experience can be. I know that the Scotsman layers onto West Somerset Railway (drivable) and Cathcart Circle (AI, I think). It probably appears on others but I can't remember off the top of my head. It's more likely than not the ECML Kings Cross will have a good helping of services, as should any future ECML route, so if you intend to buy that when it releases then I'd definitely pick up the Scotsman. Also, even if the driving experience is sub-par, for £3 I'd say it's worth it for even just seeing it as AI. It's quite cool to fly past it in an Azuma.
Apparently the steam physics are very unrealistic, and those on here that know about such matters would probably tell you to give steam a miss. I however know nothing about steam physics and would not be able to tell the difference between an accurate and an inaccurate simulation in that regard. With that caveat, I actually found Spirit of Steam to be quite enjoyable - the various steam engines look cool to me, it was fun to learn how to drive them even if there may be significant inaccuracies, and the routes had a different feel to them which made a nice change. TL;DR: Depending on how important it is for you that the steam physics are accurate, you might find the steam routes to be quite enjoyable, and if they’re going cheap then that’s even more encouragement to give them a try.
Thanks for getting back to me. I genuinely appreciate the advice. I’m convinced to give the Scotsman a whirl, like you say, cool to see it go past as AI if nothing else. I’m not a complete stickler for reality - just like driving some nice looking trains in some lovely looking environments as nice way to wind down after work.
Thanks Dr Dave, you’re a gent. I think I’ll go with the Scotsman and the ECML as a sort of steam train taster and put the steam routes in the wish list for another time. I have a feeling I’d probably enjoy them.
