Hello, I wanted to write a sort of opinion post on DCZ, but there is not much to say about the route, it's really really good, the scenery is great, and for the first time the distant scenery is awesome as well, the timetable is great* and because of that I don't have much to say or much feeback apart from great job to everyone involved. *I had some perplexities at first, but it appears the timetable is true to life, I guess they drive aggressively, especially the S3 trains, TBH it makes for a more fun experience IMO. The rolling stock has also been overall really really good, especially the BR612 which is wonderful, and the RP185.6 which is... better than the MSB one. Hovewever I want to discuss some of the features (or lack thereof) of both trains and also discuss and give some feedback on some added features. DB BR612 Again, overall it's great, please don't take this out of context, in this post I'm going over some nuances on some top tier trains, truly the best available IMO. Driving this train is a wonderful, fresh and challenging experience, mainly due to the work that Maik put in the physics and controls (which should always be the n.1 priority IMO), and having a main line train with the stepped throttle is just great, it's a different driving experience from everything else, and IMO we should have more, bring the BR120, the RailPool Traxx3, BR111, etc... Gamepad controls As you can see on my signature, I'm just a guest here in PC discussion, I play on XBOX with both a gamepad and a keyboard, and I have to say that from this point of view the BR612 has been a downgrade from the BRD stock, they had a system which only acknowledged the relevant safety sysyem (so if you pressed B with all clear signals and no speed reductions it would only reset SIFA), and that was great, it allowed me to use my controller 99% of the time, instead with the BR612 I had to get back to my old habit of keeping my finger on the Q button, as this feature is missing and I don't want to hit PZB acknowledge every 30 seconds. But even worse than that IMO is that there is a 2 or 3 seconds delay between the "B" button press and the PZB and SIFA resets, as what appears to happen is that when you press "B" the SIFA pedal is released for 2 or so seconds, then it's pressed again (which resets SIFA), and then PZB acknowledge is pressed. I've noticed it's kind of similar in the G6 so I'm guessing that's a Maik thing. "Slow" Switches This is both on Controller and Keyboard, this is something that I find a bit annoying, and I thought new releases had this "problem" fixed, but apparently not the BR612, where you have to hold the buttons for a few milliseconds for the action to be recorded, it's not as bad as old locos like the BR155, but it's not immediate like in the BRD stock, which from this whole control point of view are still better. AGAIN, I repeat, the BR612 is an awesome train and I'm discussing little immesurable nuances. IMO Maik focused on what's actually important on a model train, and for this I feel really bad witing this post, but it's just feedback to hopefully make next releases even better, but if you have to choose between physics/train controls and switches, please take the same decision Maik did, and leave me complain about little nuances, because at the end that's what those are. We don't need another Class 150, but another 612 instead, if some corners have to be cut, this time all the right ones were cut. I'm feeling like telling Da Vinci that he got some stupid and irrevelant details wrong, why did I bother? New Features: "Flange Squeal" in curves, GNT and Headlights The headlight, I don't know enough to comment about them, there is a thread I'll definrely have to take a look, to a complete ignorant like me they look great, they illuminate well at night without looking overpowered at daylight, illuminate the signs and seem better than the rest. The new sound in curves is a great addition, again I'm no expert in train running sounds but it sounds really natural, I dind't even notice the sounds for half of the preview stream, they just feel natural, and is a fantastic improvement, I can't wait for it to being implemented everywhere else, nothing bad to say about it. The horn is also awesome. GNT is also decent, I think the compromise with EBuLa is good enough for the time being, and hopefully there will be some concrete progess on the EBuLa front soon, I would imagine there are going to be other tilting trains not in the too far future, and this compromise, is just that. The writing is a bit small but it's not the end of the world. At the end of the day it's a just an In-Cab relay of the HUD current and next speed limit. RAILPOOL BR185.6 For this I have mixed feelings, the idea is great, and if it's the first of some similar products (like a reworked RP BR155, and new loco DLC), I couldn't be happier, but this BR185.6 in particular is nothing exciting. Put simply is not as good as the BRD MRCE BR185.5, it still uses the old sounds*... but at least it has all the new functionalities (removable reverser, G/P/R selector and new physics), and because of that the only thing it can be said about this locomotive is that it's better than the MSB one... which is not saying much. The removal of the DB logo and the addition of some RP text sure is cool, and helps to make this loco feel different, but I think another freight locomotive is long overdue, and should have come with BRD, and seeing another Traxx is, TBH a little disappointing, and let's not talk about the BR187. The fact it's not red makes it more of a good AI train to see around rather than a good driving experience. I am sure the next german route will not have a BR185, am I right? I also think it doesn't make a lot of sense for this loco to be released with this route. It would have made more sense to release it with the expansion pack IMO, the red BR185.2 should have been released with DCZ and RP 185.6 added togheter with the 423 on SKA, it would sub anywhere in both cases right? And would have gave you more time to possibly implement the sounds, or some new features like the 612 headlights or the new 612 horn. I've also noticed some oddities (not sure if it's a bug or if I'm doing things wrong), for example if you activate AFB and then deactivate the locomotive brakes will never fully release, also the locomotive still responds to indipendent brake adjustments after the reverser is off and removed (which seems strange), so how exactly do you change directions while on a grade? I'm sure I did something wrong anyway. *
Definitely could've gone with new sounds on that one, although I am lowkey glad it doesn't have the rather-annoying buzzing sound of 185.5. It's accurate but definitely too loud for a whole freight run. So I'd say the sweet spot is somewhere inbetween.
I'm confused by the comments (I've seen them before this thread) that the 185.6 uses the old 185.2 MSB sounds. I've only pulled it up a couple times, but at least for me it definitely uses the MRCE 185.5 sounds, and the transformer buzz is there. The only thing that stands out to me as different is the inclusion of some of the BR101 audio.
So I want to give my personal Rolling stock feedback here, Spoilers: I had to adjust my judgement on the 185.6 using the old sounds but obviously it has its own sound set or the sound set from the 185.5 which is really good. DB BR 612: The DB BR 612 is definitely a change to all or at least most of the stuff I have driven in the game. Through the entirety of the route and a service, I have to focus and watch my speed as the throttle control is different and more slow. Its definitely a challenge, especially with GNT and PZB on, but it is really satisfying to drive and thanks to a mod I can drive more services with it. BR 143: The BR 143 is a bit of a letdown since it feels much more casual in terms of physics. The sounds are good but to drive with it doesnt feel as fun and as challenging as to drive with either the 612 or the BR 143 from Dresden-Riesa. I dont know what happened here, but it is a slight but further forgiveable disappointment. The Dostos: Well...the Dostos are the biggest disappointments by far. The SiFa isnt functional and its headlights are on permantly even when its the trailing unit. The same casual physics as on the 143 are here too and I dont know why this kind of inconsistency is there. The DRA dosto physics where decent (same for the DRA 143) so I dont know why the physics had to be changed there. RP 185.6: Misled by my own false judgements I went on the first kilometres with it and what can I say? It is despite its 20 driveable service very enjoyable. The sounds are decent and it overall feels very decent. One important thing I positively noticed is the MFD: It just feels so much nicer and correct than all the other MFDs on other locos in the game. So please: Whatever you done there with the 185.6: Try to put it onto the other TRAXXs as well.
I've done 3 quick runs with the 185.5, .6 and old .2 and you are right, at first glance they reminded me more of the old audio, but it's much closer to the 185.5. I am not sure it's the same, but it's definitely better than the old one. I will amend the original post.
Sorry for the dumb question, but are you sure you selected the correct BRD stock? The DoSto cab car with the white VVO stripe and the quieter BR143. With the lights apparently it's a bug which prevents the tail lights to be switched off.
For DCZ I tried the rolling stock that comes with the route and for exact that rolling stock I posted my opinion here.
Matt is BR 143 DCZ different from DRA version (physics)? is BR 185 DCZ different from DRA version (physics)? BR o7
Not sure about BRD - I almost exclusively used the 146 there. But in DCZ you can use the electric brake of the BR143 from the cab car, not sure that was the case in BRD.
