Borrowing this photo from the TSC discord, but it seems like on the PS, these 3 trophies point to a Holiday Express themed DLC for TSW3. Not the 1st time DTG has done a DLC like this, as back on TSC, they did a Holiday Express DLC way back in the day. Thoughts?
Well, that looks very interesting. If there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do on a train journey it is to collect all the chocolate coins.
I mean its not my cup of tea, but clearly given that they've done it before it must have some popularity so for those who like the whole cuddly warm feeling of Christmas Im sure it will a welcome addition. If youre a grinch like myself then its definitely one to leave on a shelf.
Most likely it's own stand alone mini route, themed like a trainset around a house if I want to make a prediction.
The version for tsc was actually it's own separate game. You didn't need tsc to use it at all. So it could be like a side project that doesn't require tsw or something
Wasn't it a case where if you didn't own the base game you got it with it (but without any of the routes etc. you'd get if you bought the regular version)? Considering how BCCL came with the option to get the TSW3 base with it (at the same price as the DLC alone) they may continue this.
My guess, it will be something similar in style to the RhB Anniversary Collection by Rivet, that we got in December 2021. Probably a repainted existing train with some scenarios for an existing route. We will probably see and hear it soon.
They've been secretly working on the (closed) Bonavista branch in Newfoundland, regauged to standard gauge and snowified for Christmas! Seriously might be worth a punt if the price is right and we do get a nice little route, too.
If this is anything like the original Holiday Express, then what an interesting little route this could be! Being able to run around as a little man in some giant living room with a fireplace, chairs, tables, and whatever else. Perhaps the train has arcade-like physics similar to an actual model train! Should be pretty fun.
The problem I see from that is the level would be too big of a space with not much else to do when roaming around on foot, let alone finding collectibles that would be obscured if you're tiny sized like a toy train. Pretty sure this DLC will be a lot different compared to its relic counterpart from TSC (as well as Game of Gnomes). Otherwise, beside scenarios, what else would you do from within timetable mode for one giant room if you're small as a mouse.
Speculation until DTG officially announce it. Could be a Christmas themed train pack. Could be a small route in which to run it with a snowy, North Pole feel. Or as already mentioned could be a model/LGB around the room type model railway as we have seen before in TSC.
Would be epic if they'd done something like the Severn Valley Railway with their yearly Santa Steam Special (to roll out the fixed steam physics). Fairly compact route with a few towns, some beautiful scenery and a safari park on the way! That would be pretty cool for a play. Not sure how much repeat value it would have, but could be nice and festive, weaving between trees, presents and stockings. This feels more likely. Or, knowing how DTG love inclement weather, just a short loop around the TC with permablizzard and zero visibility!
So, the question is, if it does contain Holiday themed trains, what would the most likely candidate be? Personally, I feel like DTG will pull the nostalgia card out again and call back to the TSC Holiday Express and use at least a F7A, as well as throwing in a few reskinned stock, or a redone flat car with special Christmas themed loads on them. I feel like the chocolate coins will act like how collectibles currently act on other routes, if this is indeed a mini holiday route.
If you think that Christmas is about syrupy sentimentality and warm cuddly feelings, then you're doing it wrong.
Whatever it is, I am looking forward to hear more. I always wanted to see TSW go down the Trainz route at least once to give us a model railroad to walk around in, just imagine it's modeled after one personal model railroad of a DTG employee! And if this delivers just that, that would be awesome.
Being British, I expect that the Holiday Express would run on the Brighton Line or WCL I expect it will be Christmassy though, if Training CENTER is anything to go by.
I'd love it to be a small generic US style loco with a couple of oldy worldly generic carriages (thinking along the lines of the generic toy trains you see around a Christmas tree) set as a model railway. Perhaps theyve got something pre built as a proof of concept/trial loco when they where building the SOS simugraph. If it was priced at a stocking filler present price point I'd probably pick it up if that was the case.
Actually I would also like to see one of those old toy store style layouts, that the big shops used to put on display in the run up to Christmas, back in the 60's and early 70's. Complex track, not too much scenery but trains popping in and out like a rabbit Warren- where will it appear next?!
There was also a Steam locomotive that came with as well I think, but I don't know what that was based on.
I'd love to see a Christmas Jacobite between fort William and Mallaig operated by West Coast Railways. They do special christmas services in real life with the train decorated so I don't see why it can't be done. It also has ScotRail Class 156's that run occasionally on the line as well! I know, I know the services are only 4 per day (Scotrail) and 2 per day for the Jacobite but still! It also goes over the harry potter bridge (Glenfinnan viaduct).
The physics are electric based because, as you said, they are designed to be more of a model train with basic controls. Now how would that work on TSW is a different story.
Until an announcement is ready (guessing on the next Roadmap for now), interested to see how this DLC would go well on TSW. And if the achievements intended to be going down the model train side for the holidays (compare to Rivets enhancement pack for Arosa last year), then many will sure find it fun while others may not (making heads or tails if it's worth it already). At least it'll be something other than the Bremen route before the end of the year (right?).
I wonder what route is this for? If Riesa-Dresden RT & Tharandter Rampe a DR Baureihe 211/242 with Rekowagen. For the former Deutsche Bundesbahn network Main Spessart Bahn RRO SFS Hannover-Wurzburg real name of KWG RSN Bahnstrecke Witten/Dortmund-Oberhausen/Duisburg the real-life name for HRR Koln Aachen Munich-Augsburg and Koln Aachen a DB BR120 or 110.3 in the correct Deutsche Bundesbahn late 1980s paint.
Not surprising now for a reveal for tomorrow then, on Roadmap Day (as I've guessed from earlier). Spoiler If HDX also includes another reskin of an F7, then I'm done for good [Note: did anyone else notice the right eye on the elf is funky looking, or is that just me]
That is Normal for DTG to reskin North American locomotives and German 155 182 can serve as the basis for the Austrian 1016-1216 locomotives and 185s. For me, DTG will surprise us with the HDX being set in the Austrian Alps
I'm very intrigued as to what is going to be announced. A Christmas/Holiday dlc would be a welcome change of pace and not something I'd have expected but would love to drive. As a wild guess, the idea of driving around a huge Christmas tree surrounded by presents, in front of a roaring fire and behind a large sofa, winding its way around the living room or a child's bedroom is a great idea. - Scrunched up wrapping paper or Xmas presents as a tunnel? - Christmas lights draped all long the train? - Multiple rooms, drive into the snowy back garden...? Maybe I'm getting carried away, but this is something me and my three-year-old son would love to play together.
Welp that happened Also https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-sim-world/articles/article/holiday-express-runaway-elf
Well, I've already have a few notes on this. Layout: From the overview of this Living Room, looking like there's no ridiculous elevation climb to get to high places from the floor like the table or the fireplace (There is a bit of elevated track, it's just not that high luckily). Which might be a good thing considering how TSW physics works these days (but not surprising if the F7 runs on electric). Rolling Stocks: So far on the freight side, the Bulkheads to be used with different loads like wooden blocks. But adding something new is the Santa Fe style Caboose. Makes sense, since it's not like DTG made Heavyweight Passenger Cars yet anyways. F7 (groans): Not gonna sugarcoat this one, it's exactly the same as the Santa Fe counterpart, but without the Gyre (aka the common look). And I mean come on: They didn't even bother trying to renumber it either, just slapped in a solid red paint and that's it. (I know I'm gonna be nick picky with this part. But if it wasn't for the ATSF F7, I would've viewed this differently instead of making a fuss about it.) But that is it for me. As for how Scenarios and timetables will look like, will have to wait and see until a preview stream of it next week. I will say this however, it's definitely the same as its TSC counterpart but with flashier graphics. Peace!
I know, I was more or less comparing between both TSC and TSW versions. Not saying the rolling stocks included are new, as they are completely reused as usual.
It's less than a tenner, I wouldn't expect any new locos and the price is a fair reflection that it's a reskin
I'm not a big fan of things like the Holiday Express – Runaway Elf add-on. I know it's supposed to be fun, but I'd rather the effort have been spent into DLC, like rolling stock, which could provide freshness to existing routes - especially considering this is meant to be a realistic train sim.
Apparently skyhook did most of the work while the special projects team provided some assistance. And let the devs have some fun with their stuff at least. And there's already a lot of things that many people would say is unrealistic. Like the atsf f7 and br blue locomotives in wcl or stuff like that