Just want to say thanks for this very informative and helpful thread. This is an expensive hobby (though magnitudes cheaper than a lot of stuff other people consider fun) and every sale helps. It would be nice, however, if DTG and third parties made some effort to clear out the older and buggier routes and locos in the archives and promote the newer and better products. There is no good reason that anything released more than 5 years ago or without features such as working safety systems, should ever be full price.
Problem is content is still made for such routes. People still make London to Brighton scenarios, and WCML North scenarios, and Western Mainlines scenarios. Removing them renders content unusable, an argument against stopping sales of JT’s ECML Modern York to Newcastle or the original (though buggy) Class 66. In the former, scenarios are useless, but at least a 66 can be replaced by third-party tools. Erewash, by chance?
Me too though I needed three extensions to complete mine, Erewash, Derwent and Hope (Hope not on sale unfortunately but the points took the sting out of the tail) Only extension I haven't got is Roundhouse but not so bothered about that tbh
Technically the Tohoku High Speed Rail and Main Line is not a JT Route - It was made by Union Workshop
Can anyone offer me any advice please??? I've been thinking about getting Western Mainlines or MML (especially as these things seem to be coming on sale), but they both contain so many parts to them that it's confusing what I need to get & where to get them from... Cheers Eric
I'd say MML over WML as it's much newer and has been done well. Best place to get it from is JT direct as they duplicate scenarios to use AP stuff and their own stock so you have the default scenarios using the European Assets pack and then the same ones using AP etc. Just to be aware that there are 2 versions of each MML route so if you're wanting them merged, make sure you get the correct one for merging rather than the standalone one.
I Echo the above comments. WML is vast in size and good but is not quite the build quality of MML To me the MML is possibly my favourite route in TS. It offers just about everything from a single track branch line to 4 track mainline running, freight yards, coal unloading @ power station, heritage museum with Roundhouse, the list goes on. With the latest release you can now run from Manchester to Lincoln / Leicester via Sheffield / Derby / Nottingham or even the Derwent Valley line. If you do decide to go down the MML route make sure you get Derby - Sheffield (merge version) first as this is the base route all the other extensions attach to. The rest can be added as and when required. As Nick Y has already mentioned make sure you get the merge versions of each section direct from JT not the stand alone ones available on Steam.
The standalone ones are available on JT as well so be careful, don't just assume that all the MML route additions on JT are part of the merge, easiest way to tell is the standalones are roughly a fiver more than the extensions, so it really makes sense to buy the base MML Sheffield to Derby and then all the extensions and not the standalones. Also best to install them in order of release too which is.. 1) Midland Main Line: Sheffield-Derby (base route) *See note* 2) Midland Main Line: Derwent Valley Line (not available as a standalone) 3) Midland Main Line: Derby-Nottingham-Leicester Extension 4) Midland Main Line: Erewash Valley (not available as a standalone) 5) Midland Main Line: Barrow Hill Roundhouse Extension (not available as a standalone) 6) Midland Main Line: Nottingham-Lincoln Extension 7) Midland Main Line: Hope Valley Extension *Note* NONE of the above extensions will work with the Steam version of the MML Sheffield - Derby they will only work with the version available for purchase and download directly from the Just Trains website. Edit: Made the list into links to the relevant webpages to make things even easier and save any confusion. (and because I'm such a nice and helpful guy )
Western Mainlines is finished, and has received criticism over the routing through the GWML, particularly around Swindon. MML is a route still in development and, as far as I can tell, has had minimal complaints about it; the only one I can think of is that the standalone MML routes seem to each have data regarding the portions of routes not able to be connected due to Steam DRM, and as a result, one could try to set up a Nottingham to Sheffield run in the editor. I take no responsibility for the hilarity that would ensue. Otherwise, high quality route network according to many and, except for the Bedford part heading north to Derby, pretty much complete not counting the part heading to Leeds, which exists as freeware to Doncaster (though a connection to Doncaster from Sheffield and maybe back down to Lincoln could be nice, and if they can get the freeware Doncaster leg, even better; this is unlikely though due to a subware extension with York to the Leeds-Doncaster route).
Thanks to everyone who replied to my question... Much appreciated... Out of curiosity, have I missed the JT sale??? I can only find 6 items in the "Special Offers" section of their website... Eric
Thank you muchly, didn't even know these guys existed, I do now. BR52, BR50, BR41 currently stabled in my shed. They are fantastic pieces of kit, a massive upgrade from the DTG BR52 standard offering, recommend highly.
Never heard of Forge. Mostly steamers, I see. Any good? I love how their normal "big savings" is 7 pounds on a total of 82 pounds. Not that big. I might as well finally grab the Princess Coronation Class. I got Duchesses and Cities long ago but thought the requirement never went on sale, and apparently it's been there all this time too...City of Truro and the V2 are always there, as well. Cornish I do not think is on permadiscount yet.
IMO possibly some of the best German Steamers available anywhere. They even come with semi cold start options Not for the newbie to TS, these are a seriously advanced piece of kit, although on saying that they have an advanced Auto Fireman option where you turn off the default DTG one and use their intelligent system instead, and also a simple option. All this plus a selection of super wagons for £7.73 UK, bargain of the year for me. I have just gone back and picked this one up. https://www.theforgesimulation.co.uk/p/br-5035-reko/
I've only got the Forge BR 41 Reko, which is pretty good. The only downside are no footplate crew in external views, chimney smoke particles have been done better by others and the sounds need a bit more mixing. I think the chuffing isn't loud enough and the whistle doesn't fade enough with distance. It's one of their first products from 2019 and so I'd be interested to know what the most recent ones are like.
Forge act as sales agents for a German individual who makes the superb DR and a few DB locos. They are not simple but are extremely well crafted. I have studied DR Reko locs for the last 25 years and these from Forge are absolutely spot on. Right down to the turbine generator output just behind the chimney.
No, not if you buy in the current sale. e.g. To buy these individual locos at 50% off BR 50.35 Reko €8.49 BR 41 Reko €8.49 BR 50 DB €8.49 BR 52 Altbau €8.99 BR 52.80 Reko €8.99 Total price €43.95 Bundle price €74.99 The same applies to all the bundles.
Now the Christmas Steam Sale has begun and lasts until January 5th. I hope there will be an Armstrong Powerhouse and a RSSLO routes only sale, possible starting tomorrow or sometime this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled on the usual normal social channels. Be aware that the Steam sale normally crashes during the first hour as it cannot handle the volume of purchases all at the same time. So if you cannot get access, be patient, it will occur sometime during this evening.
ChrisTrains sale ends today. Oh wow. So the bundle is actually spending more money currently. That's actually funny.
Educated guess that TSW2 or 3 will be given away for free on Epic Games from 16:00 GMT tomorrow (24/12)
RSSLO Christmas sale up to 30% off everything. Ends: 31.12.2022 22:59 GMT https://www.rsslo.com Just Armstrong Powerhouse and BMGs still to announce theirs. Both today possibly?
Can't see TSW3 being given away as its only just been released but digressing, why are we mentioning TSW on a TSC forum...??? Eric
My apologies, I had been on holiday and when I checked the SSS site I thought it had only just started. But all good. Cheers
RSSLO have a Christmas sale until 31.12.2022, 23:59. 30% off everything except for the most recent products, which are less. Remember to cross-check on Steam. Some of their products have bigger discounts there.