They released the Class 700 gameplay video. I noticed that on the target monitor it's Luton... Is it a hint for Midland Main Line to Bedford or just to show off the feature? Who knows...
Never been on or near a real 700. I know it's hard to judge from a 60 second video clip but anyone with experience of the real thing, how authentic do the sounds seem? I was expecting something a bit, well, meatier than that - came across as a bit tinny.
It sounds pretty good to me. We haven’t heard the brake release hiss yet though and that’s perhaps the most distinctive sound besides the siren-like sound.
That’s you, I want to make sure I’m getting my moneys worth tbh, and to me it sounds like a 350, when it’s supposed to sound closer to a 440
I've seen 350's and 450's in person several times and I can honestly say I've not noticed any difference (sound at least) between the two.
I can't wait for some kind modder to make the 700 available as a substitute to the 377/387 on the Southern and GX runs on BML. Not realistic, I know, but it'll be nice to run the 700 down the BML.
They've used the AP sounds for the 700 on AC power, but the DC sounds have been amalgamated from other sources.
I really hope they do have plans for an AC route for the 700s as they are always units I have fancied a drive on but I loathe the sounds they make on DC. Honestly I can't bear that sound but actually rather like the AC sound they make. Looks wise they seem to have hit the mark from what I can see.
Whilst agreeing that the 700 is an ugly beast and "nothing special" (I see them as cattle class commuter boxes myself) I can see that they DO fill out a heck of a lot of services in London and the South East nowadays including London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire... They're all over the place on much of that network They're also one of the few classes to use dual voltage in the UK (I can think of three) After that, the argument becomes "But aren't they just another electrostar?"... But doesn't that extend all the way back to any train with a three or four step electric process... Are those that different to diesels in how they drive? Basically aren't most trains past the diesel era pretty much "move a lever to go, move that lever or a different one to stop"? Usually the trains people want is the ones they're nostalgic for, but the operation of them in a game setting would be pretty much the same and it's the gameplay that makes the difference One good thing about the 700 (from what Matt said) is the braking physics... they really do take off from the line, and they also stop very quickly too
They were built for commuter rail, ie loads of stops and able to work close together for high frequency, so stop start (cattle class) is what they're for I considered the 319s similarly when they ran the Thameslink route
I've been told this won't be possible due to the way they are set up as splitting services on BML, but we can hope. A scenario planner seems to be the only hope of seeing the 700 on BML now. Cant say I'm that impressed with the sounds, but cant tell that much from that clip, will need to see more to make a final judgement,
The thing with the 700 is that we all know that couldn't add it on BLM but what about ECW I mean that not that memory heavy and we wouldn't of been able to drive it but it would of been good enough seeing it at Brighton there was a missed opportunity on adding to ECW as just AI. Plus they added to st Pancras as A.I and as undeliverable.
ECW is an old route. The probably didn't want to make the effort. Would have been a nice touch, though.
True that is a old route but ECW is there second opinion in terms of having Brighton in game with BLM being there first so what other routes could they add the 700 to part from ECW BLM and southeastern high-speed. And even not a full timetable for ECW maybe even static stock.
The 700 would feel at home on BML tbh. And like I said it would be nice as AI at Brighton on ECW. But if a new route was to be created with the 700, it would be better off being north of London. Bedford-St Pancras comes to mind
Will be a day one purchase for me. Can’t think of many faults or issues on the stream. Fairly priced also.
With the 700 I haven't got any nit picks with the train part from I would of loved to see announcements but that's understandable if they couldn't get them. But would love to see a layer on to the BLM but we will have to wait a other 10 years till that happens lol.
They could add one service to ECW, it’s the test service (Three Bridges to Three Bridges) where it would come down via cooksbridge and Lewes P1 then reverse at the signal 13 and go along via Falmer to Brighton then up via its normal route.
ECW doesn't go to Preston Park (not officially anyway as it counts as off the map). But it would be the same as what the London Victoria 377 does.
Preston park is modelled on ECW but it’s a route which is coming on for 4 years old (somehow) so I doubt any further work will be done on it
True but older routes need something done to it, even some services on ECW will be good because then we don't have to wait till the BLM get 700 services.
Hence saying "as AI", as in they would be there to fill out Brighton, not player driven and would go "off the map" but would provide some "flavour" at that point of the route
I think ECW still has some of the best scenery in the sim. I think it could be ripe for reworking. I would love to see it go to Hastings or Ore and with layers of newer DLC. Maybe a TOD4 upgrade. I would be happy to pay for a reworked version if it was extended.
Would the 700’s have any booked work along ECW though? Eastbourne is entirely served by Southern (or whatever they are this week), don’t think it has ever been part of the Thameslink network. So it would end up being a WCL fantasy layer. I do agree about ECW needing some love. Like TVL, shorter than it should have been probably a filler DLC between larger products. But it needs to go on to Hastings and Ore for sure, though unlikely this going to be on DTG’s “We can’t do extensions”, agenda.
This is definitely a day one purchase. The price is surprisingly low which leads me to believe there is something more coming out in the near future. I remember paying 19.99 for the TSC version that had horrible sounds and 3 scenarios. Then if you wanted the AP version you had to had the DTG version and then pay another 20 dollars and you got another 3 scenarios. So with the TSW3 to get 83 services, 7 scenarios for that price even if the sounds are not 100%, in my opinion is great deal. I’m usually very critical on dovetail DLCs and will called them out on the products.
Yes the price is a nice surprise for what looks like a nicely built train. The classic lines on SEHS will be nicely busy, and with four different units will have a bit of variety amongst the other layers too.
What about as AI at Brighton on ECW, the BLM can't get the 700 because of performance issues so this is the only Brighton in the game and it will be like the London Vic services what the 377 dose on ECW.
