Can the timetables for these routes get a look at/update? They are currently completely dead for AI trains almost. I just did a 40 minute run on peak forest, and I saw two AI trains the entire time, one right at the end at Chinley and one 4F parked at Peak Forest. Can we also get more variety of services/information of the services being edited? The 4F needs to be layered on to SoS and also needs to be used for some freight/longer shunting services. All of the Jubilee Services on Peak Forest have very little information, they are all listed as Semi Fast, and there is no differentiation between stopping services and not, other than looking at the score needed for medals. I really enjoy these routes, and I love the steam locos. But they are really feeling neglected and under utilized at the moment, like an afterthought. Finally, please make some loco DLC's for these routes, I'll throw money at you for them to liven up the routes with more variety.
Much needed as is the early diesel era for PFR. Sadly SoS seems pretty much consigned to the “former” DLC release status and PFR is already showing signs of being left to stagnate. DTG just seem to consistently ignore or fail to realise the after sales potential for their existing content (not talking about bug fixes here). Just have to look at nearly every route in the back catalogue to see potential for additional traction and rolling stock, but they never bother. WSR for example is calling out for an official 4F steam timetable not to mention a GWR Steam pack with a Hall and Pannier. But I just keep sensing this air of indifference, as opposed to getting another 15 mile commuter route out there with a single handled EMU.
They have talked about a possible green diesel pack for PFR, there has been a stony silence regarding SOS, I have bought it up several times. There are several possible steam DLC options for both routes, for PFR a DMU would be very welcome. Before they embark on any more "steam" routes I would rather they make some DLC for the existing ones. Both have many services from their respective period timetables, missing. There was much trumpeting, and rightly so when SOS was announced and showcased and built up (over a year ago now), however now it seems to be forgotten apart from the bug fixing. I do wonder when the silent AI steam engines will also be fixed?
That's pretty weird to see these platforms empty. Why DTG never made or thought to make a Wagons or Coach DLC for more variety. It would fit perfectly for that era where you see a lot of different rolling stocks on a single train. Another route that could have a Coach DLC is Linke Rheinstrecke with old school wagons of the DB. A touristic train in France with different coaches(Couldn't find a better example)
If you'd have told me back when SOS came out we'd still have no dlc for it I would've laughed at you. Mental to think its just been cast aside. Hopefully the same doesn't happen to PFR although as said hopefully a Diesels pack comes out let alone the hope of a WSR timetable (which would be amazing)!
Yes, DTG really need to sort the SoS and PFR timetables out, get the 4f on SoS (and WSR) and get some diesels on PFR, with the 45/0 and 104 being the perfect duo.
Unfortunately that is what happens if devs build their market around a pseudo monopol. In case of peak forest and sos we all are stuck with their minimalism, known as fire and forget. Both are good dlcs, thats out of question, but these also look to me like projects started and never really pushed to the end. Who thought that manual firing will take years. Again, the features of tsw werent introduced on the first day, but going thin on the timetable side was just THE final shot in the wrong direction.
That sums it up really. I’m sure when Paul Jackson asked the crew to relive his childhood memories of Crewe and Liverpool, that’s not quite what he had in mind. That time of day the station should be occupied by several trains with departures and arrivals every few minutes. Pilot engines shuttling stock to and from Edge Hill, light engine movements for servicing. But as I’ve remarked previously, it’s like building one of those old classic Peco large layouts then having just one train to run on it. By now we should have had two or three supplementary DLC for SoS. A local passenger set with a tank loco or smaller tender loco. A local freight set with a Jinty. Plus maybe some additional coaching stock, LMS P3’s perhaps. I seriously get the vibe that no matter how much hype a new route gets, even a keynote one like this, once it’s done the required number of turns on the flywheel, off to the fire and forget basket it goes.
This is why we need a timetable editor, OK we can't add loco's that don't exist in TSW but at least we could add a lot more traffic and layer in suitable DLC that we already own. The scenario planner V1 is a waste of time as we're given a very low limited amount of paths and the maximum length thing is a joke.
Yes it is such a shame after the fanfare which surrounded the launch of SOS that we have had no additions for it at all. I certainly won't be purchasing any more mainline steam routes in the future unless something changes. I don't use SOS any more as I find it lacking in immersion, yet I think the potential for really immersive steam routes on TSW is huge. The actual driving experience, sitting in a noisy cab, rocking and rolling with a better view out than in TSC means it could be a very good experience. I don't expect them to create Liverpool Lime Street exactly as it was in 1957 but it doesn't even get halfway there. No local passenger services, no station pilots, the freight on the route is a shadow of what it would have been. It is very disappointing. I certainly don't believe DLC wouldn't sell for this route, and it is so quiet so I can't imagine there is a technical reason why more traffic hasn't been added, I don't understand what the problem is frankly.
Add-on stock and scenario packs would be good for almost all of the routes that been published. I suspect that the updates to the timetable(s) to accommodate the packs would be one of the issues that holds this back. there would be problems, I suspect, in maintaining multiple copies of a routes' timetable, to cover those that have, or have not, bought a pack. Plus it might make problem management and resolution more difficult, and slow down the release of any solutions or patches (Ha, Ha - sorry had to add that ). SoS still needs some work done on it (e.g. getting the timber wagon formations correct, The loads should all point in the same direction, ir have a barrier wagon between them to prevent damage). Both SoS and PFR need local trip freights, with suitable rolling stock, to bring the routes to life.
Would be no issue with SoS, the Timetable is practically empty. You'd have no problem adding stuff in.
For my part, as an American with zero experience about UK steam, Spirit of Steam comes across as something that has great potential but like so many Routes, is half-baked and unfinished. There is so much track and gigantic yards, like they wanted to make it look like it did in still photographs of the time, and just - didn't. Like setting a huge, elaborate dinner table but there isn't any food.
Pretty much this. I guess that's why it's called SPIRIT of Steam, because it's a complete Ghost Town.
Well, it seems that at least 1 modder has worked out how to add new services to existing timetables, so maybe there are brighter times ahead for these and other routes with timetables which don’t fulfil the route’s full potential: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...able-with-class-700-v1-01-new-services.72165/
I still have high hopes for one of SOS and PF’s timetables. Too much potential there, plus these are the only two steam routes. I mean it took a lot of time and a fair amount of DLC + an extension for SEHS to become the great route it is today. I would not be surprised if they’re developing addons for existing steam content. Maybe wishful thinking but a man can dream.
I suspect they are or will be for PFR, they talked about what they would like to see on the stream and the posibility of a diesel pack was raised. I don't feel as hopeful for SOS though but I hope I am wrong.
I hope that maybe down the road when they’re in a better place with steam (manual firing fixed, etc) we’ll see an add on for it, but I agree… PF is probably more likely of the two to get something. Would love if it’s diesel, no qualms with that at all.
Peak Forest is set during the crossover period where steam and diesel ran on the UK network together, so I wouldn't be opposed to some BR Green diesel action. Another thing I'd love to see is more variants of the steam locomotives in various weathered states, they look too clean for the 1960's and should look something more like this...
Steam and Diesel is lovely though ! It would be cool to see a scenario where a Diesel rescue a steam engine. I don't see Diesel with SoS but with PFR it would work well.
...or Steam rescuing the new Diesels, which happened more often than I'm sure BR would like to admit... As a certain fictional GWR pannier tank once put it D199: Steam engines spoil our image! Duck: Of course we do! We show you what frauds you are! Call yourselves engines? If anything happens, you care nothing for your train! You just moan for a fitter! We bring it home, if only on one cylinder!
If I recall as recently as 1984 a Jubilee on a railtour rescued a failed class 40 on a freight on the Settle and Carlisle. I wouldn't want to see diesel on SOS apart from maybe a shunter but PFR certainly at least should have a DMU on the Millers Dale service. I would be happy therefore with one full steam route and one transition period one.
Don't forget Ghost town routes exist with much DLC. Especially UK stuff. London to Brighton and SEHS are just about there with content The rest have mainline stations devoid of trains. Seemingly the silent majority accept this without issue. It's DTG policy. Produce wow Route. Make some money and move on. I'm saving a fortune mind as the appeal of new DLC is limited by the experience that what you see in day 1 is probably it. There could be an award as to the most ridiculous mainline station without trains. Birmingham New Street and Glasgow Central would probably be neck and neck but SoS at Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street wouldn't be far behind. It's a total immersion killer.
I at least see some other 385s in Glasgow, and some other 323s in Birmingham. SoS Liverpool Lime Street literally had no other trains beyond my own.
