So I only have 2 US routes left to buy for TSW and it’s currently the LIRR and New Haven line. I’ve been contemplating between the 2 and I can’t really make a decision. They are both routes in New York, I’ve been leaning towards LIRR just for the layers on NY-Trenton. Thought I’d create this thread and ask for peoples opinions
New Haven line? Do you mean Harlem line? If that’s the case I prefer Harlem line, its a smaller route but imo the M7a & M3a are much nicer to drive especially with the reworked sounds, there is also a lot more traffic and I think the route just looks and feels better. Although I think there are still some signalling issues. Honestly, if it wasn't for LIRR AI coming to NY - T I would've uninstalled it ages ago. -Go for LIRR for the size/ multiple destinations and potential AI services for NY - T -Go for Harlem line for the timetable density and Imporved trains
Lirr would be beneficial to add ai traffic in nyt, but if you aren't going to play it, it's a waste of money unless you get it on a deep sale but even then buying dlc to not touch it is still a waste of money. If you want a busy timetable and better performing m7 and m3, get harlem.
LIRR layer for NYT will add traffic to NY Penn Station, and you’ll see them pass you around Sunnyside yard. But from NY Penn to Trenton (the bulk of the route) you won’t see LIRR trains as they terminate at NYP. So even as a layer its value is fairly limited, whereas Harlem is actually a pretty decent route thanks to a solid timetable.
Having the full Hudson line from GCT to Poughkeepsie would be nice. Along with Amtrak services to Albany. Harlem line to Wassaic with M3A, M7A, and diesel engines P32s New Haven Line has diesel engines and M2, M8, and P32s with services from GCT to New Haven State Street, Waterbury, and Danbury CT. Along with Amtrak services to Boston.
Sadly, LIRR is quite a bad route objectively. Scenery is very weak, many areas don't feel like the real thing at all. Timetable is sparse, you barely see any traffic on the "busiest railway of the US". Rolling stock variety is also bad by only featuring the M7 and M3, so no M9, no bi-levels with the diesels, no freight and all empty sidings everywhere. It feels like a ghost town. It does have nice variety though by including several branches and terminals, but the "main" branch kind of just stops halfway at Hicksville. But the signalling is also not quite working as intended and many trackside signs are missing. So I would say go with Harlem Line. It's not perfect either, and a but more linear by only having one branch, but the quality is much better than LIRR. That being said, I wish LIRR got a makeover. It's a route with great potential that would deserve to be redone in a proper fashion.
My first question is are you in PC or console? If on console are you on gen 8 or 9. (I can only speak for Xbox since that’s what I have) The reason I ask it does make a difference. If you are looking for the LIRR to add as a layer for NYT and are on PC then you should have no problems. If you are on console you might run into out of memory issues even on Xbox XSo I have both and have many many hours invested on them. I would say get the Harlem line is a much better DLC. Has a busy Joe timetable. LIRR timetable unfortunately doesn’t represent the real timetable at all. Very empty stations and feels very old. Hopefully one day we can get a new LIRR DLC
Funny thing is, LIRR does have a much better and busies timetable finished, but it never got released due to the wonky signalling not being able to handle the busy traffic properly...
If you asked me, I'd give a short answer and a long answer, and those are: Short answer: I'd personally say get Harlem Line because the M3A & M7A are better than their LIRR counterparts (M3 & M7 respectively), and LIRR is an older but quieter route so does not have that feeling of a commuter rail line serving a big city like New York. Long answer: Here is my list of pros and cons for each route to help weigh up your options (feel free to add any that I do forget) Let's start with Long Island Rail Road: (released 27th November 2018) LIRR Pros: Has both the Ronkonkoma and Hempstead branches for added variety in outer NY termini, You have NY Penn, Atlantic Terminal or Long Island City to choose from for inner NY termini, Includes the M7, plus you could own the M3 via a loco add-on for this route. LIRR Cons: The signalling is not the best on the route, The route is not busy in any shape or form, The scenery looks half-finished, DTG could have added at least another branch (i.e. Oyster Bay or Port Washington) but chose not to, Does not have an M9 or DE/DM30AC + C3 bi-level coaches as further DLC, Lack of New York & Atlantic Railroad freight stock along the route, Safety systems are not as good as Harlem Line. Now onto Harlem Line: (released 17th March 2022) Harlem Pros: Has reworked and accurate stock in the M3A & M7A, Scenery is better than Long Island Rail Road, Timetable is busy (thanks to Joethefish), A variety in service patterns, (Mostly) working safety systems, Includes part of the Hudson Line to Yankees East-153rd St. Harlem Cons: Signalling is still causing problems on some services (i.e. red light issues) Is not the full Harlem Line, it is cut short at North White Plains instead of Southeast or Wassaic Does not have a loco DLC as of yet (P32AC-DM with Shoreliner coaches) So as you can see looking at both routes, Harlem has a better timetable, better rolling stock and better scenery compared to Long Island Rail Road, which is in a poor state and in desperate need of a rework, whether that is including another branch to the route, optimising the route in order to have the better timetable or including the M9 or DE/DM30AC loco-hauled sets as DLC for this route. I hope you find this helpful and I hope this helps you make your mind up on what route to get Canadian Follower.
