General North American 3rd Party News (non Dramatic Version)

And now we wait for Buzz to get this thread locked ....

 

He apparently left after the last thread, but we'll see...

 

[Removed - Alex: Attacking other users]

 

Holy mother of edge wear…

 

[Removed - Alex: Attacking other users]

A GP18? Now that is a most useful addition, isn't it? No dynamic brakes, so not suitable for Saluda I'd think.
[Removed - Alex] they are fawning over the by any standard quite abysmal U25 pack. There is so little detail, either in the shape or in the original textures, it should be very easy to repaint.

 

Will be funny to compare the DTM GP18 to Diesel Workshops version when they around to doing theirs on top of their GP7s and 9s.

 

Okay, clearly this is the nail to end all nails in the coffin now for US Content (besides Smokebox, Milepost, MR & DW). Sad to see it go to waste now, even after the U25 pack.

 

Smokebox with an S-6 update.

 

Any new 3rd party news lately?

 

It's better to have a choice of GP18 than none at all. It has been sorely missing - how can you have Rock Island without GP18s. Cry for what we haven't got rather over what we will have. Complain with your wallet if you have to.

 

Yeah, voting with my wallet and waiting for Diesel Workshops version, which I guarantee will be much better than the DTM one in the retro pack.

 

over at that other place, the incrowd thinks a poor GP 18 is better than no GP18 at all?

another clever hack has been made to get some nice Southern Tuxedo SD40-2 by kitting up the Searchlight Simulations BNSF SD40-2 with a high short hood, other detail parts and awesome engine and horn sounds:

Schnauz likes them:

available here: https://switchpointsimulations.weebly.com/locomotives.html
Edit: the Southern 'robot car' is also available from the above developer.

 

More photos from Milepost Simulations Tennessee Pass route.

 

Also Machine Rail is working on a Rolling Stock pack

 

Glad to see more varied freight cars. Hopefully, these are included in the DLC.

 

It was I that stated that I preferred to have a GP18 than no GP18 - what in crowd, what other place - The House of Lords in Parliament?
I represent no one and whatever I comment is mine and mine alone do not assume I speak for anyone else.
Yes, I would prefer a GP18 than not its not that long ago "my kingdom for GP9" was my call as I couldn't have one due to licensing. Unlike some I am grateful for what developers do. Yes there is room for improvement but I will be purchasing both an HIS GP18 AND a Diesel Workshop GP18 when available. I believe in encouraging developers not moaning all the time. You can always persuade, cajole (or whatever) a developer if they exist but you can't do anything when they go bust or just get fed up and leave. A good example is VRC, where are they now?
My financial situation is none of anyone's business however to pre-empt yet more snidy remarks - wealthy I am not, have never been and at 75+ will never be.

 

Another slient article droped for the Southern Railway retro pack:
https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-simulator/articles/article/railroading-southern-style

 

Someone is afraid of critical feedback....

 

I saw the post on Facebook.
Yes, someone commented it's just reskins and scenarios. No idea about the price tag so can't say worth / not. Merely by SD40-F7 whatevs, well. On the other hand, it's cheap variety for a GP18 pack.

 

You can't reskin what doesn't exist i.e. GP18 but you can bet it'll be reskinned once it is available.

 

Looks like the GP18 has decent worn textures, although I would like to see some dirt and grime added. I will probably wait for the Diesel Workshop GP 18 being as it will be much more realistic and detailed.

 

As usual with DTM, a lot of specific Southern details seem to be missing:

note the roof mounted bell right behind the cab and the spark arrestors, but CoG 175 has the 'dome' type of fans and a 2/3 fuel tank

while NS (the old one) 184 has the bell and horns on the long hood end, high fan shrouds, an air filter box and a 1/2 fuel tank
So, we assume the original CoG 171-178 are modeled and distinctive details are missing:

Perhaps HIS' screenshots are unfavourable, perhaps the model lacks depth behind the air intake and radiator grilles, which are different from predecessor GP9 locomotives and the premier spotting feature of a GP18.
Anyway, without dynamic brakes, were those GP18's even allowed on Saluda, “America’s steepest standard-gauge main line grade.”

 

The 1960's/1970's open autoracks are out, and for a tenner, quite an excellent deal.
Schnauz' review made me buy them and the cars indeed look great at the Mahway, NJ Ford plant on the EL Bergen Line.

the free car pack with those older 'pontoon' cars is a really great addition to any late 20th century scenario.

I am in search of a movable loading ramp to set up a scene with the autoracks and rows of gleaming new cars. I've seen such an asset, but cannot seem to find it back. Any hints?

 

There is this European ramp used on autocarriers on overnight services, but it doesn't fit the US prototype:

while the US loading ramp has a higher reach and is therefor longer:

 

Update progress with Diesel Workshop's GP7/9, plus the next M420 & M420B in BC Rail:
https://www.dieselworkshop.net/post...campaign=3c1e5746-4f20-4ba3-b5f5-c95dc520e257

 

I find it interesting that the article only mentions the GP7 and GP9. I wonder why the GP18 was dropped from the conversation....

 

There might be long fingers involved but it's also possible that they want to focus on finishing these first.
It also reduces conflict with the Steam offering for both parties involved. Money might also talk, 2 DLC instead of 1.
I see that the GP18 is extremely similar to the 7-9 but to those who already own or played existing content, these two may be of less interest, whereas the GP18 might still be lucrative.
Last, I've seen GP18 with low short hood, sure some GP9s have also been chopped. It's important because sounds and a couple photos aside, the open front helps to enjoy the scenery, too. We could also use some fresh lines with branches and yards, at the very least redo All Aboard.

 

or they forgot to mention the GP18, since it is only different from its predecessor GP9 in the radiator fans.
but GP18 was the first with factory low short hoods with their distinctive slope and one piece windshield, which requires a different model, so perhaps later?

Then there is SD24, which is more of a modeling challenge, but very welcome in Santa Fe, Southern and UP (including B units that ran behind the GTEL's)

 

Negative, The Southern Pacific's last order of GP9s came from the factory with the low noses.

 

the usual rehashed freeware, repainted , at $25, vote with your wallet is Schnauz' advice....
might be my screen settings but the locos look quite flat in this bleached gray
and Southern's typical locomotive check codes aren't applied to all locos but the GP18 has the prototypical bell and spark arrestors

 

Lol, yeah I will definitely wait for diesel workshops GP’s!

 

You do realise you're going to get hate for saying that right?

 

The "freeware" comment refers to the fact that alot of HIS's retro packs rolling stock reuse alot of Michael Stephan's existing stock, which already exists for free on his website here: http://www.golden-age-rails.com/rwroll.html

 

The rolling stock is freeware with diff paints, ftmp. The power is reused payware with diff paints and little updates/changes from yeeeeeears ago (i.e. F7 RailsimulatorUS assets)
The 35 is a slightly reworked 30, and the 40-2 may be a 'new' model just not well done - as with the 18 - all built by DTM. Fiziks and reused sounds eternally from this stuff, sure some horn sounds may change but that bell.... lol - the prime mover sounds, the eardrum shattering flange squeal - not to mention the textures/paint.

Its totally fine if some enjoy this content and totally fine if some don't, but theres the camp that get snarky attacking those that don't. Sad really.

It only makes sense that certain defenders that pop up in certain locales are part of the HIS cartel (lol), which they ofcourse receive $ for.
They dont sell well = no $, hence blind loyalty and "fact checking"

If its wrong to expect/want better stock in the near year of 2024, I don't want to be right. Not stuff reused the 100th time with little change or very quickly hashed together to keep the proverbial HIS train rollin

You either like it or ya don't.
You either like simulation or you like toy trains.

 

When Saluda by HIS first came out I noted that the HIS D40-2s could out pull the Searchlight Simulations SD40-2s. I checked this by substituting the SS units on the same coal drag consist. Others also have noted that the HIS seems to have a bit more power as well. When I posed this question here is the answer I received:
Postby ElphabaWS » Tue Aug 22, 2023 10:41 am
I believe most will agree that setting up the performance of any loco in TSC, given the limits of the sim's physics and some of the vagaries of its tools, requires a mix of science with a bit of subjective black magic. I'm sure if you look "under the hood" (aka into the blueprints, etc.) of many existing TSC locos which in theory should have the same performance that you will see many variations in set-up. There's also the very important matter of matching loco performance to car weight/drag characteristics, et al., to hopefully replicate a realistic experience. In my post earlier in this thread, I tried to explain why we feel that was accomplished.
I think that this is as close to admitting that they "cooked" the power on those to make them work as perceived they should.

 

From what Woody said in the TSC discord, it has to do something in which how the game treats grades or something, which makes it a headache to simulate properly without heavy scripting, and they never planned on someone making a route with as steep as of a grade as Saluda.

 

He is talking about braking, I am discussing traction/power. Does the grade rational still apply? It is worth mentioning that Saluda has been out for years as a freeware route prior to the HIS version. In Elphaba's case, the rational is to make it realistic by cooking the blueprints. At least Woody and Kevin were honest about it.

 

2 more screenshots from Mileposts route, also states it should be done early next year.

 

The thing that really strikes me with this one is how well the track blends into the route, and doesn’t look like it’s just track placed over scenery. Recent routes have struggled with that, and it just removes any immersion. Glad to see Milepost nailing it.

 

RSSLO and some other just plonk down track over grass, rock, anything, without a subroadbed texture.
This route seems to have it right, and in the steam era, there were lots of cinders and ash on the roadbed.

Hopefully, the variety of freight cars shown will be in the DLC.

 

it's about time

 

Not to mention an article from that post: https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-simulator/articles/article/santa-fe-success-and-splendor

 

More from Milepost

 

Up to 50% off sale at Machine Rail and Diesel Workshop through January 1st, 2024.
Excellent North American steam and diesel products.
https://www.dieselworkshop.net/
https://www.machine-rail.com/
Added note: Diesel Workshop has some New Zealand and both have some South American equipment.

 

To add on, there's also a development update from Machine Rail. Their latest blog post also indicates that they hope to release their Frisco T-54 in early 2024, along with their Pere Marquette N-1. Their Western Maryland I-2 is on hold until the other two are complete.




In other news, from the looks of DSGDDR's Flickr page, he's making good progress on his latest project, the UP 4-12-2 9000 series.

 

Some good developments by those small independents!
Patiently waiting for the WM I-2 to go with the H-9, though the 4-8-2 and 2-8-4 look very worth buying.
The 4-12-2 looks the beast!
The D&RGW 1940's/1950's route looks very nice also.

The AT&SF pack, well, it's only scenarios, but that won't make the rolling stock look any better despite the usual HIS hyperlative sales blurb.

 

And to add Milepost's next route, this is the loco roster that'll be included

(Left-to-Right: L-131, F7, & GP7)

And lastly, Milepost announced Tennessee Pass on his Facebook post. From Minturn to Buena Vista, including the Leadville Branch, and the time period will be set from 1945 to 1955.

 

Soon from Diesel Workshop.