Route Blackpool Branches - Feedback Thread

Having already bought the PC version, I‘ve bought the PS5 version as well. It’s sometimes nice to play on the big screen with surround sound and a comfy sofa. One of the very few routes that I consider worth it.

The PS5 version is excellent, probably the smoothest I‘ve seen with very little slow down.

Really loving this route. Although German Routes are normally my favourite, I‘ve played nothing but Blackpool since last Tuesday. I even enjoyed the shunting which I normally skip.

Like others I‘m looking forward to Raildriver support on PC. Thomas from JT mentioned on his stream last night that this is in testing, so hopefully not far off.

I‘ll also add my vote for better core passenger behaviour. I rarely get out of the cab, but it’s starting to get annoying now. At least there are passengers on this route, even if they don’t behave well.

 

This is actually the first ever route in god knows how many now in my TSW collection, that I’ve bothered to get out the cab at stations and do the posters/signs and collectibles. Even might need to stop specially at Salwick to clear the ones there, too.

 

Should Salwick have station lights? It's quite dark there with no lights.

 

It was explained in the stream, as per real life the lights are only on at around the times trains are booked to call. Essentially it’s what is know in the trade as a “Parliamentary “ service/station one or two trains in each direction per day to avoid going through the closure process. Pilning on the route from Bristol to South Wales is another such example.

 

Very good news!

 

I like the route and im loving the pacer but they is 1 major thing I hate about it. The brakes are so strong! I'm practically on emergency when on step 1.. could you fix it?

 

Step 1 isn’t too bad and Step 2 is just about okay but I tried Step 3 and it was like magnetic track brakes had gone down.

 

I just re did the tutorial and it was better! But before I was on Westcode step 1 and full brakes applied...

 

The Pacer has tread brakes, which have the very distinctive characteristic of being relatively weak at high speeds but "biting" pretty hard as you come to a stop. Modern trains (eg. the 158) tend to have disc brakes, which have a more constant effectiveness with respect to speed, stronger at high speed but not as fierce at low speed, and with the lack of inherent tread-cleaning effect compensated for by automatic wheelslide protection.

I think it's modelled well here. From half a mile or so out at line or cruising speed, you can use Step 2 braking, easing to Step 1 when you get closer in order to reduce jerk effects on the passengers when you eventually stop. This is in line with the performance of other trains with the 3-step Westcode brake. Step 1 is also needed to prevent the brakes locking up at low speed in slippery weather, but Step 2 is still available at higher speeds - this is the special characteristic of tread brakes.

 

Question, I was curious to know ,did the HSTs run during this era around Preston?

 

Yes 100% as well mate! I fully agree with you

 

Unlikely. WCML services were still very much in the hands of AC electrics and cross country services loco hauled.

 

Does anyone know what Services stop at Salwick (if any), fancy being a passenger either boarding or getting off there lol

 

I've found this on Google. I know they worked there in the days of Virgin Trains as took one myself as a passenger but it seems unless it was a Railtour it was rare to get them in the 1980s

 

Indeed, but I don't think the HRT Intercity 125 Specials (which used the IC MML sector's spare set they had on Winter Saturdays) ran as early as 1986. I don't think they started until 1988.

 

08:20 2P54 does as I just ran it

 

I was able to find these two rather grainy photos of era-appropriate PIS displays, though these are from the Western Region rather than Midland Region:


Notable features include the "permanent" captions being painted onto the fascia and bezel of the display, rather than taking up valuable screen space (12½ lines of double-height 40-column text, corresponding to a standard Teletext display) and burning the phosphor.

I also found this still from a BR documentary video, which may show a slightly newer system since it has a 48-column display and exceeds Teletext capabilities in other respects (eg. single-pixel horizontal and vertical rules, and two different sizes of text in the same aspect ratio). Though it is staff-facing, the layout of the left half may be similar to passenger-facing displays used at the same station:


Strangely, photographers of the period seem to have been much more interested in the trains and the station architecture, to include the more substantial departure boards installed in the concourses at the major termini, as the smaller CRT displays only seem to be included in the frame by accident.

 

This is a DTG thing rrather than a JT thing, but in the DLC dropdown menu on the Dovetail Freshdesk new ticket page, "Blackpool Branches" has been placed between "BR Heavy" and "Brighton", rather than between "Birmingham" and "BNSF" where it should be

 

Brilliant thank you

 

Just to add in, they didn't add in the layer to WCL.
The way the Class 150 is setup using it's substitution and geographic keywords is automatically making it selectable. JT didn't do anything to make it work on WCL, TSW just saw that it fit the set parameters for substitution (basically the same as the 101) and made it selectable.

 

Evening folks!

Firstly i would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to pick up the route and share their kind words so far.
Its great to see such a warm reception from many players regarding what we have created.

Feedback for the route here is being logged and noted too, i myself am currently on leave until the 27th meaning nothing will be done from myself until then regarding any fixing etc. However in the meantime i would just like to let people know that there is ongoing work from other members in the team to ensure stuff such as the Rail driver compatibility, Mastery not appearing for Level 2, uploading of liveries for the Class 142 and other important bits and pieces are sorted imminently for a rapid fix. Some stuff already is in testing with QA to ensure we can scratch these off the list.

In the meantime happy simming guys!

Regards, Thomas

 

Anybody had an issue with Class 47, when i look at the map or use the external camera, my AMP,s die. i need to shut down the throttle and then increase it again.

 

Had my first Unreal Engine crash to desktop (PC) in game yesterday. Happened just as I was braking when pulling in at Moss Side station on a Preston to Blackpool South run (2P02 in Rail Journeys), as I came to a full stop. Only issue from various runs I've done.

Just replayed it now, no issues with it at all. And overall feedback is that this route is great! First DLC I've paid full price for, and not regretting it one bit.

 

Enjoying it so far. Had a bit of trouble with the AWS in the Pacer not resetting when I used the keyboard or mouse. Once I remembered which button it was on the XBox controller it reset ok.
I was trying a Class 101 timetable scenario and there was a strange graphic issue, the windscreen wiper was multicoloured. On exterior views I could also see a green patch on the intercar gangway.

 

Just wanted to add in (may have been mentioned already) but I saw some Ai trains (the class 31) turned backwards, which wouldn’t be a problem but the headlights and taillights from that are thus backwards set. Meaning taillights for heading forward, headlights to the rear facing what its pulling)

I’ve also seen some class 47’s on backwards as well for Ai trains, so this issue may also be affecting other locos.

i believe this was an issue on other routes in the past.

edit: XSX for reference.

 

Sounds like the same issue NYT has with the ALP46s rear facing with headlights on.Which unfortunately has been like that since release. As has the PIS issues on SEHS and BCC.

 

Class 142 Service on Blackpool route (2F11) has 24 minute stop at Preston before continuing to Ormskirk, is that accurate?, that’s quite a long stop

That’s what the in game timetable looks like for this;

Preston Station 08:36:00
Load Passengers 09:00:00
Load Passengers
Go Via Signal RD14
Stop at Midge Hall Token Exchange
Croston Platform 09:09:30

 

0Z02 1400 Preston - Ormskirk light engine (Class 47)

This light engine run starts from the unidirectional Down Goods Loop at Preston, but in the up direction. As this is an unsignalled move, in reality the driver would require permission for the signaller first. Otherwise there could be a collision with a train that was signalled in or out of the parcels platform.

Either a 'Contact Signaller' objective should be included, or the timetable amended to start the loco from a properly signalled starting location.

 

Only done the Pacer introduction and 2 services so far, but I think I've just found my new favourite route for the foreseeable future.

 

I think I'll look into splitting the service in half.

 

FWIW:
on my 1st run of PBO i had the following (and sometimes afterwards too...):

When switching to outside view (Pressing "2" or "3", it was in a Class 47) the focus was on the rear of the train. Pressing "2" again it camera was on the front/loco. Normally in TSW it's the other way around.

BUT: I LIKED THAT
Because when switching to drive-by view (which sucks in default TSW) it didn't show the loco running to the camera and disappearing from the screen very fast. It was a much more pleasant angle where the train drove away from the camera into the distance...

i thought that JT was THAT clever that they chose to switch outside camera (rear<->front) just to give us a useable drive-by view but later came to learn that it was not regularly the case and probably just a small bug.

 

Xbox series x stuttering issues coming in to Preston. It's glitchy when walking around station not smooth. Also found that exhaust fumes from units definitely drops the fps again glitchy.

 

It is fixed. But will still happen if you misuse the brakes as reality.

 

I'm sure this is reported already but passengers only visually board and disembark trains at certain stations. However, certainly on the Pacer anyway passengers are still taking there seats and leaving accordingly. They just disappear and appear. Not a biggy for me to be honest.
I would much rather have the Pacers lightning fast gear changes slowed down a bit.
I've been trying to find a driver's manual for one to try and find out how long the gear changed should take exactly.

 

Didn't mind it really, it added to the realism. I just went to make a drink and browsed my phone a bit!. Can totally understand why it's annoying for some people though.

 

Somethings up with the numbering on the train

 

I had that once! Reloaded the service and all fine!

 

I didnt have a single crash after so many hours now.
I get people refund because the thing with the raildriver, but the passengers seem a core issue. For me they act a bit weird but its not a reason to make a refund.

JT set the bar really high, im totally impressed by all the details. Even disused stations without tracks got recreated. So i think its only fair to give them a chance.

This route is alive and looking at the paths, its beyond what i ever immagined ofvan effort a dev will put into a dlc.

The only bug i noticed are the paths, which seems not to set the switches, so the player derails on a clear signal. Happened at the small sidings above preston where the static pacers are located. I recommend jt to check the functionality of all paths / switches on the entire route.

Beside that im also happy 99% of the sidings can be discovered. Big plus for that.
Dtg seems to have a flair for making a huge effort into route building and cutting out interesting locations. (Buxton on pfr for example)

JT, whatever you gonna built as next, im your customer thsts for sure!

 

No, furthest North in North West was Liverpool. After the ECML electrification some HSTs took over XC services such as the Wessex Scot and passed through Preston. That was in 1991 iirc.

 

I don't recall any HSTs serving Liverpool in 1986 (the year of the sim). Could be wrong though.

 

Bristol to Liverpool and return to Plymouth.

 

That camera bug you mentioned is also on other trains as well. If the train is flipped and the main driving position is not what you're driving, the camera tends to be slipped. This happens on like tees valley where you double headed 37s, if the end you're driving is not like cab 1/main cab or something like that, the camera is at the end of the loco rather than the front you are used to

 

No crashes for me as yet (mid-low PC) but approaching Preston from the south does bring some minor stutters. Approaching from the north, none.
I must say, trying to learn the route hudless really does increase the immersion factor, I've made notes and there's so many details and custom objects in this route that makes locating braking points a joy.
Also, does anyone know of any timetables for this route? Refering to paper timetables instead of peeking at the hud would be cool.

 

I can drive hudless between preston and omskirk, even at night in pitch black. Not came to drive above. (Only as passenger)
Here to say i never use the hud. Never.

Im doing route learning mostly in the 24h timetable at night with low speeds. Once the sections have marked ill do the fine tuning with setting the braking points.

My approach is, i have to finde the marks even on the worst possible weather condition. Full snow storm and fog

 

Is there a fix for the Mastery award not working?

 

I don't know if this has already been mentioned since I'm too lazy to read the entire thread, but the snow on the track ballast is way different in color compared to the snow elsewhere. This is on PS5, the month was set to February and the weather was set to light snow. Not a huge deal, but a bit distracting.

 

Oof yeah, that needs the colours/shading tweaked.

 

Is it correct behaviour that the guards panel will only activate the doors on its own unit when running in multiple? Tried coupling 2+2 then the panel only opened the first sets doors.

 

Class 47 Engine Start-Up Audio is Bugged, Start Up Audio Plays, then after about 5-10 seconds the default running noise comes on abruptly, there's no transition like there is on the NTP 47, please fix this, Thanks (PS5)

 

Can confirm this is an issue on the Steam version too.