Apart from being able to drive the Flying Scotsman in preservation form, are there any additions to the steam simulation over TSW3? Are the physics different? Are there any plans to have functional water gauges and injectors for example like in Train Sim Classic? I have been aware of a work in progress "manual fireman" update since TSW2 and TSW3, which presumably would have introduced working water gauges and tender coal levels and such, but I haven't seen any mention of it in recent TSW4 roadmaps. I mainly play just the steam era routes - Spirit of Steam Liverpool - Crewe, and Peak Forest. The Flying Scotsman looks fantastic, but other than that it doesn't look like there is anything on the horizon so far as possible steam era content. I don't think I'd use any of the routes that come bundled with TSW4, so buying it seems like a lot of waste just to be able to drive the Flying Scotsman.
Steam simulation is still the same. I've read there's some issues with the scotsman with the steam simulation. Regarding manual fireman, there has been no new news. Last official comment was no plans and that they were still scoping it out. I guess it turned out to become much more complicated than intended. Only benefit for steam in tsw4 is if you want a busier timetable for peak forest with the 104 dmu and freight pack or a steam gala tt for west somerset.
If your looking for a more realistic steam simulation TSC is where you should go. No update on Manual firing, water management etc. The Jubilee, 8f and 4f have all had physics alterations since their debut and the Scotsman’s physics from what others have said isn't very good. If the only thing you want is steam staying with TSW 3 is probably the best option untill something new comes up
Well we‘ve just gotten some nice steam announcements. Peak Forest will be getting a gameplay expansion pack providing more service variety and period-accurate diesel services, and West Somerset Railway will get completely remastered along with a Steam timetable including services primarily for the Peak Forest rolling stock. Looking pretty interesting, I‘d say!
But that's not totally new steam though, it's using pre-existing content. I think OP is asking about purely dedicated steam content, besides I highly doubt there will be any changes to the core steam simulation with these updates
What's interesting is that IIRC Matt claimed around Peak Forest's release that the reason Peak Forest didn't add manual firing was because they tried out a more complex system that didn't work, so the plan reverted to finishing the simpler manual firing intended for release with SoS. Of course nothing ever came of that... Manual firing really should be a priority for DTG before they release any more steam locos, otherwise the technical debt will grow too large to fix.
I echo @trainaic if you are into steam then 100 percent TSC is the way to go you also have a lot of 3rd developers that create some fantastic and highly detailed and working steam locos
I mean, it is? Those are new features with TSW4, that I as a Steam Train fan make use of all the time. Peak Forest and Spirit of Steam are lots of fun with Free Roam.
I answered the headline question. Are there reasons for steam fans to upgrade? Yes. Are these the reasons the OP thought about? No. Are they valid anyways? Hell, yes. I don't know how proficient you are in driving steam trains, I am not. Others also might not be. And not having to emergency break a steam train when dreaming and missing an upcoming stop and not having to back it up, if even possible, is a big deal. Same with freeroam. Very much fun on the steam routes to just do whatever you want while the timetable is continuing on. Also, why are you blowing up my one line answer and clogging this thread for no reason? If what I said is irrelevant to OP, one can just ignore it. Please come out of your bubble.
Not at present. However, when DTG improves their steam pysics (yes, I said when, not if), that upgrade will come to 4, not 3.
I would say probably not at the moment, for your main interest in steam, I imagine you would be keen on improved steam physics which at present TSW4 doesn’t have anything to offer for that.
No, not really. Not much news at this point. I think steam will get revived at some point with physics improvements but it’s really anyone’s guess as to when. I would just sit tight until there’s actual improvements.
Flying Dustbin has steam physics akin to a Hornby wind up clockwork loco, or the Big Big Train Zoo loco. So there is no perceptible change to flawed steam performance sadly. As others have stated, look to TSC if you want a decent steam loco experience.
The Scotsman release does wind me up tbh. Because it was the reason I wanted to get TSW4 but it looks like its just been thrown out so literally anyone can drive it fast. There's no finesse to it and no skill which just really takes away from the experience. Steam should be a realistic learning experience that's rewarding to get to grips with not as Vern said wind it up and let it go. Its a real disappointment for real steam enthusiasts. I wonder if it was done this way on purpose though just because its the flying money pit? Let skill not interfere with peoples fun?
The other benefit of Free Roam is it allows you to put steam on different routes, in timetable mode. There are some suggestions for that in this thread: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/spirit-of-steam-a-realistic-challenge.72641/
