I would expect a gap of around 19 years to be more than 'a few', thats longer than some of my family has been around.
Personally I'd rather have the option of these services, which would allow for some more azuma action and give them a run on something new, especially over the forth rail bridge. In regards to unrealistic crew changes, thats not really relevant, dovetail have already built a couple routes whose end points aren't realistic, eg GWE (reading), SKA, SKW and probably even ECML is not really a proper change.
I believe they added the 80x services not operated by 801s, purely because if they got access to another member of the class, they could release and overlay those services. Such as the Lumo, 800 etc.
The biggest difference though is that the ECML section we have, they can technically run on as they have the overheads, they can’t make it much further than Haymarket in Fife Circle as there is no overheads full stop toward the Forth Bridge. I wouldn’t expect to see these services for that reason, but hopefully they can increase the frequency of other LNER services around Edinburgh to make up the traffic.
Gi I mean they are having to remodel it a little bit aswell as the livery and seat moquette. Its a bit more than a couple coloured stripes on a 323
Any train to Inverness that calls at Perth would have to run via Stirling - Perth station only has lines between Stirling and Inverness/Dundee. If there were Inverness via Dundee they'd have to go through Aberdeen and Moray.
I think the most realistic (as in what dovetail/rivet might do) thing would be to have the Azumas as ai services, preferably using diesel sounds being played from underneath the correct coaches.
At the very least they'd be AI at Edinburgh. It would just seem a weird decision to exclude them altogether.
This. Even if they can’t be player driven it will add to the busy feeling. I mean the excuse for Glasgow Central on Cathcart or New Street on Cross City was that there were no suitable trains to layer in. Can’t use that one for Waverley anymore.
Pretty sure there’s a line north of Ladybank that splits to Perth. While there were engineering works at Stirling a few weeks ago, ScotRail services were routed via Kirkcaldy then to Perth. I have a faint memory that services used to vary between the two routes, but now only go the Stirling way.
Yes, trains can go from Fife/Dundee to Perth, but they cannot go North at Perth if they come from that direction. Up - Inverness Down - Stirling/Glasgow Right - Dundee/Fife
That map brings back memories of the 2330 overnight from Glasgow to Inverness. Arrive on the main Down platform, all the oil workers would pile off and across to the Aberdeen service which was waiting on the “branch” platform. In the meantime the portion from Edinburgh would arrive, run past the Glasgow section which by then the loco had detached from, then propel back and couple up with a hearty thump.
This is more like what I was initially getting at. Just taking the opportunity to make Edinburgh Waverley busier to better reflect reality.
But wouldn't that also render the EMT HSTs layering on SEHS useless too? They are only really seen at StP and nowhere else.
I don't think anyone on this thread acknowledged that the 158s and the 170s often run services coupled together in reality. I hope Rivet Games is aware of this
Actually, thinking about it the EMT services on SEHS only serve (apart from making St Pancras look busier) as a performance hog. At least the LNER services on Fife Circle would be playable and make the performance worth it.
There is also a line south of Perth after passing through the tunnel after exiting the station, which connects up to Ladybank on the Edinburgh to Dundee line. Therefore services can run from Inverness to Edinburgh via the Fife Circle without going via Dundee. Service 1H25 Edinburgh to Dundee from last Saturday (as proof)
You would hope they actually end up coding the coupler to be compatible with the 158 and 142 units as a result, and in a dream world maybe even go back and update the 150 to do the same. As is the phrase echoed across this forum though, this is Rivet, I won't hold my breath especially for the 150.
Right, I think it's only fair that in a preview stream, they load a 158 & 170 and couple them together. If they can't be a*sed to do that, then I shall not purchase.
That’s if the the 158 is released at the same time. It’ll be on Rivet to actually come up with a working coupler, which so far they have neglected to do, and for Skyhook to make sure theirs is compatible. To go one step further it’ll be on Skyhook to come up with services that use a lash up consist.
In theory yes since the 170’s coupler will work IRL, it’s more about the 2 developers making sure the models they make are compatible. I imagine after all they went though with the EMT 158 that they’ll use the same model and just make the needed cosmetic changes. However realistically they’ll need to redo the front end for a few things including the cab, PIS & skirting. Problem we have really is that we have 2 developers that have proven they are quite able to make easy mistakes, we have more than one hurdle when it comes to these 2 units.
Well it's on Rivet really. Skyhook have updated their 158 to be compliant with how DTG wants couplers setup. So DTG, Skyhook, JT all have their couplers setup the "right" way. Rivet are the odd one out currently.
It’s on Rivet to make their coupler right yes & they are the likely party to be the issue in that regard. It will be on Skyhook to actually make the 5 car services though.
Well since Rivet know the 158 DLC is coming, they can already build the services into the timetable. Then when the DLC is released they will auto enable.
Probably unlikely as the class 158 is due to come out 1 month (minimum) after the release of the route.
Considering we already have a 158, and the ScotRail one will also be made by Skyhook, that means only minor modifications to the model are needed to the EMT one to make it a ScotRail one. I'd imagine that, once Fife Circle has been released, the functionality of coupling them together would be looked at. There's literally no reason for them not to do it
I wouldn't go as far to say minor. There are quite a few modeling changes and a couple sound changes. Snow Plough/Cow Catcher/Bit next to coupler is different P.I.S uses a completely different system Door sounds are Different Cab is different Seat moquette is different ScotRail carpet on floor Interior Smart P.I.S display Extra sticker on gaurds pannels Extra luggage racks Toilet is different Door/carrige labels are different Coupler functionality for class 170 needs added. The modeling changes are the ones that will take the most time. That's why it's in the 3-5 months category.
Should have clarified a bit. I said minor, because the only thing they need to do is make the coupling compatible with the 170. Everything else needs changing as you've listed, but their minor in comparison I'd say.
Skyhook are likely working on other projects, such as their cargo volume series and possibly a new route, which might be why a Class 158 modification is arriving after the release of Fife Circle and not with it.
