Hello, I recently treated myself to a gaming laptop (Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, RTX 4060 and 165hz screen). More than enough to handle TSC. I’m looking for advance on what routes to buy, mostly what’s most detailed and has the best rolling stock etc. I’ve read through some of the reviews on steam and while some routes are favoured positively, others are not. There’s a lot of content to be reading all those reviews, too many I’m mostly interested in UK content to be begin with, but eventually I’ll invest my time in other countries just like in TSW. Thanks, Jay
Depends on what you want. Passenger, freight, commuter etc, and also time period. For modern day-recent commuter style routes that also offer some freight London to Brighton Portsmouth Direct (The newer version) Chatham Main Birmingham Cross City GEML London-Ipswich (You can also get the Mayflower extension from JT that adds scenery to the already laid tracks on one section of the route) Long Distance Passenger & Freight (with a little bit of commuter thrown in WCML North, Over Shap and South North Wales Coast South Wales Main Line Welsh Marches Historical Weardale & Teesdale - offers a great selection of transition era scenarios (steam locos are added DLC) offering DMU commuter, deisel pax and freight/shunting scenarios Woodhead (both versions - original set in the 50s/60s, blue version set in the 70s/early 80s before the line closed) Riviera in the 50s - offers mainly steam scenarios but if you buy the western hydraulics pack, you get to run diesels too
In my view, the highest quality route and included rolling stock is found in Konstanz-Villingen. Yes, it's German, but if you want to see what quality and realism in TSC looks like, start here. It's only drawback is that apart from stations it doesn't seem to have any people in it. For the UK, I would recommend (from Steam) Welsh Marches, JT Hope Valley Line and Suburban Glasgow Northwest. All are very well modelled and have a range of traffic you can run. The best UK rolling stock is probably that from Armstrong Powerhouse. These are premium products at a premium price. My only criticism of the modelling is that I find the wagon sounds a bit quiet. They also do the splendid Wherry Lines route, but the operational possibilities are a bit limited (no freight).
It is a nicely modelled route but it just goes from Shrewsbury to Newport which is a bit boring as there is not much to do. No sidings worth mentioning, the freight just passes along the line with no industries to stop at. Jay1986 - it depends on what sort of route do you want. Modern or Steam era, Countryside or Big City. A route with a lot of sidings and places to shunt or one where you mainly just drive. There are a few threads where people are asking which route to buy. https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/what-route-should-i-buy-and-why.82637/ https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/route-suggestion.70211/ Peter
I agree that it's primarily an end to end route, but it does have sidings and industries at the southern end. It's also got the stubs/portals of lines to Worcester and Mid Wales, which allow some interesting options for services that don't run end to end.
Hi Pete, Yeah mainly looking at modern stuff to start with or within this last 20 years or so. Depending on the quality of the route I could go back even further. On TSW I do enjoy NTP and Blackpool Branches, so routes from the 80’s and early 90’s are welcome too. Jay
As a general rule with a couple exceptions, the good uk routes don't come with good rolling stock. The exceptions are Woodhead in Blue (comes with excellent 76, 506 and 08) and Return to Maerdy (austerity 0-6-0st and EE battery loco) most everything else has pretty poor quality rolling stock. If you want routes with good included rolling stock I'd also recommend german stuff, Konstanz-Villingen, and Münster-Bremen are both good mainline routes that include pretty good rolling stock. Frankfurt U-bahn, Hamburg U1, Mitten Durch Berlin and the Ringbahn are all very nice subway/rapid transit routes that include very nice rolling stock as well.
ECML - London to Peterborough is quite good with 4 tracks for most of the way WCML over Shap is a nice route set in BR Blue days - you could bring it up to date with a Pendolino or just Inter City. Some good third rail routes if you are in to Electric trains Just Trains have the Sheffield - Derby route and you can add extensions to Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, the Matlock branch, the Erewash valley past Toton to Chesterfield and the Hope Valley Route Sheffield to Manchester via Stockport or Reddish BUT Buy from Just Trains as the add-ons would not work as a thru route if you buy from Steam.
I bought Toton route passenger s power its a short 30 mile fictional route i like it has 2 coal fired power stations to run too with unloading loops a nuclear power station that get s a special load a refinery ,intermodal terminal ,car terminal, a marshalling yd has electric and diesel passenger , the freight coal train power i saw on the route looked like class 37 47 s it a action pcked route esp quick drive mode free roam etc to test the route i used a class 59 and JXA hoppers. The cost of the route is 19,99
Totham. Toton is a real place, partially used as inspiration for the fictional route. It's quite nicely done, though perhaps a little dated? It's been some time since I've driven it. And like most routes from Just Trains, no new stock is included, although you can get it bundled with the class 153 Sprinter.
I really appreciate all the feedback. It’s helped a lot in my route choices. Now all I’m waiting for is another big steam TSC sale to empty my wallet on
Although it’s a bit basic by modern standards and relies on ancient default stock, the Just Trains Western Main Lines (Paddington to Weston SM and Cardiff) or South Western Expressways (Reading to Exeter via the B&H) pack in a lot of route mileage. Though be aware if you buy off Steam they do not integrate into the seamless long route from Paddington to Penzance with the other portions from Highbridge to Plymouth and Plymouth to Penzance. If you are prepared to go outside the UK many of the German and Swiss routes are very good, especially the more recent releases. US and Canada has some good stuff, too.
Ya thats what confused me when i read the title for the Dlc before i bought it on TSC and steam store.,Im not very knowledgeable on UK places since im from US but like US UK routes, but i could tell the one part they used MML assets the Maryhill power station is the Ratcliffe power station they used plus the tunnels near it and Toton was used i have MML in TSW 3 and 4 , The other power statin is called Burnwash Burnwalsh or something like that the nuclear one right next to it the name begins with A,again all these could be real places in UK they cobbled together for the route the rest of it not sure what the location are that were used for Dlc,
As for US routes i just got into TSC myself im from US so i ve bought some US routes first before i got a few UK ones the US routes i bought up on a bunch i wanted right away in the summer steam sale , a few of my favorites so far 1 is the B&O chessie system era mountain sub 140 miles of routes Cumberland MD to Grafton W VA plus Western Maryland Thomas Sub they also have retro WM B&O power scenario DLC paks and even a WM steam engine , Another is Horseshoe curve classic has Prr diesels and a K4 steam you can get as DLC pak for modern i got the NS c39 8 loco DLC scenario pak Gives you a roadrailer train to run on HSC,,Also have Ns coal district ex Monongahela RY from West Brownsville PA Waynesburg to Bailey mine plus since i grew up in wester Pennsylvania. I been to all 3 routes in real life .. Have some western US routes Donner Tehachapi Feather river Marias and Stevens pass routes want to more of the US routes as money allows or when a good sale
So if I bought all sections of the ECML on steam than I wouldn’t be able to do a full London Kings X to Edinburgh for example? Where should I buy routes from then? Thanks.
The ECML merge is available from ATS and will allow you to do full runs from Edinburgh to London. You will need a subscription but you will be able to download other routes such as the Leeds to London route and GEML upgrade. I think it's worth the money but many on here would disagree!
Haha so much to digest. It’s not as straight forward as I thought it was going to be. Me too, the thought of doing a roughly 400 mile journey on any route is very appealing to me, and it’s an avenue I want to explore more. I’m never going to get that kind of endurance on TSW.
So a journey where you sit at the computer for over 4 hours is something to look forward to? Each to their own. On the real railway All the London - Edinburgh services stop at York and Newcastle and some stop at Peterborough So your full line drive could be done in sections [1] London - Peterborough [2] Peterborough - York [3] York - Newcastle [4] Newcastle - York. If the game had a problem on an individual section its not such a big one. Peter
No I’d break it up into two parts. 2 hours at a time is more than enough for me. Not to say I couldn’t do a 4 hour run though, I wouldn’t know as I’ve never tried it. I won’t be getting too ahead of myself though, going to be picking up Kings X - Peterborough first since this was the route I wanted in TSW. Now I can fully experience it.
Why is it any concern of yours how long someone does a single drive for? You have quite often got a serious attitude and intolerance problem with other members here and it's quite tiresome. Perhaps it's time you found a more enjoyable past time, one that doesn't get you so short, snappy and irate with fellow hobbyists?
Hi there. I have nearly all the UK DLC one can aquire. Counter to other people’s opinion I have an ATS subscription and have both the ATS ECML and the WCML complete. There is a 5 part scenario which takes you up the WCML. They also have a nice Doncaster-Leeds-York route. So many options. I have also invested in a lot of their timetable scenario packs. People will hate me for posting this. I don’t care. With Loco Swap and following the pack requirements it gives one a really great set of routes. A great way to learn how to build your own collection rather than relying on disconnected Steam DLC. It turns rail driving from a game into a real hobby!
Yes Gary I am, you however seem to be confusing tolerance with subservience, just because that's Peters way we should all just accept it? Does that apply to sexism, bigotry and racism too or just limited to one person on the internet intentionally trying to make another feel small, stupid or inconsequential.. Discuss.
Nothing wrong with sitting on a 4 hour session if one has the time. It can always be paused and saved to complete later. The fact that a 4 hour session is possible is the interesting part. Respectfully
The point I was trying to make is if you have a long scenario there is a possibility that Saving the game might not work AP Stock can cause problems when you save a Scenario that includes their DLC. And as I also said "Each to their own" if the OP or anyone wishes to play the entire route that is fine. It is their choice.
You seem to be the one that is intolerant to others. I suggested to the OP that a 4 hour scenario might be a bit long and he agreed with me.
I never said. I was giving an opinion on routes. Those I like and dislike - am I not allowed to do that?
You appear to think my opinion is based off of one post of yours which you weakly try to justify, my opinion is actually based on hundreds of posts you've made over the years, you do know that your posts are viewable forever right? Just because you choose to forget what you've previously posted and the attitude and intolerance within them the forum server doesn't. And to retort with "I'm not intolerant you are" is a very childish response, what are you seven? I'm intolerant of letting toxic attitudes ruin good forums so yeah ok you got me, I'm intolerant, but I'm intolerant of people with attitudes like you and not new members with a genuine query no matter how dumb or self explanatory it seems to a seasoned expert like yourself. Anyway, my apologies to everyone else for deviating this topic, I know I'll never get my point across to Peter and he'll always come back with an attempted last word retort, I've said my piece so now I'll bow out gracefully.
Which could also be said about running a journey that's split over separate routes in one session. Have you done the full East Coast in one single scenario?
In my opinion I do not believe responses here are done maliciously. We have a group of very different personality types who try to be helpful. Text speech without reference to body language or voice can sometimes miss the nuance of intent. Respectfully
Four hours sat in front of a VDU is well in excess of published guidelines. The people defending no save game in SimRail use the same argument Peter and it’s just as relevant there. The likelihood in the real world at furthest one driver will work Kings Cross to Newcastle or maybe Edinburgh to York. So we definitely agree on this! There is also the factor if you have merged routes they will eat up more HD space as not only do you have the long joined route, but the “child” routes still need to be installed.
Hard drive space is cheap. Routes don't take up much room anyway, it's assets that can be disc intensive...but there's nothing to stop anyone pruning off any unused ones.
Except I did not say those words as once again you misquote me The OP, Jay1986, did not seem to be offended by reply - if he was then I apologise. I'm not sure what I said to Knuckle head to make him spit his dummy out.
Indeed. JustTrains have therefore grouped all shared assets in their CommonLibrary. Else merging routes requires preloading all assets of each route included. Route files themselves don't take up much space. And I agree, space is not a restriction. Digital storage is cheaper than paper.
Well it sounds like the gauntlet has been thrown. I will need to invest in some adult nappies/daipers, a 6 pack and a box of crisps/chips and go get this 4 hour marathon done. FREEDOM
I think running Stevens Pass from end to end takes almost 4 hours. For scenario creation, stability and player friendliness it is good practice though to split scenarios up into parts. Otherwise, thinking of the huge amount of AI to be placed on a large network for a 4-hour run, a full scenario can become unstable still, especially when saving 60+ AI trains. Splitting scenarios up also solves the issue with savegames, as you'll have presaved "safe" checkpoints. The four part SP Scenic Inspection Tour scenario is how it must be done.
Humanities expect us to desire bigger and better things. Expand the envelope. See how far one can go. The fact that someone has managed to pull this together as one large gestalt scenario and it can actually run is in my opinion the key here. Whether one runs it in one sitting or not at all is a moot point. What another individual does at their pc/console is of no concern to me. I will do what I will do and others the same. Respectfully
But that's 2 things. Whilst the route merge is impressive there is doubt over whether the scenarios actually work properly over such a long route...I've heard several reports that when doing a full London to Edinburgh run the train doors refuse to open at Edinburgh. That's a bit of a kick up the bum if you're bothered about "green ticks"
Just completing the 4 hour session would be good enough for me. If the doors don’t close do I care. It’s more about accomplishment than a green check mark. How many check marks do you have now Gary?
I just found another decent route purchased Great Western Main Oxford to Paddington via Reading for 8.99 in TSC store .Has passenger and freight also a service to the Didcott A and B power station s that were side by side saw a Youtube video a couple years ago of them being imploded the cooling towers and all.. But here in GWML you take older coal wagons to theere with 2 class 47s
This is actually a very old route, in fact it was one of the original routes launched with Kuju Rail Simulator, the grand daddy which eventually morphed into TSC.
This specific route from JT can be purchased to drive from Penzance to Paddington. Another long route. This whole pack can be bought via JT. It may not be the most up-to-date route, however I have driven several of these long 4 hour routes after swapping the locos out with AP product.
If you check the mountain of Scenarios from the Western Mainline it is made in sections (check the prefix on each scenario). There is a portion of those scenarios which are only this section of line. This leads me to believe that this great composition of lines from JT was made from several routes which were eventually merged into the one large pack. Respectfully
The Just Trains route is Western Mainlines. The core is (I think) London to Bristol with add-ons to Plymouth, Penzance, Oxford, possibly others. The DTG route from the original Railworks is variously titled either GWML or London to Oxford. They are entirely separate routes created by different people.
https://www.justtrains.net/product/western-mainlines "Set in the years between 2013 and 2015, Western Mainlines consists of three newly developed routes running from the terminus station of London Paddington to Bristol, from Bristol to Cardiff and from Bristol to Exeter, all connected seamlessly together in this one pack. Expand this route with these extensions: Western Mainlines Oxford to Bicester Extension Western Mainlines South Devon Main Line Extension Western Mainlines Cornish Main Line Extension" Or.. if you want to get the whole lot in one hit: https://www.justtrains.net/product/western-mainlines-the-complete-collection
As far as I am aware this bundle includes the original Western Mainline. It does not show that DLC as a dependency. https://www.justtrains.net/product/western-mainlines-the-complete-collection
