Alan Thompson Simulation Route Discussion/speculation Thread

Whilst this is a fairly short route. If we have both lines, via east didsbury and levenshulme, it could be very interesting to see

 

I know it wasn't layered into Fife Circle....but was that the first time since WSR that the 66 hasn't been layered onto a UK DLC?

 

A modern UK DLC, probably. Actually did BCC have one?

 

There was a RHTT depot on that route somewhere I think?

 

Ah, I don't actually have the RHTT downloaded, so that'd be why.

 

Oh and there were some steel workings with the wagons from the Tees route, other than that it was pretty sparse for freight from memory (haven’t played it myself in ages)

 

Manchester Crewe is a good starting point ngl

It’s a short route, yes. But the variety is extremely good


390 services between Manchester and Crewe (stopping at Stockport and wilmslow sometimes)
Plenty of 323 services
tons of loco DLCs possible including the class 319 (if it’s set a couple of years back)

 

Oh my !! A short commuter route with 1 or 2 one handle emus.

How fresh and innovative!!

 

Its what the market wants, I mean someone could develop a route with 37s Wheelslipping on massive freights or 50s clocking the ton or Deltics blasting along, instead the crowd wants to hear the 323 whurp whurp whurp sound an collect virtual tickets.

 

You could be onto something here...

 

My thoughts exactly. Even as part of the "younger generation" I'm starting to get tired of it. But I guess we'll wait and see tonight. I'm not holding my breath though. Don't get me wrong I don't mind modern routes but the handling of the traction is just so same-y.

 

Oh please for the love of God don't let the included loco be a 323 again...

 

If its Manchester to Crewe then thats likely I would think.

 

A Scottish route not destroyed by Rivet Games?

That would be nice, wherever it is.

 

A few freight diagrams and then the "beloved" RHTT was layered onto it.

 

I know ATS goes above and beyond with their TSC content. I'm just really hoping they bring something else to the table in terms of locos.

 

You have WCML over shap what are you still complaining about

 

whilst this is a very good theory, unfortunately the curve here looks too tight, and as for the other screenshot, you might have to find the second reference

 

Yeah, one day...

 

As an (un)biased Scottish player I want this to be Inverclyde line, there 380 would be able to do at least 75 mph and not 55

 

Not being funny mate, but in the whole 5 or 6 years of this game we've had 1 modern day route in the North, and an abundance of BR blue routes with the same traction each time. It's boring and the North needs some modernity for once.

 

The buildings definitely look UK.

 

I had that impression as well.

 

You could almost say the same about real life

 

Any chances to find out more about this route on today's steam or will they just tell us what's written in the article?

 

Those blocks are built everywhere in the UK.

 

Go and look at the screenshot, then look at the matched image I sent, then compare the two real quick

 

Alan likes Class 313s, 318s, 320s and 321s.

I remember him filling his pants on YouTube streams and videos whenever one got mentioned. (not literally).

So something including one of those units wouldn't surprise me.

 

I had a feeling it would either be Eastern Region or somewhere in the NW which (by the evidence submitted) is looking likely

 

318 and 320 sometimes occur on Inverclyde line

 

Exactly. There’s a ton of new content coming which covers most of what people want. Creating new routes and locos takes time and effort, plus it has to be worth the developers time - if it doesn’t sell then we get less DLC.

I mean we’re getting some Welsh stuff, some stuff in the Netherlands, some Japan stuff, some modern stuff, some classic 80s BR era stuff. The core base game will be available for FREE if you don’t want any of the bundles. They’re doing a remaster of GWE for FREE.

I swear sometimes people just like to moan and complain. What more do people want!?

 

A Valenta HST Nothing we should be set for a while!

 

Fencing on the right doesn’t look right, in photo it’s lot further back with wide grassy area separating it from track. Or maybe it’s just the photo.

 

The ATS Facebook group/page suggests there will be more to reveal on their Twitch stream tonight, but I can’t see what time it begins or whether the info will be images or stats..

 

It's possible, but it's not an unusual design of block is all I'm saying. Tempting though.

 

I am sure some kind souls will put it here.

 

Good spot, there seems to be a signal that matches in that google view as well.

 

https://www.twitch.tv/alanthomsonsim
This one?

 

That must be it! Has anything been mentioned yet?

 

I briefly thought it was Inverclyde based on the other image; but no.

1. That section of track is in a trench. The track is flat (or almost flat) from Greenock Central to Cartsdyke; but it goes quite a bit below ground at this specific section as it digs into the hill.
2. The bridge over the line (Ratho St) is quite steep (leaning down towards the coast) - the one shown is flat.
3. There are too many houses and are nothing like their real counterparts.
4. The Screenshot looks nice, and, therefore, cannot be Greenock. (Same applies to Manchester, I suppose.)

As for the other screenshot, I thought it was Inverclyde because:
1. The High-Flat and Bridge are both places correctly
2. That section is, definitely, lined with trees - but they're generally dead.

But I realised it wasn't because:
1. The high-flats are quite noticeably wrong*
2. The catenary is wrong (it runs across the tracks, rather than two isolated gantries)
3. There's a second bridge (none irl)

So, while I'm being cautiously optimistic that this post may be wrong and actually help as a bit of early feedback to ATS; my money, ultimately, is on Manchester.

 

Well if you ask:

West Highland line set late 80s, RETB Signalling 37s dominate and 156s are barely a dream in a design office.

An Edinburgh to Glasgow route set in the transition from 27s on push pull to 47/7s.

NTP to be remastered.

Chiltern line set in 2015 68s and Turbo units.

Marshbahn set in 2023.

Birmingham to Gloucester set in 1986.

TSW signalling to be able to re route trains into alternate platforms and goods loops. Rigid routing is immersion breaking in my opinion.

Save game to be sorted.

Weather patterns to be slightly more realistic.

More Buffets for us all to enjoy in train formations.

Other than that some of the TSW5 concepts are a step in the right direction and I suspect the JT route is a 'Take my money now' Purchase.

 

I've heard a fair bit of criticism of their TSC content...

 

Yeah. Your probably right. (Fingers crossed it's a mistake and it's actually Inverclyde tho lol )
Thanks for clearing that up.

 

And also the fence along the line is usually white/silverfish and not green

 

It really does look like the Styal Line, the tower block looks pretty similar (just the white panelling missing) but also look at the bridge in the foreground and the bridge in the distance (which goes over the Mersey) on the approach to Gatley station. As soon as I saw that building I knew exactly where to look on the map as I travel the several times a week

I hope that this is the case as I genuinely thought that the Glossop line was a bit of a damp squib and that Piccadilly - Manchester Airport - Crewe would have been a better route for getting the most out of the 323 (still plenty of stop starts but also faster running) not to mention the ability to add freight between Trafford Park and Crewe (either modelled yards or just pickup/dropoff in stations) - not disparaging the Glossop Line by the way, it is a good route

 

Got this from the discord:
Some info from the ATS stream about their route (they are not announcing what it is)

- ATS has gotten involved in TSW at the start of 3, production of this route has mostly been around the last 6-9 months, all other time has been learning the tools
- They've mentioned about doing Simugraph, not sure if thats for a loco or not
- Route is 33 miles long
- Route is set modern day

My money is on Manchester to Crewe with the airport branch

 

Those two screenshots look amazing.

 

Manchester to Crewe would be a nice addition.

Would really love to see Manchester to Liverpool.

 

33 miles is interesting - that's too short for both the Styal Line and the Stockport route. It's roughly correct for Manchester to Crewe via the Airport but there's also another possible option - a south Manchester network route. Both routes as far as Wilmslow, plus Stockport to Macclesfield comes to 33 miles as well.

 

If it’s 33 miles, that means Stockport isn’t included. What a bummer