third parties have been much more involved with tsw over the last few years, so i was just curious to see which third party route people think is the best. i am pretty certain already what most people will pick, but everyone has their preferences side note, im not trying to make another spam poll. a few of you may remember that a few months ago i mentioned that i had to do some small surveys as part of my study, and this is one of them. thanks everyone for your contributions
apologies, i accidentally posted the thread before i’d finished the options. all the third party routes are there and the poll is set to 3 choices
How is this even a question? Just look at the quality and all the rolling stock that Blackpool offers. And I say that without even owning the route, lol
Agree with BPO but for me that place is also shared with Niddertalbahn. You cant ask for the best third parties and ignore TSG MML is okay.... But not even close to those Routes pretty much in any aspect
Taking into account the quality of the route and the variation rather than the length, Blackpool Branches stands head and shoulders above the rest. Having said that, and to give Rivet their due, I also like IOW 22 (through strictly speaking, this was released as a Class 484 DLC with the route included as a bonus, making it excellent value for money). It’s only short and only one train but I find it great for a quick spin.
everyone has different preferences. lots of people won’t own blackpool because it’s not their favourite era or route type
I don't have TSG's route so can't comment on it, though from what I have seen people put on here its replay-ability were rather low which, no matter the quality, is going to impact the value for money. I'd agree with what you say on MML before the vast updates and Cargo Line series, but it is certainly the runner up to BPO in my book now.
niddertalbahn is a good wind-down route at the end of a long day. i’d say it’s the second-best route visually behind BPO but you’re right that there is limited replayability
If you're looking for value for money, avoid anything made by Rivet Games... Best choice currently is Blackpool Branches. Niddertalbahn is a close second, but Blackpool has a lot more gameplay variety simply because of the nature of the route. WCML Shap is looking to take the crown when it releases though, I imagine it will hold that place for the rest of the TSW franchise's lifespan as well.
Nidd is very good but essentially it’s the German equivalent of WSR, other than not being a heritage line. Very slow and little variety in terms of service, offset by slightly nice scenery and superb attention to route building. IMHO it should have got a layer and even Journey for the 218, more so than Maintalbahn.
Think the question was meant rhetorically! As there's no Shap option, it has to BPO. Save for the fact Dad built the 142's, I cabbed all of them before they even had cabs and I therefore have no bias, Blackpool is the correct answer! 142 aside (side to side!!), the variety of services on BPO, coupled with it's sheer quality (yes I know it had the odd issue). Within the routes provided on the poll it stands head and shoulders above all of them on initial and on going issues, basically it's was as near perfect as we've ever had on TSW. Hopefully, if not in the future, they add the Shap layers to BPO if only for traction swaps at Preston for Blackpool trains. I will state that I don't several of the routes (cough, cough anything by rivet) for exactly the reason the poll asks. I'd much rather waste that money on cocaine and hookers!! Niddertalbahn I would say looks pretty good from what I've seen so that would be my number 2.
Yes waste! That's on top of the monthly budget for them!!! #Dumroll for the youths. What do I think of Euthanasia? Much the same as the youths in Europe! I'm here all week ladies and gentlemen, be sure to try the steak
The question wasn't "which one is your favorite route", it was "which is the best value". Objectively Blackpool Branches gives you the best route quality and most rolling stock. I mean tell me another route that gives you 3 locomotives in 8 variants total, and also 6 wagons straight out of the box, not including the insane ammount of layers. Even if you don't like the era or theme Blackpool Branches offer, you can't deny that objectively it will offer you the best value for your money when compared to other routes. Like Niddertalbahn is also regarded as one of the best routes, but it also only gives you 2 trains and a single freight car.
Yes I wonder if the OP meant best value or best route. It probably is Blackpool overall. Niddertalbahn I feel is as good as quality as Blackpool. In terms of re-playability I think Fife Circle offers quite a lot although more so with the community timetable. The post Leven branch timetable will offer more variety. I am probably in the minority here but I find I rarely fire up MML. Yes it looks very good now and has had some layers but I just don't find it fulfilling to drive. The Intercity services are over too soon. I don't like the fact that pretty much all of the "local" services come and go off map.
I believe that value for money is subjective. Some people I know wouldn't shell out a penny for the Expert 101, but others may believe that it's a bargain at twice the price. Some people value the detail of the 101, others think it's a waste of money that could otherwise go towards a British route.
I had been getting tempted for a £7.50 Edinburgh To Glasgow (Rivet Sale) based on being tempted to have a full Scotrail fleet. Sure I would regret it so have spent the money on beers for the weekend.
appears i’ve caused a bit of confusion by not being clear. i am taking ‘value for money’ to mean you can enjoy it enough to be worth what you paid. this includes rolling stock, engagement and overall immersion
Niddertalbahn with the modern-day timetable is so amazing. The route is beautiful already, but I feel like only now with the RMV 642 on it, passing a rush-hour 218+Dosto train and seeing the RMV S-Bahn trains and the occasional ICE in Bad Vilbel it feels truly alive and no longer like it's a lovely museum.
Blackpool is by far the best 3rd party route available right now...I also voted for Nidd and Island Line 2022. I really liked Rivet's work on the 2022 version of IoW with the Class 484 (esp with the branding mod which adds the correct livery)
