With a ton of new and legacy rolling stock in the mix I thought I’d poll the community on our favorite free roam rides and custom scenarios. Ones I really enjoyed are: - DB BR423 on the Boston/Providence line with all stops including the new Pawtucket station not modeled in-game. I made this as a proof of concept in support of the MBTA running EMUs on the line to reduce dwell time and emissions while improving accessibility. It’s possible to run a local service in about 45 minutes, down from 70ish with the diesel powered rolling stock. - DB612 on any low speed route with lots of curves, like Clinchfield or West Somerset. With tilt switched on you can safely run at 25mph over the track speed and it’s quite a thrill. - Caltrain rolling stock on the Oakville subdivision to mimic the Toronto commuter rail. There’s a timetable mod out there that’s pretty neat.
The Oakville one is fun I must admit. The F125 runs very well on Fife Circle as a stand-in for the Class 68. Same engine and similar design. We don't have San Diego yet, but the Desiros work well on San Bernadino in the meantime. And of course the Jubilee you can take anywhere and it looks nice.
I live in Leicester and remember when Syston, Sileby and Barrow Upon Soar reopened in 1994, the service was a Leicester-Loughborough shuttle for about a decade (with a couple of late night services extended to Nottingham) and ran with 150s, so I'll often spawn a 150/2 and recreate those days.
This was just seeing how much freight could be hauled with double headers, and bankers. Peak Forest On the Tunstead banking turn with 8f leading and 4f banking, I uncoupled the 4f from the rear and did the run with 8f for slightly more challenge. However I then thought, ok this time I will spawn another 18 wagon ICI train behind the original one, and couple them together. After I completed a run I added more wagons , so I had a huge train of ICI wagons. I then spawned another two 4fs at the rear and a Jubilee to pilot the 8f at the front. This brought the weight of the train to 3,500 tons. As I was getting ready to depart from the Tunstead siding it started raining, so I had to put the sanders on the locos. Setting the path from the rear 4f, I could then use the external camera to adjust the Jubilee controls. Previously I had taken a 2,600 tons train from Tunstead through Peak Forest without using any sanders, as it was dry. Not content with this I spawned a mixed freight at Ambergate, on the front I had Kolhapur piloting and 8f. At the rear I had one 8f, and two 4fs. Total weight of the train was 5,555 tons, 0.6 miles long. I was able to get this going without much fuss, and didn't need the sanders while driving through Crompton High Peak. Next I will try 7,000 tons , obviously the downhill sections can be tricky.. best to keep speed below 20mph.
Starting off at Selhurst Depot at 07:34.00 with the task of assembling an 8-car Southern Unit to be put into Service for Dorking, with stops at Balham, Clapham Junction, and London Victoria, then meeting up with 1R14 for Reigate, through a busy section of the Brighton Mainline. When out of the Depot, I run behind the Stopping Service 2B17 - Sutton to London Victoria, which I once again meet up with in Balham, and overtake at Wandsworth Common. Lots of AI activity in the Depot, and on the trip North which adds to the enjoyment of experiencing a more realistic feel. I tried to add most tags to the Services I see, however the information was scarce around the Depot area so I just left them out. This is part of my player placed toybox in Brighton Mainline. First section of an 8hr continuous Session which spans from Brighton Mainline and East Coastways doing various tasks during a Live Timetable while "roleplaying?" a Southern Worker. The runs are planned and Scheduled, so there is no interrupting any of the AI Services in front or behind me. They are a mix of Player placed Loco's, and meeting up with proper Timetable Services. I am essentially "roleplaying" a worker for Southern, so I'm not sprinting anywhere either, I'm walking... the entire time... However it helps you take in the scenery.
