Simtrack's Br Class 104 & Pfr Improvements

With the October roadmap now out there are no further updates to this release, though it is still on the roadmap, even if there is no timeframe. I do hope they can get it to release as it will be great for the route.

 

Personally I feel it’s dead as a dodo. Even given the fact they were having difficulties there ought to have been more to show than just the greyscale primitive in the 3D modelling programme.

 

I do fear that this may end up being the case, but last time these fears surfaced someone from Simtrack were quick to dampen them. As I say in the post before, the fact it's still on the roadmap is a good sign.

 

True but that was a while back and you would think by now they would be eager to show off their progress.

A classic example of you shouldn't announce something until it's at the point of no return for release.

 

I vaguely recall Matt Peddlesden talking about needing to get DTG developers involved earlier in 3rd party projects many months ago to save them from crucial errors in how they build stuff. I think it was around the same time the 104 was shifted back so I inferred back then that this was referring to the 104 and it’s possibly up for an entire rebuild. Just me spitballing though. I do hope the 104 doesn’t slip into oblivion. The timetable upgrades based on real working timetables still have me extremely exited to return to PFR.

 

I do like PFR but it is very quiet. Been looking forward to this for a while. In the meantime i throw the 101 on there from time to time

 

Would be nice to get some form of update from Sim Track themselves.
Would be nice to see some more early content in the game!

 

I believe st-lucas may be the gentleperson to refer to

 

I think it's safe to say that we've learnt that. The 104 was our original project and we had no clue how long it was going to take (we certainly didn't expect it to be this long). Work is still continuing, albeit slow as we all do this outside of our primary employment etc.

We're hoping to show off our progress in the near future (both for this and the DE loco that we are working on), alongside a proper update to how things are going.

One thing I can definitely confirm is that it isn't as dead as a dodo, and we have been actively working on getting our projects closer to release.

Thank you for the ping, I'd have likely missed this otherwise.

 

I was starting to worry maybe the thing had been secretly scrapped...

Very refreshing to hear it's still making progress and is being worked on. You have no idea how much it'll give Peak Forest it's true potential and breathe life into it... Peak Forest is a fantastic route already and with this added to it will cater for us who have an interest in the transition from steam into the BR Green Era.

 

Appreciate the update and looking forward to seeing some WIP screens. This is one of the more eagerly awaited add ons so please forgive the impatience!

 

I'm hoping that Simtrack are not making this DLC exclusive to Peak Forest, as that route is basically abandoned since DTG scrapped all steam projects.

Releasing loco DLC for a dead route seems suicidal from a business standpoint, as you are sabotaging sales of your own product.

One possible solution is to release the class 104 in an additional BR blue/grey livery. These DMUs were very common visitors at Blackpool North in the 1980s, and could provide Simtrack with a lot of additional sales.



Does anybody NOT own Blackpool Branches route DLC at this point?

st-lucas

 

Spot on could not agree more,also many thanks to the developer for the reply.

 

Yes, it's very relevant for the Blackpool route, one of the first trains I remember seeing as a kid.

 

To be fair this was said.

So I'd don't think there'd be any needs to make sure does well, any actual sales are just a bonus. theoretically no one could end up buying it and they would still be fine. More people being able to play it with actual timetable services would be nice, don't get me wrong, but they aren't doomed to a homeless shelter if this "fails".

 

Hasn’t this dlc and timetable improvement been in development for literally ages?

 

Yes. Reading between the lines of what the developer has said, looks like it went back to the drawing board. Also very much a part time project the folk are doing in their spare time. Hopefully it will appear at some point but I do concur it might now be better off as a BR Blue version coming in on BPO rather than PFR, though would still be nice to see on the latter.

 

I hope we do see a blue version for Blackpool branches, not blue/grey as only a few in Scotland and one experimental half engined version carried it. It could also feasibly be used on the Morecambe branch.

I wouldn't want to see it at the expense of a green one for PFR though.

 

This. I get that some on here would rather forget PFR exists for various reasons (like the abandoned steam physics and weird end points), but the promised timetable improvements for PFR are the main reason I’m excited even more-so than the DMU itself. By all means, include additional variations and layers if possible (like JT did with the Pacer) but don’t abandon PFR again.

 

Jt proofed how extra miles can be achieved. Blackpool is a phenomenal route on top a huge variety with its strong timetable. And tons of liveries for the pacer and 47.

I agree every dev is free to go an extra mile too..., excuses wont make a product better

 

The fact it's for a route which isn't inherently gonna get DLC or extra support is part of what makes it interesting in my book. I'm very much in the boat that's just as interested in seeing the timetable as seeing the engine itself. Wouldn't be as interested if it was just a BR Blue 104 that subs into Blackpool or some other BR Blue route's timetable.

Furthermore while a BR Blue variant would be great, I just don't see that realistically happening when they're already taking longer than expected. I'm reminded of the conversations talking about possible adding in a BR Green diesel like the 45 as part of the pack when it was first announced. Generally I think most agreed it would be neat sure, but highly unlikely, and not needed when a new timetable on its own is a pretty significant value add and undertaking for a locomotive DLC as is. And that's only gotten less likely if they're overtime as is, adding in more complexity to the product isn't gonna help if you're already struggling with what's on your plate already.

 

Wishful thinking, but it would be nice if the delay was because DTG are collaborating to rework the route into PFR 2.0, extending to Derby and Manchester. Then along with the 104 we also get the green Class 45. We can but dream…

 

Peak Forest is one of the few UK routes I don’t own, but would extremely tempted with this release. Anything new adding variety is most welcome.

 

PFR is a pretty stunning route in terms of scenery and I love the fact it’s a recreation of a line which only partially still exists. The scenarios were also top tier but was just spoilt by the bare bones timetable and lack of loco variety. Looks like if this pack ever surfaces then it should remedy that so potentially a day one purchase for me.

 

I don't have it. I got TSW4 really late and haven't played it much, but only on the updated WSR without buying any new routes since, but just a few loco DLCs. On the other hand I have Peak Forest, so I'm eagerly awaiting release of Class 104.

 

PFR what a cracking route, let down by a lack lustre timetable, such a shame.

 

Plus the fact it should have gone to Derby at the south end…

 

Plus the fact that there should have been far more paths opened up in the route for use in scenarios etc.
(But, perhaps. someone is working on that ).

 

Surely they can rework PFR to the early diesel era with the odd splash of steam (bit like the gala timetable for WSR). The route is too good to ignore, just chronically under timetabled at its release. So a rework of a near all diesel era, 10 years on, type in green or blue would almost make it a fresh DLC. As mentioned above, like LIRR 2, PFR 2 the next era would be great, just please make more use of the industry at the side of it all.

 

Don't forget the DB BR218 loco DLC that was in development hell for years.

Everybody was getting hyped like crazy for its release, expecting the greatest thing ever.... It ended-up being just another basic £15 loco DLC, then everybody got depressed and forgot the thing existed the next day.

Things are never certain with TSW.

 

What? Do you mean the 218? It’s a fabulous DLC and one I make use of almost every time I open TSW for some free roam adventures. Who got depressed and forgot it existed?

 

Yes the 218 is a superlative DLC. Makes Maintalbahn tolerable to drive, just a shame it didn’t get a Journey mode on there.

 

If you move Peak Forest 10 years forward half the route is closed...

 

Well, I can see why someone who doesn't happen to enjoy at least one of Hamburg-Lübeck, Maintalbahn, or Free Roam Adventures, would end up being disappointed by the 218. It's a really good, fun loco let down by the routes it currently has gameplay on. I'm sure this problem will solve itself in time, though.

Either way, I think this is a very 218-specific problem that doesn't really have much to do with the 104.

 

It doesn't need to be moved forward, in the year it is set, 1963, it would have been about a 50/50 split of steam and diesel on the expresses, with locals mostly dominated by DMUs. As mentioned above the later you go with this route the more it declines into abandonment, underusage and a cycle path.

 

Agreed there is no evidence to suggest people have forgotten it.

It probably isn't mentioned because it is such a good DLC and people are busy playing with it.

 

I honestly don't know if this were mentioned in one of the threads discussing the reveals of the advent event DTG are doing, but there are so many replies there that I haven't caught up and I never clocked this in the videos either, so credit goes to tft#6439 for putting this on my radar, so thanks mate. What this is, is a new screenshot from Simtrack which is of the Covhop which will be part of these new updates. This is good to see as it does just add that extra reassurance of this coming along nicely and hopefully being with us soon.

 

Original 104 model in grey early Feb.
Now mid December and we have a grey hopper.

Surely the 104 is near complete, or at least in its final render/colour?

Nearly a year in, so I'd hope that we would be closer to release than this update makes it feel.
Will always take quality and time over a fast buggy release, but a steer on it would be great. Even if it's just to say they have decided do a much bigger upgrade to get it to TSW5 standards hence the push back.

 

nice to see some additional content other than the 104. freight wagons is what this route needs as much as a few new locos.

this is the thing that i dont get. (I've mentioned this in another post) is why the 104 and PFR are being linked together. maybe one of the devs could answer this. its not meant to knock the work they are doing just seems an odd choice.

reason being is they never worked the route (or most of it). based at longsite they would of run man-Picc to hayfield and buxton LNWR and with Buxton's small allocation the Buxton-millers dale runs only. the through trips were run out of Man central and were all loco hauled. the derby and Sheffield locals running via Stockport tiviot dale to connect with the expresses at chinley which had come via Cheadle heath.

the route was all about freight, looking at the 1950 WTT there were 6 manchester londons EW and 5 derbys locals EW add on parcels services for a total of 27 pax/parcel movements out of 131 movements though monsel dale in 24 hours gives some idea on what the route was about and what it was brought into TSW for, for me its start points were right for this reason. it was just a shame at the time there was never enough loco/wagon content to fill it to its potential. im sure simtrack will do a good job to expand on this

 

The 104 would have a big purpose on the Blackpool Branches route in all over blue. They worked all the lines on this route in the time depicted. Can't comment on PFR it's before my time.

 

A screen dump from a 3D modelling programme sadly is a long, long way from a completed asset.

 

Screen shots of the 104 on Blackpool Branches will be flooding the forums on release day, along with a dozen BR Blue repaints.

I think it's pretty much a guarantee at this point.

 

It does what it says on the tin. Not sure what else people wanted from it. Was sorely needed as a German diesel.

 

Yeah, although temper that with any expectation it'd be a "new model specific to BPO." That's what people will demand (because this headlight/seat is wrong" but a dev that takes that long to get a product to market in their free time would probably just make a new livery for it.
Would it layer in, or substitute? Since it's not hauling anything, I could see it being a Pacer/101 substitute to make things easy.

 

bit before my time too I'm still (just) the right side of 40 just have a love for history and learning from it

BPO couldn't agree more on for the 104, and the same with NTP as newton heath still had a good allocation into 1986 so both would be a good fit.

IMO the 104/PFR rework maybe would work better as two different upgrades. the 104 has a lot more to potential layered into other routes. I'm not saying don't add it to PFR if its in green. but it could be a better direction rather than packaged up into a PFR/104 upgrade.

 

Looking at the roadmap today, I think a glimmer of hope has been lost from the roadmap graphic. Hopefully it is not dead, dead, but this isn't the news I were hoping for today I must say.

 

It is very unfortunate. I'm not sure how since that original non textured image came out over a year ago we've had nothing substantial since. You have to wonder what happened for it to derail so spectacularly. As it was supposed to release a year ago.

Apparently they're still working on it but nothings really changed in over a year honestly

 

As OldVern had been saying for sometime, it's essentially become vapour ware!

No hope for it by the looks of it. Looks like its finally been buried... No matter what we are told about it 'just being pushed back' or 'taking longer then expected', the bloody things been on the roadmap forever, so we can safely say its dead.

An incredible shame, as PFR is a really well made route and could of done with extra layers and content.

 

Yes, shame and the 104 would have been great for Blackpool and NTP.

 

The BR 420 also eventually came back from the dead, so there is still a chance it releases in about 3 years time!