Dovetail Games West Coast Main Line: Preston - Carlisle Preview Q&a Thread

How long did this route take? And did your experience from Blackpool branches help speed up the development process?

 

What were the biggest challenges developing this route and what was the process of building the 87 and the route. Who was the engineer who was involved?

 

1. Will the 142, 101 and IC coaches come with new announcements?

2. Besides neutral sections and applying too much power causing MCB trips can anything else go wrong the with 87? Some sort of fault simulation?

3. Can we have a look at the roof & undercarriage detail on the 87?

4. Why go for such an ambitious route?

 

Is there a period of research integrated into part of the route development or do you do the research before? Is the year allocated just to development of scenery and how do you cross reference the scenery with real life. What sources do you use? Particularly timetables?

 

Can you do guard mode with the rail tours involving the steam locos or not? If so, what is the button for dispatch?

 

Will the Mk3 Coaches and the Mk2 Coaches be available in formation designer? The Mk2 Coaches from Blackpool Branchlines didn't appear in formation designer on Train Sim world 4 and is still the case on TSW 5 to this day

 

My only real question is for DTG and their other associates - assuming all goes well, have you taken heed of what JT will achieve with this route? A long main line run, interesting motive power and a massive timetable all to a seemingly high standard of finish.

Oh and what bugs/core fixes to the state of TSW5 have been made in readiness for this keynote release?

 

Will the class 87 be added as AI traffic in Blackpool Branches at Preston?

 

Two part question:
1. How do JT get the exhaust emissions to look so realistic, with it rolling around the loco when in station etc, it's different to any other developer including Dovetail. Is it a time intensive process etc?

2. Is this exhaust emission JTs intellectual property, or is it open for other developers to take on board to further assist/promote realism in the game.
For me it would be great for this to become the standard of all non electric locos going forward.

 

Are there any aws gap areas at Preston etc.

 

Are players able to manually place tail lamps on coaching or freight rolling stock? This has long been a huge immersion killer for me, so I’m hoping it’s something JT have control over or whether it requires a lot of work from DTG to the core game. So excited for this route though!

 

For many of us, this will be a real blast from the past with memories from our childhoods and younger years. Was it similar for yourselves when making this route?

 

My question is regarding the branded Freightliner containers is that a license that is available to be used and if so could we see that in future UK content?

 

Will Kingmoor yard include the 14MU sidings?

 

Will there be any guard mode ? On railtours ?

 

Are there any plans for the additional DLC of a class 86? This would be quite easy in my inexperienced opinion to implement as the changes are mostly cosmetic & it would be a great addition to the line for passenger & freight.

 

Will there be voice announcements like in Blackpool branches? It’s seems like the guard coach may have it in conductor mode.

And, ooh, have I been waiting for this!!!

 

Do you need all the BR blue add-ons to activate the additional services? For example if I only had TVL and Class 31, would I still be able to play those without the other DLC?

 

Can you tell us if anyone is more excited for this route than TinTin_57? ;-)

 

I'll happily fight you for that title!!

 

I have posted a similar comment elsewhere but for the sake of the Q&A, can the requirement to take action at neutral sections be switched off so that more casual users or people like me who like to get a feel for the route and the train before progressing to more advanced features, have the option of enjoying the route without the engine cutting out every few minutes?

 

I am so looking forward to this route
My only concern is how well it will run on Xbox Series S. My Dad used to take me to Hest Bank and Lancaster when I was younger so I have very fond memories of this route and traction.

 

A question I ask is whether the liveries for the 87s are set for each loco? I feel I need to explain what I mean, and so essentially will, for example 87004 always appear in one particular livery, or could it change in each session you do?

 

Gentlemen, I have dedicated a line of my signature to what this route brings for way over a year now. I think this fight ends here with the title in my hands!

(Apologies for the two posts in a row, I got overexcited about posting my question!)

 

#Roundhouse kick to the chuddlies!

 

I just want to say, I absolutely love the era this is set in and this isn't a complaint or criticism type question... But what made the year 1986 stick out in particular, opposed to a year slightly earlier in the 1980s or year slightly later in the 1980s?

 

Probably just to tie in with Blackpool Branches I expect

 

Will we get a MK3 DVT and a hst in intercity swallow and the original livery and a different engine paxman valenta

 

Has the horn been upgraded on the 101 as part of the audio improvements? Cheers

 

Will the new Class 47 variants layer and be playable in Blackpool Branches?

(This also includes the Mk3 coaches)

 

Making such a milestone with this release which almost can't be topped, Can you share some light on aims, ideas or directions for future content of Just Trains? (no plans of course - Not want any leaks)

Would steam eventually be a thing you're interested in?

Anyways, congratulations on this release. The length of the route plus its service variety already is outstanding.

 

Interesting question, Would you say you are the king of third party in TSW?

 

Will the 87 layer as ai on Blackpool Ormskirk?

 

Will class 08 number 08744 be included or layer in from Blackpool Branches as that was based in Preston?

 

I'll gladly give you a challenge, if you don't already know it by now.

 

I'll answer this one here, no it seems :P

 

Yeah I understand.

That's enhances the question to why both were chosen to be specifically set in 1986. (And just to reiterate, this isn't a criticism I absolutely love the era and wouldn't change it). Is there some specifically about 1986 that sticks out?

 

Are there any on screen indicators that you’re approaching neutral sections or is it a case of route learning? (Not a complaint if it is, just curious)

 

Does the Class 87 have a vigilance system installed?

Is there a guard's signal for dispatch on the 87?

 

This would be amazing. To think we are into the fifth iteration of Train Sim World, and we still don’t have a Valenta HST is criminal!. The Armstrong Powerhouse enhancement for TSC is incredible!.

 

Will the full timetable be available on Series S? Or, will it have the gen 8 timetable? Or, will it be somewhere in between? Will the answer to these questions even be known before the route is released?

 

There’s a sign by the line side which gives you advance warning of a neutral section:


Start to run the tap changer down when you pass it, and you’ll have power off by the time you reach the neutral section commencement board:

 

Jt did say earlier they aren't interested in steam due to how poor the steam simulation is

 

Just out of interest, what’s the point of this Q&A thread if most of the questions were ignored in the stream?

 

Just noticed a small error in the Preview stream. 3.6 miles out of Penrith you cross a junction on a right hand curve that hasn't been super elevated so the loco jolts violently from side to side as it crosses the points. And then a few feet after there is another junction that is super elevated and crosses it smoothly. I believe they are called the Clifton and Lowther crossovers. I'm not sure if this can be fixed prior to release?

 

Not sure if it has corrected by now, but in the last Dev Blog, the coach numbers were wrong - the RFBs should be 100xx and FOs 110xx. They were the opposite way round on the photos.

 

It was a brilliant stream and a definite day one purchase for me

 

Is it an error, or is that how the track is?