I keep hearing people asking for locos that will probably never be released with a route (like the Deltic/Class 55) since their routes already exist in game... and in the wrong era. It's basically a no-go for two solid reasons. However, how hard would it be to suggest another content pack of locos like the "Diesel Legends of the Great Western?" or the cargo packs? Why do that? Pro -It's a "collector's pack" with maybe 3-6 locos in it with maybe some rolling stock. That draws people because variety is proven to psychologically drive increased sales. People consume more, in large part because they can always find something they like. -It sets the basis for future content based on that DLC. "Well if it's already there, might as well use it!" -The locos likely won't ever get in the game otherwise. For example if a train ran out of Edinburgh in real life to Glasgow and there's already two routes out there that go to Edinburgh along that line (Fife and Glasgow) it's just not going to support another route just to make it "era correct." You aren't going to get a new route to launch that loco. Releasing it as a "pack" eliminates that hurdle because there is no expectation for it to "match" that route and era. People already know it's a collector's/heritage pack (often with railtours included on those routes as layers) -Takes much less work than a full route to produce, so you can add more locos/rolling stock for the same amount of work. I'm not getting into the specifics because people will claim they have knowledge of "how much work it takes" when they usually don't... but it's a basic fact that if you aren't making a route, that is development time and skills that can at least in large part be put towards the rolling stock. Even those that can't (let's say a scenery designer can't handle working on a locomotive for one crazy example).... it's still less labor required on making a route, which means less cost at a minimum. Less cost also means less time to make it, meaning it's more profitable for the creator and it's a better deal for the player. Win-win. Cons Some people don't like "rail tours" or non-historical trains. Some people won't buy locos without routes. Some people will complain any selection is "not the one I personally wanted!" It does still take time and money to create anything, so that has to be balanced against making the traditional route/stock. (Although since we have continuous work on expansion packs that aren't routes like cargo 1, cargo 2, etc) that seems to prove it's definitely workable. In short, it boils down to deciding your audience that would buy these packs, and what to put in the packs. The business model is sound as it already exists. It's just a matter of the details. Which, yes means this isn't an exact suggestion in specifics, but more of a general idea that could be left up to polls (and confirmed by pre-orders before a product is game-lit to guarantee an interested market of collectors/players) A few ideas I had? I'd suggest the Class 55 since it's likely not going to be seen. It's era is wrong for most new content (60s to 80s) and it ran on mostly routes that already exist in game. Plus it's the most requested loco I've seen on the forum. The Class 25 is right behind it. Again, lack of routes for it, high demand, and it's era means it's less likely to get in a future route. The "Peaks" Class 44/45/46- They DO run on routes that already exists and is era accurate, but for some reason weren't included. They are similar and can reuse assets. It fleshes out the existing route, which means more sales of Peak Forest too. They ran on other routes that are in game but wrong era too. Region specific packs are an option too. There's plenty of locos in Germany and North America that were never done and probably never will be using the traditional method. What would you most like to see and why? What would it take for you to buy a collector pack? How many locos? What rolling stock? Price limit? Region? If we're talking similar to the content of say the "Diesel Legends" for example that's (for example) 3 locomotives (52, 101, 8) plus 2 coaches (multiple name plates for the 52, but same basic machine) 5 scenarios on 1 route and a timetable. Plus layers between this, NTP and BR Heavy Freight packs. It's still about $23.00. Heavy Freight is about $20.00 and offers 2 locos and 2 wagons with 10 servies, compatible with NTP and Diesel Legends. Cargo Line 1 is $15.00 for 1 loco, 1 wagon, a timetable and 2 layers for other routes. Cargo Line 2 is also $15.00 is 1 loco, 1 wagon, a timetable and 2 layers for other routes So, if 1 loco and 1 wagon with a small timetable plus layers on 2 routes is about $15.00, 2 locos is $20.00, and 3 locos is about $25.00, I can see a pattern here. That'd be a base of $15.00 for a timetable for a couple routes for 1 loco, 1 wagon. Then it's about $5.00 more for each additional loco/wagon. That makes sense because the timetable and layers are a huge time/labor cost to make, so once that's already factored in, it's relatively easy to expand with additional locos once the groundwork is done. So there's your rough template we already have in game. I know people might be leery of $15 for 1 loco, but what 3 locos/wagons would you suggest for say $25.00? What routes would they "acceptably" go on? (Keeping in mind is the idea is that these are mostly not produced locos for a reason and they won't likely be "era appropriate" for existing routes. More what would be the same geographic area or fit a theme? And not what wouldn't you buy.... but what WOULD you buy?
I have previously suggested something along these lines before. I am amazed that there is still so little locomotive dlc when there are many missed opportunities already. I would love to see a plethora of new types released throughout the year to constantly add new gameplay options. I could probably list 30 examples across UK routes that should have been created but for whatever reason they were not. With that said, now that we only get 1 new locomotive with new routes, it should therefore be a given that this is a NEW type and NOT a rehashed version of something that we already have. I can only see this suggestion making a lot of money in the long run.
I agree with the Deltic Class 55. That needs to be in game. Also, a Class 56 and Class 58 for Tees Valley and a Class 70, Class 60, and Class 50 "Hoover" are all needed in game. I think that this idea could be done with US locomotives, too. This idea could give us Amtrak F40PHs, P32-8BWHs, P40DCs, P42DCs, P32AC-DMs, and ALC-42s for existing routes that have Amtrak trains run on them (Cajon: SW Chief; Sand Patch: Capitol Limited; HSC: Pennsylvanian; NEC: P32AC-DM) Then we could get some cool US freight locos for existing routes: -Cajon Pass: BNSF GP60/GP60M(-3)/GP60B, ET44C4/ET44ACH, ES44AC/ES44DC/ES44ACH, C44-9W, SD70MAC, SD75M/SD75I, SD60M(-3), C40-8W/C41-8W -Sherman Hill: SD70ACe-T4, SD90-43MAC, SD70M, C45ACCTE (ES44AC), C45AH (ET44AC), SD60M/SD59MX rebuild, C60AC/C4460AC/C44ACM, GP40N, GP60/GP60E/GP62, Genset Switcher -Sand Patch: ET44AH, ES44AH (including special and heritage liveries), SD70AC (including Operation Lifesaver unit), SD80MAC, CW60AC/ES46AH, ET23DCM/SD23T4, SD40-3, GP40-3, GP38-3, Genset Switcher -HSC: SD70ACU, SD70ACC, SD80MAC, AC44C6M, ET44AC, SD70ACe/IAC, SD70M-2, SD40-2 Admiral Cab, ECO Units (SD33ECO, GP33ECO, etc.), GP60
Loads of train packs are needed, a highly suggested one being the 220 and 221 voyagers or the other LNER 80x trains. The 55 would be a really nice one for rail tours and older routes. of course the class 60 and 70 are needed for all freight but the problem with any modern trains is licensing so the best suggestion is the 55 since you can get licensing fairly easily compared to the rest.
Expanding on the idea, for the US an Amtrak long distance train pack is needed - Genesis loco with Superliners. Back to the UK, well the Class 104 seems to be stuck in development hell, but a Class 108 would go on many of the UK routes we already have. Any of the currently missing UK classic diesels along with a few extra pieces of rolling stock would sell nicely. The biggest hurdle to this probably the user limitations on user editing and creation in TSW compared to TSC. I have bought several of the Matrix coach packs for TSC but none come with any sort of scenario for any route. Up to me to go in the editor and create something myself as necessary. Of course that is reflected in the price, most of the packs are no more than £3 or £4. So anyone creating a pack like this for TSW is going to need to set up some runs on whatever routes they want the items to appear on. Which as we know is neither easy nor very quick to do.
Not even just LNER 80x 800 LNER needed, but could have 803 lumo for AI, 805/7 AWC on WCML etc. 802 TPEs. GWR if do modern timetable. 91 needed too ofc.
I hope DTG and co keep making new trains and new layers and new timetables even for existing routes if the route hasn't changed too much. Could even get an 810 on MML at some point. Like how on BKL we have an old timetable, and a 2021 timetable.
