Upcoming Release Pfälzische Ludwigsbahn - Timetable Deep Dive

there are several reasons why that dtg explained multiple times already. The main reason is the testing process becomes much more complicated and time consuming if there is only 1 single version of a loco because one change affects every single dlc it has services on and therefore dtg has to test it on every single route and every future route the loco layers into. That means in the long run, it becomes unsustainable to test. Imagine having to test a single loco in 50+ routes because there is only variant compared to just 1 if they created multiple versions. There just isn't a better way to do it unfortunately

The other reason is when the route was built. Routes built way back in tsw2020 compared to tsw5 is very different. If there are any changes in physics for example, you run into issues on older routes that weren't built to handle changes in physics. Look at gwe for example. The timetable was built for the original 166 physics. Later, the preservation team updated the physics on the 166 to be more realistic which meant all the timings the original tt was built on are all wrong and you are unable to get to stations on time. Unless they rebuild the timetable from scratch which they are currently doing, it is unable to handle the physics.

 

So the Stream looked good, but there are 2 major things which should be fixed.

1. The yard in Ludwigshafen (Betriebswerk Ludwigshafen) is always filled with BR425s and Dostos and Locos like the BR111. Its never as empty as it was shown in game. It looked dead!

2. At the Ludwigshafen Mitte Station, the entrance from Berliner Platz is missing completely and the road near the station has a small roof between road and station. This must be fixed as Berliner Platz is right at the station and also acts himself as a hub for various tram and bus services.

 

Unfortunately, I do think the stream showed clearly that the route is not ready for release. I mean, they spent more time talking about all the missing things they promise will come in a patch than about what’s actually there. Lukas even confirmed that they didn’t finish the timetable for release (as indicated by the entries in the ‘known issues’ list). I mean, if the completion of the timetable is not a relevant metric for deciding if a route is ready, then what is? That’s not even mentioning that Lukas apparently found even more things not in the release build while on stream (he noticed a missing parking building apparently?).

I still want to get the route as it’s somewhat local to me, but not for full price or at least not before the route is actually finished with the next patch(es). Also not before I get some confirmation about its state on PS5.

Speaking of which, Matt gave a very nondescript answer for PS5 players. They’re working on incremental improvements to performance and this route should perform better. No mention of blurry textures at all and no confirmation that this route will not crash.

 

In Germany, the Dosto cab car is the worst offender. So yeah, you can drive a VVO cab car in Cologne. But who would?

 

Hardly any passengers on any station at all throughout the entire stream.

Weird light baking issues on several tunnels.

Passengers walking along the tracks at 2 stations on the stream.

Off map destinations not working [no timeline on fix]

Timetable not finished [if WCMLs is anything to go off it might never be finished]

Missing station assets as mentioned by Lukas

They couldn't find the stones collectables anywhere on the route

Very few trains running [as answered by the timetable not being finished]
Yards totally empty of any trains

No new trains for the route, for established players its just recycling old content

Cars driving on the wrong side [as mentioned twice on stream by Matt]

It's a real shame that DTG is happy to keep releasing unfinished content to it's players, what's more of a shame is people spend their hard earned money and are happy with this practice. After the most recent joke of a route WCMLs I will not buy anything that's unfinished.

 

Reading the above, they should not even be considering releasing this and if they are going ahead, should be at an early access price, less than £20.

Sorry to say as I have no disrespect for any individual at DTG, but the TSW side of the operation seems in total disarray. Not getting a professional vibe at all. Whether this is due to Focus issuing financial directives and targets or simple apathy within their own organisation, it does not bode well for the future of the project. I am still looking forward to the Cardiff and Dutch routes but I shall be watching very carefully what state they are in before parting with money.

At this rate, DTG’s reputation will be getting worse than Aerosoft or TML Studios for shoddy releases.

 

This is getting kind of ridiculous. Who makes these routes? Is there a lone developer tucked away somewhere in that giant office slaving away on it for minimum wage? Sometimes I get the impression you guys see it for the first time yourselves on stream, ONE week before release, and still noticing issues. Is there no definition of done in your development cycle or do you just want to uphold the status quo of most frequent releaser of new content as a publisher no matter what state it is in?

 

Just seems to be no professionalism at all. Get a vibe at times a bunch of kids could run it better. We know it’s a niche product but all the more reason to ensure products are finished and top quality, bearing in mind the asking price and the fact this is a route those of us with most of the existing German routes have no real incentive to buy. As per my previous comments above!

 

Didn't watch the stream, but judging by the posts above, my resolution to skip this route has never been stronger. If the route really is in THIS state with so many issues all across the board (PIS, services, timetables, environment, gameplay...), it should definitely NOT be released now, just to satisfy a self-inflicted deadline. Or it's Maintalbahn all over again.

 

Frankfurt practically doesn't crash on PS5 Pro anymore, but the blurring is absolutely unbearable and makes the map unplayable.....

 

We can get as upset as we want, but the thing will be released on time. Whatever the cost.

The fact that DTG is now announcing bugs and missing content in advance is a new dimension.

 

This is literally called the virtual world

 

I think part of the issue is that train simulations are a niche product. Imagine it were a big thing and the big guys like Sony or Electronic Arts or Microsoft (Activision) were in on it. I have never seen any glitches in OFFICIAL preview streams for Call of Duty, Gran Turismo of GTA.

 

Gran Turismo is in a different league, if something goes wrong, everything is fixed within a few days, a week at most, updates are free and everything is in high-end quality

 

I wonder how Steam, Epic, PS and Xbox stores feel about this, given that none of the TSW DLC is marketed as "Early Access" clearly marketing unfinished content surely leaves DTG open to having their content pulled off sale?

 

Having seen the transmission I can only say that it is a perfect route to wait as long as it takes to buy it at an 80% discount.

 

I think we already have a lot of experience with the fact that TSW5 (DTG) lives its own life and the few of us here who have a problem with it are practically not interested, and the European or German community, I would say based on their approach to the FTF map, is somewhere at the bottom of the priorities ..... the state of the currently released map confirms this after all .....

 

The thing is, they’ve been at it for a while now with TSW, you’d think they’d have a pretty solid foundation by now for how to build a route and everything that comes with it. And still every route comes with the same and new issues that do not get resolved for months, if ever.
Instead of releasing a new route every month, I’d rather they invest more time and money in quality, testing, and core features like functioning PIS. If you’re really that desperate for a steady cash flow, just make it a subscription, because this well is running dry eventually and we all know the cycle will start over with something like Train Sim Planet or something. In its current form I don’t ever see the quality improve. Releasing the most content of any games publisher isn’t something to be proud of.

 

As I’m a usual defender of DTG, this is the worst preview stream I’ve seen of any route since TSW was originally released. How can you have a preview stream for a route that simply is nowhere near finished. It was a little embarrassing for those hosting. I knew it was a disaster when you had passengers stepping in front of trains and walking off platforms within the first few minutes. Please DTG, pause the release until it’s at least almost ready. This is really shoddy and makes it look like you don’t give two hoots about your customers who pay your wages. Who in the right mind would pay full price for this?

 

I digress a bit
Let's hope that the 1989 map from TSG will be better executed, I still think that the release of Mittenwaldbahn was intentionally delayed by DTG, under normal circumstances we would probably be discussing the stream from Mettenwaldbahn right now.....

 

Was last night’s stream based on the final build? If it was then l agree the release should be delayed. I was interrupted last night and only watched 60% of the stream, l am watching it in full tonight and have to say l was very impressed with the scenery especially around the stations. There is a drivers view of the route on YT which l plan to watch to compare, but initially it looks good and l will definitely buy on release.

DTG should never release a route knowing they have to follow the release with a patch. That’s not good to please customers.

 

At least they acknowledge the issues that needs to be fixed. Unlike West Coast Main Line South they said nothing or whatsoever, instead answering a question on the likes of 'Does the 390 have diesel mode?'

 

PLEASE finally update the BR 406 with multiple system support instead of just new monitors.....

 

I fell asleep after the first hour. Doesn't seem like I missed much, but maybe that's best for me (in a positive way).

I saw some new interesting stations, saw the route change from a straight race track to a bendy scenic route just before I dozed off, got my two questions answered by dtg_jan today (big thanks btw), and am looking forward to the new layers since I have all continental european DLC in my library so I'm still able to be surprised by it once it releases. Also me falling asleep mid-stream doesn't have anything to do with the stream, I'm just really knackered these past few days from work and grey winter weather.

I'm also starved for new german content by now, there hasn't been a german route released since Frankfurt - Fulda with TSW5 back in September and in the past two months I've bought and spent much more time in Euro Truck Simulator 2 and Derail Valley Simulator than in TSW5.

Of course I wished for a new train or at least some new carriages or goods wagons but at this point I'll take any new thing that comes my way and make the most of it. Also hoping for community mods to enhance the route maybe. I'm still spoiled by the Salzburg - Rosenheim mod by FreddieTheShepherd . As few stations as that route has, it still makes me smile the most because of all the added details and sounds.

 

I saw this from dtg_jan in another thread:
Q. What are the improvements to the rolling stock that were mentioned?
A: The DB BR 406 ICE3M received upgraded screens, the DB BR 425 has improved light behaviour, the DB BR 111 is the improved version from the recently released Gameplay Packs.

I am wondering if any of the locos got suspension updates. I think the 185.2 from BSR has it, but I am not sure about the others. It would be nice to have a definitive list from DTG.

Also, are there any seasonal services on the route? If so, what months do they operate? A definitive list of seasonal services for various routes would also be nice to have.

 

Anybody knows that the remaining 13 ICE 3 M (Siemens Velaro Series) trains will retire in June this year. They will be replaced with ICE 3 Siemens Neo trains. Explanation is that the Velaro needs much more maintenance than the Neo.

 

The main thing is that the 185.2 doesn't have a problem with cabin 2 and doesn't drive more than 2 km/h.

 

You mean the remaining 406, which is not called Velaro.
The 407 (Velaro D) will still remain. The 406 were already replaced by 408 (Velaro MS) last year on their main routes from Cologne to Amsterdam and Brussels.
We don't have any Velaro Novo in Germany, even the 408 is just a "normal" Velaro.

 

Time for DTG to make an ICE 3neo or Velaro D then
(Could be an idea for TSW6)

 

well that is a good idea

 

Impressive and by the way there has to be a second version of SNCF TGV Duplex that is properly it put for this route it is called Euroduplex 15kv 16.7hz. FYI TGV under 15kv 16.7hz AC wires actually use the DC pantograph for Germany and Austria 1.95m strip but the French 25kv pantograph is wired for the Swiss system 1.45m strip for the same voltage. Use the wrong pantograph on the 15kv version of the duplex you will power lock yourself

 

After reading your posts and some others, i went from a "85 % discount" buy to a simple "no buy..".

I dont miss fife circle either, which was a hard No buy.

 

I found Fife Circle marginally better than Edinburgh to Glasgow but it just shouts Rivet from every corner. Initially I quite liked the 170 but that faded after starting to notice weird scraping noises as the speed rose or going round corners which persisted on the straight bits. Certainly glad I didn’t pay full price and should really have waited for a bargain 80% off.

I see Ludwig going that way. DTG obviously getting desperate to push it as yet another tout for the route on their Facebook feed this morning. Trying to direct people to the YT clip of the stream which, as I’ve pointed out, was low res so didn’t show the route at its finest, presented in a rather bored fashion and completely failed to address any of the “hard talk” questions asked in the Q&A. Also demonstrated unless you have a particular personal interest in the route or area it offers little we don’t already have in Germany already. The effort far better spent doing something more of a crowd pleaser and money spinner. Like Berlin Ringbahn.

 

Has the disconnect between DTG and the community ever been this big? There are no serious questions about content being answered anymore. As a few have said the real and valid questions in the Q and A threads are being ignored on streams. Are DTG just at the point of sweeping everything under the rug? Are DTG at breaking point? Does make me wonder in all honesty.

 

I think too many times DTG have made a passing remark, a forum comment, a stream speech, a published post that then they don't follow through with, and many a time the community come back with an expectation that said declaration be disingenuous or marketing claptrap. To this I feel like DTG have moved to not making comment unless it be something matter of fact. This includes not responding to comments that have a negative connotation, because like you rightly say, its easier to sweep an issue under the rug, than head it off and turn a negative into a positive! This is in stark contrast to Rivet Games, who just do not involve themselves with the community and appear to have a carefree attitude in how they operate.

 

This is a bit harsh on Fife Circle, in my opinion. It has its faults, but it’s definitely not comparable to the new German route for a few reasons:

• It comes with new rolling stock.
• It isn’t a simple end-to-end route, with many paths and branches available (each service is a combination of Edinburgh & Forth Bridge + Fife Circle West or East + (optionally) Markinch or Leven). There are even some secret Linlithgow-Waverley services if you have the Edinburgh-Glasgow route, plus the fully modeled Winchburgh loop that branches off east of Linlithgow towards the Forth Bridge, but is (to my knowledge) unused in service mode.
• It has some unique landmarks like the coastline, the Firth of Forth with the Forth Bridge and the entire Edinburgh area (although most of the latter is based on the Edinburgh-Glasgow add-on’s scenery).

 

For me, the best route in history is Preston - Carlisle, especially because of the precisely processed traffic, including shunting, departing locomotives, locomotive changes in the head of the train, etc. And surprisingly, the performance runs quite well on PS5, and there is almost no blurring of textures, sometimes on Mk2 or Mk3 there are transition stripes on the side
The latest TSW5 update has slightly worsened the smoothness of running along the track

 

Me too!
I believe the only change - despite it is nice and a important one - will be the increase of traffic.
But considering Koln - Aachen, as being an "iconic" route of TSW, I believe it deserves to have the 3D clouds too!

Same that will be implemented for the GWE remaster!

What do you think?

 

Also noticed it on other stream and it's so sad they didn't added the working phantographs

 

when is it going live on Steam?

 

If you really insist on buying it (!) usually around 1700 GMT.

 

If you have a few hours spare, have a look at my stream from yesterday's preview. This was the PS5 version.

https://www.youtube.com/live/nXPVufIlAA8?si=3oE5UGU4XkpYnVMq

My thoughts, it's a nice route, it's dissapointing that there are no new trains. To be honest I don't know what else runs on the route. Personally it kind of reminds of Rurh sieg Nord, main spessart bahn and Haupstrecke Rhein ruhr routes all rolled into one.
For me one of the dissapointing things is the lack of traffic. I understand this timetable was built around a construction timetable on the line.

It's not a bad route. Would I recommend it. Well if you like the three routes I mentioned above then you may well like this. Is it worth it. Well to me maybe but to you..... at the end of the day, do you think you are going to get enough enjoyment out of it to warrant paying the full price?
That's entirely upto you.

Hentis

 

From YouTube streams, it looks like both the 425 and the ICE have suspension updates.

 

That's correct.

 

still no update for the 442 suspension? maybe 2035 with a Berlin route.

 

The 442 isn't included with this dlc

 

The ICE 3M also has working multisystem Phantographs

 

Yes, I saw that. Although it's still visually quite buggy, man, I am happy it finally does. Good job with that DTG!

EDIT: I wonder if it would be possible to carry over these updated train versions to, like, the Koln to Aachen DLC together with the relase of its new timetable!
EDIT2: Likely only the 406, I mean.

 

I tested the ICE also on routes with different systems, like Luzern-Sursee, Southeastern high-speed & LGV, and something I noticed was that the train behaviour is always the same. I am not sure if in real life the difference in voltage influences the train motors by causing faster and slower acceleration.

 

I am sure it is the case. Could you check if that is the case indeed on the Vectron?

Also, of all funny things, it seems from f-ing around on LGV that the BR143/112 does indicate the correct voltage and does scale the power to one-tenth if you spawn it under 1.5kV.

Mind you, it's DC, so it probably just shouldn't work at all...but lol
EDIT: Also of course true MS locos probably don't have a tenth of the performance of 15AC under 1.5DC, that'd be anemic...