Well that was kind of expected, considering it's a base feature now. But glad to see it confirmed nevertheless.
There aren't that many possible dates. DTG releases come on tuesdays or thursdays. I'm pretty sure they wont release anything the same week they release Cardiff City Network, so that leaves us with the 25th or the 27th of march. I think they would probably prefer to release the 25th because, if possible, you would want to avoid any chances of having the dev team working on emergency fixes against the clock on a friday.
This. Though I do think 1st of april is a viable option as well. Aren't they going to get a bit cramped otherwise with the Cardiff City preview and release streams when they also have the Spoorlijn Zwolle - Groningen preview streams to get to? There's not supposed to be any more roadmap articles before release, and they still haven't showcased the NS SNG in any meaningful way, and given it's a new country with a new system and most (non Dutch) players won't be familiar with the new ATB functioning yet, I wouldn't wanna skim too much on preview and Q&A streams for this route.
Upcoming releases always have their own preview articles. They don't get fully shown off in roadmap articles.
Zwolle-Groningen will definitely come out 25 March since we got train sim world vr coming out 27 March on a Thursday and Cardiff coming out 18 march on a tuesday, that leaves us on 25 march (a Tuesday) since dtg always publishes routes on Tuesday's and Thursday's.
Yeah, it probably is. I'm mostly waiting on the "Coming Soon" article, video and release date now, which, if following the same timeline with a week's delay, should be thursday. And of course, looking forward to the preview streams. Cardiff City Network previews should be this week, so then Spoorlijn Zwolle - Groningen's are probably next week.
Dutch train sounds Bagpipes VIRM (not "VIRMm", as in not yet refitted) played a typical "bagpipes" sound when accelerating. The sound originated from the train's choppers, which were tuned to switch between a series of frequencies that did not cause interference with the ATB signal on the track (or other trackside systems). Unfortunately, the frequencies the engineers chose, and the order in which they were selected, sounded like someone was trying to play the bagpipes without experience. Since the refurbishment, the sound is mostly gone (as the choppers operate on different frequencies now, that are much lower than the old ones and sound insulation has been improved too). Here's a clip of the bagpipes sound from 15 years ago. For those who've never been on a VIRM (or other wide body Dutch train), this also show just how wide VIRMs are compared to UK stock too: Melodic buzz The ICM(m) (Koploper), from unit 4051 upwards, use choppers too and for the same reason. But these choppers operate on a much nicer sounding frequency range (compared to the older VIRM units), sounding almost melodic. When traveling on a Koploper, make sure you're in the powercar (the one with the pantographs on the roof) if you want to hear this noise, as the unpowered driving trailer obviously doesn't make the sound. Units 4001 - 4050 don't use choppers (but resistor banks instead) and make a different noise. Warbling DDZ DDZ's choppers give off a weird "warbling" sound when departing. The video below shows this, as well as a good look on the departing procedure by the conductor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ZZ7H_o8H0 Class 1700 locomotives Class 1600 (/1800) locomotive Similar in looks to the Class 1700, but fitted with completely different electronics and motors, the Class 1600 (renumbered to Class 1800 for passenger operations after NS split into NS Cargo and NS reizigers) sounds quite different: https://youtu.be/-8jcZB5pqAE For French readers: the Class 1600/1800 is very similar to the SNCF Class BB7200, while the Class 1700 is not. Singing SGMm The oldest generation of Sprinter trains, the SGM (or modernised SGMm) used a similar system to the Koploper (to which they are related): These units have been retired. On a high note The second generation Sprinter trains (SLT) prove that high frequency choppers can produce a nice sound too, if tuned correctly: Dutch Flirting The Dutch FLIRTS sound identical to the other FLIRTS you can find in Europe, but for completion's sake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg0Q7QDs4Ck SNG The SNG is based on CAF's Civity platform and sounds the same as other Civity based trains, like the Class 331 from the UK and the ETR 563 from Italy; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J68IdYzvIM IRM, VIRM and VRIMm comparisons IRM wheelspin in a hint of rain because they're were underpowered miscalculations from the engineering department: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex3uDdgJa-E VIRM departing (the way they're supposed to, without wheelspin): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiXOHITlmGQ VIRMm departing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Ff2YnjlGw MAT'64 "stoptrein" MAT'64 used motor swithing (one motor > two motors in serial > two motors in parallel) to get the train up to speed instead of resistors or choppers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPMuyqw51Yw
Too bad the last resistor unit was retired last year (the 4011)... I haven't heard a first generation sprinter in a while, as it rarely shows up in these parts. But you can definitely hear it was based on the BR 425.
I really hope they get that ICMm chopper sound right. To me, the ICMm and VIRM chopper sounds are so iconic and soothing. Also, there's just something beastly about Mat'64 when it departs You should've included a video of it braking too though, given how loud those could screech.
For comparison, here's the 4011 (resistor bank based Koploper): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0szXzuPaJis If you sat in the power car, you could hear the relais switch through the resistor bank as the train accelerated.
And though not sounds related, this is how Koplopers used to couple (before refurbishment, and back when they still had the walk through head installed): The Japanese Class E259, which is often compared to the Koploper, also has cab-over-walkthrough-head design. However, the gangway needs to be extended by personnel (manually) after coupling, while the Koploper's intra-unit databus allows two units to synchronise and automate the gangway coupling procedure. Or used to, anyway. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oaQ2-0iE2qo
Not as loud as the ICE 3M's disc brakes though. Here's a video of an ICE 3M (disc) braking: Just kidding of course. Here's a real ICE 3M (disc) braking: Link to Youtube as the MEDIA tag doesn't allow jumping to a time code in the video)
If they announce it this Thursday, release should be March 27 Luckily, I have a lot of time to play that weekend.
Not to be that guy (I am), but that's not quite right. The SLT uses IGBT inverters, not choppers. I suppose they do chop voltage too, but this is VVVF and not VCVF Regarding the Flirt, they do actually sound quite different compared to other Flirts in Europe. The NS iteration modulates at 800Hz (audible 1.6kHz) and 1.25kHz (audible 2.5kHz) at higher speeds (and obviously synchronous pulse modes at even higher speeds, about 80-ish km/h). The Arriva Tricourant one has a completely different and way more complex modulation (390Hz bipolar (400Hz in Belgium) - 780Hz unipolar (900Hz in Belgium) - 1111Hz unipolar - synchronous modulation). Most older Flirts in Europe (which were equipped with ABB IGBT inverters before they developed their Model Predictive Pulse Pattern Control) tend to modulate at 2kHz (audible 4kHz with subharmonic sidebands) all the way to 160 km/h. Newer iterations that are equipped with MP3C (just like the Dutch iterations) tend to have way more interesting patterns (like the Flirt 3XL), but the Dutch ones still have their own exclusive little modulation :P Regarding the SNG, they don't sound similar to the UK Civity iterations whatsoever, given that they use Mitsubishi SiC-Hybrid inverters, while the UK ones use CAF IGBT inverters with obviously completely different control algorithms and modulations.
"Zwolle-Groningen will definitely come out 25 March since we got train sim world vr coming out 27 March on a Thursday and Cardiff coming out 18 march on a tuesday, that leaves us on 25 march (a Tuesday) since dtg always publishes routes on Tuesday's and Thursday's." (Quoted from me) it can't release on 27th since the tsw vr is coming
Guys, as a dutchman myself, i kept wondering how the PIS (destination control/destination board) works on the icmm? Is it this?
That is the GSM-R. The destination on is synchronised with the train number, so it changes automatically. With the ICMm, if the display doesn't show the correct destination, the driver can manually change it somewhere in the cabinet under the cab.
Hoping it's at least interactible, and at least for RP purposes, even if useless, to be able to log onto the GSM-R
Something I'm putting hope from regarding the popularity of this route and the viability of (more) Dutch content for TSW in the future, is the fact that at least on Reddit, any official news for this route absolutely blows any other article out of the water in terms of likes and engagement. Of course, I can't quite tell how much of it is just the Dutch community brigading, but either way, it's a good sign
The Dutch trainsim community is actually quite large and very active too. They have been, ever since the days of Microsoft Train Simulator and through to today. In Trainsim Classic, a battalion of freeware devs have recreated something like 85% of the Dutch railway network in the sim. Most routes are of exceptional quality too, and are constantly being updated to reflect their real life changes to the infrastructure and stations. And yes, the route DTG is currently building is also in TSC (as part of the NoordOost routes bundle). With the notable exception of the Connexxion Proton EMU's, Class V250 ("Fyra Albatros") and SM90, every class of modern day rolling stock is present in the TSC by freeware devs, Railtraction and for the largest part Christrains. Most older classes electric and diesel locos are available too for nostalgic train sim fans. Christrains have built a good representation of Koplopers (both ICM and ICMm), and Linus Trains have made a stunning sound mod for them (that we can only hope DTG is able to match in TSW). The same is true for SNG. Smart modders have recreated the Thalys/Eurostar PBKA with ATB in-cab signaling out of a mix of DTG-built TGV Resseau and TGV Euroduplex, and have done the same to the vR BR189 and the ICE 3M (all now have ATB in-cab signalling, and the ICE 3M comes in NS livery now too). So when DTG announced the Dutch route for TSW, you can guess that most fans were delighted. Open up Google translate and visit dutchsims.nl and simtogether.com to have a look at what that community is all about, and what routes have been released for TSC.
Last time I checked, which admittedly was years ago, getting a Dutch TSC route to work meant having to scout the whole internet for all kinds of dependencies from websites which may or may not still exist, with questionable interfaces, including payware stuff, only to manual install all kinds of files which you may need to redo whenever you have to reinstall TSC for some reason. I still have my old serial keys of a few ChrisTrains add-ons somewhere, including the downloaded zip files I kept somewhere for safekeeping, because for one reason or another ChrisTrains add-ons aren't available on a Steam. I wouldn't know where I kept these files, since it's been years ago. The TSC modding scene is a mess. I'm thankful TSW has a more closed system. I'd gladly pay for the upcoming Dutch route, to have Steam install it automatically for me, without the need to hunt the internet for dependencies and without the need to manually store keys or files for savekeeping somewhere. Whenever I need to reinstall TSW, I just press the button and let Steam do its magic so I can focus on playing with trains instead of files.
About half of the main network (Hoofdrailnet) and somehow they still manage to miss Utrecht - Rotterdam/Den Haag Which I'm still convinced would make an absolute banger of a route, technically networked too, realistic scope, well known area, self contained on all 3 stations that all feel like proper end points (even some of the IC services, sort of, as the ones to Groningen/Leeuwarden change ends at Utrecht) and one of the busiest and densest connections in the country
Yeah, the TSC Dutch content is amazing, but such a mess. I'm still missing some catenary's and a few station end points despite having all the dependancies I can find. And while it's really good, and you can just see the effort to really capture the right feeling, you can still see how it's patched together a lot. So I'm very happy they didn't let it be up to the modding community with the editor this time around. There are definitely some big shoes to fill here though, and I do really hope the route and trains will match the ones in TSC. Or at least, to really be able to properly capture the "feel". I can't really explain it, but also regarding Christrains' trains. There's something pleasant and "correct" feeling about how you move the brake handles (though ICM could still be made a bit "heavier" I feel). Whereas some in TSW can feel a bit weird, sluggish or overly sensitive. So I hope they take some inspiration from Christrains on that
Probably 25th Routes generally release on tuesdays, and this one has been announced for "late-march" Cardiff City Network was for "Mid-March" and is now set for the 18th, leaving the 25th for this one as the only option. Also, Reddit announcement for more news this week, which probably means we'll get the "coming soon" announcement and teaser today or tomorrow, which means we're just 1 week delayed to CCN.
I know it's the gsm-r and i saw train driver's pov Netherlands headcams a lot, so i saw the "treinnummer" prompt on the gsm-r when he was logging in, so i figured that must've been it. I hope we'll get it functioning so that we can change the PIS on the icmm and hopefully get the treinnummers aswell. (small chance of course, i doubt they'll do it)
The Dutch routes use a vast collection of assets, made by various asset devs. None of these devs allow their assets to be included in the route download, so you'll have to download them yourself. Thankfully, most routes include a manual with all the links you need to directly download those files. If you've completed the asset collections for one or two Dutch routes, you'll find that you'll have 95% of the assets needed for all the other Dutch routes. There are of course exceptions, like NoordWest using MarcD's (MyRailDreams) catenary instead of the more commonly used catenary asset pack, and HSL Zuid having its own catenary asset pack. It's about one afternoon of fiddling with the downloads. What I've done, is unpack all these assets (instead of installing the RWP file in TSC itself or allowing the EXE to install into the Railworks directory) into a separate Assets folder on a different drive. This way, when I reinstall TSC, I simply drag that extra Assets folder over to the Railworks folder, and all the Dutch assets are installed
Yes, exactly! Also in the comment sections of twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube (livestreams), Forums (like this one) and heck even Discord gets gekoloniseerd by the dutch flags and NS logo's (ik ben er ook een van)
Oooooooo, 32.99 is pushing a bit for its length, but I guess we will wait and see how the route comes out. I understand the extra EMU, but for this price, it better have JT level quality for it to be worth my time. Sorry to be harsh.
I gotta say I understand the 40€ price tag, it's over a 100km of track so In terms of route length I think its comparable with WCLMOS, though I sadly don't expect the same quality as that route.
As long as the quality is to a good standard. I won’t mind. I’m guessing because there was 2 new locos in this route, instead of the usual 1, that price increase was a one off thing. Shouldn’t be the standard from now on.
In addition, the route is more than 100 km and the routes which are around 100 km away cost 40€ since TSW5 I quickly looked at the prices and since TSW 5: 40€ are the long routes and the routes made part third parties appreciated 36€ for medium-long routes 30€ for short routes So Tadami will probably be at 40€ if it is not one of the TSW6 base routes and Manchester Airport probably at 36€
It's a big price tag, but there's a considerable amount of (all new!) content. However, as I said somewhere else, for that price I expect the RP Vectron to also get updated for it. Post-release, at this point, but not doing so is a spit to the face of whoever paid for specifically the Vectron.
