Route Spoorlijn Zwolle - Groningen Feedback Thread

I may also be wrong but based on watching a number of Dutch cab ride videos, the train in question came into Zwolle on a 40 km/h speed limit. So, on departing it is still held to the 40 until it passes the next speed board. The ATB would show line speed at that point, but until that speed board is passed the train is held to the 40.

 

Someone was having fun doing the scenery…

 

Bug in the ATB tutorial:

Almost at the end of the ATB tutorial, I was running at 40Km/h for the magnets to stop the train just before the red signal.
It seems the tutorial takes control of the train at some point or doesnt let me press any buttons until the train stops.
What happened is that the emergency brake triggered as expected, but stopped the train before it reached the tutorial "stop here" marker before the signal.

I reset the ATB as expected (without instructions). Moved to the train to the stop marker, which triggered the emergency brake again.
I followed the instructions given by the tutorial to reset ATB again, but now it was impossible to reset it. Tried repeating the procedure several times to get the train moving again but couldnt make it work. At the end, even tried disabling ATB in the backpanel, but it was still impossible to get the train moving.

Restarted the tutorial going slightly faster while approaching the red signal. This time the train stopped close enough to the tutorial "stop here" marker and everything worked as expected, so I could finish the tutorial.

Looks to me moving the "stop marker" 3-5 meters away from the red signal is probably the easiest way to prevent this bug, but you might want to double check that there isnt some other underlying problem with the safety systems just in case the problem was not caused by the tutorial and is a core issue.

PC/Steam


On the positive side of things, I still did not do a full run of the route yet but what I saw so far looks really good. What I did do is play the introductions for both trains and I have to say both trains feel good to drive (physics feel accurate to me) and the sound is great. Of course the train models are very good too, but that I kind of expect in most DTG DLCs so that didnt feel as extraordinary.

 

My only gripe is that it needs a few more branches and stations.

 

Generally I'm having a blast, the scenery is really nice with a lot of detail, including all kinds of trackside signs, whose meaning is a total mystery (if only we could have something, you know, like a book, with all things properly described...?).

I might have found a bug though. I was caught by the Deadman Switch on ICMm (alarm is very quiet, as already pointed out); I realised what was happening, acknowledged, and the brake released without the train stopping, but from then on, the deadman light wouldn't go out. I was able to disable the system altogether to make sure it won't stop me, but is it supposed to be like that? I tried to re-enable, but the lamp won't go out. Playing on PC, Steam.

In any case, after doing all tutorials and a bit of service driving I believe it's a great release.

 

First impressions are really good. Although I have noticed a couple of things:

Master controller sensitivity on the SNG
The master controller is very senstive to input, atleast on PC with keyboard and mouse, this makes it difficult to precisely control the throttle.

ATB-bell on emergency braking is incorrect
When the ATB intervenes and issues an emergency braking the bell indicating an overspeed should silence and the 3 bells indicating that the brakes can be released should not play. So when the ATB intervenes because of an overspeed the bell will go off and no further bells or sounds will play.

Incorrect P-signal at Assen
This signal at Assen platform 1 headed towards Zwolle should not be a P-signal because it protects the switch behind it.

 

PC-Steam
ICMm cabins running at night are dark.

 

I really love this DLC.
i bought TWS5 specially for this DLC before i was always playing Train sim
I am only missing on the icm that you can't change the destination on the train itself when playing in freeplay so maybe in a future patch make it possible so you can also change the destination on the train itself.
Also maybe for conductor mode add the NS whistle of a conductor.

I only found 1 little thing and that is that the Buiten dienst (ATB off) button is pressable but don't put the ATB in BD mode (blue light)

 

I think this is an amazing addition to the game! I'm playing on PS5 (but with keyboard instead of controller).

Things I like:

• Scenery: This route looks stunning. I think it's the best looking route at the moment, with the water and vegetation looking especially good. The stations are super detailed and look great as well. It really feels like driving in a new country.
• Sounds: Both the SNG and ICMm sound great.
• ATB: This new safety system is very easy to learn and great fun to drive with.
• Driving feel: Both trains feel responsive and are really fun to drive. Suspension feels good as well.

Things I don't like:

• The Throttle/Brake application in the SNG is too sensitive. It's impossible to precisely select an appropriate amount of brake or throttle, which is especially annoying when trying to get to 30 percent brake application for ATB compliance.
• There's no keyboard shortcuts for a lot of buttons in the ICMm, for example the Drive Mode selector, EP brake switch, compressor switch, etc.
• The Deadman alarm sound is a little bit quiet to me (but maybe that's realistic, I don't know).

Bugs

• The screens in the SNG aren't interactive, no buttons can be pressed. Instead I just get the 'Driver Mode' notification when trying to press a button.
• When selecting 'intermittent' with the keyboard shortcut in the SNG, the wipers will sometimes work continuously instead of intermittently.
• In the introduction for both trains, it seems impossible to get a platinum medal.

In general this feels like a step up in quality, and it has quickly become my favorite route in TSW. DTG did a great job, and I'm hoping for more Dutch routes in the future!

 

Did you turn on the train light switch?

 

Is it possible to make the camera collison not to react on every OHLE installation or signal. At the moment with the outside camera, it's constant flashing.

 

I'm very short on money right now, paying for both my and my wifes apartments from one salary, but I had to buy this route to support expansion to another country, and of course the very cool EMU! And I'm happy with my purchase, the route feels well made and we have two all new trains. I can only hope that it's only the first of DTG:s dutch routes, there is a lot more to take from. I would love to get Scandinavia some day, but right now I'm happy with something different than the ordinary PZB/LZB territory. Hopefully I won't run out of groceries during next month :P

 

Bug in Conductor mode:

After three stops (with the SNG) the train does not continue driving.

 

Running with the ICM senarios, the ATB is always OFF.
How can i turn it on (i can not find a switch or something like in the SNG)

 

Just an update to my report of quiet motor sounds on the ICM - turns out I'm in the driving trailer end. So I'll reserve judgement on that until I do a run in the powered car.

 

Brilliant route, much better than I was expecting before last week. Koploper is really unique but has been made perfectly, man that top headlight is an eyesore! The sng is a solid emu as well, exactly what I’d expect in 2025. Nothing game-breaking so far like crashing or texture issues, however I have come across a couple of small issues

• The deadman’s on the ICM is way too quiet, and slow to acknowledge on console, meaning I’ve had a few emergency brakes that were entirely avoidable
• The throttle on the SNG is the most sensitive of any tsw train ever, and I doubt it should be. If it is tuned down, it is important that it isn’t too sticky, which is equally frustrating

Overall a great route that is well worth my money. Much better overall performance of textures, passengers and framerates as well. It is so so obvious when a route has had lots of detail put into it compared to one that is quite clearly rushed. Zwolle Groningen should be the benchmark for the standard of all tsw routes from now on. Rotterdam or Amsterdam next please !

 

It is on the wall behind you, the fuse in the bottom right of the panel

 

Thank you. Will try this.

 

The entry signal (292) into Meppel coming from Hoogeveen/Groningen should not be a P-signal as there is a switch behind it.

 

This. I mean this is what Cardiff Networks should have been - 60 route miles to a great standard of detail and finish. Currently having a great time bowling along non stop from Assen to Zwolle. It’s just gotten dark on this run but the night lighting around buildings etc. on this route seems a step up. Not perfect but an improvement on pitch black of earlier routes.

So definitely a keeper and a region it would be great to see some more content for, as stated Rotterdam, Amsterdam etc. Maybe some of the older electric units and the NS vintage electrics too.

So to the team that built this, stand up and take a well earned bow.

 

Aren’t the station clocks supposed to be lit at night?

 

yes, this has been log internally. thank you for the feedback

 

Its just absolutely brilliant. Well done. Loving it.

 

I completed my full-length IC run and also one short run on a Sprinter. I found some further minor issues:
- in Zwolle the PIS displays in the tunnel do not match the platforms at which they are located (it seems they are somehow crosswired so train from Platform 3 seems to be displayed next to the staircase to Platform 6 for example),
- ICMm seems terribly quiet from the outside when arriving or departing. I don't know about its motors, but even the wheel rolling sounds should be louder I think.

In any case seems like a wonderful job introducing a new country, and even though the price was steep (in Poland it's more than 70% of, let's say, new Assassin's Creed), it seems worth it. I really hope it's going to be just a first of multiple Dutch routes, as it feels sufficiently different to the countries already present to warrant it, and NS has a lot of interesting rolling stock.

 

Mastery level 2 accomplished.

 

Which end are you driving from? For future reference all the motors are under the pantograph coach which is why it might be quiet

 

I mean neither driving nor motors.
I mean that when I stand at a platform I can barely hear it rolling in front of my virtual face. Even if there were no motors, rolling stock generates noise when rolling.

 

My compliments for this first Dutch route!!. It looks very nice and breathes the correct atmosphere of the railway in the Netherlands. As far as I'm concerned it is a great basis for more Dutch routes.

 

The G6 layer isn't showing up for me despite owning the loco DLC as well as 2 other routes that have the loco.
I also own Nahverkehr Dresden, so I don't know why that's greyed out. Hopefully, someone can help me out.

 

If you’re not driving it’s probably the way the AI has been set up, but I’ve had no audio issues with the ICM so far

 

You need to own Rein-ruhr Osten and have it installed too.

 

Go figure, that's the only layer I didn't have installed. Wish the route was listed clearly under the layers menu for players that don't know the ins and outs of german content. Appreciate your help!

 

Hey I’m having the same problem.. I’m on a PS5 Pro and bought the G6 add on but it’s not showing up

 

Really nice Dutch route

I love the new route but i would love to see the Euroborg FC Groningen soccerstadium near Europapark. It feels like a big miss and I hope it will me added

 

^ this is what helped me!

 

Safety Systems and scoring:

If your train is going over the ATB speed limit, it is always considered as an infraction and points are substracted even if you are doing nothing wrong.

For example: You are driving your train at 140Km/h and you pass a triangular yellow signal with an 8 indicating that there is a max speed limit of 80Km/h coming soon when the train reaches the white square signal with an 8.
ATB will change the allowed speed limit to 80 immediately when you pass the yellow triangle and sound the alarm to force you to apply brakes and make the train slow down to 80 Km/h before you reach the square 8 signal (which is the point where the speed restriction actually starts). The train driver did not do anything wrong or is doing anything wrong now. It is what is expected to happen and the way the safety system works. So, you should not get a score penalty for using ATB as it is intended.

Same thing happens if you pass a yellow light signal. The ATB limit is changed to 40 to make sure you apply brakes and slow down to 40Km/h so the train can be stopped before the next red signal, but that is not any kind of infraction that should reduce your score. It is just what is supposed to happen.

In those cases, the player should not be penalized for going faster than the ATB limit as long as the emergency brake is not triggered. So, as I see it, there are 2 ways to fix this:

1.- Only take into account the line speed limits.
2.- Take into account the line speed limits and emergency brake applications by ATB.

 

i'm really glad i saw this comment, as this is what will stop me purchasing this route at the moment.

as someone who drives only using the external camera set up on a 'front nose' view, so as to basically see the track straight ahead without any of the internal cab obscuring the view/scenery, having the camera bouncing around is a deal-breaker for me.

it's so hit and miss whether this issue will occur on any given route: Cardiff no issues, Semmeringbahn bounces in a lot of places, ECML bounces in two places still, Fife Circle in multiple places too.

i'd genuinely love not only a fix for this as i'd really like to purchase this Dutch route, but for an external camera set up at the direct front of the train to be a selectable option (this was mentioned in the last yearly survey) as it would be a massive help to players like me.

i hope this issue (external camera bouncing around near OHLE) is logged and looked into please, as i really do want to purchase this route!

 

They are also not always correct. The time on the analog one doesn't always match the digital one /TSW system time.

 

Honestly I feel like Dutch routes should now be a standard in TSW moving forward, this route was a massive success for DTG and it should set a reminder that expanding to other countries is 100% Must... I honestly can't wait what DTG has in store for the Netherlands next

 

Absolutely love it! Been waiting for this for a while. Really could not be much happier. It's very authentic to how the Netherlands looks.

As a big double decker train guy, I'd love to see the VIRM or IRM in a route like this. DDZ and DDM would be great too. A route with ICNG, VIRM and Sprinter would be epic - maybe asking for too much?

One I issue I am having is stuttering or hitching on this route most of the length of it. I have a pretty high spec system, plenty of RAM (64GB), plenty of VRAM (24GB), so I don't think it is on my end. I don't see anyone else mentioning this though so maybe it is something I can fix.

Yes they are white I believe, and lit. The signs/clocks are a prominent feature of Dutch train platforms to me so getting them perfect would be great.

 

A surprisingly good route. Did not expect this route to be the best route I've driven in TSW5. It feels like the Netherlands. Both trains are very fun to drive. I did not notice any of the usual annoyances and even the performance is were it should be. DTG should really stop focussing on the big three and bring more countries to TSW. Every time I get to drive a new country I get that excitement of discovering something new. I don't get that anymore in the UK,US and Ger.

The only thing I did not like was the AI voices. Something is off with those voices. They sound like AI voices from a few years ago. But they did sound like a Dutchman at times.

 

Wow, a really well made route, great attention to detail, such as the check-in sounds on the platforms. The whole thing captures the Dutch feel pretty much perfectly, the driving sounds are the best and most immersive I've experienced in the game so far and it runs great too.

I'm not an expert, but the ATB system sometimes seems a bit wonky. And the dead man's sound in the Koploper seems to be pretty quiet, and from Groningen to some distance outside Groningen the button seemed to be lit up constantly and not responding to my input (DualSense controller on PC). Also, I'm not that familiar with the stations in the DLC, but elsewhere in the Netherlands in most large stations there is a Kiosk shop on most platforms.

Hope there will be new Dutch routes after this and, more than that, hope DTG can keep finding the motivation to put this much love into their creations. I think it would be awesome if the next DLC originates in Zwolle as well, so it acts as a hub in the game (as it does in real life). Zwolle-Amersfoort or even Zwolle-Utrecht, although I think Utrecht would melt my PC and current-gen consoles :') Zwolle-Arnhem would be fantastic too.

EDIT: Oh yes, and I would pay to see the DDZ double decker as DLC for this DLC! Not sure it will be around for much longer in real life.

 

Above the stairs leading to the driver's cab you will find two rows of switches. Here is the ATB and the Deadman switch.

 

How do I get this screen on PS5?

 

In timetable mode, after you select the loco you see the list of drivable services. There is a 'layers' button next to the search bar.

 

For the G6 to show up, you also need to have Rhein Ruhr Osten installed.

 

Thank you for mentioning this as this has been annoying me slightly and a lot at the same time. The same issue is there on a few of the latest US routes and with the ÖBB 1116. I've reported them as bugs and everything but nothing happens, and now it's back again here sadly.

 

Really a very good route. I do hope there will be more Dutch content in the future.

The one problem I'm having right now is that the deadman buzzer in the ICMm is super quiet and very easy to miss.

 

I had a bug that was game breaking to me. German double decker cabs had a problem with traction lock being stuck on. It was very frustrating because for a long time I couldn't use them at all, and that was the very exact train I got TSW to drive... It did eventually get fixed. I think sometimes plans behind the scenes on what code upgrade depends on what other upgrade can put known bugs on the back burner unfortunately.

 

I posted about the problem with ICMm in formation designer here: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/icmm-doesnt-function-in-formation-designer.90365/

Ps. I agree that the PIS on ICMm should be manually changeable like on the SNG.