Out Now Köln - Aachen Timetable Update - Out Now On Steam!

You know TSC exists right? So basically without TSC and the PC playerbase of it, there would be no TSW either. Not to mention TSW is a game made for PC and later downgraded for console in the first place.

 

I whodunit say that tsw has been down graded on Gen 9 console yes it was on Gen 8, but there are games that have had it bad for a console version like Transport fever 2 has had

 

SKA on consoles probably won't come until TSW6. I'm sure that DTG felt like they had to get something out before that, since they have been hyping this since TSW3 days. The hope has to be that the next version of TSW is more stable on consoles, than this one has shown to be. Since I play on Series S anyway I had already doubted that I personally would see many more services, certainly not close to 4000!

 

DTG has to cancel all DLCs on console with the blurry textures
Get your Game fixed before adding new Content
It Make No fun to play a broken Game where you can’t read anything or the whole Führerstand is Flickering like the Vectron

 

Why no Expert 101 layer? Even the unofficial timetable mod has it so it is definitely doable.

 

Yes Gen9 can handle the game itself better and with hardware compareable to some low/mid PCs it is way less affected of memory issues etc. so that the core game comes closer to the PC version like you said. They just need to drop the Gen8 consoles which could also lead to a better optimization of the core game for all the others.
I know its easy to say but if you have the money and will to buy any new dlc you should be able to buy a Gen9 console.

 

Gotta say, this came out of left field. I didn't expect this to be released anytime soon, considering how long it has been stuck in limbo already. Getting it so abruptly now is a welcome surprise, although I have to side with the majority here and say that the staggered release for different platforms isn't a wise move and leaves a bad aftertaste. Same goes for the exclusion of the Expert 101 (and accordingly the beautiful IC cab car).

I haven't done much with this route so far, barely anything in fact. But from the look of it, the new timetable will definitely be vastly superior to the old one, so kudos for that!
But from my own point of view, I'm not sure if it will lure me into this route... I gravitate more towards older rolling stock, of which there's barely anything on the timetable. The 110 is AI only, the 103 is just for railtours, and the single 218 freight service is the same lame joke as it was on the Ludwigsbahn.
That's not meant to be criticism, so many people here enjoy the modern stuff more than the old. To each their own... but I'm gonna wait and see how extensive the 111 and 363 services are, before I decide to delve into it

For now, I enjoy the simple fact that an older route is getting some love. Would like to see more of that.

 

Ist die Xbox One auch dabei?
Ich finde es auch schade, dass die Konsolenspieler immer länger warten müssen, und ich als Xbox One Spieler muss leider beobachten, wie auf 8. Gen.-Konsolen zuerst weniger Fahrten für Strecken spielbar werden, dann ganze DLCs nicht verfügbar werden (S-Bahn Frankfurt und BR 420) und jetzt steht noch nicht einmal dabei, ob das Update überhaupt für die Xbox one verfügbar sein wird. Steam kommt zuerst, danach 9. Gen.-Konsolen (und Epic, wenn es da TSW gibt), PS4 gab es schon als Testversion, aber was ist mit der Xbox one?

 

English please!

Anyhow this looks like an interesting update and thanks to those involved with creating the new timetable.

 

IC expert is included!

 

Definitely need to drop last gen consoles now. Offer company's are doing that now

 

Important to note that the WSR had already gotten a TOD4 remaster last year, on which a developer worked on their own time for many months. So basically 95% of the work needed for the route to be up-to-date for the Thomas DLC was already done.

 

I’m going to have a guess as to what’s going on.

Remember in the old days when Matt used to always go on about there being a limit on unique vehicles in a route? A unique vehicle being a loco or wagon or each different coach in a MU like the ICE trains. This kind of German content where nearly all the German locos appear must exceed the (probably now higher) limit and that’s why there are issues. This may even also exceed the 64GB limit for the amount of DLC that can be mounted at any one time on PS5 as well. That still exists, the only difference after Add-on Manager was developed is when DLC is mounted. If all those feeder routes need to be mounted for the locos to appear then it’s over the limit and not everything can load.

If I’m right I don’t think this timetable will release for consoles but a smaller version will. Someone now has to decide what to remove to make it work. That’ll be why it’s only releasing on Steam now. Too much has been put in the timetable, exceeding the capability of the game. It’s got all four ICE trains in it, plus the TGV plus a load more locos, EMUs and DMUs. What’s the unique vehicle count? What’s the GB count? Too high on one or both, I’d guess.

 

But what about Frankfurt-Fulda? A lot of DLCs appear there as well, and PlayStation shows no problems.

 

I wouldn’t say that route has no problems on PS5. Performance is terrible in places and some textures go blurry after a couple of minutes. I think if you have everything for all the layers some things don’t actually load. I’m sure I’ve read reports of that on the forum. There are a couple of items I don’t have so have not noticed it myself but I’m sure some people who do have everything have reported that if they have certain things installed other things disappear. I have had quite a few crashes though. I think it’s floating around the limit depending on what you have installed unless there’s something else causing layers not to load for some players. This timetable looks to have more requirements than FFA though and it currently isn’t being released so something’s going on.

 

You'd hope it can mount rolling stock from routes without the whole route though. Trains alone don't take much space.

And if they can't, they should make that a priority.

 

I have really mixed feelings from this; also, the title of the article should be updated to 'Coming Next Week, but initially to Steam'.

While I really appreciate the effort by Joe - and I want to see many more older routes get such treatment like BML, RSN, MSB, RT etc - I wish DTG could have lent a hand to get this updated to TOD 4, especially considering many of the British DLC like WSR, Cathcart, GWE etc... Anyway, I'm obviously disappointed those of us not on Steam have to wait, but, and a very big but, I'm kind of glad if this means it will actually work properly on console with the promise of no video memory errors and blurry textures because this is what really worries me.

 

But shouldn't all the testing be happening before any release whatsoever? Are they just not beta testing at all anymore and using the Steam playerbase as testers?

Even if you're right, I don't understand why this steam-only beta testing program is just starting now, 2/3rds of the way through TSW5's lifespan?

And why is Epic excluded? Those players presumably have just as powerful PCs as Steam players.

And why is a 2 month delay on getting to play it at all better than a 2 month wait for a patch? If it ever releases at all, which very much remains to be seen.

These are all things maybe someone from DTG should explain, especially if this is going to be standard procedure going forward.

 

To be honest I see a whole lot of problems regarding TSW 5 and the stability routes and compatibility of Creator club liveries and streaming on the PS5. This version of TSW is awful. TSwW 4 was so much better. I certainly hope they fix this for the next TSW.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxrg71NdTNnZr5ErdG7S-Tjw4HIaIjeVLB?si=s0FKAAMcyv8gsocr

 

Stujoy.

I understands your point.
I am on PS5 and Frankfurt Fulda, runs Ok for me.
The memory issues I have experienced is when passing Hanau Hbf.
Due to the big yard.
So before arriving there I save the game.
But normally I do not have any problem there.
Depends of the traffic around at that time.

At Frankfurt Hbf I do not experience any issues.

I even usually "add a train" , as I like to drives other kinds of trains and locomotive models, using Free Roam tool.

Even we have some planes on that route.

May be the quantity of add-ons you have installed can affect it.

The only "strange" issue is when it is raining, and passengers at Frankfurt Hbf it opens their umbrellas inside the terminal station!... Which it has a roof!

 

Once again, massive respect to Joe for making these timetables in his free time. It's people like him and Liam that make the game so much better because they're passionate about what they make; However, the fact that it still uses TOD 3 is really disappointing and makes me not want to play it. TOD 4 trains on TOD 3 routes don't mix, and you can see the lighting issues in this promo shot with the 642 with it's massive headlight glare conveniently hidden behind the TSW 5 logo in the bottom right.

 

Was really happy to see it's coming soon. And then came the downer. Playing on PS5.
Hope later won't be much later or even never.
To Joe, thanks for your effort. Hope I will some day be able to enjoy it.

 

That might be a factor. I’m only guessing myself as to what might be going on but I always have it in the back of my mind about how many different trains there are on some of the German routes and if that is a problem or not. I love busy routes and seeing lots of different stock around but there must be a limit at some point.

 

Can't wait... (PS5)... Why not wait until the release is ready on all platforms?

 

Translated

Is the Xbox One included?

I also think it's a shame that the console players have to wait longer and longer, and as an Xbox One player, I unfortunately have to observe how on 8. Gen. consoles first become less rides for routes playable, then entire DLCs will not be available (S-Bahn Frankfurt and BR 420) and now it is not even stated whether the update will be available for the Xbox one at all. Steam comes first, then 9. Gen. consoles (and Epic, if there is TSW), PS4 was already available as a trial version, but what about the Xbox one?

 

It would be nice if DTG answered yours and my question.

Xbox One?

 

Downgraded for console, which now makes up the majority of the players and is capable of running the same version as pc on gen 9?

 

Why would you Play This Update on Xbox One or PS4, when it’s still on Series X or PS5 complete broken as core issues with blurry textures and Micro shutters and Frame Drops?

 

Actually Matt has said in the past that TSW would not have been made except for consoles. That was the number 1 goal to bring a rail simulator to console players.

So they are right in saying you wouldn't have it as the just would have continued on advancing the TSC engine instead.

 

I do agree that it's time to drop the older generation of consoles. It is a simple fact of gaming that eventually as technology moves on then older consoles will be left behind, and ultimately developing for older technology becomes counter-productive. I upgraded from PS4 to 5 for this game, and while I appreciate that that comes with a cost, which is difficult for anyone, ultimately anyone with an older console has a) enough of a library to enjoy, and b) is already left behind by newer releases. The same applies to other game releases, and ultimately will do if it hasn't already.

 

I would say though, disappointed as I am, it would be a mistake to overreact and think that us (newgen) console players will become second-class players. It's a staggered release, which makes a certain sense, but could have been better communicated. I'm just upset because I love this route and am familiar with it, and would love to see a busy Cologne Hbf. I can't wait - but I'll have to.

 

glad we are getting many more REX services, thats pretty much my fav kind of service... and I am happy for more Vectron action, tho it aint much... hopefully in the future if we get more German/Austrian content set in pretty much present, we will get more passenger Vectrons... as those are pretty much taking over in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and I bet that Poland and Hungary wont be far behind

anyway, cant wait to play more on this route ... had been my first ever and I still love to play it to this day

edit: hopefully in the future we get updated rolling physics on 442 (Koln Aachen version)... last time I played, on 0.5% it didnt gain speed as it should... but rolling resistance has come into more of a spotlight after Zwolle Groningen release, so will see

 

To say in this update its not just console being treated as a second class epic games is. Go back a small number of years when Nat was the community manager 2/3 of the player base was on console that probably hasn't changed since then. It shouldn't be having a staggered release specially on gen 9 it's probably fair on gen 8 platforms. Like normal us on console gets it dirty. Dtg need to explain why console and epic aren't getting the update yet. This is when it will come just before cargo volume 3 on the 1st May and dtg are saying staggered to save there backs

 

Some still play TSW on Xbox One. TSW is the only game l own on Xbox and am reluctant to spend nearly £500 for a gen9 xbox just to play a bug ridden game. When it’s running freely with no issues l may consider it, or purchase a gen10 console which isn’t that far away.

 

It's done by 1 single dev in his free time. 4000 services all created by hand. That's not easy at all so it will take time

 

well, it is coming May 1st, so thats pretty soon, not a long wait now looking forward to this big time

 

I think the reasoning behind this (although I am still not happy about it) is that builds / updates can be pushed to steam more easily than they can with Console or the epic store. So perhaps its back to the whole PC community being "beta testers", which I am sure they will love. Personally I would like to have the choice of seeing it on a PS5 and deciding for myself whether to take any layers out or not. Thats what the option is there for isnt it? It works with the Mildmay line (Where I removed the 395, 801 and 700 Layers) and had a smoother experience, although I still think there is a fare bit more optimisation passes for that route needed. I think at the end of the day it should be player discretion. I remember on the Munchen Ausburg route on Gen 8 if you did a certain thing you could get all the services on it appear instead of I think the ICE and Sbahn (what ever they were) services done. Yes my PS4 pro was screaming and the framerate was lower than what it is today on a PS5. But it worked and it never crashed.

Also with no disrespect to the Gen 8 guys, I think two thirds of us were gen 8 guys ( & gals) once, I wish that Dovetail dropped support for Gen 8 consoles from this next version of TSW (whatever it will be called). But thats just my opinion.

Hentis

 

You make an excellent point about layer toggles.

What IS the point of them then, if not this exact situation? Why did they spend all of that dev time on it?

 

Layer selection is so poorly implemented that I'm afraid there is really very little point to having it. Whatever you select is not saved, so even if the point was to reduce the need for memory, it would require someone to deselect the relevant layers every single time. If the point is to show you what you don't have, it is also pointless because the layers often list bad information about what DLC is required to get them. Some layers show as "active" when they are not. Some layers show up that are not possible to actually get. I think the reason why DTG hasn't relied on this system more, to let players customize their experience, is because the system is terrible. I am reminded of how Quick Play held promise but is basically unusable.

 

Let's not pretend that DTG didn't string us along for this much longer than intended. It was obviously intended to release for TSW4. Then they had Joe work on other stuff. That's fine, but maybe not hype it so early, if you're not going to follow through. Then they decided to include FTF layers. That's fine, but it was basically a case of DTG taking advantage of their own delay, to delay the release even further. Now they can't get it out on TSW5 either, even though it was included in the December reveals (more hype), because TSW5 is so poorly optimized on consoles. So to say that it took so long, because it was just one guy, is disingenuous at best. At every step of the process, DTG has made decisions that have delayed this release, outside of the required dev and testing time.

Now, this is a free update, so we could say that we are lucky to get anything at all, from a certain point of view. However, to me, a promise made should be a promise kept. I would say that DTG took too long with this one. I think that what we have seen with the next upcoming timetable update after SKA, is how it should be. There's no reason to hype something that you are not willing to commit the time and resources for, unless it is hype for its own sake.

 

When I am looking at this route, there are already 2 timetables for it. Now Joe has given us his labor of love to create a third one.

 

It's will be cool to see section of RB20 route that's used lines 2571 and 2575 from Stolberg to Langerwehe via Eschweiler West and Eschweiler Weisweller.

 

like yeah, finally I will be able to see and stop at smaller stations I would usually just whizz by

 

What is this even about? Who cares if Tsw would exist or not without either of the playerbases. It exists so its completely unnecassary to disuss about this.
Yes Gen 9 can run the same game but majority of reported bugs, memory issues, etc. are reported by console players which only confirms that all consoles struggle to run the game. The only issue i see on PC is microstuttering and maybe a 2sec freeze around FFM around 2 times per run.

 

Now why might that be? Is it because consoles aren’t powerful enough to run tsw, and it should be a pc only title as many pc players desire, so they are not ‘held back’? Or is it because dtg have completely botched any attempt at optimising the game, therefore making it unusable on console, especially Xbox

 

No idea where you get that notion from!

 

Dropping Gen 8 is the only answer to that. Without the need to reduce a route so Gen 8 consoles wont set theireselfes on fire, they can optimize the game more efficient as more hardware wise recources are available.
There is no point in making a PC only Tsw as the range of performance PCs can have is very wide so its very likely to find one that has worse specs than a Gen 9 console.
Only thing is the different accessability between the two platforms but its not like PC players are forced to use a controler.
After all DTG knows said problems but can also leave many of them behind with dropping Gen 8, which due to performance seems to be unplayable with the new content.

 

My PS5 works great; I've never had any issues with it, nor any blurry problems in Frankfurt or Fulda, and it has never struggled with performance.

 

l have no problems playing TSW5 on my Xbox one.

The only concern l have had is a fifth of my content disappeared recently and l had to reinstall it.

 

In light of what happened with peak forest and 104 to take what they say with pinch of salt seems very appropriate given all time that was touted before inexplicably been dropped