Athena Simulations: Ecml Diesel Railtours

The BR logo on the side still looks wrong.

Looking on Flickr is should be smaller and brass/golden colour.

I could've sworn someone already mentioned this to you guys a while ago.

I hope it will be rectified by the time of release.

 

This honestly looks poor. It looks like ATH refused to implement the feedback from Spratty. The shade of green is still wrong and the errors are still there.

 

I did a while ago now and not one of the devs working on this project even acknowledged my post.

Rather insulted (and I'm trying to be as polite as possible about this) as I put my time in to find decent quality photos that were taken around the mid 80s period as 484 went through some cosmetic changes before it was withdrawn in 1995.

Suffice to say I wont be giving ATH feedback ever again after this.

 

It’s a joke, they need like 6 Months and I See no difference to there October Screenshots

 

On the subject of cosmetic changes. I looked back at the recent screenshots of 484 and have only just realised that ATH have chosen to model it in it's post 1993 condition (with it's slightly brighter/vibrant shade of green) after it's D exam which I find to be a very odd choice as WCMLOS & BPO both take place in 1986. Regardless the livery shade used and the other bits I mentioned way back in December are still incorrect.

Sadly it seems that nothing is going to be done and I don't hold much hope for last minute changes (And yes I am aware it's a small team but I've seen more done by solo devs in a year than Athena have done in 6+ months.).

 

Not to pile on, as I’m sure a lot of work has gone into this project, but the headlight is way to far across and should be almost central. Hopefully this is an easy fix, as it’s not looking too great IMO.

 

Apologies that you felt unheard regarding your feedback. We do have a lot of notes on our checklist, but I didn't want to reply with any confirmations on changes to be made until I knew we were going to make them.

On the BR double arrow feedback, I believe we're going to make this change, time permitting. I actually recall it being brass coloured early on, so some later change has been made effecting this and missed along the way.

On the livery shade, I'm still not sure yet if we'll update or change this. We're working to what has been approved already with regards to pallettes and to change them might walk things back in terms of approvals and sign offs.

All the same, we are very grateful for your (and everyone else's) feedback. Apologies again if folks are feeling like we've missed your comments. We have been taking note of what is said here and on discord.

 

We wanted to share some exciting news.

Many community members have asked us about our 47484 Isambard Brunel being supported on other routes and timetables. Standby for more news on that.

Today we want to share some behind the scenes work with ourselves and DTG to bring 47484 to Great Western tracks!

Owners of the Diesel Legends DLC who purchase our pack will seamlessly have 47484 added to that content.

That is over 100 timetable services between Paddington and Reading, operations at her home shed of Old Oak Common etc. etc.

It means a lot to us to see 47484 “officially” at Paddington and Old Oak Common so we wanted to share this surprise news with you all.

To confirm, all owners of the Diesel Legends pack, will see the automatic inclusion of 47484 on purchase of our pack.

We are thrilled to see her on home turf!

 

Just a quick tip: Pressing F1 hides the HUD

 

Looking good and looking forward to this first release! Certainly a day one purchase.

Do you have any screen shots of the cab compared to the default 47 currently in the game?

 

Will there be a modification to the headlight to bring this closer to the centre? It may sound trivial, but this is a deal breaker for me, thanks.

 

They've evidently just cut and paste the existing 47/4 model and filled in the headcode panel on one end, because the high intensity lamps on both cab ends should be several inches further towards the middle.

Based on the fact that all three of the NTP locomotives are featured, I wonder just how much they actually have changed in them. Do they all have suspension physics, new lighting, sound updates ect? Or will they be like the Flying Scotsman's MK2s, such a blatant copy and paste that, while being a release for TSW4, they didn't even feature the updated radial motion blur from TSW3?

Most of all I hope they get the MK1s right. Combined with the RMB that JT are doing, dual braked blue MK1s will have so much potential for scenarios, timetable layers, liveries ect. 484 can just go anywhere a Class 47 can, at least in historic times, but those MK1s are what truly has the biggest potential here.

 

Yes there is still a significant number of unknowns, which I would expect to be answered prior to this being released. I just hope the class 40/45 (which I already own) have not been added as an acknowledgment for a sub-par product. As previously mentioned, it’s disappointing these haven’t been reworked to fit their current preservation form.

Having said this, I do hope it features the NTP exhaust effects rather than those from WCML/Blackpool - it was not a common occurrence for class 47s to be throwing out blue smoke!!!

 

Hi sean-ath , will 47484 appear on routes such as Northern Trans Pennines by any chance?

 

Hi everyone,

As release draws ever nearer, we wanted to show the latest updates to 47484. We are very grateful for your feedback as we continue to make tweaks.



As you can see, the axle boxes have now been painted yellow, plus the white linings added. We were also able to research the exact position of the high intensity lamp, adjusting accordingly. The BR Double Arrow logo has been repainted to a more bronze colour and the number plate resized based on further research. These are just a few of the updates, but we wanted to share with you all.

Once again, please keep sharing your feedback as it really helps. I assure you that we do read every comment.

 

I take it back then, well done for implementing some of the feedback I gave. Well played.

 

Looks way better. Very impressed that you noted the community feedback and went ahead and changed it.

 

Very, very happy to see this. Big thumbs up. Thanks guys!!!!

 

Hi folks - Me again with another quick update.



For this post we wanted to show some progress on the MK1 coaches. Firstly, a caveat, we are still tweaking the coaches and the artwork. There are things left to do.



We wanted to highlight that we have taken great care with the MK1s. The most notable thing is that each has been realistically fitted with both air and vacuum braking, with our modelling being based on real dual fits that saw service. We feel this will make them much more useful to everyone as you create your own formations. We spent a long time making this functionality as prototypical as possible.



You might also notice smaller details. Earlier MK1 coaches (such as in the West Somerset) had destination board clips between the roof and the windows. In later years, these were removed, which you can see from our models. There are other visual and functional differences too, with our basing our research on actual coaching stock, to maximise realism.



Again, there is still work ongoing, so please do not see these images as representative final quality, but we were excited to share progress.

 

The Blue/grey MkIs are the biggest attraction of this DLC to me. Will they be able to sub in for the MKIIs or is that easier said than done?

 

If they are Duel Braked then why not?

 

You would think so, but knowing TSW there will be some complication somewhere!

 

At the very least it would be brilliant to have them sub in on the JT routes, particularly Blackpool Branches for the summer specials.

It'll also be interesting to see how well they pair up with the upcoming RMB from the Class 86.

 

Are there any plans to implement suspension function on BR Class 40,45?

 

Props to you guys for listening and implementing that feedback from others on the forums. Looking good!

 

These look amazing and so happy to see they have both air and vacuum braking so can use them for DIY railtours with any loco/traction type!

 

We are delighted to announce the release of our pack on 3rd April, 2025! All of us here are incredibly grateful for all of the feedback and support we've received. This is an exciting first step on our journey as we look to support this and future content.

 

Hopefully uk routes are in the works

 

Pretty sure there is a modern UK route.

 

Excellent news. Well done to you all for taking on board the feedback and being so open during development. I hope we can continue to help with the next project of Athena’s too!

Would you be able to clarify, once again, what routes this will layer onto, or if it will just be ECML with the scenarios? Thanks!

 

Thank you for the kind words.

I can confirm that we are supporting a number of routes in TSW5:

• East Coast Main Line
• Great Western Express (Diesel Legends timetable)
• Cathcart Circle Line
• East Coastway
• Northern Trans-Pennine
• West Cornwall Local
• West Somerset Railway

In addition, we have worked with Just Trains and the pack’s contents are also implemented into the timetables of both Blackpool Branches and West Coast Main Line: Preston – Carlisle. This takes the form of being able to substitute our locos in to the timetable for these routes, whereby you can swap an existing loco for ours.

 

Mike - will the Mark One consists also sub in for the Mark 2 non aircon formations on BPO and WCMLOS as part of the layering? Or is that beyond the scope of the product?

 

Will the 45 and 40 receive upgrades with this pack?

 

Is it me or do the promo images shared by DTG not have the fixed headlight position?

 

Not so much interested in the 47 (they all feel abit dated now IMO, could do with a rebuild), but the new coaches are interesting, particularly if they can sub with MkII’s.

 

Amazing. Well done, once again!

 

Excellent !! Thank-you

 

Extremely excited for this, the new 47+ Mk1s, they look amazing editions to the game (particularly the Mk1s as we haven't had the later variants of the Mk1 coach in the game just yet, and they offer extensive usability and enhancements to coaching stock variation across several routes). As a first, entry point, starter pack into the game from this developer, this looks like a really tasty starter of things to come. The community engagement and eye for detail on both the 47 and Mk1s really sit well with me and I can see how much love, detail, hard work has been packed into this, and also correcting detail and openly listening to the communities input on feedback in regards to external details.

Looks an absolute cracker of a DLC for an entry point from a developer, and a day one purchase by me! Look forward to not only this but the other content of Athena Simulation has is the pipeline if this is a taster of things to come.

 

I imagine it will just be the locomotive subbing in on BPO and WCMLOS. I’m only guessing here but I think it would be up to JT to update the formations in their timetables to utilise the Mk. 1 coaches.

 

Good point. Just a shame we are not getting any extra vehicles for the fleet - most railtours would have a catering vehicle of some description in the formation and SK’s were just as common as TSO’s.

 

I have the same question, although seeing what modders can do I would imagine they will get a mod going it the dev doesn't have Mk1s subbing for mk2s.

 

I suspect support for all these other routes is for the 40,45 and 47. As the route tags would sub them in naturally. As for the coaches. They wont be seen on these routes. With modding them in? Somethings have changed lately with how things are added to timetables. To the point where Im not sure it can be done, without making a whole new timetable.

 

It’s actually a shame the 33 hasn’t been included as one of the used locos. With a BR Blue reskin and 7 or 8 Mark Ones in tow, it would stir the juices. Apart from the 25MPH fester on WSR and a couple of other Railtours it’s tragically under represented in game.

 

These mk1s the existing mk3as and JTs upcoming mk2fs and mk1 buffet. Its a real opportunity to refresh the existing railtours. Only issue being those that are happy running their ntp mk2as everywhere.
Same thing with updating the class 87 mk2a to mk2f services. How do you tell people they have to buy the 86 or lose the formations they already have. Its a pickle.

 

That's a shame. Blue grey Mk1s were the default on most of the extra trains the Blackpool and other lines saw. The NTP mk2s were way over used.

 

Same as on the WCML, most of the secondary long distance services including many of those to/from the South West and South Coast were Mark Two aircons. The older non aircon Mark 2’s were in turn displaced on to other loco hauled services. However relief and excursion trains were still largely Mark One formations until sectorisation and cost cutting brought those to an end.

 

Im not around to test, but If youre on PC, and this still works then theres hope. https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/m...scenery-timetable-formations-and-other-addons

 

That's actually an incredibly good shout along with perhaps some of the other stock on WSR? Be a nice chance to stretch the legs in timetable!

 

Hi Lawrence - This is due to the promotional screenshots lagging slightly behind our updates. What you see on the forum here are the latest versions.

 

Hi - Due to our pack featuring gameplay that utilised them, we have included a 40 and 45 but it is not within our remit with Dovetail to make any modifications at this time. We are glad we reached an agreement to include them though.