Blackpool Route On Record Sale! But....

I know 34% doesn't seem like a lot, but that's as high as it's ever been. It seems like a nice deal, but I'm not seeing any real freight on the route despite promises.
What I see in the timetable is a) light loco and b) shunting.
No actual freight.
Then there's one oil car scenario.
Is that about it?
I mean it looks very neat from the rewiews, and the Pacer could come in handy on the WCL (since the 150 is kinda meh)
However, unless you want to do all commuter routes.... it seems kinda pointless for me.
I already have a few "pretty" routes without much on them like WSR and Maintalbahn.
At least Nidder has a few freight runs....

I did hear the 47 included was better modeled than previous versions though and that's usable on quite a few maps. Just not sure it's worth it now, or just keep waiting to see if it goes on more of a sale in the future.

 

There are oil trains to burnt naze and also un fitted coal trains (i think always empty)

 

If you think it's worth it. We can't make the decision for you

 

Trains plural, and "unfitted?"

 

Sorry, just ignore the fact i was trying to help

 

You've missed out your full stop to end the sentence.

 

My apologies.

 

No, I'm just curious what you mean.
I didn't see any headcodes for a freight train in the timetable, only the one scenario. So if you mean "trains" plural that's new information.
It wasn't meant in a derogatory way. It was a question.

 

So I couldn't find a service up the branch, only downwards, so towards Preston.

 

I can’t remember if it shows the headcode just look for anything going to burnt naze.

 

It’s just crossed my mind, you probably need the heavy freight pack for ntp to have the oil trains and you probably need sos or peak forrest for the coal wagons.

 

On my end there's three services running about Burn Naze ICI, that seems to about the extent of my freight ops. Although I do not own SoS or WCL, and those I think might have freight services of their own, but don't quote me on it. At any rate OP's general impression is correct, Blackpool's very much weighted to passenger ops, certainly more so than the other BR routes.

 

There are other freight trains using wagons layered in from other routes.

 

I have the Freight pack and NTP... guess I'll give it a shot while it's on sale. Thakns for feedback everyone.

 

As said above you will need NTP with it's heavy freight pack to see most of the freight services on this route.

 

What would you need that for? The tankers come included with the route.

 

As well as NTP + the Heavy duty pack, the Tees Valley, WCL, SOS and Class's 20 and 31 are also layered in.

 

Roughly what I recall of the services and layers:
Base route: 142s, 47s, MK2 coaches, MK1 BGs, TEA tankers and 08s
Services: 142s between Preston and Blackpool North, and Ormskirk and Blackpool South. 47s + MK2s between Preston and Blackpool North. A couple light loco 47 moves on the Ormskirk branch. TEA tanker freight between Preston and Burn Naze. AI 47 WCML services through Preston. 47s running mail/newspaper trains between Preston and Blackpool North. 08s shunting in Preston and Blackpool North.

Tees Valley Line: 37s, steel wagons, Railfreight coal wagons, 101s
Services: AI WCML freight running through Preston. 7 or 10 car 101 formations on summer specials between Preston and Blackpool North. Slim chance to sub in a 2 car 101 on a 142 service.

West Cornwall Local: Seacow Ballast Wagons
Services: A few engineering trains between Preston and Kirkham Junction. Seacows appear as static stock in a few sidings near Preston.

Spirit Of Steam: 8f, MK1 coaches, 16t mineral wagon, 20t brake van
Services: 8f steam railtour. A few unfitted (meaning no train brakes on the wagons) tip services between Preston and Kirkham Junction.
(Extra note, the unfitted services actually simulate the 35mph speed limit put on such trains)

BR Class 31: 31s and concrete tankers
Services: 31s can sub in on shorter train length Preston - Blackpool North services, and Seacow engineering trains. Concrete tankers on AI WCML freight services.

BR Class 20: 20s
Services: Top and tailed Class 20 railtour which goes on all corners of the route, including the single track branches.

Northern Transpennine: 47s and 45s
Services: 47s and 45s can sub in on Preston - Blackpool North services, TEA tanker trains and Seacow engineering trains.

BR Heavy Freight Pack: 40s
Services: 40s can sub in on Preston - Blackpool North services, TEA tanker trains and Seacow engineering trains.

So on the subject of freight, what you get with all layers in total is:
Oil tanker movements between Preston and Burn Naze.
Unbraked tip trains between Preston and Kirkham Junction.
Engineering trains between Preston and Kirkham Junction.
Post and newspaper trains between Preston and Blackpool North.

And as noted, the Pacers can also be used on WCL. Plus JustTrains were generous enough to include all three engine/transmission variants on the Pacers even though the modified versions didn't come about until after 1986 when the route is set. Those will never appear in traffic on Blackpool Branches, but on WCL it does mean that you can use the version with the original Leyland engine but the upgraded Voith transmission as was accurate for 1992.

 

Thank you for that complete list. That's a lot of work!

 

I drive that route a lot, I could have missed something but I believe that is the full list.

Now as an added thing since I noticed in your original post you questioned the modifications done to the 47, for reference here are the two 47s we already had from WSR and NTP.


And here are the three versions included in this route. I'll let you be the judge on the paintwork updates, but in terms of the more functional updates I can tell you that they feature high intensity headlamps, bardic lamps in the cab, an updated exhaust smoke system and when the patch eventually comes out, they are in line to receive suspension updates.

They are also able to be substituted in on all NTP services, all WSR services, and I believe a select few of the railtours. Some railtours have free picking of all three, others I imagine are set to use a specific unit number so are restricted to either one of these or only NTP.


The 08 also got the same treatment. NTP on the left, BPO on the right.


A comparison of their cabs, NTP first and BPO second.



And just to put the cherry on the cake, they went as far as to independently texture and include the unique 08744, Preston's pilot shunter.


As I said the 47s are set to be included in the suspension update, as are all the other things included in this route. The 142s already had it on release as theirs was a simple spring based system.

Edit: Just checked on the 47 services on other routes. The classic blue one can be used everywhere the NTP one can, the large logo and Intercity ones can be used everywhere except the Southeastern and Semmeringbahn layers.

 

Wow, they really did go over them.

 

See at the bottom of this guide for all details on layers:

https://dovetailgames.freshdesk.com...80001094689-blackpool-branches-gameplay-guide

I think DTG customer support did a good job by creating a collection of game guides here:

https://dovetailgames.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/80000678884

 

Yes, those manuals are pretty good.
Not anywhere near the level of detail of MP600's comments, but thank you for sharing that link again.

 

Some interesting comparisons. Now that I see the 08s side-by-side, that NTP one is a bit of an odd colour. It looks almost purple. The BPO one looks much better.

 

I keep hearing about "Historic BR blue" but.... it seems like there's a LOT of different "BR blues" in game =-)

 

Yes, and in fairness there were some slight inconsistencies in real life too, although the blue was more consistent than the yellow on the front ends. There were some dramatically different shades of yellow!

 

Blackpool branches is one of my favourite tsw routes and brings a bit of everything.

If you like the 90s and own the dlcs for the layers (for example class 20 or the ygb seacow wagons of wcl), then this route wont disappoint.

The timetable is very rich in my opinon + the ormskirk and blackpool south branch is there too. On top the path to burn naze. The junction to burn naze has even still the platforms and a few tracks on the disused entry coming from blackpool.

Also 2-3 disused stations are modeled. Looks very atmospheric and for me worth the full price.

There are also ligh loco runs which simulates the route learning practice. The class 31/37/40/45 are substituting in the services. (Yes DTG, for some reason on this route substitution works perfect...on most other routes its broken since tsw4..)

 

I bought it full price on XBOX a few days ago... And I just bought it again on Steam at 34% off.

Blackpool Branches is the first time I have paid full-price since TSW released in 2018, and I was happy to buy it twice. Just Trains did a super-fantastic job, and the quality is just amazing.

DTG and Rivet Games should take notice of Just Trains, and then they might get some full-price purchases off me as well.

 

One of the most mind blowing finds on this route I came across is if you walk down the original disused curve to the north of Poulton (that intersects the Burn Naze branch) you can find the overgrown disused Poulton Curve Halt platforms. Absolutely unreal attention to detail.

 

This route is the best TSW offering by far. Rivet would do well to at least try to meet this standard...

 

It is one of the best, for sure. Problem is it does leave you wanting to go further, particularly doing the loco hauled runs which non stop are over in around 25 minutes. And because there’s no real significant gradients, a lot of time is spent “coasting” (sorry, Matt!!).

 

What would be nice as mentioned elsewhere would be NTP brought up to the Blackpool line standards. More detail, improved lighting, signalling and a beefed up timetable. Throw a new train and some rolling stock in and many would part money. But BR don't sell....

 

At times DTG has an almost Microsoft-esque level of misreading the temperature of its customer base. Indeed folks absolutely love BR, and the increasing amount of youngsters flocking to diesel galas to see "real" locomotives with character is impressive.

 

In reality the paint shades varied dramatically so it's not unrealistic to have different shades.
Particularly in the steam era, shades were mixed by eye and the shade could even vary between locomotive and tender if painted at different times.

Then there's the environment. Sulphur dioxide reacts with paint making it darker. Any built up area with smoke emiting industry such as Yorkshire cities or London would find their locomotives become a shade or two darker.

 

Blackpool Branches still the best route for me to date in TSW

 

It’s a lovely route with immense detail that transports you back to a fascinating era. In addition it’s a rare vintage route in this game.
JT was generous with multiple skins too.

 

I love trainspotting at Preston, just pick a random time of day and see what turns up. Only possible because we had so much variety back then and Just Trains have taken the time to do a realistic timetable using all the stock we have available. Can't wait to see the electrics being swopped for diesels for the run to Blackpool one day.

 

Do they go to railway events, do they watch YouTube channels? This lampoil thing must lead straight to 'One handled unit with Modern route and class 66' everytime. Maybe though it's time to accept that no matter how we feel they have the party line and are sticking to it.

 

Ah yes… The everybody must so want Windows 11 this eco concerned company that is going to force you to scrap or upgrade otherwise perfectly good computers in order to run it, when we pull the plug on Windows 10!

 

It’s like shooting fish in a barrel, Vern. How about the way the Xbox division is being run down into the ground by successive waves of incompetence. Quite a change from the days when the 360 console ruled the living room. In a few years “Xbox” will just be a games publisher.

 

Would of been good to operate the 37, not just the 47. I'm not a diesel fan, but I prefer the 37. I remember mostly 31, 37 and 47 around here in the 80s and 90s. And our resident 08.

For excitement and atmosphere nothing beats a 47, apart from a pacer.

 

I would hasten to add that I think Blackpool Ormskirk SHOULD be on EVERYONES list of routes to have in TSW regardless of price or sale.

Hentis

 

To add to that, some trains (I believe in the Western region) were not properly painted into BR Blue, IIRC a single coat over the green, giving some locos a distinct teal colour.

 

Finally got to run some on Blackpool. Not bad. The selections are still a bit limited, but you can at least use a lot of different layered stock from other routes, the scenery is nice in the countryside and the sounds seemed better than normal. Maybe it's just noticing it more (not sure if any of that has anything to do with the route) but pulling a load of tankers with a Class 40, you could really appreciate the engine and track sounds. It had enough traffic signals to keep it interesting but not waiting forever for a signal. Mostly drove the north loop and up to Burn Naze, haven't been to south loop or down the Olmskirk but so far so good!

 

I believe you can't drive the 37 on there? Obvious choice would of been Blackpool Tower 37407.

 

I don't recall it listed (as it's one of my favorites)
The 20, 31, 40, 45, the Jubilee are there I recall, as well as the 101 I think and 142.
Those are the ones I can recall off the top of my head.
The Jubilee and the 20 are just railtours though.

 

In the year BPO was set 37407 was at Eastfield Named Loch long. Didnt go near the Blackpool line until 1993 and even then was still Loch Long until 1995 When it was Outshopped by Doncaster in Transrail and Named at London Euston Blackpool Tower.

37s had a spell in the early 80s on the Saturday only Sheffield to Blackpool train and started appearing again late 80s onwards. (1989 iirc)

 

Thanks

 

How many miles are there in this DLC route? Judging from the good reviews, their development team is pretty good.

 

https://www.justtrains.net/product/train-sim-world-4-blackpool-branches-preston-blackpool-ormskirk

As long as you don't use the 8F