Upcoming Release Cargo Line Vol.3 - Intermodal, Coming Soon!

In Skyhook's defence they DID previously look to model the Class 60, but none of the operators would grant them access to one IRL. One would assume DTG have/are looking at a Class 70 but that's just speculation.

 

I appreciate these freight car add-ons, but just hauling them from one place to another easily becomes boring and, well, pointless. So I'd really like to see some activities that include switching -- and I don't mean just driving from one place to another and dropping off a rack of freight cars. Numerous TS freight scenarios included lots of switching/shunting maneuvers -- come to think of it, I actually wrote a good number of those; but those kinds of freight work seem to have dropped off of DTG's and other suppliers' radar.

PLEASE bring them back?

 

Agreed, and a modern-liveried 08 would make one of these addons more appealing. We already have the model, and they are still around. These liveries could work.

 

As noted, you need something like the two container terminals at Southampton to make a pack like this more than pretty scenery. I remember back in my Network Rail Train Running Controller days, our Line Manager organised a team day event visiting both Millbrook and Southampton MCT terminals. Quite fascinating and the logistics of keeping track of all those containers made anything we did on the railway look like small beans.

 

the Cargo wagons in the addon look very similar to the flat wagons in wcml south, and rest of uk routes

 

What do you expect intermodal container wagons to look like?
Anyways, they are different wagons!

 

Thanks everyone for the interest in our next release in the Cargo Line series.

I've attached the comparison image again for those concerned that these wagons are just reskins and provide nothing new.

With regard to the discussion about new or existing timetable services, you are correct in your observations. One of the reasons behind the delay from a release last year has been working with the WCML and ECML routes. We've had many issues with timetable simulations of late (158 Sprinter timetable for Fife Circle anyone...). After the release of WCML with TSW5 and discussion about the timetable being overhauled, we had to put this pack on pause. Over time we could not wait any longer and decided to take our own copy of the timetables, replacing services with Cargo Line variants. This means if either DTG or Skyhook decides to update the timetable further in future it can be done without any risk to the other.

Intermodal trains on the Cargo Line version of the timetables are longer, siding length permitting.

 

Day 1 purchase for me Adam. Looking forward to vol. 4 and beyond!

 

It’s frustrating for the players, but I can’t imagine how cheesed off Skyhook are! Hopefully Vol. 3 puts you back on track developmentally and, more importantly, financially!

 

Looking pretty good, My question is does it add on top additional services to what's already there or does it replace or subistute the existing freight .Iam refering to the west coastmainline addon of course

 

this has already been answered a few posts ago.

 

It will replace existing ones, for now, as the current WCML timetable is causing many issues and problems for developers, most likely due to the core issues with TSW5 and the way the timetable was first implemented!

 

Are we ever going to get a new freight loco the 66 is boring on its own

 

It seems not. There was an unsourced statement the other day that attempts by a developer to get access to a Class 60 were rebutted by the operator. It remains to be seen if Freightliner are now cooperating if that extends to a Class 70 access. No one seems interested in building the Class 56.

Plus I do start to wonder whether DTG or the third parties actually have anyone on staff capable of building a new type of diesel loco for the UK.

 

We don't necessarily need a new freight loco - there are older locos like the 20, 31, 37, 47, soon to be 86, that could be painted into newer liveries for a bit of variety, as well as the 08 mentioned above. See the link in my sig and give it a like if you agree.

There's also loads more 66 liveries to cover.

 

I totally agree what's often said in the forums ,that it's time for another freight loco ,a consolation is in my humble opinion the class 66 is a loco that's seen on the UK network like "weeds in your garden" yes it's over used but by no means a emersion breaker in the game,would be great to see more liveries from dtg themselfs, though, freightliner for one example

 

With all due respect nobody I've seen has ever argued that the 66 is unfitting or unrealistic, issue pretty much everyone has is it being overused constantly. The fact that it's overused and all over the place in real-life doesn't really move the needle much for many people. Frankly the game already does some pretty wacky layering and DLC packs for the sake of variety, the ATSF F7, various railtour services, or even Cane Creek's overly lively timetable. All examples of the game pushing realism aside for a minute.

Honestly I kind of agree with one of the posters a bit above about doing a EWS livery 37 or 31 at this point. The fact they're a out of place in time be damned, at least it would be something I can use on those hundred or so freight services that I avoid solely because I find the 66 a complete bore to drive.

 

Its not ‘unsourced’ Vern. Skyhook’s Adam mentioned it.
Regarding new loco’s in general I think DTG are incapable of producing something new and unwilling generally.

 

Adam at Skyhook came forwards, some months ago now, to say they had looked to produce a Class 60. Unfortunately the project wasn't able to go ahead due to source material limitations. Adam also mentioned that they (Skyhook) had looked into the viability of producing a Class 222 for their Midland Mainline route, but had decided it too costly to produce given the expected income from a train pack with limited route compatibility within the game.

 

Well, I don't know the exact provenance of the F59phr, but, if it's an in- house product, there might still be a spark of life in the loco- building department.

 

Skyhook everyone measures in money or what? Such an attitude to content from them is infuriating...

 

Yes I have the greatest respect for SHG and Adam, but what’s the point of being in the train sim business if at every turn requests and suggestions for anything a bit more than low hanging fruit - i.e. a V2.0 for MML, a freight loco or the 222 - is met with a negative response. Sometimes you need to take a chance, the freight packs might tick some boxes but they are like going for a three course meal and all you get is the soup or salad starter!

 

One issue I have with the 66 is, it's not much fun to drive, which puts me off a lot of UK freight services. But the variety thing is key too - I would stretch absolute realism (within reason!) for a bit of variety.

 

Understandable. Of course for me it's more interesting to drive, as it's pretty much an EMD creation.

I do find that it's initial tractive effort and adhesion are a bit lacking though.

 

This has just reminded me of the DRS Class 20 teased by skyhook themselves, can't wait to see how that pans out. I sincerely hope it extends to further "new" renditions of older TSW locos, or new locos themselves.

If you're on PC there are a few Class 66 liveries available through mods (Freightliner and GBRf being the biggest ones), which really helps to iron out the rail scene on WCML south.

 

Well, it's pretty much a "junior SD60" but with the 12-cylinder engine ("SD59"?) and so only 3000 vice 3800 hp, and only 2/3 the weight which adversely impacts adhesion

 

Well, the Freightliner license has been confirmed to be available for several months now, as well as someone a while back suggesting their employer (GBRF) had ‘allowed’ some sort of license or access to a loco of theirs at some point.. there’s a ONE pink 66 available in an add-on, and I think there’s also a DRS 66 somewhere too.. so hopefully, in a years’ time, we’ll have some more variety!

 

This is surprising come from you Vern. You for one know full well what the reality is. Skyhook is a business with employees who need to be paid every month. You don't 'take a chance' with peoples livelihoods. Its a shame you view the sentiment 'we can't afford to do that' as being negative.

Everyone is welcome to roll up their sleeves and get involved in TrainSim development. This is how I got started 25 years ago when the trains and routes I wanted were not available in Microsoft Train Simulator. I can now possibly be credited with involvement in nearly half of all trains and routes that have ever existed in TrainSimClassic and TrainSimWorld, as well as aiding in the creation of both of those titles.

While still at DTG I helped onboard the Alan Thomson Simulation team to TSW because they were always saying 'they could do better' and they are now developing their own TSW content. Time will tell if they are right, but they're doing something and its exciting to see. New blood always reinvigorates the system.

 

Hiya,

I just wanted to make a comment regarding the discussion of newly accessible licenses and why more is not being done with them.

Just because an operator has given permission for something to appear in software does not mean that permission extends to unlimited access to all traction that operator owns. The DRS license for example permitted only the use of the brand on the existing Class 66 model. It did not grant any access to the prototype or anything else associated with DRS. A Freightliner license does not mean anyone can get access to traction and make Freightliner content now.

Skyhook were required to get approval for the use of EWS branding on the FCA Intermodal wagon and the owner therefore has a right to say no. So despite EWS branding being in TSW for years it does not guarantee its appearance.

 

Fair enough Adam, I shall wind my neck in! (Though still hoping we still see something new route or traction wise from SHG in due course).

 

I've noticed that it's showing release for 8th and 9th gen as well as PC. Does this mean that 8th gen players will be able to purchase this form some additional WCML layers?

 

It is a new timetable. The existing DTG timetable will stay as is. The Cargo Line Vol.3 will show as a new, separate timetable, the same as would show if you are on PC and have the FAWX or OTS community timetables.

 

It's the same fashion as they did with the seperate over Shap timetables. One for the 350/390 and one with the 66(& maybe the 350)??

 

I assume this will be something similar to what you will see [ as a PC player ]

 

Im sure many of us have heard the phrase ‘be the change you want to see’….indeed someone very connected with DTG has said this before!

 

In general I agree with the fright packs being decent. UK freight is pretty neglected, but I’d agree with the likes of Vern that it doesn’t really do much to alleviate the issue.

WCML has the rarer opportunity to do something abit more special with freight, the first thing which comes to mind are the Tesco movements with 68/88’s. For that though we need someone to actually get moving on making a new freight loco.

Then there’s the two sides to licensing. On one hand we see TSW in general seems to have a massive struggle with getting them & it’s usually one of the first things thrown out in response to this kind of feed back. However I think in the case of freight we have upto 5 licences seen for modern UK content now, yet we always come back to the DB or EWS stuff. On the other hand there isn’t any real reason I can see why a rake of plain blue 40ft’s can’t be pulled by the existing DRS 66 for the Tesco trains, potentially double headed. It’s something that stands out & would probably even turn the heads of those that aren’t interested in freight. You could even layer it into ECML too for more playability.

The above really is just an example of under-realised content. We’ve got a container focused pack for the WCML which seems to ignore one of the most notable container runs along the line.

Freight for those who don’t like it, I suspect generally only get it to fill out a route, with an already busy route with the unique NP wagons available, im not sure how attractive adding in a handful more unbranded multicoloured 66 rakes really are.

The wagons are nice, but overall there’s been abit of a swing & a miss in terms of the gameplay for me, the reuse of the same DB & EWS 66’s, along with unbranded intermodals just let it down for me.

At some point someone needs to look into container branding, 66 ToC’s & new locos. I’m not sure how much more money I’ll put into UK freight when it’s not amounting to much progress in diversity of the content.

 

As noted above already, the presence of a license doesn't necessarily mean what everyone thinks it does. It doesn't necessarily mean free reign for anyone to develop content with that brand going forward.

Easier said than done. Not impossible, but more complex than 'just have a rake of blue containers pulled by the Rivet DRS 66. Definitely something far easier for DTG to undertake than Skyhook as it involves editing the same DTG wagon in multiple DLCs.

It's been an on-going thing for probably 15 years. I started the activity with the DTG Licensing team, providing a list of maybe 100+ shipping container brands to seek permission for. As it turns out, a vast majority of them are within giant ownership pyramids meaning if the tip says no that wipes out a huge swathe of brands down stream.

 

I'm curious what Skyhook and by extension the community would think about using fictional brands/logos on the containers if getting the actual licenses isn't doable.

 

Yeah, totally appreciate that & like I said, you’re doing a good job with what you can in adding the wagon packs.

I’m just broadly venting about the overall freight situation for the UK stuff. Of course the disconnected nature of TSW’s content doesn’t help.

 

I work in Thurmaston, Leicestershire. The back of my work backs onto the Midland Mainline on am average shift the majority of freight will be 66 hauled with various FOC's, but I'll also often see services hauled by 37s, 47s, 56s, 57s, 60s, 67s, 68s, 69s and 70s with the occasional rarity like a 20 or 50 hauling something.

So while this is a day one purchase for me, it's one I'm looking forward to and I understand where Luca is coming from, it is a crying shame more hasn't been done for other loco types due to various reasons "Costs, licensing etc etc".

 

Rather than plain than fictional branding.

 

Personally I have no issue with fictional branding if it's done in the same professional manner than licensed branding is. I'm not a fan of "Tezco" and "Adli" that are clearly skirting around licensing. I'd much rather see some artistic license. "Boggs Sanitation" and "Don't Be Salty Crisps" anyone......?

 

Not going to lie but I’m disappointed that this pack isn’t going to add more services to WCML or ECML, That said I’ll still be picking it up as for me it’s still value for money (just slightly less so).

 

Parody poster adverts have been in TrainSim for years, but its never reached shipping containers. I don't reckon it would pass muster to feature parody brands in an intended simulation, as entertaining as they are. I've often explored GTAV just admiring the signage.

 

I imagine it would actually be quite difficult inventing believeable shipping companies with names that aren't already in use anyway

 

Perhaps homage is better than parody. There’s one called ‘Mail Depot’ or something in both of JT’s routes that is pretty obviously a Royal Mail clone. Not sure how far from the original brand you have to get to avoid copyright, or likeness claims, but R* are the masters of it!

I’d love to take a crack at homage container brands.. generic initials like ‘OPC’, something ending in ‘co’ or ‘line’ and even a name of a place that could be related to shipping like ‘SUEZ’ or ‘MACAU’.

Thankfully the containers are livery designer compatible!

 

Even just one or two that just say "generic shipping container" would be worth a chuckle.

 

Why do you need licenses for shipping containers? I understand for the Train operator to a degree but not plain old containers.. this place goes a little mad with the whole "must have a license" situation especially if its just for containers! I might be wrong but I cant see companies of shipping containers complaining about their name being in TSW...You get branding in Flightsim on containers for DHL/UPS and fedex just to name a few, even the current container brands are plastered on containers where airports are next to railyards etc, amongst the scenery and on the loaders for the cargo bins and no licenses were obtained for those....

 

I always assumed that to use anyone's copyright, trademark or brand device you would need to pay some amount of money to purchase the right to use them, especially if your going to use that mark in a for profit venture.

I might be cynical but Is a brand on the side of a TEU not the same as the Cadbury branding on BCC or the BOC branding on TVL, etc etc

 

Developers develop payware airports etc without getting the rights from the airport corps and there are brands such as McDonalds and hotel chains along with airlines names plastered all over them, another example is for IFLY 737 MAX I do not believe they have the license from Boeing, but for Boeing you can create their acft for flightsim without a license, Boeing's licensing programs do not directly cover simulations, I know Im talking a different sim but it does happen...

In saying that I know in flightsim as well that yes you do need permission, ie Airbus require license agreements for their acft so Im not saying we abandoned that process at all as you do need it and need certain permission if its for profit, ie train manufacturers/operators etc but I just feel sometimes it might be a little over the top especially if referencing shipping containers but obviously I have to get used to that lol...