Do You Prefer Modern Routes Or Dated Routes

Discussion in 'TSW General Discussion' started by ben#1349, Feb 16, 2026 at 5:25 PM.

?
  1. Dated

    69 vote(s)
    33.8%
  2. Modern

    92 vote(s)
    45.1%
  3. Era doesn't affect me

    43 vote(s)
    21.1%
  1. eMAyTeeTee

    eMAyTeeTee Well-Known Member

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    I think you and I have a different understanding of "dated"
     
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  2. alert-agency2

    alert-agency2 Member

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    I'm sure the title states Modern or Dated Routes, nothing to do with Rolling Stock, or Timetabling.

    Which means they weren't clear on what they were asking.
     
  3. stujoy

    stujoy Well-Known Member

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    Read the opening post again and pay close attention to the words in it. They talk about the trains in it. Everyone else understands, and given a little effort, you can too.
     
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  4. ben#1349

    ben#1349 Well-Known Member

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    I actually did state rolling stock and scenery. And a route from 10+ years ago is more likely than not going to have a new timetable. As another user said, given a little effort, you'd understand
     
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  5. explorer#6075

    explorer#6075 Member

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    Historical routes are by far my greatest preference. It’s not even just because the modern stuff is boring and rubbish, but in the past, there was a far greater variety, so to me older routes feel a lot more alive.

    I’m genuinely bemused by everybody’s obsession with modern plastic rubbish. I’m just too young to really remember Class 45s etc on passenger trains, but I never get bored of opening up the power handle on TransPennine! Slightly off topic, and I don’t know how accurate the sounds are, but I don’t even open it right up straight away, it’s so satisfying opening it up gradually, and getting more and more thrash!

    Back on topic. Class 158s were the shiny new thing in my youth. I appreciated them, but I’d much rather any kind of ‘proper’ train had turned up instead of one.

    Having said that, I enjoy modern day stuff too, but it is boring compared to historical routes, and we definitely don’t have enough older routes.

    I know very little about German trains, but I enjoy the routes as there are far more proper trains to enjoy.
     
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  6. rd#7546

    rd#7546 Member

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    For me its generally 80s to mind 00s, thought occasionally I do enjoy more modern. This isn't nostalgia as such for me, as I was born in the 90s, so much of the 80s stuff is before my time, but I generally find the older trains more charismatic and operationally interesting. Newer trains tend to be a bit samey, I find. It doesn't help matters that theres now a relatively standardised cab across all manufactures for new units/locos.

    I also don't enjoy driving the routes in sim that I drive at work (though appreciate I am in a bit of a niche camp here). I guess if you worked in an office you probably wouldnt want to come home and play "office simulator"...
     
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  7. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    This phenomenon isn't new. It can be seen on older German locomotives, even within different families.
     
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  8. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    Well feel free to patronize me too stujoy, because I didn't understand the OP's meaning either.

    And if " dated " means simply more than 10 years old, the poll has very little meaning anyway..
     
  9. alert-agency2

    alert-agency2 Member

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    So, Modern means no more Just Trains routes, so less routes for players. 3rd parties might pick them up but may not.

    But it would be ben#1349 to make sure each year the timetabling is updated for players. Has its their idea. Plus reiterating gaining new stock ie Class 196s, Class 730, Class 333s, Class 158s & forth with.

    TVL don't forget services are still running between Saltburn - Bishop Auckland (Darlington) today as with 80s game. Minus rolling stock.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2026 at 3:44 PM
  10. operator#7940

    operator#7940 Well-Known Member

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    Well everything will be "dated" eventually when it gets old... but I think in this context, it's pretty clear the OP is referring to non-contemporary. In other words, something that came out as roughly "current" when produced.. not "backdated."
    In 20 years yes a route that releases today will THEN be "old" but today it's "modern."
    It will always be contemporary with the time it was created. A route about 2025 made in 2025 will always be contemporary.
    By comparison, a Just Trains route built last year that portrays a rail line that doesn't exist anymore in the 1980s would be "back dated."
    It is from it's start showing an historical railway from the past.

    I believe (feel free to correct me, OP) but the intent was whether people preferred routes made in the "current day" (contemporary) depicting how things are when they are made.... or rather routes that are "backdated" showing railways from the past. A route created "old" will never be contemporary.
     
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  11. GWRKingClass

    GWRKingClass Well-Known Member

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    There are other differences on Tees Valley compared to how the route is now. For example, where the route briefly joins the ECML at Darlington this has been electrified since the late 80s/ early 90s. Not sure what you mean by no more JT routes?
     
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  12. CK95

    CK95 Well-Known Member

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    What on earth are you talking about?

    Why would JT not make any more routes?

    Why does the OP suddenly have timetabling responsibilities?
     
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  13. ben#1349

    ben#1349 Well-Known Member

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    I have to make timetables why? Whats your point
     
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  14. ben#1349

    ben#1349 Well-Known Member

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    It was tough to pick an am8unt of yest because everyone consideres different things as dated. If feel 10 years does make a substantial difference most of the time
     
  15. ben#1349

    ben#1349 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah that's a better way to put it. Didnt realise i'd get so much hate for wording that most understood.
     
  16. operator#7940

    operator#7940 Well-Known Member

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    It's the internet.
    Don't worry about it.
     
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  17. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    You haven't gotten any " hate ". Just amusement or perhaps bemusement. Trains common in the year 2016 can hardly be called " dated "; most of them are still youthful and running.

    I can't speak for others but " dated" for me means at least 30 or 40 years old.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2026 at 4:57 PM
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  18. Double Yellow

    Double Yellow Well-Known Member

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    I’m playing a game right now that escapes reality. It’s set in rural Japan in the 16th Century. I can live out my samurai revenge fantasy :) Then killing zombies with Resident Evil Requiem in two weeks time.

    When it comes to train simulation I don’t want to escape reality. I want to play what feels familiar to me. Anything older than the BR era just feels alien to me and it’s not enjoyable. I want to drive trains that I grew up with and see on a day to day basis.
     
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  19. stujoy

    stujoy Well-Known Member

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    Maybe more people got the wrong idea than I thought. My post was very much for just the one person, who I thought was perhaps deliberately misunderstanding things but I think I may have been wrong about that now, as reading all the posts a second time they aren’t being as argumentative as I first thought, just a little confused about meanings. Oops, my apologies.

    I don’t think people will stick rigidly to the poll’s 10 year cutoff for what makes a route dated, as everyone just likes to talk about what era they like the best when these things come up, and that’s what’s happened in the thread.
     
  20. theorganist

    theorganist Well-Known Member

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    I consider a 20 to 25 year old Electrostar, Turbostar or Desiro modern. Old is at least pre 1990 as far as I'm concerned. I'm still getting used to Networkers being old!
     
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  21. ben#1349

    ben#1349 Well-Known Member

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    Thats sort of what i believe too but ive seen people refer to Pfälzische Ludwigsbahn as dated being a 2013 route
     
  22. coursetim

    coursetim Well-Known Member

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    For me personally I'm leaning more and more towards historic content. I appreciate the modern content to some degree but it doesn't quite scratch the same itch as historic content for me.

    I don't personally find modern content as engaging to drive. I also love history and am fascinated by how the railways used to work for pretty much everything. And just being able to see through a window in time and see a representation of it is wonderful to me! My dad was a fireman on the Bluebell for decades which probably explains my love for Steam era stuff. But even moving into the diesels with JT, NTP and TVL has been great fun, learning the 87 and the WCMLOS route has also been great fun and really engaging!

    Having said that I will definitely be playing ECW as it was my most local route and I enjoy GWE also! I'm also very excited to see what Firefly comes up with for Medway.
     
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  23. Jpantera

    Jpantera Well-Known Member

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    Pre 94 is old, Post 94 modern.

    Privatisation basically changed the face of UK rail ops. However as mentioned by others some prefer the pre Sprinter years (BR Blue).

    Each to their own. I challenge anyone though to decline a pair of 37 on a proper heavy train in favour of a 66. Or a 50 clocking 100mph in favour of a Green Hitachi device.....
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2026 at 10:30 PM
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  24. operator#7940

    operator#7940 Well-Known Member

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    It's like the "bad" ride of an older car that is a lot more fun than the too smooth ride of a modern one. The "flaws" are what gives it character. If you're in a sound proofed cab with very little environmental sounds or motion... what's the point?
     
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  25. bakedpotatos.jm

    bakedpotatos.jm Well-Known Member

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    Judging from Matts comments on the Discord Q and A it doesn't seem like steam will not be making a big comeback.

    TSG is not adding manual fireman at all just making the physics work better with assisted so you don't run out of steam or able to go super fast. So that won't interest me at all.

    And the WOS physics are not going to be anywhere near as detailed as in TSW, one of the reasons its able to be on switch.

    So that knocks off they are using WOS as a test bed for real steam.
     
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  26. Jpantera

    Jpantera Well-Known Member

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    Some of the runs I have had behind older diesels have been breathtaking, sitting on a desiro based unit or CAF product is nothing like it. Glaring lights, constant announcements, bad window views, hard seats, no buffet car. The list is endless. Perfection is a Mk1 Compartment on a route of choice and a exciting loco on the front.
     
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  27. ---DMY---

    ---DMY--- Well-Known Member

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    That's absolutely true, but we must also acknowledge those that have a purely utilitarian view of transportation, we can't blame them for seeking something that we railfans consider bland, without soul, in particular when it comes to comfort...

    I remember (years ago of course) enduring a 100+km journey at the extremity of an old Z5300 EMU carriage subjected to furious yaw movements, and even I couldn't consider it pleasant...
     
  28. Asheix

    Asheix Well-Known Member

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    If "dated" means older/ historic routes for TSW, I have suggested several over the years on here ranging from the 1920s - 1990s.

    These include...
    1. A historic London Underground route with the 1938 Stock being the newest rolling stock, as well as featuring older trains going back into the 1920s. Information for rolling stock, routes/ destinations and timetables can be sourced from London Transport Museum.
    2. Ashford to Dover Priory and Dover Harbour set in the 1930s featuring the Golden Arrow, local services and freight to Dover Harbour. If DTG are moving away from steam after the hype of the 'Spirit of Steam', something like this would be unlikely.
    3. London Charing Cross to Hastings with the 421 CIG and 423 4BIG set in 2003/04 when the 375 and 377 (seen in Hastings and St Leonards Warrior Square) were starting to run along side in a clash of eras.
    Since most routes are seemingly going in one present day direction, I have doubts anything as my suggestions would really happen.
     
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  29. unine#4938

    unine#4938 New Member

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    I way prefer modern routes but niddertalbahn always will be one of my favourites.
     
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  30. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    1980s, mid-early 1990s or late 1970s for me please in that order, nothing from 2000+ ;)
     
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  31. jack#9468

    jack#9468 Well-Known Member

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    In terms of how old a TSW route is, the oldest I play now is Southeastern High Speed.

    In terms of era, I prefer a mix.
     
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  32. operator#7940

    operator#7940 Well-Known Member

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    I'm not at all ignoring their opinion. There's a reason cushy seats and sound proofed cabins is high up in real life coaches used by commuters after all. Many people do tend to go with what they are used to as well. All I'm saying is that it's equally relevant to appreciate the other side of the aisle who prefer a more traditional approach =-)

    I don't think it's an EITHER/OR question.
    The question was what do YOU PREFER... personally... not "should we ban everything else?"
    I don't like pistachio ice cream or pineapple on pizza, but some weird people like those =-)
     
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  33. lexie

    lexie Well-Known Member

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    My choise was "Era doesn't effect me". I love playing Linke Rheinstrecke (90's) and Bremen - Oldenburg (00's), but I also like modern stuff. However I'm not really interested in the steam era, but I really like to see a diesel only German route, with trains like 628, 218 and other diesels.
     
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  34. AmityBlight

    AmityBlight Well-Known Member

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    That's pretty much my own opinion too. I'm looking forward to the BR 23 and I'll definitely gonna drive her, but it would be a miracle if it ever will become my all-time favourite. It's a nice and welcome addition to the game but I'm just not that much of a steam girl.
    On the other hand, more vintage diesel stuff like a V200, BR 614 or most definitely a V100 would be most welcome at some point :love:
     
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  35. lexie

    lexie Well-Known Member

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    With such a route with only diesel power, only the smell of diesel is missing ;)
     
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  36. raptorgb#8593

    raptorgb#8593 Active Member

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    I think for me the route is not as important as the traction, i don't mind moderns stock, but for me, they are a bit bland and i much prefer older stock, due to it mainly being more involved in the driving aspect, as for era stock would be 80s/90s, route era not so important.
     
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  37. cloudyskies21

    cloudyskies21 Well-Known Member

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    For me, it's a bit contradictory. While I'll always prefer to have the route set in a modern time period, I very much enjoy older generation of locos, especially if they complement the timetable alongside newer rolling stock for much more variety overall - so, for me, that's a win-win.
     
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  38. joffonon

    joffonon Well-Known Member

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    That's pretty much my view. An historic route rules out using modern traction in timetable mode, but a modern route doesn't rule out railtours with historic traction.
     
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  39. alert-agency2

    alert-agency2 Member

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    I've done a service on TVL, i'm still convinced sorry that the Stations are similar to what they are now. I was right along lines of Signalling.

    Eaglescliffe, Allens West, Teeside Airport albeit never actuall seen stations other than Saltburn, good resemblance it is too.

    Found a slight down side the destination blinds don't have correct places ie Saltburn, yet have Morecambe, Blackpool s / etc

    Qute a decent run. Once you get going.

    Am sure some would expect it to gain new signalling, newer traction, as always an extention. Oh & 2026 timetabling. To make it modern.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2026 at 2:42 PM
  40. operator#7940

    operator#7940 Well-Known Member

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    Amen.
    Just not enough diesel traction on German routes given how much there is in real life.
    What there is keeps being underutilized (like the 204, 294, etc)
    I get that the Germans were very much all in on the electric loco craze, but even the 218 should be seen for more freight actions, not just a passenger stand in. It's kind of a TSW trope at this point though, creating all these locos just to not use them very much.
    The 363/365 does get used a bit more widely, but even then it's as an afterthought for maybe 3-4 short skips just to pretend there's variety.
     
  41. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    Or old locomotives are still in use during the route's timeframe.
     
  42. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    I notice this often. It feels like freight traffic, and especially switching to BR363/294 done carelessly.
     
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