Route East Coast Main Line - Feedback Thread

And how is being like LGV a bad thing? If anything that's a compliment.

If you have headphones on I think the running sounds are great and are at a good volume. One tip I'd give if you want if you want a louder cab is to turn on the HVAC fan, just below the headlight switch. Gives the cab more ambiance and it doesn't completely overpower the running sounds. It even sounds different depending on if you set it to low or high.

 

On PS5 , signalling problems , they are not bright enough to see till they are to close to me makes driving with out the hud to hard ,
they are all right on the other routes.
Also I have got to say I am liking TSW 4 so far

 

I'm on PS5 and I'm not having any issues sighting signals. Are there any specific ones or is there something off with your settings?

 

I identified the faulty level crossing I found as Maxey, just north of Helpston village, this being the point at which the Stamford line diverges from the ECML. On both sides of the crossing, the nearside traffic lights are active and barrier lowered, but the offside lights are dark and the barrier raised.

 

Try running the tgv on the route. Great fun. If you want to crank to max it’ll do 200-205 mph all the way although has to be true free roam otherwise catching up to Azuma will signal check you early on.

IMG_1432 by gwrphil811 posted Sep 29, 2023 at 1:57 PM

 

Not sure if this has been picked up yet but there's a PIS screen at Newark on Platform 1 that appears to be linked to Grantham P1 by mistake. It's the most northerly PIS screen, portrait-style on P1 next to a lamppost. I'd post a screenshot but can't seem to paste screenshots into the forum any more?

 

I have already filled a ticket on this over on DTG support, but I also want to bring up here, just to see how people feel about this. I may not have any video evidence of this, but hopefully this description should give a good idea on what I'm talking about (Maybe someone will provide video evidence in response, who knows?).

Now I'm aware that despite being a pure electric-multiple-unit, the Class 801 has a diesel engine under each carriage that is only supposed to be used in case of emergency, and apparently, it has been done up and is useable in the version that comes with the new East Coast Main Line route in TSW4.

However, when this unit is operating under AI, it seems to play regardless of whether it's suppose to or not. In most cases, it's usually not suppose to, as the top speed under this mode is usually no more than 5 mph. This sound under AI can usually be heard in the front two/three coaches of the unit, DPTS & MS (applies to both the 5 & 9 car variants of the unit).

I do find this issue to be an immersion breaker, as that sound doesn't normally play in regular operations. Luckily this sound only plays in these carriages and the rest play the normal sounds an 801 would play in regular service, so hopefully, these front cars can have their AI audio adjusted so it can be more like how they would usually operate without the diesel engine turned on.

 

Same here on Steam -PC
Do have the signal ep installed.
Ran it on 17th July in clear weather. Completely dark as well. Shouldn't it be twilight? Like the owl sounds though

 

Just had a go at this route for the first time today and I must admit I'm pleasantly surprised how good/busy/enjoyable it is, really enjoying it, plenty going on.

I took a journey from Grantham upto Donny around 10am, lashing down with rain, so hopped on next train back to Grantham, very much enjoying a can of beer whilst in passenger mode seeing the rain lash against the windows. Did some spotting at Grantham, well, more like enjoying the Azuma's fly past!

Headed down south to Pboro to see the Horsham service where a few freight services also passed. Overall, I spent around 6hrs on it, only ended the session because I wanted to watch the footy!

A little gripe I do have is I was somewhat disappointed at the lack of sparks from the panto, I think I only seen it spark once, despite many passing services and also not forgetting it was absolutely lashing it down! Oh and as mentioned above, the diesel sounds on the Azuma lol

Now, please give us that Class 91+DVT

 

For me its the freight services which make this route what it is, finally we have a proper series of freight services being pulled into sidings to let the expresses pass.

As a well known fast food joint would say "Im loving it"

 

One thing that I have noticed and I doubt it is like it in real life is that there's ballast inside the Doncaster Carr IET depot sheds.
In reality I believe there would be a pit below and a set of floating rails attached to the side of the pit.

 

The screens on lner carriages never hardly come on at all it's blank

 

On the ner you You can still open the passenger does when the train is moving And on the side of the train. The passenger information board is not working

 

Thanks for checking, unfortunately I don’t know what AI service is in front that’s causing the issue as it’s non-drivable

DTG can you take a look?

 

I don't know they are all right on the other routes , it may be my tv setings I'll look in to it , Thank you for your reply.

 

Does it bug anyone else that in different traction the mapping of low and high horn tones is not standard? On PC when using a keyboard, the space bar and 'N' key are the two buttons for horn tones but I can't keep on top of which is high and which is low on which trains and locos!

It would be good if it was standardised.

Putting it in this thread as there isn't a general feedback one that I can see.

 

The environment is PC Steam.
I only played cargo that took a long time.
It's a good route overall.
There is also a good system for crossing railroad crossings.
There is a problem where some level crossings that open and close at both ends are not working.

 

1. Free roam can’t go faster than 25mph in free roam on non electric routes I’ve switched over to the the diesel engine and won’t go any faster been using it on BML

2. can’t use guard’s control panel to close doors and I’ve press the guards button in the drivers cab they will open but only close if the key is set to buzzer only.

3. Too quiet can’t hear door closing alarm

 

Free Roam isn't Off The Rails, the trains still need the correct type of current collection. The class 801 (or any of the IET stock really) does not have 3rd-rail collector shoes, so it can't get current on the Brighton Main Line.

Unlike what someone said earlier in this thread, the class 801 only has one diesel engine, not one under each car, which is meant to be used for emergencies only, in which case doing 25mph is the last of your worries The class 800 is capable of running at line speeds in diesel mode because it has 3 or 5 diesel engines (for 5 and 9 cars respectively)

 

A couple of things I've noticed around Doncaster.

1. Lineside Vegetation/Clutter feels forgotten in parts.
2. HST have not spawned correctly in formation (timetable with a 66)
3. Livery Creator reskins are not displaying correctly
4. The church? hasn't been sunk into the ground far enough

 

I believe that's deliberate with the HSTs in Donny yard.

 

It should really be done the way the Azuma is but it is usually the other way round. The reason I think the low horn should be the default (Space Bar or Left Controller Stick) and the high horn be the secondary (N or Left Controller Stick and Shift Button (Square on PS controller)) is that the low tone is the one that should* be used at level crossings in UK trains and should therefore be the main horn.

* Like most players and I dare say lots of drivers in real life, I give a low then a high horn every time, which isn’t how it is done by the rules but does sound great.

I do think the horns should be standardised across all traction and the low horn should be Space, which is also fitting as it is physically lower than the N key on a keyboard, which should be the high horn. It just makes more sense that way.

 

Whilst riding in the Azuma at night, the passengers are pitch black, as if they have been charred to a crisp. Interestingly, they appear normal when peering in from the outside.

 

Not sure if a bug or intentional but when doing the Journey mode where you take a failed Azuma on the depot at Doncaster and bring a fresh set off, I derailed on the hand points on the second move. I had either forgotten to set them or restoring the save game failed to remember I had, but that’s by the bye - running through hand points should simply push the blades across to the correct position and not derail the train. (ISTR this was an issue on Cane Creek too). Even powered points with FPL’s would not usually derail a train running through when incorrectly set - the weight would move the blades enough for the flanges to pass through. The points would be trashed and need expensive repairs but you wouldn’t damage the train.

Even if the train did derail in that situation it would not tilt over in such a dramatic fashion, the wheels would simply come to a rest in the dirt.

 

Why does the game force me to wait 45 minutes here? Completed the journey service early while driving slightly below the speed limit. Can't the game mark the objective as complete already?

 

If you have godmode installed then write in the command part ts2.dbg.completecurrentobjective

 

Not a massive issue but the timetable on 1Z19 is frustrating!
Just when you get up to speed you pull into a refuge loop to an 801 through- but had this not occurred the train could have gone the extra few miles into the quadtracking or just continued to P'borough and saved 10 odd minutes.

 

There is no console (PS4) button to acknowledge the AWS on Flying Scotsman

 

May well be accurate in which case not a bug, but during the speed drops from say 125 to 115, or 110, should there be an AWS alert? Perhaps in real life this isn’t considered a significant drop and is covered by route knowledge alone.

 

I'm pretty sure there isn't one in real life. AWS alerts are only put in place for significant decreases in speed. There may be a certain percentage that determines it but I can't remember it.

 

in real life, a Morpeth (speed restriction warning) board (these downward triangle yellow boards) is required if the drop in speed restriction is equals to or over a third of the current speed. I think (but can’t remember for sure) that AWS magnets are required in the same circumstances.

None of the restrictions here (125 to 120, 110, or even 100) technically mandate anything. Some do have Morpeth boards, but I guess they didn’t add magnets where not required because it’s a bigger expense than a board?

 

A yellow speed warning board would normally be accompanied by an AWS magnet.

 

I’m finding when I see a 158 the whole train appears white no livery on it what so ever any ideas what could be causing it

 

I appreciate the additional layers around Doncaster, but my god the game lags like crazy when you're approaching the station now. It's almost as bad as London Victoria.

I wish there was a way to tweak which specific layers show up, because I don't think all of them are necessary. Like do we really need both the MML and GWE HST? I don't wanna run the reduced timetable on the other hand because I appreciate the extra detail.

On the topic of the HSTs at Doncaster, why do they all have their engines on? Is it seriously not possible to have them there static? Doncaster sounds like pre 2018 London Paddington with how many of them are rumbling away in the sidings.

 

few days agao i asked if anyone knows how to recover the class 801 from overspeed as im stuck i do what it says to do but nothing happens is there a video out there from someone that can help me recover it as now i dont wanna use the safety systems because of it if anyone from dovetail can make a video that be good so people can understand as it was not shown in the preview stream

 

The recovery procedure is simple enough, and all the instructions you need are on-screen when the situation arises. The key to it all is the TPWS panel at the front-left of the cab.

The AWS/TPWS system will apply a Penalty Brake under three circumstances: when the driver fails to acknowledge an AWS warning within the timeout, when the train passes a TPWS Overspeed Sensor grid that is both active and configured for a speed lower than the speed of the train, and when the train passes a TPWS Stop grid that is active. The TPWS grids are installed in matched pairs to make them directional, so a grid that is active in one direction will have no effect on trains passing in the other direction.

The TPWS panel in the Azuma has an indicator light for each of these three Penalty Brake triggers. These indicator lights are also buttons. You use them to confirm to the TPWS equipment that you have recognised the reason for the brake application and spoken to Control about it - Control is supposed to give you authority to press the button! For this reason, the buttons only function 60 seconds after the train has come to a complete stop.

So the correct procedure is as follows:
1: When you notice that the Penalty Brake has triggered, put the controller into Max Brake.
2: Wait for the train to stop. Note the time that this occurs.
3: Wait a further 60 seconds. Meanwhile, observe which of the TPWS indicator lights is on, as this will show what the trigger was. (If it was missing the AWS warning, also press the normal AWS button to make sure that is quiescent.)
4: Now press the corresponding button on the TPWS panel.
5: Check the signal ahead (if any) is clear, and take power again.

 

In this case, it is not an specific issue for this train - as it happens on several other ones! - , but please DTG... kindly ask you about, do not "deform" the view of the train, in the name of performance!

The visuals of the game are very important, as it makes it more real!

But this is it has not sense!:


The Class 800 does not have performance issue, despite I am on PS4.
But when you zoom in... that happens.

If there is no problem without zoom, is there any cause this happens when looking closer?!

This request is not only for this train. It is for all of them!

Hopes this can be do it soon.

 

This route has surprised me. I didn’t think I’d like it much, but I really do. I was on holiday last week and only had a laptop. I spent a couple of evenings running Azumas up and down which was fun.

However, back home now on the desktop, installed Jetwash’s Ini and London Midland’s signal mod and ran an early morning Freight service.

This is why I love this game. Everything I like just came together. Started out dry and clear then slowly got foggy and then a Thunderstorm started. The route was brilliant in the dark with the lightning and fog making it very atmospheric. Towards the end chasing yellows before reaching my destination on time.

I’ve been having my fair share of issues with older routes, but this run was one of my favourites since TSW began. Haven’t even touched Vorarlberg yet (which was the main reason I bought TSW4)

 

Really happy to see that part of the ECML is finally in the game, great sounds of the Azuma passing through stations at speed. I think the southern half from London - Peterborough would be a top seller. Yes, I heard the arguments about yet more commuter rail, but it is not the same, there's a ton of variety. The 387, 700 and Azuma are in the game already - a class 91 would be the cherry on the cake.

 

• Game Platform PC Steam
• Specific Information Gangway and cabling not fixed as stated in latest patch notes

So the latest patch release mentions that the gangway wiring is now properly connected. If that is the case it's not fixed.

 

Here's one to amuse...

At Grantham if you're stopped on the Up Platform nip into exterior view and hover next to the coffee shop.

Spoiler

Gurgle

 

I'm running TSW4 on a dedicated 2T SSD drive, with a RX6800 not XT. For PC and Steam.
I have been having issues with the bridge north of Grantham. When on foot, or riding the train as a passenger, not driving, in the cab of the Flying Scotsman, in particular, I've been thrown from the train five times when trying to ride the locomotive all the way south to [Peterborough].
On the sixth attempt, I realized it wasn't the train that was throwning me, but the bridge there that had an impenetratable wall across all the tracks that stopped me dead in my tracks. Even after being dragged all the way throught the train and finding myself laying on the tracks, I could not walk across the bridge on any of the tracks. The trains were using the bridge, but I could not.
Appearently the only way I can get acrosss the bridge is to actually be driving the train. Please check this out and see if you can duplicate it. Again, I can't walking over, under or around any of the tracks on the bridge near Grantham and I'm thrown from the cab of the Flying Scotsman and left stranded at the bridge every time I've tried this.
I just got the 10/03 patch,. so I'll see if this is still a problem now.
Thanks so much for your help and your efforts! If I can add to this post, I'll grab a screenshot the bridge and post it here.
[Correction, I was headed south to Peterborough]|
I've tried the Azuma and was torn from the forward cab, standing there, not sitting down, and was dropped here. The train I was standing in the cab of is the one in the image. Note the number on the signal tree.
The signal is P583. This is just north of Grantham, and not quite to the bridge I was not allowed to pass that is just north of this point. I cant see the bridge from here, but the situation is the same. Where I'm standing here, I cannot walk any further north on any of these tracks. It's as if this is the end of the world, like where tracks to nowhere take AI trains off to portholes.
I found the bridge and yes, there's a hole in the map. When I walked across it, I fell straight through the roadbed and landed down here and can't get out. I'll start over and get another shot.

 

Despite the claims of the patch notes, the wires between 801 coaches still disconnect on sharper turns - just send an 801 over the crossovers at Doncaster and see for yourself.

 

Here is the bridge that has a whole in the map in the roadbed you fall into and can't get out.
After that one is another bridge, just like that one, only this is the one you cannot cross on foot. It's just north of Grantham and just north of the bridge with the hole in it.

 

Really enjoying this route. A couple of minor observations:

1. When playing the HST run in timetable mode, I’m not sure what the purpose of having the train pull into the passing loops and wait. I don’t see any other trains overtaking.
2. Hoping it might be possible to have the class 700s reintroduced at Peterborough for 8G console players. It feels like the immersion is missing something without that “edge of London” feel.

 

Also, I’d like to add this diorama at Retford is some brilliant satire Top marks Dovetail.

 

Nothing in the patch about the wacky numbering on the 801's or the fact the AI services have the diesel engines running, okay then...

 

Signalling on the whole has been excellent, although I have discovered a minor issue. The Carlton Down passenger loop is not set for approach control sufficiently. Currently has double yellow then yellow with feather, which caught me out a bit. Should be flashing yellows at least or most probably double Y, Y, then red to release. Haven't checked the Up loop as yet. All the other junctions I've been through so far have been well signalled.
I guess it's a big job to change once cooked in, we're still waiting for the MML signals to be fixed for example (the ones with the red calling on indicators).

 

The various Passenger Loops have 40mph entries, which are clearly intended to allow trains to run into them efficiently and clear the line promptly to allow a following train to overtake. Usually there is also a significant margin between the controlling signal and the turnout. I think an Approach Release from Yellow would be appropriate for these, though I haven't checked what is actually used.

More noticeable is the entry to the southbound Retford platform line, which has an entry speed of 50mph and should have a flashing-yellow or Approach Release from Yellow sequence to avoid passenger trains having to slow to a crawl unnecessary.

Also, northbound into Doncaster there is a smoother entry into the platform lines using the relief line, avoiding the slow junction and associated Approach Release from Red procedure. This is also relevant for allowing express services to overtake through the centre roads efficiently. However, the timetable is not set up for trains to take this route, even when it would be appropriate.