Good to hear, as the first I'll see of it will be 1600 tomorrow as I haven't enough time to bother starting it, before I need some shut eye.
Azuma seems nice! Route looks quite bland unfortunately, they really picked the most boring section. But they have their reasons, understandable that they implemented this bit of the ECML.
Have to agree. The route, although I’m sure well made, looks like a dull drive. Not quite US freight-hauling levels of mind numbing but definitely straight and uninteresting. Newcastle to Edinburgh would be far better but too long of an undertaking for DTG. I look forward however to our friends at JT having a go at this.
Much more interesting section for driving the Azuma than Kingscross to Peterborough. Would love Edenborough to Newcastle, but it's probably too long.
I still don't get why there are those that find this section of the route interesting. The choice whilst understandable is quite dull and feels like a borefest. If you don't own the midland mainline or get the deluxe edition of the game, there really isn't much to do on the route either. An extension to London would benefit the route and add more gameplay since there would be a variety of commuter services to play. It's well made but not interesting in my opinion.
In my opinion so far there's not a lot to interest me, although I will be watching scotsman bit soon so heres hoping that adds some interest! The issue I have with this route is it seems a little like another modern one handle to max power and watch it run off style route with a long distance between stations which personally isn't my cup of tea I don't know how they've managed to break the Series S with layers either to warrant reducing stuff the timetable? There doesn't seem like much else than wagons here and there and a shed load of sheds (excuse the pun ). Hopefully the Scotsman stuff is a bit nicer!
I agree. I guess if you are local to this part of the ecml, then I can see the appeal since it wouldn't suprise me that someone is bias to their local line but from watching the stream, it just doesn't peak my interest and seems dull and uninteresting. I think maybe the northern part of the route that went to Scotland with the beautiful scenery or a route heading into London with the potential variety of Great Northern and Thameslink would've been a better choice. Also from suggestions it seems that london to Peterborough was the most requested part of the route but I understand why it couldn't be made
It would have been better in the diesel era where the slight gradients would have given some challenge with a heavy train. But the one handle Azuma with an abundance of power and Electrostar sounds is not going to stir the juices. Got to be honest think my first foray will either be driving the Vectron (which actually sounds like an electric train) or taking a F125 up Soledad Canyon.
I’m looking forward to taking the Flying Scotsman out for a run along the ECML, but I think the route was a bit of a missed opportunity in the choice of era. The Azuma is the least interesting choice in terms of rolling stock. Had this route been made in another era you could’ve had Deltics, a Valenta HST or even better, set the in the days of the real LNER with the A3’s and A4’s running along it. Featuring a scenario recreating Mallard’s record breaking run along Stoke Bank. I personally hope future ECML routes featuring different segments of the line are done in different eras rather than all modern. Such as King’s Cross end done in the days of steam and the Edinburgh side done in BR Blue.
That's a matter of opinion. Personally the azuma is my favourite loco in tsw rn. And our of everything on the ECML it's my fav.
Same, would rather the Azuma then any previous era hands down. I'm sick of HSTs, and I wouldn't have picked up the route if it was the deltic.
Discourse about era is subjective, what we can all agree on though is that the route would be better with more than just a 801
Here we are arguing about which train & where, meanwhile I’m wondering how LGV is still the most popular route?
Because LGV is a highspeed run. Whether the forums want to accept it or not, high speed, long route intercity runs are what sells for strange reasons, that and commuters. The main buzz around railways now is fast high speed trains. Maybe 20-30 years ago people might have had different preferences but high speed sells. That’s why SEHS is popular, that’s why LGV is popular. I’m a lover of BR as well, but not everyone wants to run a peak down NTP, and that’s fine
Here's my feedback so far: Exterior P.i.s shouldn't scroll London kings X. Should only scroll calling points. Could do with timings there as well but that's not too bad without it. Doors open waayyy to fast. Door sounds should beep for a bit before opening. We also need more time for boarding. Door sounds should be audible from the cab. Correct me if I'm wrong but we should be able to hear the doors opening and not yet total silence when the doors open. These are the biggest bugs and niggles for me at the moment. Hopefully dtg look at this and fix some of them. That's all for now- Nathan.
I love LGV A LOT! But, and that holds true for ECML, Kassel-Würzburg and so on in my opinion, it's just a small portion. It is just a glimps in what could be. That is bothering me. And it is sad, that DTG is so much against extensions. Every time I stop at Avignon I wish I could drive further. That is also a reason why I'm not interested in ECML. Yeah, you can put the peddal to the metal with Azuma and Flying Scotsman, but in the moment I'm immersed, it is over.
Quite right. The marketing tag could have been “Legends Of The East Coast”. Flying Scotsman, Deltic and the HST side by side. But it seems creative thinking took a slight holiday at DTG Towers the day they whiteboarded ECML for TSW4. “Let’s do modern day even though we probably won’t get sounds for the 801.” I for one am certainly not tired of HST’s which are only core on two routes - the original GWE and MML with its VP185 engine which is beautiful to listen to as you drive along. Compared to the various one handle electro trash, the HST’s are poorly represented in game.
I think honestly people will get tired of the route pretty quickly unless additional contemporary stock is added for variety. I got tired of watching it after only 10 mins, so an hour in the Azuma will soon get old. As you mentioned, a few ECML Legend DLCs would definitely spice things up, A4, Deltic, Paxman-Valenta HST, class 91, etc (or even the modern railtour versions).
I mean, modern day is what will interest/ draw in more 'casual' players/ gamers. Granted the JT route looks insane, but to me, BR Blue is boring. I want to simulate Steam ( b/c who doesn't like steam) and modern, because I can relate (mostly) to those trains/ era setting
I for one won't get bored of this route.. whereas if it was Peterborough to Kings Cross i would definitely get bored. forgetting about 'potential layers' for KGX - PBO, this release is all about the Azuma, is all about a long high-speed UK line, and all about variety. if you look at this release solely through an 'Azuma' lens, this route is BY FAR the better choice over Kings Cross to Peterborough.. if we had PBO - KGX (and again i'm not taking about layers of class 700, 387, 717.. i'm talking ONLY Azuma), all we would do is Peterborough to London non-stop, with the occasional exact same with one stop at Stevenage. This route of Doncaster to Peterborough has, of the top of my mind, at least 6 different varieties of calling pattern: Doncaster to Peterborough - non stop Doncaster to Peterborough - calling at Newark Doncaster to Peterborough - calling at all stops Doncaster to Grantham - non stop Doncaster to Grantham - calling a Retford Peterborough to Newark - calling at Grantham and that's just the core, daytime timetable.. there are variants of the above in the early morning and late evenings. if you don't take into account layers after layers, and just focus on the Azuma which is what this release centres on.. this section is 100% a better choice in terms of variety. if you want to run the Azuma non stop between Peterborough and London.. constantly.. then great, but i definitely don't, i will much prefer what we are actually getting.. and i'm glad dtg went for something different here, so there's at least one person (me) that is fully behind dtg's choice, this is going to become the route i spend 90%+ of my time on and i cannot wait!
Well, this route got old for me many years back! In TSW though it will certainly last a long while as I have got to see how well I can handle the Azuma in game, get some HST action, Scotsman, the BR Blue treatment and then repeat! 4 minutes before you can begin (you are on xbox aren't you?), I have still got to wait another half hour or so.
I have just had a texted message from the grandchildren saying ''Grandad Lincs you are going to LOVE it!'' so hopefully if they have kept their high standards up all should be good. What is the feedback on the ECML on here so far?
Sounds are bit too quiet on the azuma and the doors open too fast. Gaurds pannels are hit and miss if they work or not. Exterior p.i.s doesn't work really at all. It's ethier blank or scrolling. Apart from that though it's really good.
Just had an objective failure because I overshot a stop. I would've managed it had the HUD not gone from 1 miles to 900 yards. What happened to the 0.9miles, 0.8, etc...??
Speaking for a lot of people there. It's proven that new stuff is popular but the reaction to the JT route appears to be quite numerous in comments. I have no problem with modern stuff being the most produced but not at the expense of everything else. JT have admitted the Pacer is in to appeal to a wider audience and as such have chosen a transition period.
Setting it to show 0.9 miles must have been an option of some kind, because for me TSW3 always switched to yards about two miles out.
Thank you both, just done the test scenario in the 801 to Newark and back and I'll tell you something, although it is by no means perfect it is actually very good. I decided to go straight with the HUDless run just to test the water as to how well created the route is and I had no issues at all so big thumb up. There are a couple of things that are missing/generic and I were going too fast to look at my garden so that is still in the balance! Also it was great to see Woodcroft crossing and the Mallard plaque created, though the pub at Tallington didn't look very pubish, more row of houseish ( Edit: updated comparison after closer look). I could type a list longer than my arm but not only would it be crazily nit picky things (like what is a farm in real life is a meadow in game) but I honestly cannot be ar... bothered with that as I just want to get some full length runs in. Something important to note though JD which must be fixed is the AWS is way too quiet, especially with the music which caused me to get done at the signal prior to Helpston crossing (which looks lovely) on the way up to Newark. Apart from that all my other issues are things most won't notice too much so I'll leave you with that one. (Edit: It seems people have noticed a fair few but they are on the feedback thread anyway so I'll still leave the list purely due to my laziness now! ) Overall very happy actually.
There's music in the game itself? I've only noticed it in the menu and in the ECML introduction module.
That’s a bit cheesy and other than one Aussie cab ride video I watched where the driver was cranking out AC/DC Thunderstruck from a MP3 player to the in cab speaker, strictly forbidden in a real driving cab.
Yes it started playing as I went across where the old Marholm road crossing (now footbridge) was if I remember right. I just looked at the Introduction but stopped when it said 'Customer experience' as I have that shoved down my throat enough in real life and don't need it in TSW too!
The internet connection is fine - it's Steam seems to throttle at 8.5 Mb/S. Anyhow all downloaded now, about to have a quick look.
https://www.youtube.com/live/1nrlFa9mBeY?si=Ze6I11V5otriz_0Z&t=10481 Not a service, admittedly, but Donny by night.
Well, good news. My first run on the ECML showed the night lighting to be pretty good. I was surprised and impressed. Well done to whoever worked on that.
I watched the stream, the ECML being my only interest as new Routes go. Stutter was perceptible but not terrible. With the graphics settings, trees were blurry and poppy and the shadow bubble out about 80 meters in front of train (my eyes!!). Stations looked good. Overall there was not enough to convince me to buy TSW4. If this ECML Route was offered in TSW3, I would buy it for sure. knowing I could use .ini settings to make it look better.
