I haven't seen much talk about the F59PHR since the roadmap, unless I missed it somewhere... there were a few interesting tidbits of information in there which is all great news for Metrolink lovers: Based on Matt's statements, it looks like a few improvements will come to AVL surrounding this new loco. Sounds like it will include the "grey Bombardier bi-levels". I am not sure if this means the ribbon ones, or the blue stripe ones, or both (since they are both grey). Either way, what this tells me is we will likely now get the Bombardier cars on AVL and finally have realistic consists instead of the all Rotem ones we get in the current AVL. I would guess we are getting both the grey ones that are already in SBD since they are both made already. Matt made a comment that makes it sound like they have also added the MP36 as a layer onto AVL. I am not sure if that will come with or without the F59PHR DLC. But either way it sounds like AVL will soon be brought up to the standard of SBD when it comes to the accuracy of the consists, with both of them including the MP36, F125, F59PHR, Rotems and Bi-Levels. I am sure more info will come out with the upcoming preview stream. Two niggling issues I hope they fix across the Metrolink stock while they are looking at it: 1. The MP36 has an error in its unit numbers where loco 889 was not included in the game and 899 was included twice in the list of available unit numbers. So that means we never see 889 in the game and 899 often shows up multiple times right next to each other. 2. The unit numbers on the Bombardier bi-levels for whatever reason only pull from 10 available numbers. So since there are usually way more than 10 bi-levels visible on screen (especially in LA Union) you are always seeing the same units repeated including multiples in the same train. 101, 103, 106, 107, 110, 111, 122, 133, 136, 161 are the only ones that ever appear, even though IRL Metrolink has a lot more unit numbers available. Spawn into LA Union at any busy time and this issue will be very obvious. Really looking forward to this loco, the F125 and new MP36 are two of my favourites and have amazing sound thanks to the reference they were able to get and hopefully the F59 gets the same treatment.
In the patch notes for today's patch, the updated timetable with the MP36 for AVL was included. So it should work as of now.
Oh you're right! I somehow missed that when I checked the notes. I can confirm though that I just checked the route and that the MP36 is NOT available for selection on timetable services, at least not yet, even after the patch. The other AVL issue (headlights on Rotem cab cars) mentioned in the patch is fixed though. BUT the Bombardier Bi-levels are appearing on AVL now. Oddly enough they only seem to be appearing on AI trains, when I spawn into services I am always getting Rotem only trains. So they did change stuff already but for whatever reason the MP36 is not working and the bi-levels are a bit wonky.
The headlight fix was much needed! That coupled with the substitution of the MP36, makes me really want to get this pack now, even though it sadly doesn't seem to have any new rolling stock included. On the topic of issues, another one I noticed is that the ammeter stops working in the cab car if a save is loaded.
I trust DTG have done a good job building the F59PHR including getting the numbers right for the half dozen remaining active units on Metrolink It occurs to me that these locos could be introduced to Oakville instead of the Baby Bullet for passenger runs. I know it needs a little imagination and they wouldn't have their GO livery, but they do have a history on the route.
