I've been playing Train Simulator Classic for a little over a year. And like many comments I've seen from other new players, I went crazy trying to meet the timetables on the Career scenarios supplied with the routes, driving like a maniac and quite unrealistically to stay on schedule. And then over the past year I've realized that I never have any problems meeting the schedules while driving realistically on the Workshop scenarios that use using real world timetables. And it makes me wonder, why would developers that go to great efforts to create such beautiful and meticulous routes finish them off by adding ridiculously tight timetables to their Career scenarios supplied with the routes? They effectively change their routes from a train simulation into FORZA Train. "Here you go. Here is a masterful recreation of a train route...now drive like a maniac!" Why do they do this?
I agree, the career timetables can be very annoying. My solution was to turn of career scoring in the settings and then even if you are extremely late you will still get a tick (however no gold star, silver, etc because there is no points) on career scenarios and it's my favourite way to play now because in Standard if you are even just 1 minute late to your destination you fail the scenario and you get no tick. I tend to be a bit of a completionist and I like the game to acknowledge what I have completed.
Whether intentional or not, it creates a different sort of gaming experience. It's not realistic, but I find the tension and focus needed to 'beat the clock' makes for an intense gaming experience and a real sense of achievement when you complete successfully, especially if there's an achievement that gets unlocked. I understand it's not everybody's cup of tea, but it I like it. Since it's a simulation, it doesn't matter if the brakes need more maintenance, or the driver gets fired!
I’ve long since given up on career scenarios for the same reasons. A lot of the time you have to be on the limit to meet the timetable. I assume they just let the scenario planner work out the expected time and leave it at that. Being as I mostly play UK content in TSC, I’ve been downloading and playing scenarios from either the workshop or ATS website. I like the one based on real timetables or real scenarios that actually occurred with the actual timings of the real life train. Only problem is having all the requirements that some of these scenarios need.
Not all of the scenarios in DTG ones were written like this - all the scenarios that I did were tested properly and timed using the real life timetable (then adjusted around those) - I can say at least the most recent ones that i've done (Chatham Main Line - Chatham to Dover and the Class 700 were not written as you say above, but I haven't done that many of the scenarios )
I can also add, the scenarios I worked on were based around real timetables and adjusted as per the sim's dispatcher and thoroughly tested before release.
Thanks for the insight Danny. I must admit that it may be a perception from a long time in the past and I should have been more clear that it’s not every scenario. So happy to admit if I’m wrong. As I said I mostly pick and choose scenarios based on real services now. I’ve never felt the need for a gold star, so standard scenarios are fine for me. Chatham Main Line is actually one of my favourite routes. Somebody gifted it to me and I play it a lot (but haven’t done any of the supplied scenarios - sorry! - will try them over the weekend).
What annoys me with some scenarios is your on time you stop on the platform close your doors on time and you get an X grrr that triggers me lol
