Goodbye Tsw 2020's Peninsula Corridor (retrospective) Buy It Before It Is Delisted!!!

The San Francisco-San Jose Caltrain route in TSW has been here since Summer 2019. I remember when it came out and I was so excited about it.

This is my Retrospective take of it as it is being delisted on February 27th, 2025 (Thursday). My simple answer: "Great American DLC, BUY IT AND DOWNLOAD IT FOR TSW 5 BEFORE IT'S GONE!!!"

This is my thoughts/retrospective of this route, feel free to share yours down below. Remember THINK before you post and keep the comments necessary, respectful, informative, constructive, clear and concise.

I love racing games and coming from almost 2 decades of racing games background (Forza Horizon (Amazing franchise which is also coming to PlayStation now), Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, Need For Speed etc...) delisting of games/DLC is not uncommon in racing games. It's done because of car/company/music licenses expiring and often there is an issue between both parties involved.
In TSW's case this is the first official delisting of DLC of the TSW Era (Excluding the original NEC New Rochelle-Newark Intl Airport and Amtrak SW1000R Switcher addon) and more delistings will probably come in the future if licenses are not renewed. This is why this is so important to not gloss over. There is content that will no longer be accessible and as a person who cares about game preservation this is important to me. Since this is the first official delisting it will certainly make us more wary and conscious about how these routes and licenses are kept in TSW.

Side Note: The MP15DC DLC for Peninsula Corridor is/was the only true American Switcher in TSW with the only other Amtrak SW1000R switcher being delisted years ago. It's a big loss to see the only remaining American switcher be delisted along with it's base route. When we look at the European side of things we see they have so much switchers available there. DTG should bring the MTA's Long Island MP15AC to LIRR haha along with the Diesels for LIRR 2.0 haha

So DTG actually went to California and had their team record their actual F-40PH-3CAT and they got lots of reference images for stations and tracks layouts. it was awesome to see this. In hindsight I WISHED DTG would do more trips like this for us American players because it's no secret we get the short end of the stick compared to everyone else. This route was definitely one of the best U.S routes that came out that year in 2019 and since then it is still one of the best content we have for U.S players. Even though us U.S players get the short end of the stick from DTG!!! Seriously we want better quality American routes!!! Make them top tier like the German and UK people get.

I remember watching the awesome trailer DTG made for the release of TSW 2020 (Yes it's been around since those great days 4 games ago YES 4 GAMES AGO!!!) it included the Caltrain trailer as a deluxe upgrade. I bought it as soon as I could because this route was amazing and it still is. Sure it's very outdated and me and lots of others wanted to see a 2.0 update to this route like LIRR 2.0. Sadly that will problem never happen. Such a shame this route was/is still so good.

Peninsula Corridor was also the first U.S TSW route to officially pass 50 miles long and even to this day it is one of the better U.S routes because of the variety of rolling stock and services. I recommend 100% buying it, I love using the route to test out new trains top speeds as the route is mostly straight allowing you to get high speeds without major turns causing you to slow down. Sure the sun baked filter that is one the route at all times kinda sucks now. But honestly this route was a major part of TSW for me. Get all the addons for the route and you'll have one of the best U.S routes in the game along with Boston Sprinter/Commuter and LIRR Commuter addons.

Overall I remember the route being great back then and it still is. It essentially serves as a time capsule if you will of the Peninsula Corridor as it was in 2017-2019, pure American diesel power and no electric EMUs!!! This also could explain why the license is ending as Caltrain is going through a rebrand/transition right now with HSR or DTG with their well known history of undesirable practices of making content might have upset Caltrain. But I'm not sure the full reason as to why and I'm not going to speculate further!!!

Anyways that's enough of my yapping about Peninsula Corridor. Point being said buy this DLC!!!
and install it on TSW 5 before it's gone for good along with the loco addons for it.

Feel free to share your thoughts down below of your memories of Peninsula Corridor throughout the years from 2019-2025.

Reminder - Peninsula Corridor will be *delisted* on February 27th, 2025 (Thursday)

 

yes I have played it a lot it is a great route
despite it's age and obvious flaws/bugs
hopefully it will return in the future

 

It was one of the first routes I played and I’d say it was the first I played properly. Despite glaring issues like the complete lack of water back then, I still enjoyed it immensely. Maybe it’s just nostalgia and rose-tinted glasses, but I always felt this route had a lot of atmosphere to it. Haven’t played it in a long time, but this is an appropriate occasion to revisit it, I think.

The two loco DLCs also did a good job of rounding off the route.

 

Played it a bit though was a bit buggy at the start with crashes about 15 miles south of SF. Cab car runs could be a bit tedious especially all stations. A route that did get some follow up love though with the Baby Bullet and MP15 unlike the now trend to fire and forget DLC.

 

Very good route, hope DTG and Caltrain find a way to keep it on store and maybe we get the remastered whit electrification

 

Just to add to my previous comments, I think I prefer this route to the LA Metrolink routes. For starters, other than the inevitable American crawl in and out of the terminating stations, you actually get a fair bit of fast running. The route is also quite built up unlike AVL and SBO, which I’m sure should be more dense urban scenery than DTG put in the routes. Before I refunded it, had a drive with the F59 on AVL into Los Angeles and less than 4 miles from the LA Union I still seemed to be running through desert and scrubland. Nearly as bare as driving in Run 8. You don’t get that feel at all on SFC and of course the service levels are much busier as well.

 

Yes, I liked this one. Bought with TSW2020 deluxe around Rush hour time.
Switcher enjoyable. Freight too.
I'm gonna fire it up!

 

Bought the route in sale last year, with the switcher. Now completed the set with the baby bullet. I like the service patterns and the general feel of the route, despite its age. I actually prefer the baby bullet over the F40, if only because of the latter's lapped brakes. Overall gives me the same vibes as San Bernardino.

If they sort out the licensing issues, it would be a good candidate for a remaster. Or a rebuild set in 2025 with the Stadler EMU's

 

I tend to have that feeling with all cab car runs, wether German or American. The operation is nearly the same as that of a loco (mostly since you are effectively remote controlling the loco), but the lack of engine sounds just makes it more boring.

 

Was all set for a major upgrade until it fell victim to the great TSW2 " technical " purge of August 2023, otherwise known as " Black Thursday ".

 

The route has been broken for years. It's really only worth playing in TSW1 or 2 and not beyond that.

On another note I think the poll is a bit pointless... The admins really should consider disabling them.

 

Broken? I have been playing it a lot on TSW4, no issues whatsoever.

 

I thought this route had a lot of character to it and definitely deserved the tweak to bring it to TSW5 standards.
It’s a real shame as this is one of the few US routes I actually enjoy. LIRR taking the number one spot.

 

awesome route and enjoyable play even after some time... tho I must add that virtually everybody who has tried new KISS EMUs as passenger has praised em, and they are also nice, nimble and punctual ... so one day I would love to see electrified Peninsula Corridor along with KISS EMUs

 

Just a reminder for you guys.

This is your *LAST CHANCE* to pick up Peninsula Corridor!!! If you haven't already and it's related loco (MP36-3C) and switcher (MP15DC) to fully complete the route Get it before it's gone by tomorrow!!!

This route is going to be missed by me and a ton of people from the classic original TSW 1/2020. I would like to thank everyone for sharing their thoughts on this classic TSW route as much as I did bringing this issue up of TSW content being delisted, and how we should look at TSW content going forward to learn. As well as remembering Peninsula Corridor as being one of the best well rounded and most complete and one of the oldest American routes in TSW

This route was famous for having the first "Lapped" braking system that is unique to the Gallery cab car and F-40PH-3CAT that was added to TSW that actually takes skill to learn how much brake pressure is needed to stop correctly and to lap the brakes correctly for smooth stops, as well as the unique Nippon Sharyo Gallery Cars and updated Bombardier Bi-Level (Different than on the San Bernadino line) Bi-level cars as well as the only operable Bi-level cab car in TSW and finally can't forget the incredibly fun and unique and one of a kind in TSW MP15DC switcher the last American switcher in TSW (at least for now) Plus the Union Pacific GP38-2 with it's freight operations.

Overall this was the most perfected/complete/well rounded American route in terms of services and variety of rolling stock as this is pretty much accurate as to what operated on Caltrain in 2017-2019. Overall great route and taking off the rose tinted glasses now. It's a shame to lose all of this in TSW as well as the unique trains and features this route has along with the only American switcher in TSW.

Feel free to continue to share your thoughts on this route as it is being delisted tomorrow. I appreciate all the responses and thoughts

First part is a bit confusing because it works fine to me testing it on both PC and Xbox. Some things definitely don't work right as the route was ported over to the new games... same goes with most older routes.

2nd the polls are nice, having the community engage and take part in something is a good thing. If you don't like it that's fine, you don't have to. But me and the rest of the community like the polls as it gives a greater sense of participating in threads other than sending a message. Adding a poll to this type of thread I felt like was the best option for people to participate and make it time limited to give a sense of "I was here when this DLC was delisted and participated at the time, it will make sense in hindsight" so to speak. In addition to have people reflect and engage in thoughtful retrospective discussions of this amazing classic TSW route that is being delisted very shortly. Hope you understand

 

Does anyone know why the license was pulled? Is it that CalTrain with its shiny new electric Stadlers doesn't want anyone to remember the diesels?

 

diesels are cool, they will be remembered, but KISS is KISS

 

I'm also taking the opportunity to say goodbye to the license (not to the route). I played Penninsula Corridor on PS4 back then. When it came out, it was the first real US route with a landscape character for console gamers, as otherwise there was only (the first) NEC, which unfortunately wasn't a graphical highlight. Of course, if you were to build the route today (with LIDAR etc.), you would definitely get as close to the San Bernardino line in terms of graphics. But the skyline of San Francisco was already implemented superbly five years ago and is still a highlight on the route.

 

I like the fact that you can fly a lot of the route, with enough speed changes, varied scenery, and different service patterns

 

There's no evidence to say that it was anything other than the license simply expired, and CalTrain didn't want to renew it.

 

See my comment in the other thread though. According to a Run 8 insider on another forum, you don’t actually need a licence to reproduce the livery or branding of a publicly owned corporation or body, it’s effectively public domain. So begs the question, is Caltrain a private or State/Government operation and if the latter then why are DTG worried about a licence?

Is there more at play here?

 

sorry for a little thread hijack, just trying to get some answers to a specific topic - playing with MP36PH, timetable... and I am trying to set it up correctly... noticed MU-2A valve under the engineer's desk, set to Trail 24 or 26... my questions:
1) When leading, should it be set to Lead or dead?
2) When playing Bi Level cab car, should it be set to Trail 24 or 26?
3) I noticed that it was set to Trail 24 or 26, yet the loco was acting normal... does this setting affect this loco IRL or in-game? Shouldnt there be a difference? Or if the consist is just single loco + coaches + cab car, it doesnt matter?

Pls, I cant find specific info on this pretty much anywhere

 

Caltrain is owned jointly by the three counties it serves; so my guess would probably be that's where the complication lies.

Also, it may well just be that DTG prefer to have licenses as a rule of thumb, I suppose.

 

I don't think that can be true Vern. If it were, many rail companies would be available to TSW, such as Metra, Septa and many other state or regionally owned commuter rail agencies.

Even the makers of TSC's Racetrack were not able to use the Metra logo. And didn't DTG and IT need licenses from TfL and others?

 

Well that's what I would have thought, which does lead me to suspect Run 8 are calling it incorrectly. The fact they haven't put any local service operator equipment in the game does kind of support they are bluffing a bit, or saying one thing but not actually putting it into action.

 

I think trademark applies here, e.g. C2C is a registered trademark of Trenitalia. The issue with trademark is if you do not go after companies making money using your trademark then you run the risk of losing the trademark. So rail companies would be incentivised to sue Dovetail for unlicenced use of their branding.

 

Well Run 8 is a commercial operation so they are making money on all the liveried equipment they sell and any that might be contemplated in future.

 

Yes they do, and i suspect that's a big reason you have to buy it through that awful website instead of Steam, Epic, GOG, etc- stay low-profile enough to avoid the lawyers' scrutiny. There's no chance Run8 is officially licensed- the fact that they sell Conrail liveried stuff is exhibit A.

DTG is a publicly traded company and would be a MUCH more lucrative target, plus they obviously value their relationships with TOCs for access/research purposes if nothing else.

I think their new approach to using unbranded trains where they don't have the license is a decent compromise.

 

I would say it's a possibility.

If I remember correctly, the route already had an update once in the past where the logo on the rolling stock was changed from the original to the current one, following the same logo change in real life as well. This makes me feel like CalTrain would like their current brand image represented. If that's a case, then the old push-pull diesels are obviously not the brand image they would like to have represented.

 

This continues to be one of my favourites, always held out hope for the remaster.
The switcher jobs in the timetable have always been a standout.

 

Yeah, it's such a great timetable with awesome rolling stock lineup.

And with the TOD4 mod it's really beautiful. Even with the subpar scenery, the lighting itself really elevated the route. You only really loose the platform PIS screens, but I'm fine with that.

 

I mean, I dont mind... KISS units + old diesels as shuttles if they also extend the route to Gilroy in-game

 

Yes, Peninsula Corridor was one of the routes built when TSW was still on an upgrade with a full timetable, freight and multiple locos to enrich it.

Better hold on to it, we’re unlikely to see such a " feature rich " US route again.

 

and what is very valuable and I have only discovered it now - the actual pdf manual for Peninsula Corridor features description of procedures like getting PCS closed / resetting the brakes, operating dynamic brakes, and even quite detailed guide on how to set locos in MU mode for freight (tho strangely it doesnt mention MP36PH's MU-2A valve implementation, as far as I checked)... it even has a detailed guide on signalling, even tho it isnt enforced by safety systems in the cab... as far as I checked, if you really obeyed the actual signals during services, you would meet the timetable schedule far less often

 

Well the recent MBTA route is close. If you have the freight layers, then it's pretty good and feels mostly complete. Of course the route itself is simply less busy than CalTrain, but that's just the way it is.

That would be a nice re-release. And even if they drop the F40s, the Baby Bullets and the MP15 could still return in their standalone DLC form like previously, to enrich the new route.

 

the timetable IRL is still evolving as far as I heard... cos the EMUs are more nimble and faster etc, y know, they might still do stuff like EMUs for express and limited stops services and use the diesels for all-stops services and such where lower speeds and power are still enough

 

That wouldn't make much sense, you seem to have it mixed up. EMUs have better acceleration and braking, so using them for express and using the slow accelerating diesels for local services would be completely the wrong way around. You need the power for accelerating from a stop. For express runs it's not relevant, as the line speed I assume is still only 79 MPH.

 

oh yeah, thx for correcting me haha... now that I think of Desiro ML, your explanation makes complete sense, as that one accelerates to S-Bahn speeds in Vienna in like no time

anyway, a KISS with some love to the route would be most welcome

 

Not to mention I wonder if we'll ever see the Union Pacific GP38-2 again, unless DTG decide to throw it into a commuter route where UP handles local freight at a later date.

Yeah, not the most spectacular locomotive, but 4-axle power is prime for local switching operations on Class 1 these days (Something that really can only be achieved in Freeroam in TSW these days....)

 

Reminiscent of First Group nixing the use of the blue FGW livery on GWE even after DTG had made it and added it to the code; had to be all GWR dark green

 

I have wondered if that might be the case as well. Wouldn’t surprise me if - after the long and expensive electrification - they want to make sure that no marketing/publicity goes to the old diesels. Makes sense for their brand image. If so, that would at least mean that a new electrified SFJ might still be on the table from Caltrain’s side. Coupled with DTG running out of commuter railroads in the US to cooperate with, that might be in the cards from DTG’s side as well.

Licensing aside, I had my first run on SFJ in years (I think) last night and it was thoroughly enjoyable. The route shows its age, absolutely. Some scenery is rough on revisiting it. Still, the route has not lost an ounce of charm for me. Even the gallery cab car was enjoyable with the sounds being leaps and bounds ahead for the time on SFJ.

 

So long as you don’t do an all stations run or use the cab car, it is enjoyable yes. In fact I found it a more satisfying drive than AVL or SBO when I did a run the other week. The MP15 is nice too, though could do with a bit more meat in the timetable and scenarios.

 

BiLevel cab car is ok and also alerter and everything works there... but the cab car for F40PH is kinda broken

 

I just don’t like the lack of traction sounds, though in fairness they are a bit noisier and rattle than the German 766 things.

 

what I dont like about Caltrain cab cars, both, is that they dont have an ammeter like Metrolink's Rotem cab car... which is how I know when to up the notches or when dynamic brake actually kicks in... so I either have to just watch speed, or switch to camera 3 aimed at the loco's ammeter

oh haha 766 is a breeeze in most cases

 

You know I’m with you on cab cars, OldVern Funnily enough, it was actually an all stops gallery cab car service I drove and still enjoyed it. The gallery cab car is not on the level of something like the n-Wagen KaKo in terms of sounds, but rattles enough for me to have some fun. Certainly not as bad as the DoStos.

Don’t know if you’ve read this before on the forums, but at some point Matt shared how the real Caltrain drivers drove there - just slam it into notch 8 from standstill. Yes, just floor it, that’s apparently what they did in real life.

 

dear god ... I usually start with notches 2-4 (2 when starting service as the speed limit is very low, 3 on 0%, small gradient or descent, and 4-5 if the incline is steep when starting) and then I watch my red line on ammeter to gradually increase up to 8... when in cab car and I dont have ammeter, I usually start at 4 at most and watch speed, and gradually increase... but 8, man lol

 

Indeed Peninsula Corridor is by far one of the most complete U.S routes in terms of rolling stock, service variety as well as being home to the only remaining American Switcher. The MP15DC is really fun to play around with. It also added that special train (14 car train) and a variety of MOW services and even a broken down train scenario into timetable mode. DTG did a nice job with the varied timetable for the switcher.

Only other routes that come to mind being as complete as this one was is LIRR 2.0 but even then we are missing many branches and the diesels for that route as well as the switchers.
MBTA Commuter is nice as well but still it's missing other rolling stock like switchers to help give it that more unique feel
Boston Sprinter is great too but like MBTA Commuter it's also lacking some and probably more than the aforementioned.

 

Indeed whenever I boot up the route just driving and going from end to end doing local services can take upwards of an hour and it's always enjoyable seeing the different trains passing by. Seeing an MP36 passing by occasionally, sometimes even seeing the MP15DC on the mainline is a real treat and seeing that special train that's 14 cars long because the MP15DC DLC adds it into the game is nice to see, plus if your lucky to see the GP-38-2 with it's long freight trains in the early mornings and evenings is awesome.

The route is such a lively one and unique and busy and just charming to operate on as it serves as a time capsule now of how Peninsula Corridor looked in 2017-2019

 

Yeah the Gallery cars are unique to TSW right now. There is no example of them outside of this DLC that is now delisted. The lapped braking system that the F40PH and the Gallery cars use is quite unique as well. It's definitely fun to learn to use those brake correctly because when you do it's so satisfying when you control it and it works.

I would way prefer to drive a train with these types of brakes it's very different from the "rip and go" or "slam it" approach to breaking trains in TSW like with EMU's for example. These brakes require skill and precision to use correctly.

But the MP36 is there and offers that traditional braking system for those who like that as well, plus the switcher is fun and has the same simple brakes too. The UP GP38-2 is also nice to see from time to time on the route.