Doesn't really matter which route it adds to because it connects north to south. I can only find one train a day that starts or ends at STP, with the main terminus on that bit of line being Blackfriars, and only then from the south (so not entering the core itself) So just about everything coming either way uses that bit of line
yeah, BedPan is quite good, but what about the fast services that don’t call at bedford? imo i would take a ECML south but i don’t mind a MML south
They could do what they did with the Acela on NYT and have all fast services stop at Bedford even though not many do in reality.
oh fair enough, although i would take an ECML south, because if it gets added and done properly it’s literally like a AC BML, which is one of my favourite TSW routes
Can’t wait for the Class 700. Hoping the wait isn’t too long before it arrives. Will be interesting to see what (if anything) is included on the Roadmap.
Disappointing that the Roadmap didn't mention anything about the Class 700 coming to BML... but I suppose there is still time. Sounds like there is still a lot of work to do.
it sounds like it is a shell at this point, at least it might imply that the TSW 700 is built from the ground up and won't inherit the flaws of the TSC one...
Wouldn't it be built from the ground up anyway? I'm not sure what could be shared with the TS one anyway. Physics and sounds have to be brand new, and the model in TS is too low quality to be put into TSW.
Good to see that they have created the model of the Class 700/0. Hopefully they will be able to get good sound recordings for it.
Really looking forward to class 700 and the future layering into BML. For the performance issue, I think they can launch it for PC first, then console later.
It's only the PS4 and Xbox One that are the problem. The PS5 and new Xboxes are more than capable of running it, although DTG do need to actually bother optimising those ports for it to work (especially the PS5 version).
Don't even dare start saying it should ONLY be PC. This SIM/game is NOT just for PC. Old gen struggles and thats been confirmed.
In addition to jd's comment "no plans to add it to bml" im really courios about the true reason behind. I mean obviously during the rush hour live streams the reason for missing thameslink services were "not proper rolling stock available", which was believable. Was there any comment if the 700 is an actual loco dlc or does it come with a sehs extension? For me either they plan something bigger, or they just use the popularity / hype of the 700 to use it as a cash cow. Well still have to say southeastern highspeed starts to become my favourite route in terms of variety. Huge plus to dtg for finally get out of a route whats possible and make it alive.
Sehs already came with an extension to dartford and Ashford. I would rather have another route rather than extend sehs into eternity
it’s been mentioned before in a recent ish stream that the route ain’t up for handling anymore different types of trains
The BML is served by both the /1 and /0, albeit the latter a whole lot less but still does nonetheless for some Bedford-Brighton services etc. Thus, just a few /0 services for London Commuter would be reasonably acceptable rather than nothing at all.
Doesn't fix the issue - the big issue is amount of RAM being used up, and any new trains no matter the length and amount used will still cause issues. Adding an 8-coach 700 to the VTB is another eight models loaded into memory.
Still don't think this is the REAL reason. They could scrap the completely fictional HST layer and it would basically be a wash performance-wise. I think it's either: They have a more substantial upgrade to BML (e.g. SEHS 2.0) planned that will feature the 700/1. The 700/1 will be featured on a new route and that version will layer on BML. I cynically said the other day they just wanted to sell the 700/1 as a separate loco DLC, but that was probably a bit harsh on my part. I'm going to give them the benefit of doubt for now.
But the HST layer is real, as HSTs do go to Waterloo on diversions, like the 375s going via Redhill during the same circumstance.
Of course, that's very understandable. But, that begs the question, if this is such an issue, why have the 700/0 in the first place if it can't be included with one of the main routes in TSW that it's most synonymous with - where's the logic?
But they don't divert them there 24/7. In my opinion, timetable mode should be focused on regular train operations - abnormal and unique options are more for scenarios. I don't mind having unique stuff in the timetable - ROG 37 is an example here, that was fine as back when the route is set, they would be semi-regular timetabled trains; but having diverting trains on the timetable constantly is a little annoying. I still don't mind them that much though (would be cooler if they were kept to just December when you'd typically see these diversions, but ofc, the seasonal timetable feature wasn't in TSW back then), but when you can't add a new train that runs tons of services on a line it's synonymous for, then I think it's an issue. And I get people don't want to lose services, and neither do I, so I think a separate timetable would be better here, but I'd rather have the 700/1 running the services it's meant to do on the BML then some diverting trains. Just my take on it, and ik some people won't agree and that's fine, but I just think the train that always runs on the line should take precedence over the trains that are only seen in unique circumstances .
Exactly would people really prefer to see the HST and the SE diverted services which are very uncommon rather than a train which is a feature of the route without which a large tranche of services are missing?
I have to wonder what DTG thought the reaction would be to making a 700 that didn't layer onto Brighton Main Line. It's clear that from DTG's point of view the 700 was never intended to layer onto BML, but anyone who spends any time in these forums (or Discord or anywhere community-facing) could have told you that there would be a strong negative reaction. It's blindingly obvious IMO that the community expectation with any 700 would be that it would be principally to fill out the missing services on BML (a fan-favourite route). Just an observation on the reaction - I'm still looking forward to it arriving for SEHS and layering onto future routes.
I do not understand the reaction, there are over 4000 service on the LONDON COMMUTER (it is not called BML), So what do you want more, if 4000+ service is not enough, then nothing will ever please any of you
It's a popular train, that's why. It's a stupid name (like all the Rush Hour names) so it's no wonder people don't want to call it that. Plus 'Boston Sprinter' has been renamed to be more accurate when it received its big update, and CSX Heavy Haul was renamed when TSW2 came out, so a Brighton Main Line update will almost certainly do the same. Then again it is a little hypocritical of me to get annoyed at people calling the Brighton Main Line the BML, even it BML actually stands for Bournemouth Main Line and VTB (Victoria to Brighton) is the correct route code.
As I said before, the BML timetable was made with space left for a 700, so it would be logical to layer the 700/0 as it does run some services from east Croydon to Brighton
That isn't where I first heard it, but there it is on Railway Codes. Aditionally if you look here and open page 20 you'll find the same VTB codes. This is in the Kent Sussex Wessex sectional appendix document available from Network Rail's website. There are more references to VTB elsewhere in the document. I'm not certain about BML standing for Bournemouth Main Line, but BML absolutely does not stand for Brighton Main Line when it comes to route codes.
fair enough, i just think it makes sense and other enthusiasts i’m mates with refer to it as BML and so i have to
It does make sense and I don't see why it is that way, but it is. Although you don't have to call it the BML because your friends do; I'm sure they'll be interested to learn about VTB vs BML as I was when I did.
I completely understand your point - it's by far the busiest route in TSW (really wish there were more TSW routes like this). But, the real-life, modern day Brighton Main Line (BML: called London Commuter in TSW) does not just feature Electrostars though - which means there are still a lot of services with brand-new service patterns and stations that are not represented with London Commuter operated by just the 700. Other factors include the BML being one of the 700's main routes (comprising a majority of its services south of the River Thames), while the BML is also home to one of its depots too. Thus, I think you'll understand such reaction from the community when the route is one of the most popular-ever in TSW. It's not that the community is being ungrateful for an already super-busy London Commuter, but considering DTG have actually chosen to willingly include the highly-requested 700 - despite knowing very well how many have requested the 700 for London Commuter alone - but potentially not with the route it's most associated in TSW is simply, very frustrating!
Out of the 216 Southern 377s, only 107* are represented in-game. DTG would need to model multiple variations of the 377 in order to be able to take advantage of the whole fleet, including new interiors, new headlight configurations, adapting the 387 model and developing a dual-voltage 377. Depending on the way this is done, this can add huge strain to the RAM problem unless they just lied and said that every subclass was the same as the /4, which they should not do. *Only the /1s with the modern headlights are represented in TSW, but as I am not certain what the proportion of /1s with the old and new headlights is I have just guessed and said half of the 64 /1s are in TSW.
