A strange moment today led me to ask myself how numbers were allocated in TSW. Is it random or does each timetable slot have a fixed locomotive? How are duplicates prevented (other than not very well)? What numbers are possible: 1) All numbers from xx000 to xx999? 2) All numbers carried by a particular locomotive class? 3) All numbers carried by a particular locomotive class, minus named locos (I have never seen one, so assume that they don't exist in-game)? 4) Just numbers of locomotives working in the area in real life? In case anybody wanted to know, the incident which started this thought was passing a series of four locos parked in Red Bank Carriage Sidings. They carried the numbers: 47473, 47473, 47473, and 47030. At least its possible that two numbers were correct, you might think, but don't be fooled: 47030 was definitely a class 45.
I ‘think’ all the train numbers that have ever existed are put in a wizard’s hat and each time a train is spawned in the game a passing fishmonger pulls a number out of the hat. A blind town cryer then reads the number to a deaf leprechaun who paints the number on the side of the train with a feather. I could be wrong.
Yes I'd previously had look at those 4 locos and at the time... ...there seemed to be an hint of a Deltic parked up. I think it's "All numbers carried by a particular locomotive class" but things occasionally go wrong. Except for set ones (North Star & some 52s) unfortunately there are no named locomotives, although their numbers might get used. You can, but it has to be unlocked via Mastery. I think they are all in a hot air balloon.
Take a look at the HST power cars. Instead of being numbered 43058 (one end) and 43132 (on the other power car) they are both either 43132 or 43058. Another bug.
