Hello all I am new just this week to the beast that is TSC and therefore running the base game with various DTG routes. On many players recommendation I also picked up the AP Track EP from their site. But you long time players of TS, what are the essential addons that you would recommend to a new player both paid and freeware? I see tree packs, grass packs etc and looking through another pinned thread on here for all the different sites that do paid and freeware it is mind blowing! In particular is there anything that enhances the look and feel of the base game like the Track EP has? Thanks TinTin_57
Railworks Enhancer. vbut be aware, there are 3 versions.unfortunately their website does a bad job telling you what is what. I first bought V2 , but that was a nighmare, even needs interweb to run. Now am running the Pro version. Am actually now writing a post on my problem to find out the dirrerences.
I am not going to cover any route/loco addons as I feel like when it comes to that it completely depends on what you actually want out of them but if there are a few assets/enchancements I highly recomend its: ATS OHLE Pack: While it dosen't update routes if you go to a lot of modern based freeware routes - especially set in the UK this is a necassity and despite being alittle overpriced it is extremely detailed and well made: https://alanthomsonsim.com/?product=overhead-live-electrification-pack-ohle-pack Signal Enchancement Pack: An amazing general enchancement from AP that reworks the TSC signal pack for British routes (Which routes it states in the description) and is overall worth it: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/enhancements/general/signal_enhancement_pack Sky and Enchacement + Cloud enchancement Pack: The Sky and Weather enchancement pack is really good especially when it comes to freeware scenarios and the cloud pack looks genuinely amazing (albeit I am not going to lie I haven't actually got round to picking up the cloud pack yet but it looks amazing) however the cloud pack requires the sky and weather pack so I recomend getting both together: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/enhancements/general/sky_weather_enhancement_pack_2.0 https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/enhancements/general/cloud_enhancement_pack UKTS asset packs: While UKTS itself is impossible to reach TrainSimDev still has the packs and if you are looking for freeware assets you NEED the UKTS freeware packs, especially the scenic packs (other than the bottom one - Ignore the trans pennies pack unlike your intrested in the ara): https://www.trainsimdev.com/forum/downloads.php?cat=22 RWENCHANCER: I highly recmoned RWENCHANCER pro - Updates the graphics to make it look a lot better and with more products can actually make TSC look on par with TSW to some extent: https://www.rwcentral.com/store/product/6-rw-enhancer-pro/ If you want route recomendations though than please elaborate on era/type/country prefrences.
I’m not new to TSC. I started with Railworks 3 on CD, but I am fairly new to add ons. The game changers for me were AP Weather (you don’t need the cloud enhancement, it’s very good but weather on its own is plenty to start with) and AP Signals. I bought Weather first, but I’d say Signals had made the biggest difference for me. The visibility is better and that is what I was having issues with lots of nice little things that improve the immersion as well.. Since then I’ve spent a lot on Enhancement Packs basically selected so that I can run some of the scenarios on Alan Thomson’s website. I’m not going to recommend anything specific as it depends what you want. I was greatly helped by the fact that I’d already got a lot of the trains / routes and a 40% off sale on AP’s site. I have to admit, I wish I’d made the jump to using 3rd party mods sooner (both in TSC and TSW). They make a huge difference to the games.
You don't need enhancement packs unless you want to make the graphics a bit better. I think sometimes people can make them seem absolutely essential when they're really not. In terms of actual content what's "essential" really depends on what location/era you want, though buying something that includes the European and US asset packs is a good idea because so much third-party stuff uses them.
I would 2nd the UKTS Freeware Packs. I would also add that for UK steam era freeware routes, you should probably consider the Isle of White and Woodhead routes as containing at least many assets that freeware devs use - mainly the foliage (IOW) and buildings( WH ). I wouldn't start with Bossman steam locos - they need a bit of experiance and understanding to get the maximum enjoyment. Some of the Victory Works locos are fun and also Caladonia Works or Digital traction produce a fine range of steam locos that will get you steaming away for only a modest investment of time but will allow you to develop the "knack" of managing boiler pressure and steam engine firing / water etc. Other essentials depend on your period and prefered region but Western Lines of Scotland, Weardale, and Riviera 1950s are all absorbing routes with lots of fun to be had as a new starter that only grow in possibilities as you get more used to driving. Welcome
I'd advise the AP weather and track packs If you have any US content be sure to download the sound packs from searchlight simulations. There's also plenty of fan made mods out there too.
