Northern Trans Pennine, First Thoughts

Picked up NTP a while ago and kind of never touched it due to the complexity of the locomotives but just woke up and decided to have a spin on it and boy am I enjoying the route, I love the locos so much and the scenery is interesting and the experience keeps you on your toes, I really enjoyed the BR blue content a lot on here, so I’m asking for more suggestions on routes similar to NTP as the route is really captivating. I now see the hype behind BR blue, nostalgia aside the locos are really fun to drive around and you can easily get immersed and stuck into the route as I have played about a good 2 services with different patterns. I hope DTG looks into adding more BR Era locos because they genuinely are fun to drive, would love to see some electrics and some other diesel routes in TSW at some point for variety from the usual EMU routes [i enjoy both a lot] these are my opinions, you guys should feel free to give yours

 

Still one of the best UK routes IMHO. Needs a bit of a refurb with TOD4 lighting and a better timetable but it captures the essence of BR Classic very nicely. If you haven’t already, worth also grabbing the Heavy Freight pack for the nicely done Class 40 and extra wagons.

 

It's much about the general bullmerde narrative that "new is always better". That doesn't work for cars as it doesn't work for TSW routes. RSN would be the german equivalent. (There’s even a dedicated thread for it)
In my case it can't be nostalgia either, as I learnt to love NTP, TVL etc. and the related BR stock via this sim.
Some assets do not hide their age. The lack of passengers was introduced with a typical DTG "patch" - 1 step fw 2 steps bws - but the love to detail from the designers still transpires throughout the route. You might find confirmation of my words also on other "old" stock.

 

There is, imo arguably, more fun and gameplay in these old(er) addons, I think too many people get roped into the whole 'must have the latest addon' doom loop.

 

Not sure if you’re on PC but if so this is a must…

https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/m...thern-trans-pennine-manchester-leeds-revamped

 

The one thing on NTP that could do with improving is the tunnel portals, they do look rather odd. And of course with so many tunnels and bridges on the route would definitely benefit from sound occlusion and reverb adding.

 

The NTP is one of the routes I've got the highest milleage on. Very enjoyable, the rolling stock feels authentic and is pretty well made. Definitely a must have with its Heavy Freight DLC.

If you're on PC I would definitely recommend getting the Northern Trans-Pennine Manchester - Leeds Revamped mod.

 

I am ever so pleased that you now see why when routes are suggested to be modern, there are the crowd of us saying for them to be done in BR Blue. It really is a much, much more immersive experience and NTP really is a great route, especially with that gorgeous Peak, and still firmly within my top five routes, with TVL also in that bracket. I believe the Peak is my highest mileage driven loco and NTP one of the highest milage driven routes. And even with it's age it can still look nice enough:

 

While probably not strictly accurate for the era, a decent Class 25/2 pack would go nicely if the route ever got a LIRR style update, along with some blue/grey Mark Ones and maybe finally our buffet car!

 

I'd like to see it remastered with working AWS along the route and being able to select a class 150 Sprinter from the West Cornwall Local route.

 

That would ruin it personally, as having it set before a time of AWS and Sprinters is what adds to its charm. I prefer Vern's 25 and Blue Grey MKIs idea. Or even a 56 with some MGRs.

 

NTP is by far and away my most played route. Not only does it play to my nostalgic side (I grew up in close proximity) but I think it still holds it own after all these years.

For sheer variety of services (with added freight pack even more so) there isn't another British route that can hold a torch to it. You have the choice of express, semi fast, all stations passenger traffic, light, loaded and heavy freight as well as shunting. The 101 is masterpiece and certainly requires a modicum of skill to get the best out of it. The 45 and 40 have their own unique character too.

I believe this and TVL were the pinnacle of TSW before DTG defaulted to flat, fairly dull one handed emu routes.
It certainly does deserve to be revised to bring it up to TSW4 standards.
A 25, 55 or 56 would be nice additional cherrys to go along with that!

 

It’s a shame the signalling doesn’t work as well as it should. There are a handful of signals that are seemingly unprotected by distant signals which can be found by using scenario planner to create a service that closely follows another. It is a good candidate for a revamp.

 

Yes signalling caught me out the other evening approaching Standege Tunnel from Stalybridge direction. Distant off, outer home off, inner home off. SPAD ended the game but strictly this is an incorrect sequence of aspects or wrong side failure, not the driver’s fault. So technically, after a change of underwear,the train should be allowed to continue.

 

Northern Trans-Pennine has been a solid route since release, but it just needs a bit more traffic to be nearer to perfection. Both Leeds and Manchester are far too quiet for the large cities they are, and the timetable needs to be brought back to the non-AI timings it originally had.

Peak Forest could also be equally as great if it had a good selection of BR Green diesels. The Woodhead Line would be a good call as well, similar scenery to either route but focusing primarily on electric traction. BR era routes may not be to everyone's liking but they definitely provide a much more engaging driving experience.

 

That's caught me out many times!

 

This is the one I would pay for a new timetable on. Yes the core route is pretty much as per the timetable of the era but it lacks AI traffic completely at various locations which especially at Leeds and Manchester Victoria is no where near accurate. I grew up using Manchester Vic regularly in the 80s and it was busy back then. Also all the traffic that feeds in and out of the line at various locations such as Heaton Lodge or Huddersfield. A 25, 56 and 37/0 would be at home and should a Class 55 be developed that could correctly sub as they did.

 

It is one of my favourites too. The variety available on this route is possibly the widest in game.

Nice length route, good variety of rolling stock. I would pay handsomely for an extension and revamp.

 

I complete the whole tran pennine timetable, scenario package and the game is lacking in quality in terms of graphics and content. The stations are quiet, not much traffic, busy stations are anything but. The A.I passengers rarely actually get on the trains, I spent most of my time driving empty trains. You couldn't compare to the gwe which was made before trans pennine? The trans pennine package feels like Dovetailed pulled it off a game that was out years ago before train sim world, it needs an update just to bring it up to train sim world 2 standards.

 

Even though I don't perfer br blue routes, when I do play this route it is quite fun to drive. I like the challenge of operating the Class 101.

 

Initially it had taken me a little while to warm too. You have to get a feel for each individual locomotive (Class 45, 40, 31 and 47). But once you master them it's fantastic. Out of all locomotives the Class 40 is a firm favourite, and probably my favourite to drive on the route.

Again being a Southern Region person I'm use to Mk1 EMUs and the like as my bread and butter. But once I warmed to NTP its become one of my top 5 favourite routes. It could do with a little update to modern standards, but even the way it is, it really stands well. When I feel like a grimey BR era day it's my go to route and challenges you to operate the locomotive efficiently over steep gradients whilst maintaining the time table.

So yeah, it's a good'n and highly rated by me.

(Also the updated Blackpool Branches 47 really updated the experience with nice updated sounds and modelling).

 

In fairness to NTP, on release its passengers worked fine as I remember, but they, along with other things fell victim to one of DTG's patches which fixed one thing but ruined another.

 

Sounds like pretty much every single TSW DLC

 

Most people, including me, come to Northern Transpennine having played Rush Hour routes like London Commuter. Indeed, when I first got the route, I had come from GWE and the Bakerloo Line, so was quite disappointed at first at the lack of traffic and passengers.

We forget that the route is not at all a 'rush hour' route. It was a relatively low frequency route in its day and I believe DTG actually made a timetable that is busier than it was in 1983.

Northern Transpennine can be a tremendously fun route to drive - largely due to the gradients and the speed limits. There is a short section I enjoy where you accelerate as fast as you can to 80mph, before having to time the brakes perfectly to get it down to 50. Southeastern Highspeed can't give you an experience like that (and I suspect it is because of the rolling stock). It is also relatively long (especially when driving the Class 101) and when the long journey times are coupled with twin-handled trains like the Class 45, it can be really rewarding when you finally get to the end after a perfect run.

Most of my play time in TSW comes from modern single-handle EMUs. I enjoy driving trains in-game that I can also ride in real life. But Northern Transpennine offers a gameplay experience that no other route in my collection can.

And I don't even have the Heavy Freight Pack!

 

Completely agree, the 150s in around 87/88 operated in interesting 6 car formations

 

But NTP is set in 1982/83. The 150 entered in service in '84. I'd prefer a 108/110 in multiple formation, in BR Blue livery (110 full blue ). Or a 25.

 

The signaling and dated scenery deter me from playing it but I love the locomotives. If it got the LIRR treatment I’d be on it like white on rice.

 

Ok, but this is whst I would call a "you problem" as in Dovetail being the you, it is their problem if they broke it, they should fix it, but won't, in the end I was glad to see the back of trans pennine.

 

No, GWE was fantastic, Tee side was good, the Brighton line was nice, compared to trans pennine all DLCs are above it.

 

But GWE has barren stations and a severe lack of passengers. London-Brighton still doesn't have it's so called 'rush hour' passengers!! Both are flat as a pancake and lack variety of scenarios. Perhaps NTP was too difficult for you?

 

NTP is one of the best older TSW routes out there.

 

If you are moaning about GWE and you haven't even mentioned trans pennine, this tells me that you haven't played much TSW. Everybody is entitled to my opinion.

 

I've played both since they were practically released, and NTP always comes out on top.

The fact NTP has 5 (2 with the BR Heavy Freight Pack) locos and a decent timetable (which is actually slightly busier than it was in real life) makes it better. Also, a full run doesn't feel short compared to GWE.

 

This tells me you haven't even bothered to read the thread!!

 

I don't have a problem with NTP timetable operation or scenarios, the problem is that the DLC feels like real old content at launch in terms of grapics and the graphics have not aged well. The NPCs are not to be seen or do nothing, they don't board the train, so you drive empty trains about, which ruins the experience.

 

This tells me you haven't bothered to play the game.

 

[Deleted; insulting - DTGHarry]

 

Can we take it down a notch please?

We are all allowed to believe that NTP is not as good as GWE or TVL.

We are all allowed to believe otherwise.

We are all allowed to believe the opposing opinion is wrong, so long as we don't start attacking the other person.

This argument is not going to go anywhere good.

 

Hey guys, it's the forum rozzers.
It's not your place to determine what's right and wrong here. The mods are more than capable of determining whether or not something is arguementative.

 

I wouldn't bother, it soon became obvious him doesn't know much about TSW, that is why I haven't bothered replying.

 

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken matters into my own hands.

Next time, I will wait 5 minutes before posting like that again.

 

If I am gathering correctly you are saying that it is a Dovetail problem, which is blindingly obvious, but what I were saying is that it were a TSW core issue, rather than directly relating to the route, NTP, itself as other routes also had missing passengers.

I think to go as far as saying that there being no passengers ruined NTP for you is a bit over the top, as personally I couldn't give a rat's rear whether it had passengers or not as the quality of the rest of the route and especially the locos more than made up for it.

 

Well, it is old considering it was a TSW2020 release, 5/6 years ago. Times have changed since then.

 

You're quite correct I know nothing about TSW, the problem you have is you know even less.

 

Don't worry fella, we all here to enjoy TSW, one or two have issues, that's their problem

 

Yeah, but that sums up NTP, you kinda need to forgive a lot, no passengers, queit stations, low grade graphics. I finished it and went on to Tee Valley and you couldn't compare the quality, big improvement.

 

Yes and I would love for Dovetail to show it some love as I feel it didn't get much to start with, but they are focusing on paid new DLCs for focus.

 

Oh am I sorry, are you still here?

 

And will be long after your dormant profile disappears.....

 

In the grand scheme NTP has significantly more positives than negatives so not really, it is just a minor thing which you notice for a few minutes and has no impact on the journey whatsoever there being no passengers. A much more significant issue with NTP is the signalling and that has been broken since day one. A thing which really does confuse me is what you say about the graphics, from my position they are the same as any other route from that era and still an acceptable standard. Admittedly not BPO levels but cannot be complained about too much in comparison to the likes of TVL or GWE. Tees Valley is a great route, though the locos with NTP are done better in my opinion (especially the 45), and actually I think rather similar to NTP. As in you can tell it is an older route but it is still one of the best and would really benefit a small polish after these years.