Ny-trenton: Usa Content Is Still Severely Flawed

That loco ain't pulling anything up that hill faster than about 18

 

Cajon is more than just hills (The land between Victorville and Barstow) and SPG has spots on the east side of the grade where speeds are defiantly above 20mph.

 

First timetable service to sunny side yard. I scored 1054 best possible score was 1070 gold medal is 1700. I got a bronze.

 

Not sure where to put this, but is anyone else having a problem with turning off the bell on the ACS-64 on NYT?

 

During the NJ Transit 3914 Timetable Service, you're routed to go through Hudson Yards for no apparent reason.
You can watch my YouTube video.
Super weird and unnecessary, mainly because it's more time consuming that just saying on the track you left NWK on.

After being a train enthusiast for much of my life, I finally started a YouTube channel for it.
I'll post gameplay videos (I finally figured out how to use the Xbox Video Capture), and a few real life ones over time.

 

Arrow III NEC Trenton-NYC via New Brunswick RWJ/Rutgers Station and NJCL South Amboy/Aberdeen-Matawan to NY Penn. The left side of the cab has a voltage triangle for voltages to be used for this is for 11-12kv 16.7-25hz others are 25kv 60hz.
ALP-45DP RVL Newark Penn Track 5 southbound and NJCL Bay Head direct services mode change at Long Branch for 25kv 60hz from Aberdeen-Matawan to NY Penn via Rahway voltage change to 11-12kv 16.7-25hz

 

Def agree on the less care on the US content part.
As far as issues goes, there are ways to many issues stated, but if they would've done better adding some ai layers from LIRR and even part of the Coast Line and make the timetable a bit busy...I would as well buy the DLC as well...But we already stated the obvious with their excuses...But at least there is another NEC section in the game, which is good(yes I be great to extend to Philly), but it ain't easy to get license for the SEPTA.

 

spot on but If DTG gets the SEPTA License ACS-64 can be reskinned to get a SEPTA version 901-915 with Comet II-IV SEPTA Paint missing restroom cars since the reskinned NJ Transit versions have them such as 5244.

 

Someone sent me this. Did they add AI for the Dover line? It shows on track 4 at penn. Also trains to Montclair state university ?

 

I just ran a service and had no problem

 

Oops, you arrive at the train station on time and almost get rammed from behind.

 

This is so annoying on US route where multiple trains can occupy the same block. Sure, it can happen in real life as well, especially in rush hour times, but the AI in TSW does not care about ATC so will approach you are line speed and brake aggressively, stopping just in time.

 

And according to the stream schedule it is onto the next content, forget the US trainwreck, cheer for the new thing!

 

Only hope is something is said in the roadmap stream....

 

It does make you wonder that if the Edinburgh to Glasgow route had trains clipping through platforms, what DTG's response would have been?

 

I really hope so

 

Well onto the next new DLC forget about the issues with the NY route

 

If you want to see that happen in real life look no further than Jamaica Long Island Railroad if it has the working positive train control working. On Harlem Line this happens too

 

I don't think LIRR has it in TWS, as I remember seeing AI trains actually stopping at the block signals if it's occupied. As for the other routes, I am aware. I hate it on Harlem Line when the AI is right up on my rear, even though I am keeping schedule.

I do wonder if holding back the roadmap article has anything to do with potentially more improvements coming to the route. I don't have high hopes, but one can dream, right?

 

And that was?

 

Yea is a shame. The NEC has already been shelved just as predicted and now is on to the German DLC. The NEC NY- Trenton has a lot of potential I hope it gets looked at. This could easily one be the busiest route. Not sure if that means paying for more loco add ons. But we can only hope since they have redone other routes timetable without adding new locos……..only time will tell

 

Or… they’ll just ignore all the questions relating to UP Heritage Collection and NY-Trenton. It wouldn’t surprise me, DTG is good at keeping silent.

 

They have different teams for different continents. Also team who fixes bugs and makes new content are completely different. It's been mentioned several times by dtg already i believe

 

Looks like any service to / from Sunnyside is bronze medal at best

 

If they need to fix it they should add playable services Morris and Essex Montclair line between New York Penn and Secaucus. Arrow III

 

I have seen that they have AI doing some services to Dover, Summit, and Montclair university some stop at secaucus others got straight through to off the map towards newark broad street

 

Which is funny, because this route ALREADY HAS a paid loco add-on. And yet, it is still so disappointing, we need to talk about possibly paying EVEN MORE, just to make it a somewhat close representation of what it purportedly is, that is, a simulation of driving from Trenton to NYP. Although I bought Acela I wouldn't touch NYT, not to mention any additional paid DLC for the route, unless there are some timetable improvements first, which I do not except to see. And then there are the myriad other problems that have been pointed out, some of which may eventually be patched.

 

Yeah, they have been advertising it with the Acela from the beginning, which is another payware add-on, yet the timetable is horribly empty even with the additonal services it brings. Sure, I bet there is room for an NJT Arrow in the timetable and it makes sense to leave that out for now and it would be a great move to release it later on. But many of the NJT services that could be made with the current rolling stock is also missing, no paid add-on will help that, only if they update the main timetable. And of course, then there is the LIRR and freight layer, which we have already mentioned a hundred times by now.

 

I definitely won't be getting the Acela unless the issues I have with both post-update Boston-Providence and NY-Trenton are fixed.

It's a shame as it's a really appealing route to me. But that's two DLCs, a route and a loco, crossed off my purchase list because of these issues with scenery clipping, the lighting, etc.

 

This kind of thing is actually more annoying to me than other problems, for example, incorrect pathing at Secaucus and Newark. For something like that, sure it's sloppy, but I can understand putting a route together and not knowing about all the correct pathings, especially for such a complex route. I also don't expect things is this area to be 100% correct for what is, after all, a game.

However, how can you continue to have these impossible golds? Sure, it's not really relevant to the gameplay. But the medals are something that DTG invented themselves, for their own game. So, why don't they work? Also, most if not all of the freight and ECS services on SEHS are impossible golds, which DTG has acknowledged. I don't except them to ever go back and fix this, because traditionally DTG release a DLC and don't go back to fix anything, especially after so many other DLCs have been released in the intervening period. But to then just continue propagating the error forward? Is there anything, even one single thing, in NYT that represents an improvement over any of the DLCs that have come before it? Perhaps someone playing the route can think of something, but from the outside, it seems not.

 

The funny thing is DTG didn't have medals early on in TSW's life, that came about in the TSW2020 I believe. And I just have to say with how little care they give towards the scoring I have to ask why they thought it was a worthwhile addition. All it does is add another QA item which they clearly are either unable or (more likely) unwilling to preform. If they had left scoring as it was in TSW1 we'd not be complaining about medals, and it would make their lives just a bit easier.

 

Thanks and also Newark Penn Track 5 for the RVL. If DTG wants those drivable then they should make the RVL also 58 miles to add ALP-45DP for RVL Newark Penn Track 5 and M&E Montclair line Playable services and NJCL ALP-46A arrow III with RVL ALP-45DP layer. That way it's busy making NEC Trenton New Brunswick NY Penn close to real life.

 

Of course on to the next one...DTG always could careless bout the US content lol..I've said it many times, they need to cater and make sure the UK and German content gets done well and detailed!..lol sorry but thats how it is.

 

I’m just sad. This route deserved SO much better, yet it couldn’t even receive “good”. And now it’s seemingly tossed in the bin. I’d like for the next roadmap to give us some good news, but I’m seriously doubting it. This whole 29 page thread is looking to be for nothing.

See you guys in late 2024, when the next US passenger route releases.

 

I wonder how many of us will be comparing the timetables and counting the number of services on the upcoming UK and German routes.

 

I think the main reason behind the sharp criticism of this DLC release, in particular the NY-Trenton content, is because for US railfans we have no other rail corridor like it. The Northeast Corridor is OUR "high speed" (quote-unquote) and commuter electrified railroad. There is nothing else like it in our entire country and portions of it are barely older than many of the younger railfans on here. Those like myself that live near it and travel it know what it's supposed to "feel" like and know how operations are supposed to work on it. Even those that don't live near it, there are so many that are fascinated by its uniqueness and have an appreciation for the history of the corridor and what it means for travel in the northeastern states.

The marketing, and hype, and excitement leading up to release showed SO much promise, that research was performed dutifully and that an OFFICIAL Amtrak partner was recreating a stretch of some of their most valued railroad. We had hope that lessons were learned from the release of the Boston DLC, and that by partnering with a community member for fixing Boston further, we would have a prototypical route with nowhere near the amount of flaws of their first attempt at the NEC in TSW...

...and what we got were signalling issues, inaccurate operations, lazy timetabling, typos, graphical bugs, sound issues, incorrect history and equipment information... the Acela trainsets aren't even facing the right direction!

I understand being based in the UK doesn't allow for the ability to take a ride out to Moynihan Train Hall and watch the traffic downstairs for an idea of operations but there are SO many of us on here that do, and would be willing to help.

If the freeware NECv4 for MSTS could have accurate operations and less issues, why decades later on current gen consoles and PCs can we not have a better standard? Even the DTG NEC routes for TSC are better off, and have far more content.

This was an expensive DLC that came with it a lot of promise, I understand the disappointment held by so many, including myself. For now, I will continue to play the other Xbox TSW DLC I own, and enjoy the TSC Northeast Corridor on my PC and Raildriver until at least some of what we were promised is fulfilled.

 

only we would care about that. It would probably be at least double when you include the AI

 

What a great post

 

I think it is extremely relevant to the gameplay. This isn’t grand theft train sim world 3. If I operate my train in a prototypical manner … which for a trip to sunnyside means going most of the way between 3-5 mph with absolutely zero deductions it’s extremely frustrating to see bronze. Especially when I get in the cab and look at the schedule and say there’s no way in hell I’m getting an extra THOUSAND points for it.

 

I might be one of them lol...and I know more as well might do the same, to prove that DTG caters more for the UK and German content. Especially, that it sounds like they won't even take time to investigate and make some post patches to this NY-Trentom dlc. Now, I have heard they did a decent job for the Harlem line timetable and all, but I didn't get it because it only went up to North White Plains, should've went to Southeast..

 

I will be when the new steam route comes out which already sounds like a half hearted effort, scenically it will be lovely and I am sure well done but it starts in a very odd place and from what I can see the included branch line won't have it's local passenger service, and if it does it won't be realistic. Also, we don't even have a decent timetable for SOS. Crewe to Liverpool was quite a busy line, but it feels like a branch line which went on to be axed under the Beeching report.

I agree though that the USA passenger routes apart from Boston have been disappointing, I would say the German routes have come out the best although some are a bit short for me. I could pick holes in many UK routes but a lot of it probably would seem petty. BML I suppose is the benchmark for what you want to see in a route and even that has a whole tranche of services missing!

 

I do think that having a smaller loco like the 4f for pick-up goods, and banking services including some light runs will help round out the timetable more. A green peak and a DMU or a small passenger engine would have added valuable variety aswell though.

 

Well maybe but it doesn't answer the question of the Buxton to Millers Dale passenger service it also doesn't change the fact the Ambergate Junction is an odd if not ridiculous choice of starting point for the route as it was actually a fairly minor station. Maybe the 4F will layer into SOS but it doesn't answer the question of the stopping services being missing. They were used on passenger services but more on secondary lines like parts of the S&D and the M&SWJ.

 

That's a fair point, but to really get full timetables in the steam era a full collection of locos and stock needs to be built up. I think DTG could have done that better by starting with a small line that can be populated with 2 locos, and then a slightly bigger one, adding another 1-3 locos/units (be it steam or era appropriate diesel) which help make that route feel fully populated, and than a slightly bigger one, and so on until you actually have the variety needed for something like Liverpool-Crewe. Peak Forest could have been a good 3rd (or 2nd if DTG want's to push it and actually also add diesels to the offering, meaning it would have to come with a new steam loco, a green Peak and a green DMU, which is more than I expect from DTG) route to make. Liverpool-Crewe is just too demanding of a route to reacreate to start off with I think, but all this is slightly off-topic, and perhaps better fit for the Peak Forest thread .

 

I couldn’t had said it better. I grew up right by the Harlem line by the Bronx so I hear you and share your frustration. I’m hoping that the fix it up and hopefully have bigger plans for it.I mean Boston has about 734 services and Harlem about 536 so with the new signaling and fixes and current of 300 we can double the amount and give this route some needed life…….

 

As someone who's familar with that area in real life, I'd say it's partially inaccurate. Especially nowadays.
Prior to Morrisville Yard being rebuilt for New Jersey Transit (preposterously omitted from this DLC) it was common to see two trains share a platform...on the outer tracks.

99.999% of the time it was SEPTA & NJT, and it was normally on the track to our immediate left of the trains in the photo, and to their right.
Here's an example, photo by Jeremiah Cox.

 

Pics tells the story..

 

Catenary posts sticking up out of the track is not a new phenomenon; there's one as you arrive in Bremen that you can't miss, yet someone did!

Another route where DTG do not come out smelling of roses, but this is surely predictable by now? Not sure what is said behind closed doors, but to the outside world the overriding feeling is that DTG churn out rather expensive DLCs, making quick post-launch patches if need be to silence dissention until the euphoria for the next DLC arrives. It must be evident to all by now that their business model relies on creating "limited-effort" content that will probably never be bugfixed unless a route is revisited à la SEHS. Because there is no real competition they know train folks (including myself) will keep buying despite of this. The fact they limit access to the editor to themselves or "partners" ensures they get a cut of any content revenue; those of us who remember FSW will know this is not hearsay or besmirchment but company policy. The current upper echelons of DTG management must now bitterly regret all the lost revenue due to releasing the original Rail Simulator with a public editor (what were you guys thinking?!).

However genuinely nice Matt and JD come across as people, the roadmap is unfortunately no longer a news bulletin for the state of the game, but increasingly an exercise in marketing with some PR thown in. They build up euphoria for the next releases whilst (mostly) turning a blind eye to players' frustrations.

Something needs to change, but I can only see something like a reboot of Microsoft Train Simulator having any long term effect upon this state of affairs.

 

The roadmap is a waste of time now really.

 

I mean, it still gives some interesting route developement insights, but those deserve their own devblogs I think. The roadmap could indeed use some refocussing on fixes instead.

I haven't watched the roadmap streams in a while is Adam still on them?