Hi their, So I been starting to do many scenarios. Most recently was the 'Snow Problem' on Birmingham Cross City. And it was obviously very cold and snowy and while I was stopped at Bournville their was a problem caused by the cold where you then had to Fully reset the Power on the 323. I found this really fun and more realistic than timetable as these do happen. Another Example is on the Glossop Line called the 'Depot Delivery' Where your heading back to Manchester Piccadilly as an ECS because of a fault then you have to take it back to the depot for repairs then pick up another Class 323 to get it into service. I found this really fun and again realistic as it adds more. Finally for me Speed Restrictions would be great and is needed. I just hope this all gets implemented in timetable one day as it would make the game more entertaining. At the current moment trains are always on time and it just gets a bit boring at times since in the Winter when it is snowing your not going to be going full speed all the time? Also their should be a setting whether to have it turned off and the frequency of the events. What are your opinions? Thanks for reading!
Yes definitely have noticed and I do remember Matt saying on a threat similar to this. But they just keep making more and more routes. Imagine this game when timetable mode has random events I would love it.
Yes it would be fun though any delays or even re-routings (e.g. to the slow line) need to be recoverable by the AI signaller/controller. As I've stated previously, the real railway has a complex operational hierarchy in place to deal with pertubation caused by operational incidents. Even minor ones on a busy route can lead to trains backed up so a robust contingency and recovery plan often has to be brought into play, probably beyond the scope of a leisure level programme. (If DTG could implement a traffic management and service recovery AI, they would be selling it to Network Rail!!).
Well they was a time when there were countless requests for dynamic weather to be added and after a while it started to feel like it would never happen but then Tsw3 came along and it did happen.
That's really up to DTG to answer. However there are programmes out there (such as Zusi) which have a reasonably dynamic and intelligent AI signaller which can recognise or use alternate nodes at junctions, crossovers etc. Matt P has already stated there is basic train "regulation" logic in there which will decide whether or not a later train precedes you if you yourself are running late. However in terms of more drastic recovery such as running fast or turning round short, maybe even removing an entire round trip is not going to be so easy.
But the advantage that DTG has over Network Rail is that Network Rail can't script random events in real time. It's not because it's random that you would need a traffic management system. It''s just multiple scripted scenario's that can occur on a route.
Very good point actually. I am wondering whether they are working on it as we speak? They are at times good at hiding stuff
Random events in timetable mode would be fantastic. Just simple stuff like delayed AI trains keeping your signal on danger for a couple of minutes longer etc. I think we need a passenger overhaul but passengers running for trains also.
I bought Island of wright yesterday. I was amazed how good that route looked. I almost wondered why I never paid any attention to it. Then passengers started jumping off the platform in front of my train. They really should change the tone of these random events.
Whilst it would be nice, I can image I would be hard to test and manage. What if someone experiences a bug along a certain point in a route and due to a random event resulting in DTG not being able to recreate the conditions accurately? I know this sounds similar to dynamic weather but in my mind instead of having set paths that lead to an event occurring like winter months + clouds = chance of snow, events like delays would be truly random where they could happen everytime or never at all making them hard to find and test.
This is badly needed for example in some routes like the Harlem Line Local trains will need to switch to the express tracks.
‘Very badly needed’ to me implies the experience we currently have isn't very good, whilst it would be nice to have random events its not as imersion breaking as you make it out to be. How often do service service disrupting events happen irl. In most cases I imagine a service would simply be cancelled if it was that bad.
The only caveat to this is some TOCs might be unwilling to show their services as “unreliable”, similar to how racing games don’t show full simulated crash damage to licensed cars.
It would have to have some kind of scripting if there was train cancellations/rerouting and that may break the timetable if it was truly dynamic. I don’t think it would take too much to simulate mild signal failure but more than that is a stretch.
Service disruption ranges from a platform alteration to a full on cancellation. I'm not saying it should be a game over scenario but TSW does not represent the real railway when it comes to alterations and out of course events. It's badly needed because otherwise timetable mode starts becoming a 24 hour scenario.....
We sort of have this with crossings getting stuck on Niddertalbahn. It’d be nice to see more of this but dtg didn’t “borrow” that idea and use it for subsequent routes. Might be a good reason for that but hopefully that will be a standard feature for new routes in the next iteration of TSW. Without having any technical knowledge, it just seems like that’s a logical next step… and not just for crossings but maybe a few other issues (signals, doors stuck- some of the things we see in scenarios). But when we talk about rerouting stuff onto different lines/closing off tracks, that’s probably a lot more complicated.
It shouldn't be, naturally more complicated yes but ultimately just logic. Yes if it's something like London Commuter then a big job but with the likes of TVL or NTP re platforming should be fairly straightforward. Unless of course the train drives the signalling instead of the Signalling directing the train....
There is a lot of that stuff in the game but the scope is mostly very small but It's getting better. On the Glossop Line there is a water breach and it's very well done but I don't know how safety works in the UK but something seemed missing and that was yellow safety and flashing lights being used around the incident. A lot can be done with flashing lights. Like I suggested for disaster scenarios, you could build an accident surrounding a a plant simulate a serious incident or fire. The only thing you need for that is flashing lights from emergency services.
In the UK for an incident that doesn’t block the line, the signaller would normally stop the train at the last controlled signal and advise the driver to proceed at caution, generally no more than 20 MPH. There would not generally be any visible protection at the site as the driver would be aware from his route knowledge of the location and reduce speed further at his discretion.
The fact that nobody has voted no to this is interesting. As time goes on and more people play TSW they will realise that the full prescription timetable is good but essentially the same everytime barring weather and lighting. Yes some AI will be seen diffently and some priority difference does happen at junctions but ultimately predictability will tire users.
What about the planned event. For example. Between station A. and station B on the double-track line, the railway tracks will be replaced in the months of March to July. All trains will run on one track. There are many possibilities, repair of bridges, etc. DTG would, but would have to model construction machines for the repair of railway tracks. It would definitely be an interesting DLC.
I have said on a number of occasions a Sunday service with engineering work could offer numerous possibilities. You could work the engineering trains in and out of the possession, operate tampers and ballast regulators. For the train service, many routes in the UK do not have bi-directional signalling, more so the further back in history you go. Single line working requires a pilot man to accompany or send each train across the available line. If there are no facing points trains may also have to reverse through the crossover to access the opposite line.
I believe the reason we don't have them is because they do not play friendly with the despatcher. I could be wrong though. I think it would melt motherboards if 1400 services all went out of sync
The only random event we have at the moment is the crossing not functionning on the Niddertalbahn. DTG should something similar. Another random event is AI train being late or early. They are always right on time and so it fit the timetable but I would like that the train in front of me is late or early. It would add more variety and randomness on each run.
Do you remember the first World Of Subways (The PATH) with random events like a suicide on track? I think there was a possibility of fire somwhere along the line as well.
It shouldn't melt the motherboard. It's just decision making process. Signalling simulations have been around since the 80s and haven't melted many motherboards. The issue is the dispatcher is looked at after trains, pretty scenery and gimmicks. This has been the same since MSTS through TSC and TSW. Zusi is the most realistic with its Signalling and that again doesn't fry computers.
Option to turn it off, yes please. I quite like the predictability of timetable mode and never quite like when scenarios throw in some annoying mechanic you have to figure out how to solve. Just let me drive in peace.
I think fatalities would be a no, no bearing in mind a significant number of railway people including real drivers or retired employees like myself are active in the game.
I would think that most players, when asked if they would like more gameplay options outside of any other context, would vote yes. So, I'm not sure what this proves. In any case Matt is on the record as saying that the dispatcher and other elements are not reliable enough for random events in the games's current state. Perhaps in TSW4? I would also offer some pushback to this idea that timetable mode is not sufficient. If the point of TSW is to drive trains then timetable mode provides that opportunity. There is some question as to the realism of this experience, with regards to sounds, gameplay mechanics, etc. But, overall, timetable mode is what driving a train is supposed to be like. If timetable mode bores you after just a few runs, then perhaps a train driving simulator is not for you. Furthermore, on certain routes timetable mode can be interesting in the sense of variation between runs as to adverse signals and the like. HAR would be a good example of this, as well as many of the services in the "Awesome Runs" thread. I'm not against random events, for sure. I would certainly not vote against them. But I can enjoy the game without them.
Is it a simulator if it does the same thing every time? The idea of simulation is to recreate real life. Instead it replicates a model railway pre scripted set of events. If TSW is scoped to simulate a non impacted/disrupted run from A to B then it does that ok. If it wants to be a reflection of the real railway then it doesn't behave like one.
I think that the idea of a railway is to do the the same thing every time. Hence, IRL timetables. TSW replicates this idealized version with timetable mode. I would not say TSW recreates real life, I would say that it simulates same. Semantics, really. Random events would undoubtedly improve TSW but are not strictly necessary.
Apologies for late reply been very busy. But what you said is very true same with Mat, It is probably more complex to do, they are a smarter enough team for sure but hopefully they will do it sometime in the future.
Of course, I didn´t like this "feature" as it was impossible to stop the train before driving over the poor 2d guy sprite when he appeared like 20 meters in front of my train going 40 mph (sorry for mixing metrics and imperials). I believe there was a bunch of other random events happening on the route, but can´t remember exactly.
I would hate that to ever be on TSW (even tho TSW has it moments where it actually happens) it would be horrible and every time I hear someone been hit by a train on twitter it breaks my heart and feel so sorry for them and the family and also very much the driver. Very traumatic experience. But moving on I feel like Dynamic Events should be a must. I would love it like we all would. Not knowing what to expect. Signal failures, point failure, Broken down freight. A fault on your train. Passengers misbehaving etc whatever and I know they can do it!
I don't think they should be dynamic. There just should be much more scenarios like that. If it's dynamic you complicate things, if it's scripted they can ensure you can finish the service.
That might be a valid reason, but im sure on a low traffic route its possible in a way. DTG has seasonal timetables now, so i would imagine the random events do not happen ingame, but infact similar to the seasonal timetable, happen when loading the timetable. So one day you load you might have a construction side with diversion or speed restrictions, another day (loaded timetable) services are as usual. I would be ok with civil engineers vehicles too. But i cant see random events actually happen ingame after loading the tt.
I think Matt has touched on this previously and if I recall correctly the issue was that it makes testing a nightmare. You want the timetable to be deterministic so that if a bug is found you can reproduce it predictably and fix it. If you have random events happening in the timetable then the scope of what needs to be tested explodes (combinatorically). I would personally love something like this implemented, but if it ever was I presume it would be a setting that the player can enable and it would be similar to removing a warranty sticker: "Use at your own risk".
The interesting thing is that those who force trains out of path by deliberately departing late from point of origin or by manipulating other trains, report good results. The signalling system appears to be able to deal with such scenarios. For me, though, the sort of setting which you mention, even with the ‘use at own risk’ rider, would be a huge step forward. P.S. have a ‘like’ for use of the word ‘combinatorically’.
I think random events could be tied to route progression. I don't think while you're learning a route you should be coming up against lots of random events but they could be unlocked and (optionally) turned on individually based on user tastes. It gives added replayability to those players who have played lots as well as a sense of accomplishment in unlocking them on each route they own.
Or it will reinvigorate a route that may have otherwise become a bit stale. DTGs timetable mode is almost a victim of its own success. Without it many wouldn't touch TSW with a bargepole, TSC is perfectly adequate for scripted scenarios and looks decent enough if adding a few mods on. The base planned timetable should be just that and what the core testing is done against. What would be great is some variety and some unknowns. It would be impossible to test say London Commuter with every train using every platform and every degree of lateness added. All that is needed is a slider or toggle so that those who want a perfect scripted run will get it and should be able to finish. Those who want a little realism in how the world is can adjust their settings to suit. Fully in the knowledge that the run may not end at all or be delayed. Playing MSFS the ATC quite often don't give permission to land straight away so how come we do In TSW land....
