it feels so old and buggy now by tsw5 standards, the old lighting makes it feel very outdated. make an overhaul of the map and fix some buggy scenery and MAYBEE make the line from victoria to london bridge or up to st pancras so we can drive the victoria-london bridge route or take our class 700s down to the thameslink core section at least??
Since you are on PC, there is a timetable enhancement that adds a number of services including the 700s. Its been out a while but its still great. https://www.trainsim.cz/?mod=article&showid=2751&query=
A few scenery upgrades, the addition of the Class 700, the Coulsdon Town branch and Norwood Junction modelled and accessible, lighting upgrades, fixing the missing track at Redhill and making Reigate look more like its real life counterpart and this route will be even better.
I think this has been already said many of times, but DTG are scared to revisit this route due to the amount of services and technical issues it presented for them at the time. You’d think though development hurdles would have improved somewhat since the TSW2 days, but looking at the current state of TSW5 aka the core, it would just waste extra resources on fixing the game. BML is one of my top 3 favourite routes, I hope one day it does get an upgrade. Hell, give it the LIRR treatment with extra branch lines. I’ll buy it again
It’s been 4 years, especially with last gen seemingly being dropped now and that was also sometimes blamed for the lack of proper updates and newer routes having even larger timetables. It would be very disappointing to see if a very popular TSW2 route would still be unable to be updated to modern standards.
For me the biggest bugbear with the old routes isn’t the timetables, the lame scenery or the bizarre bugs - it’s just the oppressively dark lighting. If they’d “just” (I say this with no idea how much effort is involved, but with enough UE4 experience to think “it’s not that big a deal”) redo the old routes with the current lighting I’d be a damn sight happier. I’d love to play the old routes but they’re just TOO DARK!!! I haven’t got enough disk space to keep older game versions installed, so I’ve effectively lost those routes…. Makes me think twice about investing in new ones that’ll probably suffer the same fate… if that’s “progress” then count me out
Scared, more like DTG are terrified of this route! Yet despite the Electrostar fest it remains one of the most complete UK routes in the game, running between two definitive end points.
I agree, that's why I made this post originally. It's a bummer currently that a) we need a mod to get the class 700 in timetable mode b) we can only go as far as croydon, would be nice if we could go to london bridge or farringdon i mean some of the scenery bugs are plain obvious and sure maybe im reaching with a line extension but since they are updating timetables in various older routes i think BML deserve a shot as well honestly its a shame that the class 700 can only be used in the SHS by default its such a lovely train especially with the soundmod it needs to make more appearances in the game
on top of a full optimization with the line, some small additions for me just to increase playability would be (Im on PC so have all mods but in general for all users): New modern TT with Introduction of the 700 along with Norwood junction Station to be modelled to create the starting point for Thameslink since its there in spirit on the map. Streatham hill Station to be modelled and included as an end and start point + Starting points at the Streatham Hill depot Coulsdon Town and Reedham stations to be modelled and included in, with ability to operate services ending/starting at Coulsdon Starting points at Stewarts lane depot for depot runs to London Victoria 170 repainted in southern and used as 171 for eastcoast way and BML for current services AI SWR (Unbranded if need be) and Overground at Clapham Junction (this I feel is a must as its such a ghost town) TOD4 Lighting Big Asterix would be to add the small branch line to Caterham and extend to Lewes via Plumpton and Cooksbridge but we know DTG don't really do expansions on existing DLCs
Yeah, for me, the biggest part of not playing BML anymore is the daytime lighting is too dark and looks terrible compared to TOD4 routes. The night lighting makes me feel like I’m driving at 7PM on a 12AM service, and due to a lack of a timetable update, I’m pretty sure Earlswood, Salfords, Horley (one service a day in-game I’m pretty sure), and Balcombe all have no regular service because of the lack of Thameslink in the timetable.
I assume all those with lighting complaints are on console? as while yes the lighting is as advised and should be fixed by DTG there are mods to "Brighton" your days on PC and better your nights.
The stations in my opinion aren't the greatest, for example the font for the station signs is wrong, despite them getting it right for East Coastway, and I think they lack a bit of detail in general. The roads also look quite poor, though that issue isn't solely present on the BML
I think during the timetable the route is set in (late 2018) there was at least a few Southern services at Earlswood, Salfords and Horley in the peak hours, as portions of the Reigate services that split at Redhill, with these portions running to Gatwick or Three Bridges. I guess these services just didn't make it, which is understandable given that there are like 1000 other Southern services for you to play.
Instead of wishlisting massive and difficult rebuilds, why don't we just ask for TOD4 lighting? That at least lies within the realm of possibility.
DTG won’t remaster/remake a route just to add TOD4 lighting, there needs to be more of an incentive to buy it. Partial rebuild with a couple of added branch lines and more rolling stock seems justifiable for any remaster.
I’m pretty sure sales would go up 25% on all older content if they updated the lighting aka some of the people that still haven’t bought these routes are probably waiting for this hence why I said sales would probably go up by 25% it’s minimum effort for decent profits
I always take the view that TOD3 vs. TOD4 is an example of Hobson’s Choice… TOD3 = black shadows over everything and cuttings that look like the middle of the night in bright sunlight. TOD4 = everything bleached, washed out or shiny and that ghastly adaptive eye effect when entering or emerging from tunnels. Personally I would rather they just added reverb to the tunnels and bridges to relieve the flat sound field.
the problem is that it feels like a rushed (pun intended) route in desperate need of an overhaul. some fancy lighting wont unfortunately cover up multiple ugly spots throughout the entire route. some stations have arbitrary invisible barriers on some platforms making it difficult to play the thameslink mod especially trying to get around in croydon (goodluck trying to spot southeastern trains at london victoria). the scenery just doesnt motivate anyone that its worth the equivalent of a modern day map with much better design
