Hi all, I consider myself a rookie, or at least a recreational train enthusiast. I have about 600 hours of driving trains with TSW releases. Apart from learning safety systems for different routes and how to operate the trains correctly, I am not that knowledgeable about much else. I do own about 20-25 routes, incl. base games. Since route DLCs are being released left and right, and they tend to cost a bit, is there a way to know which routes are most popular among players? Like a ranking system of which routes one should definitely try? I feel that some routes I've purchased are really not my cup of tea. An example is WSR. As much as I enjoyed the scenery and those kind of things, it was just too slow and not to my liking. Thanks for all the feedback!
Best to watch preview streams or Youtube videos of others running a route and make your own mind up. Just because a route is popular it still might not be your cup of tea but it might be many others. WSR which you mention has been a very popular route. Pretty much all routes have their enthusiasts. I don't know of a rating system.
Each route and loco has its fans and detractors. You can read the Player Feedback forum to get an idea about particular products, but, in the end, it's a very subjective decision, depending on your preferred country, traction mode and passenger/ freight choices. You should really have known that WSR was slow-going, given it's a heritage line which have, I think, a 25 mph limit. The fast running routes are well- indicated in the forum. Just ask.
In terms of what is popular right now you can look at TSW Tracker, but it isn't a definitive picture at all. In terms of what you might like try watching videos like timelapses or preview streams, etc; check out Wonterail's excellent timetables to get an idea of the service patterns, variety etc. The Awesome Service Mode Runs thread will also give you a good idea of which routes are good. A definitive ranking isn't really possible though given it's too subjective and everyone likes different things.
I think if you post your 5 favorite routes the community can suggest similar ones to you, and let you know if any of them has bugs / issues.
I would enjoy a rating system for creators club so I don't waste my time on broken scenarios. As for paid dlc, the range of tastes is so wide I don't think a rating system would help. Its best to watch a video of someone playing the route and see if it's something you would like. An independent channel is best rather than the DTG streams or ambassadors.
If you just want to see the route for yourself then I don't see that it matters who you watch. The ambassador streams can be interesting. I personally wouldn't base my purchasing decisions on the opinion of a YouTube video creator but on what I can see.
So far, I've come to enjoy routes like MSB, both due to scenery and varied terrain. I also enjoyed NTP. This was on TSW2020 and being a trophy hunter I sort of can't move to something new until I've completed all the trophies for the given route. Even though I completed all Class 101 services on NTP, all gold medals and 1001 miles driven trophy I realized that driving DMUs wasn't my thing. Same thing on GWR. Class 43 HST and freight Class 66 were fun, but the Class 166 DMUs were just "zzz zzz...". So basically, driving DMUs feels like a chore. Not sure why. It just feels like driving a subway. I don't get the feeling I'm driving a train. And also, as mentioned, not a big fan of slow routes, and shunting services, which is sort of what WSR offers. Even though the scenery is stunning! So yeah, would love more of routes that resemble NSB, varied terrain, elevation, as little as possible DMU trains.
Isn't there a ranking system there already based on number of downloads? Obviously, new content is being created all the time so there's no way of knowing whether a scenario is broken or not until enough downloads are registered. Early stage you wouldn't know whether it's broken or not, so yeah, I follow you on this one.
While there is no ranking system, you can ask us for opinions. If there is a route you are interested in, you can ask on the forums something along the lines of 'I really enjoyed these routes that I own, and did not like these other routes that I own. I am interested in getting route C. Will I enjoy it?' Or, you could ask for suggestions instead. I know it isn't the ranking system you are looking for, but it may help.
Another member here me wrote this, and I wrote a reply explaining this a bit further up. Appreciate all the responses!
WSR is one of my favourites, so what's the point in this discussion? Tastes are very diverse and that is OK, but disappointing because most people refuse to share my superb taste for TSW routes.
Taking in consideration your comments, I think you might like: Ruhr Sieg-Nord: Hagen - Finnentrop Linke Rheinstrecke: Mainz - Koblenz Semmeringbahn: Wiener Neustadt - Mürzzuschlag Remember DTG has preview steams of all routes in their YT channel, so you might want to watch them before you purchase anything.
Thank you! I already own RSN, but not the other two. So appreciate the reply and make sure I add the other two you mentioned to my DLC collection . And yeah, going forward I'll definitely make it a habit to watch the previews of routes on YouTube!
Apparently WSR is one of the favourites overall. I did enjoy the scenery and Class 33 timetables, but the old Class 08 (or was it 09) shunting locos were just not my cup of tea. I loved NTP locos, and Class 33 locos, but the shunting...meh.
Have you tried Tees Valley? That is another route set in the 80s, but with a bigger focus on loco hauled freight. There are also a couple of worthwhile locos that can be bought for and will add to the route greatly. I would also say Blackpool Branches but the loco runs are shorter and there is more DMU work. Though the quality of that route is incomparable to any other.
Tees Valley is in my collection, but haven't played it yet. I was about to play it, but after seeing that Class 101 DMU was part of that route, I decided to play GWR at that time if I remember correctly, as I just finished NTP and absolutely ALL the Class 101 services for that crazy 1001 mile trophy lmao! Are you saying that majority of Tees Valley is freight?
The 101 services are just an hourly up and down the line job. Freight is certainly the focus, especially with the loco packs for it.
