So Now That Tsw4 Is Officially Over, What Were Your Highlights?

Only a few weeks until TSW4 is officially over... looking back what were its greatest moments for you?

I am talking primarily from a DLC point of view...

Sometimes I have trouble remembering which ones actually are TSW4 DLC, since in my head the TSW3 and 4 ones blend together (the big demarcation in my mind is the TSW2 to TOD3 lighting but I have trouble telling TOD3 and 4 apart other than some small details)

I can think of a few obvious replies that will come but for me one of the relatively modest routes was a highlight: Suffragette/Goblin Line.

It may not be the longest route in the game but they made up for it in detail and accuracy... it has one of the best "real" feels to the stations and scenery, especially from the DTG side. They did a great job on the TfL branding and making the stations look "used" with some graffiti in certain places that looked authentic. The signage, fonts, ticket machines and kiosks, etc all looked pretty good and less generic than they do on a lot of routes. Also loved the fact that it is the entire length of the line, so you can do back and forth services all day. The 710 itself also is very well done IMO and I am looking forward to more Overground routes in TSW5 (starting with at least the Watford DC on WCML).

Another highlight was the general attention to Scotrail that culminated with Glasgow Cathcart Circle coming back with a vengeance. It went from life support to being one of the busiest stations in the game.

And then finally, even though I haven't sunk my teeth much into it yet, the TSG BR101 Expert is literally a game changer, and likely the most detailed train thats ever been included in a non-commercial simulator. It definitely should shut up the people that try to say TSW is a "game and not a sim" (to me it has always been a sim even with the non-expert locos but the 101 is a new level).

Thoughts?

 

From a UK point of view I think TSW4 was quite disappointing, I wasn't keen on the scope of ECML. Suffragette was a highlight for its new train and its quality if rather short Blackpool was a highlight if you include non-DTG routes.

From a DTG perspective then the 380 and Cathcart re-master was the biggest highlight and I would say Voralberg for me comes second.

I think in general the quality of DLC has improved.

The abandonment of steam has muddied the waters however.

 

The highlights for me were:

DLC

1. Blackpool Branches - the first DLC from JustTrains, and imo one of if not the best route. Interesting era, great scenery and timetable, the DLC continually updated after release such as adding suspension. Considering they are making a second BR era route, it suggests historic routes don't get poor sales when they are done well.
2. Expert BR 101 - adds more simulator elements, and shows the level of detail TSW is capable of.
3. Remasters of WSR and Cathcart (thanks to DTG Liam). It is nice to see how much scenery and timetables have improved.
   
4. BR 218 - it is the first main line German diesel loco, I find it more interesting than the electric locos.
5. Flying Scotsman - steam physics should get a lot of improvements, but personally I would be happy to have more steam trains even without any improvements. I wish we could see more famous historic locos.
6. Skyhook improving MML from how it was on release.

Features

1. The editor (along it would be good if it could cook without a patch).
2. Free roam - I prefer it to scenario creator since there is AI traffic.
3. Formation designer (although it could use some improvements).

 

Photo mode, and picking apart Antelope Valley for issues. Not much else.

 

Free Roam & Formation Designer were a game changer for me.

From a DLC point of view in no particular order:
-Blackpool Branches
-Semmeringbahn
-Rosenheim-Salzburg
-LIRR 2.0
-Cathcart Remaster
-Expert BR101
-BR218

 

Freeroam and Photo mode were some really good features for the core, but there were only a few DLC that I really liked, that being the 218 and the 101 reboot, aswell as the Maintalbahn which I think was a bit unique.

 

TSW 4 highlights for me are.

Vectron loco,
Blackpool Branches
BR 218,
Expert BR 101
Class 380 on Cathcart Remaster.

 

formation designer
-Cathcart Remaster
wsr remaster
flying soctsman
ecml

 

For me the Unofficial Editor was / is the best part of TSW4 as it has enabled me to add 100s of paths to routes and make my own Formation Manager (which now has 2,000 formations in it).

I couldn't have done any of this was the DTG tools alone. (Something that I hope will be fixed in TSW5).

 

Blackpool Branches. My god what a DLC that was. With the scenery, the layers, Blackpool Tower being spotted several miles away, the thrash, Shunting etc etc.

For me that is the absolute clear winner.

 

In the first half of TSW4's lifespan, my obsession was with Blackpool Branches. I think for about three months straight I played that route 90% of the times I loaded the game up.

After that, and still to this point, I would say I hold Semmeringbahn at equal regard. Some spots of scenery such as the highways leaves a little to be desired (You can literally see under the map through the tunnels which can be seen from cab view) but the drive itself is very enjoyable. And since then it caused my interest to expand into the rest of the European where before I wasn't very interested in them.

So in the end, TSW4's best moments were the resurrection of the BR Blue period with one hell of a route, followed by a single route sparking me to develop a whole new interest in an entirely new country.

 

-Blackpool Branches
-Goblin
-Cathcart remaster + 380
-Vectron
-Expert 101
-Salzburg- Rosenheim
-LIRR 2

 

Has anyone mentioned the sparks? ;-)

 

Nothing!!!!!!! tsw4 was let down tsw 5 looking similar TSW 3 and 2 was the best we actually used to get regular US freight route releases day1 and inbetween , now NOTHING ....just all passenger routes a meager Antelope route San B not that impress , Boston has potential but still early but with cactusjuice helping it has a decent chance ...sure wish DTG would find and get someone on board that has the skills for US freight to get a resurgence but guess not..

 

Must admit, not much from my point of view, and both of the highlights for me were within TSW4's first couple of months, those being BPO and ECML. They were both very, very good highlights but after BPO nothing stands out: Goblin is more dull than a cold, wet autumn morning.

 

Stating the obvious but Blackpool Branches was amazing.

Goblin was very well made and probably the best looking line in the game but it’s not one I’ve circled back to that often.

I’ve spent loads of time on Fife Circle and it’s probably my second most played TSW4 era route behind Blackpool and is nowhere near as bad as people make it out to be. Berinalinie is decent too.

Obviously a massive shout out to the incredible WSR and Cathcart remasters - liked both these routes in the first place and the remasters have enhanced them no end.

 

I didn't actually have much highlights, I played TSW4 for 66 hrs..looking at the previous TSW titles in my Steam library it has been a steady decline from version to version. The route that comes to mind that I have enjoyed through all iterations is GWE because I love the class 43.

I don't think TSW has really done the job for me personally, I had the idea when I bought TSW2020 that it would be a TSC replacement with a more modern graphics engine, in that regard it has disapointed massively because of its resetrictive nature, i.e lack of community content like routes, locos and community fixes and patches. Steam locos also seems to have been abandoned. Therefore I am playing more and more TSC and just check in on TSW from time to time, I don't see that changing anytime soon, though I might buy the dutch route for TSW5 because I just can't justify buying addons for hundreds of euros for the few dutch routes with scenarios you get for TSC.

 

TSW4 itself suffered from a failure to completely launch. The only redeeming elements were JT's Blackpool Branches and LIRR2 which were post- release and could have been just as good in TSW2 or 3.

 

There were a couple of odd bits such as the Vectron that were nice. The highlight for me was JustTrains arriving in TSW, and not only bringing solid quality, but also some variety.

Overall though it was pretty meh. 4 had the lowest playtime out of any for me - UK didn’t get anything special other than Blackpool IMO. ECML was just too random a section, Goblin was too small a scope, if anything it’s just a means to an end for me in getting the 710 for ECML.

Salzburg-Rosenheim was a standout, it was a really refreshing route for Germany.

TSW5 seems to be a better start. The release & upcoming content seems more focused & meaningful overall (apart from the US, as per). Even the new country entry (NL) is looking much stronger then this years (AT).

 

We got the best dlc to ever release on TSW (BPO).
Two wonderful remasters. (WSR and CC).
Also photo mode and formation designer. I’d say TSW4 was a big step up.
One feature I wish they added was brightness settings to dim the overexposed gamma. I’d love to see this feature in TSW5, doubt it will be added though.

 

I agree the new cathcart is awesome. Old 1 was boring after a few runs, but now, its my go to route, just really enjoy seeing so many trains come and go. Then when the 390 comes adds another train to see.

So yeah cathcart remaster for me.

 

I’m glad to see the end of TSW4. The roadmap looks far better for 5.

Highlights :

Blackpool Branches
Goblin Line
DB BR 218.

I’ll probably add the Expert 101 to that list, but didn’t really have time to play it yet.

 

• Salzburg-Rosenheim (because I just love Salzburg and Freilassing!)
• BR 218
• Flying Scotsman
• The PC Editor
• Free roam and Formation designer

 

BPO I think, but it’s rather telling looking at my stats TSW4 was the least played of the entries in the series so far. Spent far more time off playing Snowrunner, TSC, SimRail or the truck sims.

The fact I left considerable DLC on the shelf unpurchased speaks loads - both Rivet Scottish routes (or was E to G TSW3?), Semmering, the Class 380 and deeply regretted buying Goblin. Though as it turns out the 710 needed for EMK.

Hoping that my £50+ for TSW5 will rekindle the interest and of course we all know which route the majority of UK players are waiting for!

 

For me what makes Goblin really tedious is that Barking is devoid of AI traffic aside from some freights and an occasional Railtour, plus all the 710 services are exactly the same, travel from Barking to Gospel Oak and return, that's it. No shunting moves, no ECS moves, bugger all. It's tedious.

 

Buying TSW4 for in July £7.99 and then two months later TSW5 is coming with the base game for free.

The WSR remaster , and BPO , finding Mallard's commemorative126mph board on ECML

Actually Mallard would likely be a popular loco DLC on TSW. Would have to use Union of SA, and Sir Nigel, or Bittern for sounds

TSW4 Cons
Rough riding steam locos after suspension update.
Alot of PS4 crashes

 

The biggest highlight for me in the TSW4 era was definitely the Fife Circle route. With the timetable mod and EP, this route is transformed to an S-tier route with a lot of variety that looks stunning, and while it is embarrassing that Rivet had to have their route saved by modders, the modders really did an amazing job. I played this route non-stop for about 2 weeks, which is the longest I’ve stayed with a route since SEHS. That’s my (probably wildly unpopular) opinion.

I also really liked LIRR2, Goblin, and the Cathcart Remaster + 380.

 

I

just got into TSC i also dont play TSW much anymore ..and dont plan to esp due to DTG s handling stance etc with not delivering US freight ..which TSC has a lot of compared to TSW

 

I've been extremely disappointed by TSW4 at launch. Scoring 2.0 was buggy, the routes were not very interesting (I played VRL a bit, but ECML and AVL were incredibly boring for me). I think I played more Vectron on DRA than the three launch routes combined.
Since then, I haven't bought any TSW4 DLCs, until recently, when I splurged on Blackpool, Fife and Salzburg routes, based on the feedback on these forums.

Some things that I'm curious about:

• Can anyone make sense of which routes from before TSW4 have or don't have the new scoring? There seems to be no logic to it.
• Why do we have new scoring (with Platinum medals and safety system bonuses) on GWE, but not on remastered Cathcart?
• Why does the BR185.2 not drive in reverse on Salzburg route? This is preventing me from completing the Journey mode.
• On Fife Circle, why can I not create a scenario that drives from Edinburgh to Glenrothes with Thornton (the loop line)? It would have been nice to drive up there and return along the coast back to Edinburgh. According to Wikipedia, there used to be trains that go either side of the loop and return on the other side (but not since the pandemic).

 

TSW4 was ok for me, I certainly didnt hate it. Yet it wasnt amazing either. It was nice to get the ECML route even though it was the most boring section of it, also with boring trains to drive on it. My personal favourite route I got was the Fife Circle line as I have good memories of going up to scotland when the Class 68s were doing services. However my favourite feature from this game is the ability to add a train anywhere and just drive it, IN TIMETABLE mode. This means you can see other AI trains and it actually is realistic and not just an empty network, or where you had to manually program AI services before. The graphics were better and the remasters were done really well. I have played TSW4 for about 140 hours so not that much actually compared to some of you on here, but overall id say it was okay. There were good things but also a few bugs there which made things annoying.

 

• New hud
• Suspension
• Rosenheim
• Suffragette line

 

I looked to my DLCs for TSW 4 specifically and it only contains Vectron, BR 218 and Expert 101. That's it. Rosenheim-Salzburg didn't include any interesting rolling stock (just older ones and yet again DoStos) and the Austrian route didn't include the Railjet which would've been great for layering in Munich-Augsburg, for example. Then there is Maintalbahn which I don't own but is interesting for the BR 642.

Everything else is from before:

• TSW 3: Linke Rheinstrecke (BR 103, usable for railtours in modern routes)
  
• TSW 3: Niddertalbahn (BR 628)
  
• TSW 3: Kassel-Würzburg (ICE 1, ICE 3)
• TSW 3: Expanded SEHS
• TSW 3: Thameslink
  
• TSW 2: BR 423 S-Bahn Köln
• TSW 2: Dresden-Riesa (BR 442 with modern PIS, BR 146+DoStos with modern PIS, BR 143)
• TSW 2: Rhein-Ruhr Osten (BR 422)
• TSW 2: BR 101
• TSW 2: Hamburg-Lübeck (BR 412)
• TSW 2: Tharandter Rampe (BR 612)
  
• ...

I really hope that we will finally see some new German rolling stock that isn't either vintage or yet another DoSto variant (of the low entry type). I'm still waiting for some newer EMUs/DMUs than BR 423 or BR 442 which are already quite dated.

Apparently, we get one ICE every two TSWs. So maybe we finally get the ICE 4 in 2026 with TSW 7. I really do hope that I will be able at some point to have a Cologne Aachen timetable with the actual rolling stock. Currently missing: LINT (RB 25, RB 24, RE 22), Talent 1 (RB 38), Talent 1 (Euregiobahn RB 20), Desiro HC (RRX), Desiro ML (RB 26), National Express Talent 2 (RB 48, RE 7), BR 1440 (RE 8, RB 33), Flirt (RE 18), BR 442 and DoStos with RSX liveries, ICE 4, ICE 3 neo, ICE 2.

 

If you were a UK fan then the game peaked at launch. DTG must have immediately thrown themselves into starting WCML after it came out because they put out such a meagre amount of content for the UK.

In hindsight, I suspect even the stuff they DID put out was because they knew it would also feature in WCML. They made the Suffragette line because they knew the 710 would appear again on WCML, and the 380 was an easy way to make a bit of extra money while getting the most out of the work they'd put into the 350. I'm not convinced either DLC would have happened were it not for their future plans.

 

ECML was a highlight for me. The only disappointing thing was no Class 91. Blackpool also.

Mostly though, I've just been sticking to SEHS, purely because the variety in rolling stock and many different services keeps me entertained. I've also been getting back into BML.

I haven't really bought any TSW4 DLC apart from Blackpool. At some point, I want Cathcart (along with the Class 380) and Fife Circle (when the Leven branch comes).

 

Two highlights for me.

Just Trains coming in and setting a new standard in quality with the Blackpool Branches route. They raised the bar. In real life I HATED the pacers, but they are a lot of fun in the sim. As for the Preston area, wow. Took me right back.

The other being the revamp of Cathcart Circle and new content in the 380 and 158. Glasgow Central is wonderful now, I so enjoy driving in and out of it. The route really needs an extension to take advantage of how great Central is. Maybe we'll see it in TSW5, I'm sure it would sell well based on all the layers it could have - including the upcoming 390.

 

I actually had the exact same thoughts. I am not against that sort of thing though. Goblin was well done (although I am seeing the service pattern is not for everyone) and IIRC came out at a reduced price. The 380 is also a great train and came with a massive change/update to Cathcart.

If they did build those with WCML in mind it shows they are putting some strategy into how they release DLC that can build upon other DLC instead of a bunch of random routes that are empty due to lack of applicable rolling stock.

 

Actually I want to add another.
If Rivet Games were students and their routes were their homework, I'd give them failing marks and tell them they must try harder! . But while the 170 isn't perfect, I really enjoy driving it. Like the Pacer it's another unit I don't like being a passenger on in real life but I do enjoy driving it in the sim.

 

The suspension, the new weather effects and ECML

 

My highlight for TSW4 were was NYT new timetable which was probably one the biggest timetable change to a route yet and the finally having the busiest north American route represented with LIRR2.

 

Just really BPO for me though I am going to go against the grain a bit and say I like Fife Circle. Honorary mention to the Midland ML update. Maybe a PS4 issue but couldn't tell the difference between the 2 versions of CCL.

Looking forward to TSW5 tho!

 

Agreed. Having given up with yearly paid version updates I remained at TSW2. Then in July Playstation store had a sale with TSW4 Deluxe going for £7.99 which I got fully expecting to boycott TSW5 and TSW6 till 6 was available at a good discount just before 7 was released!

Then DTG did the right thing and offered TSW5 starter pack for free for 1 month. That was as hugely welcome as it was unexpected. Thank you DTG.

High points of TSW4?
1) The new scenario creator allowing chained routes on certain DLC.
2) Formation editor is an all round great addition.
3) Dynamic weather and lighting effects.
4) Performance improvements on previously poor performing routes like Brighton Main Line.

As far as routes:
1) Blackpool-Preston-Ormskirk. Amazing period detail and variety of trains. Best TSW route ever.
2) ECML, Great place to thrash my collection of dirty blue diesels when not pleasing Greta Thunberg and driving a sleek clean Azuma.

Low points?
1) Re-mastered Cathcart Circle has unacceptable stutters in several places tragically making the route rarely played despite the impressive improvements in scenery.

Whilst I now know I could have gotten TSW5 starter pack for free the £7.99 purchase of TSW4 Deluxe gave me 4 new routes and Vectron, Scotty, Azuma plus the German and American stuff too! TSW4 also opened up the chance to get huge discounts on other (TSW3) routes that I had been locked out of due to refusing to pay for a yearly version update. I also got Midland Mainline (excellent), Edinburgh to Glasgow (excellent), Birmingham Cross City (OK) and BPO (absolutely superb).

 

For me the Free Roam added a whole new dimension to the game. Best new feature by far! Dumping a 33 in the middle of Peak Forest and trying to drag a bunch of 16-tonners up the gradients (and then stop without crashing through the buffers ), rounding up a bunch of steamers in Liverpool on SoS and dragging them down to Crewe behind a green 47, clattering along the West Somerset in the 142, caning a 40 from Doncaster to Peterborough...

Although I've yet to release anything with it, the PC Editor was something I really wanted but never expected them to release ... I'm a dev by day (phones, not UE4, sadly!), and really enjoyed getting an insiders view on just what's required to build stuff. One day you may see the fruits of my efforts, but TBH I enjoy playing more than building

Outside of those "core" features, the Blackpool Branches DLC, of course...

 

Blackpool, Suffragette and Berninalinie (the latter proving that Rivet can make a decent route if they try hard enough)/

 

Only Class 710 and 801 - I am very glad to see these beauties in the game, I hope for more modern trains)

 

For me definitely the 380 and cathcart remaster. Honorable mention is Blackpool branches

 

So we used to complain that everything was US freight, and now we are complaining that DTG have made some passenger routes? Always gotta have a reason to complain.

 

Free roam was the highlight for me. Spent nearly as much time on free roam with ai traffic as I have since tsw launched.

 

Blackpool, LIRR, Goblin get the medals from me

 

Of the TSW4 offerings, I'd say GOBLIN, Fife Circle/Cathcart remaster and the 218 were what I ran with the most. Otherwise, from the other iterations; SEHS, NTP, MML, E-G, Ruhr-Sieg, and............'Rapid Transit' (which, oddly, I quite like lol)