Come to think of it, I really hope DTG will do combined traction/braking controls better. Of course you need to be able to quickly go from traction to braking in some situations, but for a lot of DTG's trains with a combined control, or at least the ones I have, it's really hard to not accidently brake when you're just intending to put it into idle. A button shortcut to be able to just move the throttle into idle, like Shift+D would be a really good idea for that I think. Especially if it doesn't just snap it into idle instantly, and just moves the throttle control to that idle point with the same speed as if doing it with the D key.
The (British) 101 has a very useful keymap that snaps the brake lever to "Lap". Something similar for power/brake controller handles would be great.
Would love a Dutch class 08. I wonder if that means this will be anther route for the class 66 to appear on? Those things get everywhere!
Railfreight still use them today at the track construction and storage yard at Crailoo. between Hilversum and Weesp. they sometimes drive wagons over to construction sites like Amersfoort recently.
Unlikely. If DTG were planning on doing a EU mainland variant of the Class 66, they could've done it years ago. It does appear here, on this route, every now and then, but mostly it's type 186 hauling tankers. And even then, I'd much prefer the DB Cargo Series 1600 that also used to drive here.
Yes, or the 6400. Which is used daily on this line between Onnen and Groningen (and further to Delfzijl) Edit: if only for scenery, you could always reskin a G6 ;-)
I drive a short distance next to this line in the Staphorst area every time I go home from work, and today I saw a VTG goods train with (I believe) a DB BR 189. Anyone have any idea what service that was?
Rare, but not never Though I definitely do recall seeing them more in the past. Yeah, I've seen Series 6400 too, which could be a good choice eventually as it's a lot like German locs. But also not that often. Though actually, might as well just use a Railpool 185.6 as I've seen those here too IRL, if you want to use free roam to drive a freight train on this route. Though of course the game version doesn't have ATB systems available. But updating the old Railpool 185.6 shouldn't be too hard. Honestly, if in a future route, we do get a Dutch freight loc and wagons, it probably is gonna be a 186 at least to start with, as it's by far the easiest solution for DTG. Though I don't see them selling an ATB equipped 186 variant as a loco DLC as that would feel far too cheap with the amount of variants already available in the game. Unless it's "Expert"
Class 66 use to run coal trains from Wilhelmshaven to Minden on the Oldenburg-Bremen route (same timeframe it´s set in the game). Total missed oopportunity to do a Class 66 with PZB.
Freightliner DE class 66s are regularly seen around Leer (Ostfriesland), not too far from Oldenburg. Would be nice to see them (if only as AI scenery)
a bit offtopic,.... but, ... this one is on my TSWishlist,... (https://www.treinreiziger.nl/nieuwe-nachttreinen-in-2025-in-nederland/) 'New night trains in the Netherlands in 2025' The new night trains of the Austrian train company ÖBB will also come to the Netherlands in 2025. But ÖBB still cannot give a more exact date for the introduction of the new Nightjet New Generation on the lines to and from Amsterdam. The Nightjet New Generation currently only runs on the routes Vienna – Bregenz, Vienna – Hamburg, Innsbruck – Hamburg, Vienna – Rome and Munich – Rome. The first trainsets of the new night trains were presented in 2022 and the new trainsets will be deployed in phases from 2023. Siemens is building a total of 33 new Nightjets for ÖBB. The new connections to Rome were the last lines where ÖBB introduced the new trains in September. ÖBB spokesman Bernhard Rieder still cannot say when the Netherlands will be next. "We plan to introduce the new Nightjet to Amsterdam next year. We don't have an exact date yet," is all Rieder will say. The new night trains are expected to bring significant improvements for passengers. First and foremost in terms of comfort. But the new trains are also expected to be less prone to breakdowns. The older trains that ÖBB currently operates sometimes break down. Not only does this lead to delays, some passengers are also unable to continue their journey or, in some cases, even start their journey. The biggest novelty of the new night trains are 28 single sleeping capsules, which are ideal for travellers travelling alone. The sleeping capsules are in the couchette cars, which also have four-person couchettes and wheelchair-accessible couchettes. In the sleeping cars of the Nightjet New Generation, the beds are placed lengthwise instead of crosswise. All compartments in the sleeping car have their own toilet and shower. The sleeping cars have nine standard compartments and one more spacious and luxurious compartment. There is also a big change for the seats. Now they are still in closed 6-person compartments but soon the seats will be in an open compartment. In this carriage there is also storage space for bicycles and other large luggage such as skis and prams.
I was just thinking, there's one small thing I do hope they do. While I do believe there is only going to be the 3-car ICM variant, and probably only a single variant of the SNG, whether it's going to be 3 or 4 cars. They tend to run longer, coupled trains during rush hour, and so there are usually moments IRL, especially at Zwolle, where an empty train has been prepared for a service to couple onto, or they seperate. I do hope there'll be timetable services that end in coupling, or start or end with uncoupling a unit. Coupling and uncoupling passenger trains is one of those things that I always really like seeing, and doing in the sim, and in the timetables, I feel like there should be a little bit more of it. Regardless of if it's empty stock moves in and out of depot, or as I mentioned, having prepared an empty on the platform that the next train will couple onto. Even some small moments. For example, this happens a lot at Zwolle for the sprinter (SNG) going for Utrecht. Where they pull an empty SNG from the depot on the west side of Zwolle, or from the sidings, and the one coming from Utrecht will end up coupling. Or I've seen the Leeuwarden bound sprinter (which will also be on this route until Meppel) and then detach the front of that one to then be moved over on Zwolle from 1B to 1A for the next Utrecht sprinter. Empty moves like that, I like
They really should consider adding the 4-car ICMm. I believe the fourth car is not any different from the other 'middle' car, it's just two identical 'middle cars'. And it allows you to make any combination you want: 3+4+3 = 10 cars ICMm.
There is a difference between those two cars. The extra car has one powered bogie, giving a four car ICMm six powered axels instead of four. This also means that the extra car has electrical equipment under the floor (between the bogies) that the unpowered car doesn't have.
yeah I really hope different car stock is something DTG adds more. you don't notice it if you are unaware of the area but I've seen so many complaints of MU's that drive with 3 and 4 units but only one is available. or not a lot of coaches like Semmeringbahn only having Bmz. (hope nobody bought a first class ticket) shunting and depot moves also seem to rarely occur and I think that the timetable on this route is really going to dictate the future of how well the next dutch routes will sell.
The problem with coupling Dutch trains is that the procedure is different for each stock type (there is no general procedure, like DB has for example). You can't just drive off after the sharfenberg couplers have locked on in the Netherlands. Aside from the physical steps involved (slowly pushing against the stationary unit and emptying the brake pipe), there are procedures to prepare for coupling and procedures for after the fact. In the SNG, these procedures are mostly done using the screens and push buttons. In the ICMm it's more a manual task. So DTG has a choice: implement a fictional coupling procedure (like in Train Simulator Classic: just hook up whatever you fancy and drive off) or model each stock's coupling procedure realistically. The former will annoy purists who would like to move on in level of realism from TSC, and the latter will probably frustrate casual players and beginners to no end.
I mean, to be fair, it's not that much of a problem per se. They're going to have to add coupling functionality to them in some capacity anyways. The only real question being, how close to accurate is it going to be? While personally, I would love if "expert" became the new standard, for as much as licensing would allow it to be, of course, even if that means having to learn some more steps to properly utilize (un)coupling. But I don't think DTG are going to be the ones producing expert mode content themselves anytime soon. I mean, let's be honest. When we couple any other train that has extra steps, even if it's things like attaching the brake hoses to a locomotive, or even opening the brake valves, that's all done automatically even on the DB 101 Expert. The fact that they have included the "trail 24 or 26" and "lead or dead" brake options for American loco's, beyond just "brakes off" position, is already quite something at this point. So with that, the purists are probably not going to get their way. Including the ones who still have realistic demands. Though obviously, having had a taste of high fidelity rolling stock with the expert DB 101, I'd hope for Dutch trains to be as close to realistic as they can possibly make it (including things like locked doors being actually locked) Point being, whether or not DTG are going to simplify coupling or not, they might as well just use it anyways as they're going to have to include some version of it one way or the other. Frankly, I like it realistic. It's why I play TSW. If I wanted a simplified more arcade-like version, I'd have stayed with TSC.
I used to be super excited everytime a TSW route came out. In the last months it got less and less. I only bought the free base pack of TSW5. I am eagerly waiting for the Dutch route(s) to be released. Remastered GWE is on my list and maybe the cardiff city line. I dont like the boring USA content, im getting tired of DB red Dostos and BR112 114 143 ,ICE this and that. I want onboard announcements. Excitement. A properly working guards mode. Good proper sounds. Something new something fresh. instead of a mediocre annual release of TSW. Is it just me ( that is moaning) or are more players ( passionate train enthousiasts) feeling the same way?
I went for the free starter pack as well, because the TSW5 routes don't really offer anything I don't already have in my collection. I think the most interesting DLC come from third party developers. Blackpool Branches, Niddertalbahn and Berninalinie are examples of routes that aren't only well done, they also add something unique to my collection. That's not to say DTG didn't do a few good routes. I still quite like Linke Rheinstrecke, and wish there were at least a few more routes like that. I'm pleased to see DTG finally venturing into a new country, and very happy it happens to be the country I live in. But any new country would've been a nice step away from the usual Big Three. And even within the Big Three, we do get to see an aweful amount of content that's quite similar to content we already have seen in the past. Where's more historic German content? Where's British electric locos? How about a modern UK freight loco that's not a 66? Why haven't we seen any heritage railway after WSR? Where's Amtrak?
I mean, while having been taken out of service for passenger use on the DDAR only recently, 2019, they used to be the standard for NS passenger push-pull operations, backing the DDAR most famously, as well as the ICR, now done by TRAXX, and the IC to Germany, of which we already have the coaches twice over, expert and standard. Just like the SGM, I don't think anyone is going to mind the slightest bit of creative liberty to include DDAR + NS 1700 or SGM in a 2024/25 route despite having gone out of service recently. It's only a shame that it'd require a bit too much creativity to fit the original ICM koploper from before 2005 on a modern route, when they still had the gangways. Early 2000's NS trains were so good. NS VIRM and ICM also had some funky special liveries for some events. VIRM had a gorgeous orange Olympics livery, and NS ICM had, also several olympics, a children's book week livery, and commercial liveries for several companies like KLM, Martinair, Aegon. Talking about the ICM. I just think it's a bit of a shame they did the 3-car variant, as if I recall, the unpowered middle carriage on the 4-car is the same (someone please correct or verify me on this), so you'd already have the 3-car variant by simply taking it out, whereas the extra carriage on the 4, is not the same, and is powered. I believe it's the same for the SNG and the toilet car. But we don't know yet if that's going to be a 3 or 4 car variant.
I'll keep dreaming of a backdated timetable similar to DLGW, with loco-hauled trains to Groningen hauled by 1100, 1200, 1300 and 1600 Class loco's with Plan E, Plan W and ICR coaches as well as the various hired types (Corail, ICK, etc), Mat '54 IC's and '54 and '64 local trains and of course the original Koplopers just peeping on in there
You should still give WCML south and Kinzigtal a go, maybe when they go on sale. I personally think these are better routes than average (from DTG anyway).
Perhaps during the 2025 Summer Sale. TSW4 was 75% off if I remember correctly, so might pick up TSW5 when it's on a similar discount.
I'm all up for it, although most of the trains you mentioned were taking out of service long before I went train travelling. But I have a soft spot for older trains, so I'd buy them. My personal favourite would be the Mat '64, but I guess you'd have figured that out by my signature :P
I was wondering. Any guesses and preferences on which NS driver clothing the player model driver is going to wear? The suite? The jacket? The high-visibility work gear? Personally I prefer the suite on the right of the pic below. Though frankly, I'd wish for a bit more customization of the player character appearance, including their clothes, regardless of what cab or what seat they sit in.
I haven’t really paid attention to the models much but I’m pretty sure they’ve been using the generic softshell style jacket, just coloured into ToC schemes. On that basis I’m gonna go with the chap on the left.
Actually not. They tie the player outfit to the specific train and their operator. You notice it easily too when taking seats in different trains in the Academy, as shown below with outfits for Thameslink for the Class 700, DB on the Vectron, OBB for the Talent 1, and LNER for the Azuma.. In fact, there's even still the "glitch" I still find annoying how the playermodel is bald on the DB 204
Yes & then on a lot of other stock (recent ones being 710, 350, 390) it’s just the softshell. Even on the 700 you’ve shown, it’s just the retextured softshell. The DB ones have always been the same, that’s not specific to the Vectron. In fact I think the most unique one is probably for LNER.
Perhaps baldness is a side effect from all that sunlight coming in from all directions all day while driving that loco...
Awesome that this is coming out! Would love to see a VIRM as well, my favorite. As you can see, I am a big fan of Dutch trains:
They have seemed a bit dirty when I've ridden but I don't take Dutch (or European) InterRegio trains all that often so I don't have a strong comparison. The Netherlands is about the only place in Europe I (semi) regularly take local trains, otherwise InterCity or high speed.
Compared to other countries, NS has seriously cut back on train cleansing. The trains run all day, and only get wet-cleaned at night. If at the end of the day the train ends up on a yard where it shouldn't (due to reroutes or delays for example, which happen a lot) it doesn't get cleaned at all. At termini, only the trash gets collected and perhaps a wet wipe is gently brushed against the train's interior, as the cleaners only have like 15 minutes to clean the train before it departs again. So over the course of a day, the trains collect a bouquet of smells, including (but not limited to) scents of foods of varying kinds, perfume, body odor, beer and coffee and the toilets tend to smell as well. The floors start to stick and the toilet is best avoided unless you really, REALLY need to use it.
4 trains per hour (2 Intercity's and 2 Sprinter local trains) over the entire length and 8 trains per hour (4 Intercity 4 Sprinter) on the southern section
To expand on this, for clarity for notleo the extra 4 on the southern section are the trains between Zwolle and Leeuwarden, which would go off-map after Meppel (1st station, approx. 15 minutes away from Zwolle) Yes. 108km, 8 stations. (Zwolle - Meppel - Hoogeveen - Beilen - Assen - Haren - Groningen Europapark - Groningen) It's one of the least densely populated areas in the Netherlands and pretty rural, so expect relatively large sections of driving, even with the sprinter services, without any stops inbetween. In terms of scenery, expect it to look and feel a bit like Bremen - Oldenburg, but longer with more distance inbetween station, which makes sense as it's just about 100km away. It's a bit of a boring choice for a 1st route, but it's pretty scenic and ok, and it has 3 regional capitals with awesome looking stations still. At the same time, it also means it's easier to not screw up while you're just creating your more basic Dutch assets. So it makes sense to start with something rural and sparse. Especially because the more advanced routes, especially if you started getting closer to the bustling Randstad areas, would really benefit if you already had a lot of your standard assets and a few main trains, which this route does provide. And Matt did say that, (!)although no promises could be made(!), that there were 2 other yet unnamed Dutch routes on the shelf, but that they would require a lot of things, especially rolling stock, to already exist in order to truly do them justice. So that reinforces what I already mentioned. But, one step at a time. Let's first see how this route will do before we even start thinking about other Dutch content.
He even said that one of those other routes was what he actually wanted to make, but people pointed out to him that it made sense to start with a more 'straightforward' route for all the reasons that cyrill already pointed out. I can only imagine that that 'other route' was something like Amsterdam - Utrecht or Amsterdam - Rotterdam. Something complicated with lots of traffic.
During rush hour, there are also additional sprinter services between Groningen and Assen. Assen has a separate platform where this service terminates.
Yeah, I'm dying to know which route it is, also because he described it as being a "mini-nightmare". That would lead me to believe that, if it's a route that's been suggested on the forums before, it would have to be either Purno's suggested Amsterdam/Schiphol - Amersfoort/Lelystad, or my own suggested Utrecht - Den Haag/Rotterdam, as both as networked routes with multiple destinations with extremely dense traffic. Also, can't be my other suggested route of Amsterdam - Haarlem - Rotterdam as that can only be described as a major colossal nightmare, and not "mini" Of course it could also be plenty of other ideas including ones not necessarily made on this forum at all. But I guess that's just gonna be one of those little mysteries that only time will tell. I just like the speculation around it though
