I don’t know if anyone else would like to see steam trains added in to Train Sim World 2. I know this would be extremely difficult to make and to get the licenses for the locomotives. But I think it would be really amazing to be able to drive a Union Pacific Big Boy, Niagara, N&W K2, etc. I am sure most people would love to pull a lot of freight with the biggest steam locomotive in the world.
Train Sim World 2 is the large update we needed before we can get steam engines right. We won’t release any until we can be sure we’re going to do them the justice they and you deserve. Steam locos will need another engine upgrade to make sure that particle effects do justice to performance and visuals, as well as a bespoke SimuGraph® upgrade to handle the unique experience of steam locos. Sound recreation is very important, as is detailed training and in-cab support during gameplay. It’s a very large jump from passenger and freight, which we have concentrated on perfecting so far, and high speed – a key focus for this year. After this we’ll continue our work towards steam. https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-sim-world/about-trainsimworld#faq-17
It'd be way too complex for controls, plus you'd need another player as the fireman...actually that could be a fun way to integrate multiplayer abilities. One person drives the other tends the fire. But they would be seriously difficult to operate, probably more so than most users would want to deal with.
I am sure they would implement an automatic fireman, or maybe you could even be the fireman and have automatic driver. It isn't really realistic doing both really. Although it is more fun and adds an added dimension to the gameplay. Quite often the automatic fireman in TS1 can be quite an hinderance. But certainly I think we will see steam in TSW at some point, there is a lot of interest in it. I just hope it isn't just in the form of preserved locomotives on the mainline and heritage lines and that we will get some historic routes. The thought up clanking up a Western region branchline with a small prairie and 'B' set in the late 50's or taking the daily pick up goods with a pannier and assortment of noisy wagons, being made possible in TSW is mouth watering.
I imagine part of the steam conversation is going to have to include a closer look at more flexible consists as well, given the way locos were distributed for use especially at the end of steam, and of course the traditional mixed goods traffic.
This is why I like freeroam on TS1. It is amazing how you can so much enjoyment on a short branchline, for example the Watlington branch with a Pannier a couple of coaches and wagons scattered along the line at yards and stations. It is a bit like a huge model railway. I hope if/when we do get steam and particularly any branchlines we will get some kind of freeroam mode as well as a realistic service mode and standard scenarios. I hope with the TSW despatcher that pick up goods will be able to be scripted in service mode.
I really hope that one day we'll get something a bit older than 1983. They already have the stock to do it now. Goods trains back often consisted of a wide variety of types but they could get away with a 16 ton mineral wagon, a 12 ton ventilated van, which already exists on Trans Pennine and a guards van. Mk1 coaches already exist on the West Somerset and indeed a backdated WSR with a GW tank engine would make a brilliant first step. I'm not holding my breath however. I've learnt from my two years driving TSW not to anticipate anything, it only leads to disappointment. My last purchase was the class 20 and I won't be buying anything else until something really interesting is announced. There must be a large untapped market made up of people who would like the opportunity to experience the railway system in the 1970s, 60s, 50s... Now that travelling to research new routes is difficult due to the virus, you'd think this would be a good time to do a historic route. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, I'll go back to building my steam locomotives.
Well we keep getting told that people only want to purchase modern routes. I would like to see statistical evidence as there have been some very popular steam period routes on TS1 and its predecessors. Plenty or model railways at exhibitions are diesel and steam period. And look at all the enthusiasts at heritage lines, many of the volunteers are young. A lot of the TS1 steam developers are younger than I am. Personally the sim should cater for everyone, I enjoy racing along in a Pendolino or running a Electrostar on a stopping serviceas much as the next person, but my main interest in in the 1950's to the 1980's and I would like to see that represented in TSW more than it was in TS1 where it was very much in the minority. We didn't have a bad start in TSW to be fair with the NTP and TVL lets hope we see more in TSW2 and some steam eventually, although I suspect we will be waiting a couple of years at least for steam.
