Looking for your next Train Sim World route to play? We speak to some of the Dovetail team for their recommendations. Read More : Train Sim World Staff Picks (dovetailgames.com)
Hmm. 3 UK, 2 German and 1 NA, all less than 2 years old. Not very imaginative. I guess all the older ( and better ) routes are buried away in a dusty file cabinet locked in an inaccessible basement storage room.
Most of the answers talk about the same things: variety, timetable, layers. Because everyone knows: this is the key to TSW. Timetable is king! The best routes are the best in these aspects. I would really implore DTG to a) plan future DLC that priotitises this, and b) continually revisit routes to enhance their timetables, like they have done with SEHS. There are so many existing routes that could be brought to the level of SEHS and NVD with enhanced timetables. Some will need additional rolling stock, but plenty can be enhanced with what's since been released. I honestly can't overstate how important the timetable is to TSW, what a crown jewel it is, and how much potential it offers to this sim.
I couldn't really put it better myself - the timetable is the real USP of TSW and every effort should be made to capitalise on this as much as possible. Not-so-secret recipe for TSW route success: 1) Pick a route with varied locos/activities and logical start/end points 2) Ensure the timetable is as per reality and as busy as possible (SEHS is a very good reference point here, Dresden too) 3) Don't launch with obvious or game-breaking issues (big scenery issues, scenarios unable to be completed etc.) 4) Follow up with any necessary DLC to fill out the timetable within a reasonable timeframe (weeks to months, not years) In my view all of those on this list hit that target except Peak Forest which has many documented issues with the timetable and illogical start points (and the 700 took too long after release to arrive). I'm glad to see that DTG are broadly capable of recognising their own best work though (and I look forward to seeing what comes next!)
This takes up barely any time. Working all day is stressful enough and it's a nice break for them. It only takes a couple minutes to interview someone and there's also meeting outside of working hours as well. Not a waste of anyone's time
It does seem a bit biased… none of the BR Classic routes, no Spirit of Steam, no Clinchfield no SPG. And (edit) apart from a Nidd (edit) all in house content too. For all its faults I had a nice time on Arosa last night, doing the dawn log haul. The lighting effects slowly grinding up the mountain were outstanding and gave a real feeling of zen and calm.
Nahverkehr Dresden. How ironic. I don’t think I have to explain why. In september it’ll be 2 years DTG.
Find it kinda funny that Dovetail will complement TSG for their “lovingly crafted landscapes” but yet won’t do anything to make their scenery rival the Niddertalbahn. Maybe they would complement there own work if the scenery was on par with TSG.
This one actually intrigues me. Mountainous, electric railways are right up my alley (if my love for the Milwaukee Road electrics is anything to go by). The physics issues annoy me to no end but I would still like to try it and give it a go. I haven't given in yet, but who knows
It is flawed particularly the physics and rolling stock sounds, but put it this way if Rivet were to do the (full) Bernina Line from St Moritz to Tirano or the Albula Line from St Moritz down to Chur even just to this standard, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Well, none of those guys picked Boston, but it's one of my favorites. Just got done thrashing the Acela non-stop from Providence to South, mostly at 130-150 mph. Great fun. Nothing beats the sound of two of those beasts passing each other at speed.
I thought this article to be quite interesting as it’s kinda of an article where they ain’t hiding behind the curtain of ‘I like all of them’ or ‘they’re all my favourites’ it’s good to see they are willing to have favourites and share them publicly. I also find it good that articles don’t just need to be about new features/routes etc, it helps to reinforce the idea that the older routes and locos aren’t fired and forgotten, but still do come up officially.
Add some diesels (45/0 and 1st gen dmu) to Peak Forest and it would be in my top three and I could wholeheartedly agree with that pick.
Well Matt (Dtg Matt) did say that a 3rd party is working on something for Peak Forest so who knows, maybe a diesel/timetable pack is in the works right now?
Matt got Risa-Dresden as his staff pick. Also it's my most played German route since I want DR BR250 Blue and Red version to run on their home turf pre reunification followed by Dispolok BR182 also known as ÖBB Baureihe 1016/1116. That way I get Power Surge 1550km and True Taurus 1820 km completed. To make that route even better add in GDR Reichsbahn DR BR104-106 V60 Ost DR BR119 U-Boot DR BR118 Dicke Babelsbergerin DR BR211/242 Holzroller and repainted DR BR250 243 DR BR110-113 V100 Ost lastly the DR BR132. Comes with Rekowagen DR Y-Wagen and Halberstädter Mitteleinstiegswagen the East German version of a West German N-wagen.
For me, It's Midland Mainline. Being a Leicester lad and having done the route thousands of times in my life with various forms of traction and now I get to drive it on the game. Fantastic.
Great to hear what the DTG say about their favourite route in the game. But can I ask the DTG team to please answer what routes would they all like to see in the game?
OldVern, have you considered a career in sales yet? Having held back since release, I finally took the plunge and got Arosa. It’s much like I expected - the 3D models are excellent even if the physics aren’t. The scenery works very well as long as you’re focusing on what’s ahead of you instead of the distant mountains. I’ll give Rivet this though, the route has a certain charm to it. Will see how I get on with it but don’t regret getting it at 50% off from what I’ve seen so far.
Glad you’re liking it. As I said not perfect, but not half as bad as some of the pundits would have you believe. I would certainly take the Bernina Line with. 4x or 5x Railcar or even an Allegra to similar standard. It’s actually a bit like I’m currently finding with LIRR. Lots of people slagged it off but I’m finding it good fun. Yes the sounds are a bit funky and switching the signalling safety system on is causing the brakes to apply even when I comply with the restriction. But it has what routes like Glossop, the Dartford to Rainham stretch on SEHS with the 700 and BCC don’t. A combination of fast running then a bit of suburban work, nice variety. Would love to see it updated and extended in future.
Completely agree with you. I actually got back into LIRR a few weeks ago too (M3 was on sale and you know how it is with me and vintage electrics). It’s certainly showing its age in every aspect, but there’s still some good fun to be had there. As far as Arosa is concerned, it’s whetted my apetite for more Swiss narrow gauge content. It’s obviously flawed but also not the train wreck I feared it was. It’s also something different compared to all the other routes in TSW, kudos to Rivet for trying that.
I was thinking about the Arosa route a while ago. Seems like I have been persuaded to finally make the purchase.
I'm actually glad some of the staff pick routes were not all just TSW 3 routes thanks to London Commuter and Riesa Dresden being mentioned which, in my opinion - along with Boston Sprinter - is why I think Rush Hour is still the pinnacle of the entire TSW franchise. TSW certainly needs a lot more Rush Hour-style routes/timetables as I've felt a majority of recent TSW 3 routes have been mostly underwhelming whether due to route length, lackluster timetable, and/or rolling stock variety. As echoed already in this thread, timetables are the key to TSW. Absolutely agree with both of you - the timetable is key! For instance, I still can't believe that I've yet to complete even half of the London Commuter services, and yet, the route is still so enjoyable to play thanks to it's gameplay longevity etc.
for Dispolok it's not actually the class 182 but the ES64U2, that's the original classification for the Taurus by Siemens, DTG just messed the DLC name up. and it is not exactly known as the ÖBB class 1116 (or 1016), it's just the same locomotive, different livery and different classificagion because thats a different rail company which bought some of the ES64U2's. but partially you are right. just letting my nerd-me out, sorry for that lmao
Right, and that's where you're wrong. There's quite some differences between those two locos, ranging from the cab to the inverters, which are, in fact, not the same as on any othee Taurus, only ÖBB ES64U2 have them
