Tsw6 Core Route Opinions

Now I'm not that interested in the core routes this year again. Sorry, not my taste. But ... I like that DTG is taking the extension approach. I like Dresden Riesa, because it is kind of a network thing. Starting on foot in Meißen, going to Dresden and board an IC to Riesa ... nice now I can go to Leipzig. I would have liked another route to be extended before Dresden but I hope this will start a series of extension, maybe Bremen Hamburg, Koblenz Köln, Hamburg Flensburg with a Kiel branch (The hope is still a little bit alive). And another little disappointment is, that we don't get to see new regions of Germany, like the north, Berlin or the middle ...
DTG UK and US routes do not spark any joy anymore for me, no change here.

 

My hot take on the situation too. The one thing it does do is put to bed the claim that route extensions aren’t possible. But that said, why not extend one of the oldest route (RSN) down to Siegen or the Rhine Valley all the way through to Koln? That would have made more sense than a frankly dreary straight, level double track section of main line. So while I respect Matt’s and others enthusiasm for this, can’t say I share it. There is so much more of Germany waiting to be put in the game.

 

the only problem i have with that route is that they didnt take the opportunity to make the comets but happy that we're finally getting the arrows

 

hey question were there plans to use the comets instead of the multilevels?

 

Then S-bahn 442 is missing indeed but also the Albellio 442 (is it still Albellio today?) Also on the Dresden end of the line are different operators active, but we still only have DB. With S-bahn Leipzig and Albellio, atleast there are some different colors then DB red, they only has to fix the sound of the BR442 from Rapid Transport and make red doors for the Albellio versions and a different logo.

 

I don't think it's that bad. There are more exciting landscapes in Germany for sure, but it does add the one thing that DRA originally was missing: some proper fast running in the IC and ICE. Now this really is a do-it-all route. S-Bahn, regional trains with all kinds of different stopping patterns and routes, long-distance and local freight (thanks to Friedrichstadt and the 294), and 200 km/h LZB running in ICs and ICEs.

There's a good reason to do something with DRA instead of another route in my opinion: Dresden-Friedrichstadt isn't in DRA, and the freight gameplay really suffers from that. So them putting Friedrichstadt in does elevate this over other Extension options for me: it actually improves the parts of the route that were already there, and it adds variety, not just length.

 

Leipzig-Dresden is an addon that might at first glance seem like a poor choice.
This is the third time it's been modified (the first modification was for ToD4).
However, when you think about it, and despite the fact that there are no new trains (except the BR 294, which requires a fee), the route is MONSTROUS.
Over 160 km of railway with numerous branches (one new is Friedrichstadt) and a "coast to coast" from Leipzig to Dresden that finally makes sense even for an ICE.
Below is the notable difference between the two routes.

 

Oh yes, I completely agree with you and this is also the gap it closes for me, which I was talking about. But, as you say yourself, the V60 did do mainlines in DTG world before, hence, the addition it will bring to the old world will be minimal. However, having said that, it will certainly have additional services in TSW6, hence, I assume this mistake will be corrected going forward.

Still not happy with the overall choices of new rolling stock (German) for a new game, though… If they would have provided an IC2 consist as the base pack my verdict would have been another one!

 

On the Dresden side the red DB 442 is correct but there are at least 2 variants, the one with the "Saxonia Express" text is only valid for the RE50 to Leipzig, for e.g. the RB31 they appear without this text a bit differently. Also they usually appear in 5+3 formation as RE50 but I think this will be wrong again in the game, sometimes you also see 3 only or 3+3 formations or they are replaced by the Dostos for high demand. In Leipzig Hbf still you would also see the 442 from Abellio in silver with red doors and the DB one with red doors. The S10 stops also there but it is mostly cancelled anyway, so this would not be much annoying. To not include the City-Tunnel is the worst thing as this one of the tunnels with really interesting stations in terms of design, you can see it in Rapid Transit.

 

Personally I'm quite pleased with the core routes. Especially Riviera and Morristown lines. I've enjoyed those two routes in TSC and have fond memories of them. Not too hyped about Leipzig-Dresden, but admittedly it's nice to have longer routes.

 

Given the atrocious level of service on the RE50 in real life, not having the 5+3 formations isn't too bad in my opinion. If anything, for realism, one diagram should be a single 3-parter with passengers stacked all the way to the ceiling.

Fair point about the RE15/RE18/RB31 ones, but the branding isn't very conspicuous, they'd need a VBB license to be able to make the correct version, and they all drive the same anyway.

 

Ah well, Im glad you mentioned that.
It has an AI vintage/heritage line in the game too that sits next to the main game route.

I will bet my last penny that the heritage line here will eventually see a DLC route expansion for us to play on at at some point.
I'm also hoping a 3rd party developer will look at the cash cows stream engines could be and start releasing add ons.

A boy can dream, right?

 

I’m extremely excited about the NJT route to Hoboken/Morristown. It’s funny since I had put it into suggestions a few weeks ago and shockingly it was already being worked on. Mostly happy to see the Arrow III included and I assume they will add it into the NEC line (my home route). Wouldn’t mind eventually seeing the Comet II/VI/V cars get in included as a DLC since the II and V are still used today on a small subset of routes with the ALP-45 and 46 (and I don’t expect to see the old ALP-44 get added as it’s been out of service for almost 15 years now). But overall extremely happy to see NJT getting some more attention again!

 

This looks wrong. Like it will crash into itself in the first curve. Screenshot from IRL video for comparison.

 

Don't know if somebody else has brought this up, but... The more I think about it, the more I come to think that originally Stuttgart-Heilbronn could have been meant to be TSW6's German core route, and the Dresden-Leipzig expansion being more like a pet project, or intended to be the first big German release after launch.

Stuttgart-Heilbronn features two new vehicles, probably the BR 140 was meant to be the included loco, the Wittenberge cab being the Deluxe addition. It would fit better into the mould of the other two core routes. Plus, as Vern already mentioned, there would have been much more "worthy" candidates for a remaster of such scale than the already-somewhat-modernised Dresden-Riesa. For example, Ruhr-Sieg-Nord, Tharandter Rampe or even Rapid Transit come to mind.

At some point in the last months, Stuttgart-Heilbronn fell behind schedule and couldn't possible make the deadline. So the side project of Dresden-Leipzig got pulled up as a quick replacement.

Don't wanna start any conspiracy theories here, just a thought that came to my mind.

 

HRR is definitely due a remaster too (see signature). And RRO and and and...

 

There is something I realized with regards to the Morristown Line.

The ALP-45DP will be playable on that route (albeit if you have the deluxe edition) but the Morristown line is fully electrified from Penn Station/Hoboken to Dover. The full line goes to Hackettstown. The section between Dover and Hackettstown which is 18 miles is not electrified but is not included meaning the diesel functionality won't be used on this route. Also we still don't have the Comet 4 or 5 cars which is also disappointing

 

I think it’s cause making the comet cab car would technically be another “Loco” which is time and work so I guess it was Down to what’s more important the Arrow III which is heavily used on this line or the comets

 

Instead, they added ALP-45DP for the route which the diesel part of the line was cut off. DTG route choices, you know, what to cut, how to shorten... as always.

 

oh yea….honestly the coast line maybe would’ve made more sense but honestly I would’ve bought both but hey at least they now pretty much have 3/5 of the NJT diesel fleet they would just have to do small edits to the Gp40 and F40ph so if they very wanted to develop the Bergen line or Main Line not much time would need to be spent on the locos and assuming they make a Comet car dlc even better

 

could not disagree more with this statement.... Hagen-Siegen is a ghosttown route with not much traffic in real life. Dresden-Leipzig with all the branches is way more interesting. Adding not only Leipzig, but also the Friedrichstadt branch and BR 294 are pleasent suprises. Matt was right on the stream. There is tons to do on the route.

If you are so passionate about Hagen-Siegen, you should check out "Hagen-Siegen Version 4" from Railsim for TSC. Serious suggestion, no joke.

 

Don't usually buy the US lines. As an American for some reason I find the US routes and trains unappealing and boring. However the Morristown line is intriguing and if there must be a US route included, it's a good choice IMO.

Very happy with the Riviera line as that was among my favorites in TSC and Leipzig-Dresden isn't the sexiest route, but it's solid and I'll rarely be upset with more modern German routes, personally.

I'm likely to pick up the big special edition as the only route I have that's included is Semmeringbahn, so even accounting for that duplication, it's still a substantial savings.

 

Will have to agree to differ. Scenery wise going to Leipzig from Riesa was a borefest in TSC, but I will be fair and await final judgement once I have the opportunity to play the extended route. And TSC no longer installed on my PC. Removed it a few months ago as the only way to clear out the junk and never bothered putting it back on!

 

RSN is a beautiful scenic route and in my opinion way better as DRA. It would be very nice when there where more trains, like the BR425. Also a newer version of the route with the Stadler Flirt would be very nice. The scenery on DRA is underwhelming and just boring, I doubt the extension to Leipzig will make it less boring.

 

About to fire up Zusi 3 to give their BR294 version a run, but just wondered if our German friends could share what the difference is between the BR294 and the 363 etc., we currently have in game or the 211/212 that DTG have passed by.

 

I’m hoping that this shows that they still have a good relationship with NJT and can expand on the routes like they did with the different California routes before. It seems like now that the CalTrain license is gone, the east coast lines (NJT, LIRR/MTA, MBTA) are filling in that void. I grew up on all of those lines so selfishly I’m enjoying it, but it’s also where so much of the US Commuter Rail traffic lives in the US. It also means we may see more from NJT in the future in terms of routes, locos, and train sets (hopefully).

 

I'm not excited directly about this one, although I'm happy for the people who are excited about the new core routes . It's feels more of the same for me now. I want to note that something I do like is the extension of the Dresden-Riesa route.

Apart from the core routes I do like things like random events and train faults. At the other side I wonder if this would make bug fixing harder because no timetable, or scenario is the same. Last thing which is a big plus for me is the addition of other countries and the return of the free upgrade. I think I will stuck on TSW5 for a while but I can't tell at this moment.

 

if scenery is so important to you, you will have a great time with the Riveria line. I think we can all look forward to that.

 

I didn't expect Leipzig-Dresden

I was actually travelling this very route last weekend (got an ICE 1 instead of the normally used ICE-T). And i was hoping for a long time that we get the full stretch between both Cities. So on that front im happy, i saw Leipzig and eas sure we are getting Leipzig-Riesa... This is better of course.

I sincerely hope that the Br 143 will also sub in as i cannot imagine Dresden S-Bahn without them. Actually im sitting in one S1 Service right now, hauled by one of the 143 which are still operating here.

The 294 is also a great addition i feel and is long overdue. So im happy on that front but will hold my breath because we still need massive performance improvements, especially with this route its badly needed.

 

About 69, nice

 

I actually don't play much UK routes, they just don't touch me that much. Also I hate the trains with the small driver windows, can't stand them.

 

The BR143 from DRA will layer in on the Dresden - Leipzig route, the BR143 is also visible in the stream of yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/live/Xsls3CEiZVA?feature=shared&t=11799

 

The 290 is based on the 211/212 family. It's heavier for better adhesion and regeared for heavy shunting. The 294 then is a 294 that's had remote control fitted to it, with major changes to the in-cab controls as well - so the controls are really different from the 363. It's also twice as powerful as the 363, and it can go 80 km/h in road gear, so it can go on the road as well as do shunting.

 

Well, in short terms, the 294 is the bigger brother of the 363. About twice as powerful, faster (80 km/h max) and thus more capable of heading out on to main lines, delivering or picking up short freight hauls. The 363 on the other hand is primarily a shunter, and did overland services almost exclusively on smaller routes. In TSW, most of the longer main line services on existing routes with the 363 are actually more like 294's jobs.
The 211/212 and the 294 are closely related, but built for different purposes. They share the same engine (with minor modifications), the 211/212 are faster (100 km/h) while the 294 is a bit heavier, giving it better traction for heavy loads. The 211/212 are all-purpose locos, while the 294 are pure freight and heavy shunting machines.

Edit: Dang, mkraehe#6051 beat me to it

 

Thanks for that as my attempts to get a run going in Zusi 3 were not very successful! First time the cab graphic was corrupted, second time I had a SPAD as the brake wasn't responding to the usual +/- commands...

Also thanks to AmityBlight
Sounds like the 294 will be hellfire, as we say. In the meantime I'll persist with trying to get the Zusi one running!

 

Ah, but given the modifications done to the 294 when fitted with the remote controls, a 211/212 would be a really different driving experience though! I'd love to have a 212 as well as the 294. Pity is, it's much less "useful" in the game than a 294, because the 212s went out of service with DB 20 years ago, and the 211s even earlier. Maybe in a retro DB livery, for private freight operations & railtours?

 

Absolutely. The 294's cab and dashboard is rather similar to the 363's, while the 211/212 have two dashboards in the cab, one for each direction. And their dashboards are more akin to the ones found in the 218:

Me too, it's an amazing loco and surely a joy to drive

I bet my money on TSG giving us a 211 or 212 or both someday, for a nice little backdated diesel route set in the early 80's... We've got a wide assortment of suitable rolling stock by now, after all, also mostly courtesy of TSG
The 211/212 are just too iconic and important to be left out of TSW completely. During the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s, they were everywhere, all across (western) Germany.

But for now, I'm cool with getting my hands on a long-awaited 294 soon

 

The rolling stock is exactly the same as that included in RIESA-DRESDEN.
143, 185.5 MRCE, 442, Dostos etc., plus the 294 (subject to a fee).

 

Thx for the clarification. Lets hope its not a huge mess in terms of performance as Frankfurt-Fulda was when its launched. Otherwise im really looking forward to keep on driving after Riesa