We Need A Expert Us Loco

Discussion in 'TSW General Discussion' started by pedro#1852, Mar 11, 2026 at 3:48 PM.

  1. pedro#1852

    pedro#1852 Well-Known Member

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    we have the class 86 and 87 as expert locos (or very close to it) for UK content
    we have the DB class 101 and now the 145 for german content

    we also need a expert US loco
    the closest we have to that is the ACS-64 (which still lacks immersion in many aspects)
    I'd like something like a C40-8W or AC4400CW expert
    that would be awesome
    what do you guys think about this?
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2026 at 3:57 PM
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  2. Disintegration7

    Disintegration7 Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely!

    +1
     
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  3. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    +2

    Good thinking. I think the AC4400CW would be an excellent choice.
     
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  4. Canadian Follower

    Canadian Follower Well-Known Member

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    If i ever got to chose which locomotive receives expert treatment, it would either be the ACS-64 or Acela. (Just personally passenger preference)
     
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  5. MJCKP

    MJCKP Well-Known Member

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    I definitely would like to see more expert locos :)

    Some US locos I would like to see expert versions of are the F7 A and B unit, GP9RM, and F125
     
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  6. metrocore

    metrocore Member

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    We need period routes for the US too.
     
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  7. Killer-Of-Night

    Killer-Of-Night Well-Known Member

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    Think the only problem with an expert freight loco would be its appeal. US freight is already on a lowly list in terms of popularity with the general TSW crowd, and an expert loco may be hard to sell.

    On the other hand, an expert loco with good rolling stock to accompany it would help beat the stigma of US mountain routes of being boring, especially on climbs, if it featured things like knuckle breaks, hot boxes and string lining, which would make the player be careful on how they handle the train.
     
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  8. redrev1917

    redrev1917 Well-Known Member

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    I’d love but US train operators are hardly the most welcoming to train sims, so I can’t imagine that they’d be many that would even be open to having a discussion about allowing enough access to the locos to create an expert loco pack
     
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  9. metrocore

    metrocore Member

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    Sadly I don’t think anything could beat the stigma of US freight routes being boring. Mountain climbs in particular just don’t offer much for the player to do. The inclusion of expert features could make the experience a bit more challenging tho
     
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  10. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't Sand Patch already have a " cold start " scenario for the AC4400CW? That might be a place to implement an expert loco.
     
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  11. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    Even Run 8 has to provide a quick start pop up box for those who don't want to spend half an hour of driving or switching time just to get the thing moving.
     
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  12. Anthony Pecoraro

    Anthony Pecoraro Well-Known Member

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    Going downhill does...
     
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  13. Mich

    Mich Well-Known Member

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    In theory, in practice the fact the dynamics are so badly done ruins much of the enjoyment a down hill run is supposed to have.
     
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  14. Game of Trains

    Game of Trains Active Member

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    Expert Alp45 or 46 would be great at least for me. Plus the 46 is based on the 101 in real life, and since we already have an expert 101 in game…..wink wink TSG
     
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  15. Disintegration7

    Disintegration7 Well-Known Member

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    I think there are a lot of good options- ACS-64, ALP45 or 46, or just a bog standard GP38-2 or SD40-2. There's so many of them out there for reference and a ton of technical documentation available.

    For freight to work though, the wagons have to be expert too imo. Managing the train line and braking is the core challenge and has never been properly modeled.

    I'm hoping if the upcoming expert BR145 manages to nail air line leaks and faults, some 3rd party will take the initiative to try it on the US-side. Probably wishful thinking though tbh.
     
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  16. Killer-Of-Night

    Killer-Of-Night Well-Known Member

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    You can also literally buy the operating manuals off of Ebay, they aren't impossible to come across.
    aa.png
     
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