Hi everyone, I, like many, have received money throughout the period of Christmas and i was wondering, I haven’t bought a route in a long while and I wanted to purchase one. A few candidates would be; WCMLoS, SEHS and East Coastway as these are the UK routes I haven’t purchased that I think actually look remotely interesting. But my question to is; which of these routes do I buy? And; if not any of these routes, should I just wait for a sale or wait some of the routes announced in the recent December reveals to be released? Thanks in Advance
Between the three I would recommend SEHS. I don't have WCMLoS but according to the community it is a very good route, the only problem I see is that it is too expensive so if you want it wait for a discount and for EC it's just my opinion but I find the route is not at the same level as the other two.
Personally, where possible, I always now buy in sales. Out of those listed, personal preference is SEHS
East Coastway is old but one of the looking from that generation in my opinion. I only use it now to play the class 313 which comes separately. It really needs a TOD4 update and maybe a new timetable although there is a excellent one on Trainsim Community. If I had to buy one of those you suggest it would be WCML although SEHS is very good too. They are set in very different periods so it might come down to whether you prefer a modern or 1980's route. Both of them have layers from other routes and SEHS has other DLC available to purchase which puts the cost up if you want to take advantage of all the layers.
I'd say Southeastern purely for the variety it offers. It's got high speed, local and freight. The 700 (separate) is nice although I haven't had much chance to drive it. Shap is very nice but doesn't have as much variety, it's mainly intercity and freight.
Hard to beat SEHS, it’s pretty fleshed out with all the available add ons for it. How is the 313 anyway? Are sounds somewhat accurate?
I do like SEHS, I was just driving it. My only complaint would be that the classic section feels incomplete, it does have plenty of variety on it. I haven't been on a 313 although have been on EMU's from that generation and it sounds accurate enough, they sound like an UK EMU of that period, the track joint sounds are very effective. A friend of mine who has been on one said the one on TSW sounded about right. I have seen some saying the sounds needs some work and if they know the units better than me they are probably a better judge. This is probably a long way round of saying I am not certain! If ECW got a TOD4 upgrade, a new timetable and the 313 with the new suspension I think it would be amongst my favourite routes. I just have trouble driving the old routes now and if the 313 appeared on a newer route I wouldn't ever use ECW again.
1. Choose a country and era you are interested in. 2. Watch YouTube videos and reviews. 3. Read the player feedback threads. I could tell you to buy WCML Preston to Carlisle, but if you only like modern routes, what good would that do? Threads like this are pointless, as nobody can choose a route for you.
SEHS is the go to modern UK route for me. With all layers and anything else that adds to the route, it holds its place as one of the most complete and enjoyable. The variety is unmatched to most other routes.
I did this thread because I wanted to see what other people are interested in and base their opinions on my purchase decisions, that’s just how I choose to purchase things I’m afraid.
WCMLOS is surely the obvious choice? It is rather widely accepted to be the best route in the game, with a TSW World Cup behind its name and a very positive arrival to the game on these forums which is a very difficult thing to do.
The problem with WCMLoS is not that it's not modern, but that there are too few stations on the route. If you prefer commuter runs with many stops, then it's not for you.
I only play UK routes and I own all bar the new WCML Preston - Carlisle route. I have been working my way through the back catalogue of timetables and scenarios for each route, playing them in release order, so I have played the following extensively... GWE 8,258.45 miles East Coastway 1,643.45 miles NTP 3,529.1 miles TVL 761.53 miles West Sommerset 358.99 miles Isle of Wight 1,057.8 miles Bakerloo 2 145.72 miles Now I have just started on Southeastern High Speed and I have gone from being a humble train driver to a station master or a fat controller with all of the trains and services at my disposal. There are layers in there that require extra DLC's, but I think they are worth it. Locos you have access to... Class 700 Class 33 GNR Class 37/7 EPX Class 375/9 SEW Class 395 SEB Class 465/9 SEW Class 47/4 HI BLU Class 66 EWS LMS Jubilee From what I have played so far, I would say you couldn't go wrong with Southeastern High Speed regardless. As I have said I own all UK routes bar the new WCML Preston one, but I haven't extensively played them, so I wouldn't want to do you an injustice and pass comment on them. As for sales, this is a personal thing you need to decide for yourself, I am working through the back catalogue of routes, so for me I can wait for sales because I won't get to use the DLC's I buy for several months if not years anyway, but you might be different and you might want to use them right away. At the end of the day, there are loads of routes you can play while you wait for a sale, it is down to you if you want to wait for that sale. Also factor in if the route has problems/issues, do you want to be paying full price for that?
This entirely depends on your budget and preferences. For WCMLOS, you have a decent run from Carlisle to Preston on touring with the Lake District alongside it. Though the route is very long as well as only a few stops in-between and is set in the 80s. A route like this whilst good in quality and does present history of the rolling stock and designs within, it doesn't appeal to commuter type players like me personally who prefers seeing a much heavier service pattern and involving shorter runs as well as again actions within (signalling, stops etc.) Even for long runs, someone like me will likely quit within half of its journey over how boring it can be from the limited amount of tasks available. Kassel Warzburg and ECML demonstrates exactly that and probably as to why both routes didn't turn out as how many expected. Though both routes at the same time are comparable in terms of good scenery. SEHS offers a verity of service types from the Channel Tunnel link between St Pancras and Ashford alongside the local regional Kent services between Dartford and Faversham. Even if you are a commuter type person, you'll have a verity of options to choose from and most services apart from the high speed section intersects with lots of traffic and an intense stopping pattern (Unless you're driving from St Pancras to Faversham). Freight services are also available adding further to the traffic. Chances are you'll be crawled by certain light aspects on signals as a result of this. If you're for a mix of ling distance type services from Commuter, High Speed as well as Regional traffic, then this may be the route. This route is personally one of my favourite for the reasons listed above. ECW whilst an icon from the days of TSW2, it's really starting to show it's age. From the scenery, outdated sound effects on the Class 377 (despite promises the loco will be upgraded to London Commuter standards on yet still to deliver) as well as the missing London Victoria services between Lewes and Eastbourne has really left the route as to what it is today. It's one of the reasons I personally haven't touched the route since the days of TSW3 over this matter, it's a shame DTG aren't listing this as part of an upgrade to TSW5 standards alongside with a timetable rewrite. Time will tell hopefully.
