SW1500

[thecanadianrail]

wow, it really is the best to date!!! sounds so realistic, the only flaw is that you can hear that "tick" in the horn where the loop resets. well from north america or the England they love their shunters (switchers). no wonder they worked so hard on it and did an amazing job!!!

[styckx]

I doubt it is that. Haha. I know many hate Facebook but one of the things I have seen despite what some think, messageboards are indeed only the loudest.. Minority.. In their fanbase. Facebok while.. Interesting at times (I'm being nice) shows in context there is a much larger American fanbase out there then what is represented on these boards. Obviously RSC sales figures probably (I'm speculating) show it in even more hard facts. The Dash 9 was their stepping stone, the sd70 improved on the mark the Dash set, and it looks like the SW1500 is now going to raise the mark higher. It was a rocky start with the sd40-2 parade but they've come a long way in a short time building superior U.S. motive power. From an entirely different country.

I think it is safe to say "They really do like us!"

[micaelcorleone]

I think it is safe to say "They really do like us!"

Yes, after the SD70 packs, especially the Volume 2 and the Volume 3 (officially sold with the voulme 2) and now the fantastic SW 1500 pack I can agree.
With the 10 liveries in the SW 1500 pack and the various variations (even a "Whispercab") in the SD70 Volume 2 pack they've proven to me that they have learned a lot about US railroading and that they are interested in it more and more.

So let's hope that the keep on with the good quality and maybe even improve it more and that there is such a great variety of versions and liveries also in upcoming US based releases (We need a lot of liveries as the variety of technical eqippment isn't that high in the US.).

[styckx]

Liveries are rough. Notice this at the end of the Facebook announcement of it.

The BNSF, Frisco and BN marks are licensed marks owned by BNSF Railway Company. CN is an exclusive copyright and mark of Canadian National Railway Company. All rights reserved. Used with permission. NS and Southern are registered and/or common law marks of Norfolk Southern Corp. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Southern Pacific, Western Pacific and the Union Pacific shield are registered trademarks used under license.

Translated: We're (rsc) paying for their use in some fashion.

And if RSC got a license agreement with Amtrak, Septa, or NJT (or all 3) for the NEC, that is money.

I can only imagine they have to stick with what is going to sell at this point and can't risk gambling with an unproven railroad. What is going to sell a product more.. UP, BNSF or that obsure railroad from Washington? They got most of the major ones and I'm happy with that. CSX is the only major one really missing.

Portland Terminal will be a nice gauge of how much it matters if the railroad is a big one or small one since no big name players are in that one.

[micaelcorleone]

Yeah we're paying. That UP charges for the use of it's trademarks I know fom their site.
But how is it with CN and NS? In the text it says: UP... and BNSf... "licensed", but with NS and CN it states "Used with permission".
So does this mean that BNSF (and UP) charge and CN and NS just want to be asked but don't charge or is it just a matter of style in the text?

I totally agree with you, CSX should really be licensed in the future. Some of the other small operators would be nice, but I don't need them. We have talented repainters here (also for CSX).
Yeah and Amtrak, I really hope they get (or have already?) the license as they've promised to do a F40PH and a Genesis. I lead the delay of them back to license issues with Amtrak (I can imagine).

So Amtrak is a must-have, CSX and any other would be wonderful.

[styckx]

Agreed. Amtrak and CSX a must. I wonder. If they get CSX would they finally be allowed to use Conrail? Conrail is pure money in the bank and Id argue probably still more popular in memory than most railroads currently operating.

The rare times I get to spot a yet to be painted over Conrail livery I'm immediately sent back to my childhood.

[micaelcorleone]

Hm Conrail. I don't know much about it, but aren't CSX and NS the purchasers of Conrail. Why does CSX have the copyright on Conrail?

[styckx]

Hm Conrail. I don't know much about it, but aren't CSX and NS the purchasers of Conrail. Why does CSX have the copyright on Conrail?

Not sure if they do.. That is what I was wondering. Conrail stll exists but is a jointly owned sub between NS and CSX.

It is odd. Big Blue ruled the North East though. It was in lamens terms the freight version of Amtrak (government created) and created to save the rail industry in the area. Which it succeded at.

http://www.conrail.com/history.htm

[Chessie8638]

Conrail Shared Assets owns the Conrail copyright I believe.

http://www.conrail.com/

http://www.conrail.com/contacts.htm

[micaelcorleone]

Out now: SW 1500 Switcher Addon!

Product page: http://www.railsimulator.com/productdetail.php?Ref=65214
Steam page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/65214/

For videos showing all versions lined up and how the flashlight of the BN version works: http://www.facebook.com/railsimulator?sk=wall

I'm downloading now. Can't await it.

[styckx]

I'm at work. Someone want to cover me and I will let you know how it is?

[micaelcorleone]

My review: Wonderful! Stunning! Heaven of Railworks!

Engine looks great (I am testing the WP unit right now), so much detail.
I especially like the cab. It's very detailed and built with love.
If you go from idle into the first notch the engine is releasing a wonderful cloud of smoke. Throttle up, the smoke gets darker.

And now a special word for the sounds: They are stunning. Very good sound engineering by Oovee.
The engine sounds are nice, the horn and bell are very good. You can hear a lot of sounds. The best is when you throttle up the lever into another notch. Wonderful!

My judgment: The best US pack we've seen so far. Buy it and we can show RS.com our appreciation. Buy, buy, buy!

[thecanadianrail]

yeah, it is everything we had hoped for! i did find one small flaw with the SW1500 in CN livery. when you go in the cabview the filters on the stacks don't show up. other than that everything is in check!

[Samwolf]

Got my copy. Going out for a spin.

Except for the headout view

IMHO, Well worth the 20 bucks.

[Rich_S]

Nicely Done RSC I know my screen shots do not do these units justice







They look and sound great and the cabview is very nicely done. I just wish they came out of the download with the 26L automatic brake and a Non crew version, but not to worry I corrected those issues myself Any chance we can get some SW1500's with AAR trucks and hood mounted handrails?

Regards,
Rich S.