DRGW EMD SD-50 From Digital Train Model

[TheOldDessauer]

With the EMD SD-50, Digital Train Model delivers a high quality, feature laden, and iconic locomotive for Train Simulator.

The locomotive has some of the best detail and textures yet for a Steam Marketplace offering. I have a relatively solid rig; a first-gen i7 processor at 3.4 GHz, an Nvidia GTX 980 SC and 8 GB RAM at 1866MHz; even so this locomotive is a resource hog. I find I get some “chop” when the external camera is at the head end with the locomotive. It isn’t game crushing, but I find it surprising that the high definition F.E.F. from Smokebox runs as smooth as glass while the SD-50 causes some frame rate drop. The effect is more pronounced in the yards and towns, although it settles down a bit when out on the main line/running through the countryside.

The SD50 also offers tons of features. The bell clapper is animated (nice attention to detail). Headlights and taillights are functional and independent of one another with multiple brightness settings. Numberboards, step lights, class lights, cab lights, and gauge lights are all functional. Fan blades on top of the locomotive are animated. The windows have dynamic weather effects. A crew is included. Cab windows open, as do the doors. Windshield wipers work. Locomotive engine block has a kill switch if you wish to shut it down and restart it. The prime mover exhaust looks good. Unlike the Rio Grande SD40-T2 and GP-9, this locomotive does not have snow effects on the walkways nor the blowing snow effects for the trucks.

EDIT: 8/14/15 DTM is planning on patching the SD-50 to add snow effects! Thanks guys!

As we are accustomed to from DTM, the sounds are fantastic, The prime mover sounds powerful. The bell, horn, dynamic brakes, and even the sound of the windows sliding open are present. The handles on the control stand make solid "thunking" sounds as you slide them into place. I do have some nitpicks however. On most locomotive DLC, when you make a brake application or bail-off you can hear the “whoosh” of the air in the trainline being released; that is missing on this model. Also, on most locomotives, when you activate the sanders you can hear the sand “hiss” from the external view. This is not present on the SD-50. Additionally, when using the dynamic brakes, the amperage meter does not load. Granted, these are minor issues and do not significantly detract from the value of this locomotive. (Although, it would be nice for the issues to be addressed with a patch.)

The locomotive is Quick-Drive ready and comes with four career scenarios with more sure to come in the Steam Workshop. No rolling stock is included.

Many railroads for which we have official route DLC rostered EMD SD-50s either as original purchases or through mergers and so I am hopeful there will be more liveries available soon.

I feel that this DLC is well worth the full price and I would definitely recommend it to my friends. I give it a 4/5. If DTM would patch the sound effects for the air brakes and sander, as well a fix the amperage loading issue, I would give it 5/5.

[OpenRailer90]

Great review, will pick this up when it's on sale. I don't think it's in the Steam Marketplace because it's $20 and has no mention of marketplace in the description

[OldProf]

A link to the seller's website would be nice.

[ex-railwayman]

It's on Steam, Tom, it's been released via DTG.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

[OldProf]

Apologies . . . hadn't had my cappuccino yet.