Wherry Lines (DLC for DTG-TS)

[NorthernWarrior]

Picked this up for £12.49 in the Steam sale - wasn't going to pay full price and ISTR this was the route which stoked a lot of controversy when the developer (Armstrong Powerhouse) originally released it on their own store at something like £40?

Well my verdict so far would be around 7/10 - it is a reasonable effort but not quite the masterpiece some might proclaim and certainly would not, IMHO, been worth the original AP asking price. Total route length is 44 miles and consists of both routes from Norwich to Great Yarmouth and the section form Reedham to Lowestoft. Scenery is pretty flat as to be expected on the Norfolk Broads, though there are one or two gradients on the more direct line via Acle. Maximum speed is 60 MPH with several lower restrictions at various locations. Scenery is generally well done with many custom objects but the tracklaying leaves a little to be desired. While admittedly a fault with the original Kuju/DTG track system which persists to this day, in many locations the route builder has not tried to eliminate the blocked frog syndrome at points and crossings. There are quite a few doglegs here and there too around junctions which kind of spoils the effect.

Rolling stock consists of a Class 170 DMU (yawn) and the Class 37/4 with Mark 2D coaching stock (more like it!). Generally well done and certainly the 37 sound can't be faulted, other than I couldn't hear any field diverts kicking in. Also AP have chosen to deliver the correct muted in cab sound, so if you want the thrash you have to drive with head out or external view. With top and tailed locos on 3 coaches, both powering the consist takes off like a rocket. I couldn't see any way to shut down the rear loco to get a slightly more realistic performance though, again, this is more likely a limitation of the game itself.

A generous number of scenarios have been provided for both types of motive power so full credit to AP on that. However at least one scenario has you waiting 15 minutes at a location where you reverse which really makes you wish DTG built a speed up time function into their game.

In conclusion, worth what I paid for it (I rarely buy full price DLC these days) providing you accept it is not quite the train sim nirvana that it was originally billed as. This route would also form a good basis for a TSW project.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Thanks for the review.

I myself find most of recent DLC not really worth the full asking price, too many hasty jobs to grab a fast penny. Routes getting ever shorter too it seems.

And the included rolling stock that most of us already have in several other DLC isn't inviting a full price purchase either.

[buzz456]

Thanks for the review.

I myself find most of recent DLC not really worth the full asking price, too many hasty jobs to grab a fast penny. Routes getting ever shorter too it seems.

And the included rolling stock that most of us already have in several other DLC isn't inviting a full price purchase either.

No one forces you to buy anything so this comment just sounds like sour grapes to me. I think cars are too expensive also. So what?

[BNSFdude]

A great replacement for the 37 exists on APs website, and even updates the Wherry scenarios to use them. The MKS/AP Class 37 is a fantastic representation of some proper tractor thrashing action.
https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/ind ... uct_id=201

[RailWorkshop]

10/10 from my side

[NorthernWarrior]

As a postscript to my OP, I did a drive with the Class 170. the model and sounds are very good, but sadly AP have fallen into the Kuju/RSC/DTG DMU "trap" where other than full throttle simply acts as a kind of speed limiter or cruise control, even to the point of slowing you down if you're going faster than their noted speed setting. That is not how hydraulic transmission on UK DMU's works. Generally you accelerate in Notch 7 then throttle back to Notch 4 or Notch 5 to maintain speed according to the conditions, or maybe Notch 6 (or 7 again) if going up a steep gradient.

[BNSFdude]

As a postscript to my OP, I did a drive with the Class 170. the model and sounds are very good, but sadly AP have fallen into the Kuju/RSC/DTG DMU "trap" where other than full throttle simply acts as a kind of speed limiter or cruise control, even to the point of slowing you down if you're going faster than their noted speed setting. That is not how hydraulic transmission on UK DMU's works. Generally you accelerate in Notch 7 then throttle back to Notch 4 or Notch 5 to maintain speed according to the conditions, or maybe Notch 6 (or 7 again) if going up a steep gradient.

Is this using the Class 170 enhancement pack or not?

[NorthernWarrior]

Is this using the Class 170 enhancement pack or not?

Just the 170 as supplied.

[CrazyGecko]

The route is rather nice but like any DLC it's up to the individual as to buying it during a sale or full price. The one from AP itself can come across as pricey but they also use rollingstock and enhancement packs available from their site which have better sounds, physics and branding while on Steam options are more limited and branding is also missing unless you happen to have any of the three scenario packs installed which can used on either version.