GWE Preview and Launch Streams

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Right on time Steam downloaded 2.1 GB of new TSW:CSX. I've left the TSW:GWE box unticked for the moment.
Will first examine the CSX.

Shite, I am now a brit in my profile avatar. Gone are the sturdy US types.
Build number is 91.
The YN2 units are now behind a Switch Livery switch, so the panel won't become too crowded when more DLC will be released.

[RSMattP]

You can also now put the YN2 livery variants on any of the services the YN3b would have had before - instead of being a hard coded selection as it was previously. In addition, the SD40 is now a suitable swap-in for the GP38, so you get even more possible services for the SD40. That and the way manifests are now changed around a bit does make it a bit less predictable what you're going to see on your journey.

I find it makes service mode a bit more replayable personally - interested to hear thoughts from folks on here too of course!

Matt.

[BNSFdude]

You can also now put the YN2 livery variants on any of the services the YN3b would have had before - instead of being a hard coded selection as it was previously. In addition, the SD40 is now a suitable swap-in for the GP38, so you get even more possible services for the SD40. That and the way manifests are now changed around a bit does make it a bit less predictable what you're going to see on your journey.

I find it makes service mode a bit more replayable personally - interested to hear thoughts from folks on here too of course!

Matt.

It makes the service mode playable, but please stress to your team that a proper physics fix needs to be focused on. It makes the game unplayable.

[NorthernWarrior]

Initial Impressions:

Graphically quite pleasing, particularly in the twilight and rain. However the trains themselves are a bit too clean, needs weathering. My I7 and GTX950 struggling a bit on higher detail, lots of pausing and stuttering when the HST up to 125 MPH. Those little circles detailing upcoming signals are quite obtrusive, tried switching off in options but not changing. It should be possible to slide them down to the corner, not have them blocking the actual windscreen.

Sounds - not great. I tried the scenario where you catch a local service into Paddington then work the 1930 HST. There was no audible engine noise at all sitting inside the Class 166 DMU. On the HST I could only get one note to sound on the horn.

Scenario wise - if you're going to have the driver sat in the cab for 10 mins waiting to start, for God's sake have a timeskip or fast forward key. And it's highly unlikely a HST or any other service at Paddington would have a green signal 10 mins prior to departure, nor should a train on adjacent platform be started against a red signal before coming to a stand at it.

As regards physics, I've only driven the HST which as noted elsewhere has the same wildly inaccurate ammeter readings as the CSX locos. It seemed about right, up to 125 MPH in Notch 5 then throttling back to Notch 4 was holding speed at around 119 - 120 MPH. The next test will be the Class 166 Turbo DMU to see if it has the same cruise control effect as applied to the DMU's in TS20xx.

The main problems as I see are the length of the route, I'm suspecting the scenario I played was designed to make it seem longer than it is, by having you travel "on the cushions" into Paddington then a 10 min fester before the actual 25 min drive. There didn't seem that many scenarios either and with no means to make your own, replay value will be very limited.

Incidentally for anyone not familiar with the GWML, the half finished electrification beyond West Drayton is probably an accurate snapshot of when they surveyed the route, though in reality it has now been finished to Maidenhead for several months and Reading should be going live very soon.

At the moment about 60/40 in favour of keeping and not refunding.

[NorthernWarrior]

On resuming the scenario, many bugs evident...

Traction sound non-existent in the HST cab, despite being in Notch 4. It returned when I changed throttle position to 5 but disappeared completely at idle, cutting in and out intermittently.

Between Maidenhead and Twyford I got checked down by a double yellow signal but the next signal at single yellow was less than 600 yards. This would not have given sufficient time to stop if the third signal had been at red. I was getting random signal checks from Twyford all the way to Reading with no evidence a train actually ahead - DY - Y - back to G again.

None of the oncoming trains were displaying headlights.

After finishing the HST run I picked a Class 166 drive from the Services list. Once again this suffers from the waiting around situation, arriving at Twyford a good 5 minutes early on the listed time. The sounds on the Class 166 are awful. Agree you wouldn't get the full engine roar in the cab but, as noted previously, there's none in the passenger saloon either. These trains are fitted with Perkins underfloor diesel engines which have a lovely melodious roar, when heard inside the train.

Graphics don't look nearly as nice in stark daylight and the tearing of graphics up from the ground others have mentioned, very noticeable.

IMHO this needed a lot more beta and QA testing.

[BNSFdude]

IMHO this needed a lot more beta and QA testing.

Well, you are the tester now. A paying lab rat.

[NorthernWarrior]

IMHO this needed a lot more beta and QA testing.

Well, you are the tester now. A paying lab rat.

Yes I think I have now gone over the magic two hours, though I was probably never intending to refund on this one.

As I said there is potential here but it will require DTG to take a measure of humility and accept there are elements of the core which need critical fixes. Then, let's get the branch lines added - including Heathrow Airport and the Thames Valley branches and push the main line down to Swindon and Bristol. Get some "retro" traction in there - the recently released Western/Warship/Hymek pack for TS2017 would sell like a hot cake along with Mark One rolling stock as indeed would a Class 37 and Class 47.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

IMHO this needed a lot more beta and QA testing.

Well, you are the tester now. A paying lab rat.

Yes I think I have now gone over the magic two hours, though I was probably never intending to refund on this one.

As I said there is potential here but it will require DTG to take a measure of humility and accept there are elements of the core which need critical fixes. Then, let's get the branch lines added - including Heathrow Airport and the Thames Valley branches and push the main line down to Swindon and Bristol. Get some "retro" traction in there - the recently released Western/Warship/Hymek pack for TS2017 would sell like a hot cake along with Mark One rolling stock as indeed would a Class 37 and Class 47.

All in due course, me thinks First things first.
AI passengers embarking on the tracks, something no live passenger is likely to do, because the driver opened the doors on the wrong side? How about a simple check in the script if there is a platform with 'walking passengers assets' and penalize the careless driver with an SPAD end of scenaria and -10000 points?

I fully support your wish but I think the size of the UE4 world that can be reasonably and economically managed in a single piece of DLC is limited. The days of 'networks' and 200 mile routes are probably behind us.

[bpetit]

I keep getting hit with the TWPS on the 66 despite each signal remaining green. It's suppose to time the train between two points, and if the system sees a fault. It goes straight to a penalty application. According to what I have read. It is for overspeed, signal at danger (red), and also speed reductions. None of that is present, when I get hit. I'd just like to know.

[NorthernWarrior]

AI passengers embarking on the tracks, something no live passenger is likely to do, because the driver opened the doors on the wrong side? How about a simple check in the script if there is a platform with 'walking passengers assets' and penalize the careless driver with an SPAD end of scenaria and -10000 points?

Also Edwin, arriving on P3 at Paddington (right hand side) but only getting the passenger loading indication when I unlocked doors on the left hand side.

Can also confirm as reported on UKTS the OHLE is missing in Paddington station, where it should be lights are hanging down instead. This is a considerable QA error.

I also have a suspicion this sim is using a huge amount of virtual memory or swap file as on exit there is constant HD activity for two or three minutes and other apps struggle to run - even basic IE.

[trev123]

http://steamcommunity.com/app/530070/di ... 611315358/

The tearing could be caused by motion blurr which DTG are aware of. Find DTGs post in above link for temporary fix.

[NorthernWarrior]

Could be right Trev (in which case it's a massive beta test/QA fail) but will probably wait till they patch it officially. For now I'm about to order the Western/Warship etc. pack for TS2017 and have fun driving those on the JT Western route instead.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Could be right Trev (in which case it's a massive beta test/QA fail) but will probably wait till they patch it officially. For now I'm about to order the Western/Warship etc. pack for TS2017 and have fun driving those on the JT Western route instead.

No doubt there will be a patch out soon. How some of these major bugs slipped past QA is a mystery to most of us.

The Diesel Hydraulic pack is a real asset. Real value for money too.

There are lots of paint schemes plus some repaints already available elsewhere.
There are a few issues that hopefully will be rectified soon. Or use the AP enhancement pack for the Westerns, there is never too much clag running those ...
Now an enhancement pack for the Hymeks and Warships is due?

[NorthernWarrior]

The Diesel Hydraulic pack is a real asset. Real value for money too.

Oh yes! I took the Warship out of Kingswear on one of the scenarios and this is train simming at its finest.

IMHO DTG made a cardinal error choosing Paddington to Reading as their first route. It should have been the Riviera Line from Exeter to Paignton. Good scenery, some gradients to at least challenge your driving skill and an iconic route rather than Thames Valley.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

The Diesel Hydraulic pack is a real asset. Real value for money too.

Oh yes! I took the Warship out of Kingswear on one of the scenarios and this is train simming at its finest.

IMHO DTG made a cardinal error choosing Paddington to Reading as their first route. It should have been the Riviera Line from Exeter to Paignton. Good scenery, some gradients to at least challenge your driving skill and an iconic route rather than Thames Valley.

This! I never understood this London fascination of DTG. London North, London West, London Overground, London Underground, London Everywhere, LOL. But aren't these different networks essentially running the same trains in different colours, some Diesel, some 3rd rail, some OHLE? Most city and country assets can easily be re-used, that saves on developing time and cost.
Perhaps it was a commercial choice, like "London sells", same with the fascination with Munich for the German DLC (which is mostly mediocre according to the German board).
Intrepid hackers have linked all the separate networks into one large London or Munich route IIRC.

I bet the next German DLC for TSW will be Munich based ....