Scenario Ideas For RWA

[STBoyII]

Hello,

I have recently gotten into scenario creation and would like to make some scenarios to put on RWA. I was wondering what people would like to see made that is lacking in terms of scenarios. I have many (but not quite all) of the US routes and locos as well. I have gotten into more advanced aspects such as realistic train symbols as well, similar to BoostedFridge's way of doing it. I enjoy freight stuff mostly, and also steam too. If anyone has any ideas, I'll see what I could do. I'd like a plot and events (such as taking sidings, picking up cars, passenger stops, ect). and stock used as well. If anyone has ideas, share them below or PM me if you'd like.

[Chacal]

Road switching scenarios 1950-1980.
Take as example the many scenarios written for the Horseshoe Curve route.
Some were written for the route, some for the loads of PRR DLC that was produced.

Too many scenarios are straight "Drive from point A to point B".

Also, many scenarios are too detailed. Use "marshall" instructions as much as possible.

Multi-part scenarios are very interesting, and don't require so much time in one sitting.
It is even possible to have the parts on different routes!

[BoostedFridge]

My thoughts on what make a good scenario are this: you need to give the player a reason to be engaged.

If all the player sees is green signals, then there had better be some grades or many speed changes to keep them active on the controls.

On single track main routes I like to throw in at least one meet, or interaction with an opposing train where the player has to read the signals in advance, and then slow, stop, and start their train accordingly.

Getting the AI to do as you intend, and the AI 'dispatcher' to route the player train as you intend are the challenges.

Good luck. I look forward to seeing some of your creations.

[Terry]

Just a few things from my experience running and writing scenarios:

First, what's the purpose of the scenario? Do you want to do a run from point A to point B? Or are you bangjng cars around (doing switching operations) in a yard?

Make it challenging. Give 'em a little puzzle to solve: tell them what to do but not how. All it takes is a complex yard or an obstacle. Put a message shortly after the start to tell a little story about what you're doing.

Marshall instructions are another way to make things challenging. "Put all these cars on track X" but let them track down the cars - from multiple locations.

Make the player switch engines rather than drive backwards or push the freight cars. (Pair engines A/B so when you pull a load of cars down a siding you can pull forward to get back out.

Keep the scenario reasonably short (60 to 90 minutes). Split it into parts if you have to.

As was mentioned, AI traffic makes things more interesting. The trick is in the timing. You never know how people will drive your scenario.

Use default rolling stock OR indicate what add-on stock is needed and where to get it.

Use static consists in moderation.

Test the scenario, then test it again and again and again ...

Finally, a pet peeve of mine is horrible grammar and spelling. I'm not talking about the occasional typo - I still find those sometimes in my own scenarios. If the scenario author doesn't care enough to make things readable and understandable then I can't trust that there's any attention to detail in the scenario, and I won't waste my time on it.