BigVern

The devs are still tight lipped about when (or even if) the single player game wil get much needed improvements including a save feature or checkpoints, or an editor to create our own scenarios. However with the update and EN57 etc. we once again get SP scenarios for which the unbroken running time is in excess of two hours. Some of us simply do not have the time to sit at the PC and do that in one hit. So could the devs please look at breaking some or all of the scenarios into multi parts of 30 - 45 minutes or thereabouts so at least we can do the whole run over a few sessions. Obviously the full length scenario can also stay for those who are lucky enough to not have other distractions that require attention.

The one thing puzzling me after the update is what appears to be the little telephone icon next to some (but not all) of the ph station stops. I'm guessing this has something to do with keeping the departure signal at red until ready, but during the little bit of driving I've done so far, whether AI or player despatched the signal has always been cleared without asking.

I do think with the scenarios the train should be "prepped" ready to go, either that or the introduction which tells you to do a radio check should also remind you to bring it up from cold and dark.

It's not obvious how you flip the pages and I only found out by accident that Tab closes it. Cool feature, though.

I thought it was just the EN57 etc that had this feature missed off. Hopefully the devs will add this back in otherwise if I want "bounce" the Class 142 on the TSW Blackpool route will need to be brought out to play!

Excellent!

That I wasn't aware of. Probably explains why a couple of times when I tried that method it didn't work.

Reading through the server issues, maybe downgrade slightly from fantastic... And agree about the cab sway, shame the devs seem to have forgotten to include that bit. Anyhow deep breath and see if I can find a server with an available EN57 that doesn't crash, hang or restart after 15 mins.

This just serves to highlight why we need a decent single player game ASAP, as a fall back position.

Or temporarily enable the bot. 10 seconds should sort it.

I had trouble finding an EN57 too Mike. Obviously in high demand. First two I looked at only had about five minutes left to run. Third sat at a red signal under AI signalman area for 10 minutes so I gave up. Fourth I finally got going but after running for about 15 minutes the server rebooted. So a little bit frustrating and I will probably leave it until the player numbers drop back a bit. Either that or we need more services in the timetable substituted with EN57, maybe some of the longer distance trains too? And yes I agree. The problem tonight highlights the need for a much expanded single player game, full timetable and a save game.

Actually that threw me a bit, actually had to do some lateral thinking (quite hard at my age!). The on screen direction probably needs to be a bit bolder. Also the instruction to "Go to second cabin" is a bit contradictory when you have gone to the rear cab then get the message to return to the front. Should probably say "Go to ther cab", as otherwise my thought was, I'm already here. Of course the tutorial is a bit moot until we get a more extended single player experience as in MP will be taking over a train in service, not cold and dark and if you get stuck, 10 seconds of bot normally puts everything back as it should be. Anyhow about to dive in and see if I can find an available EN57 on one of the servers.

Just completed the EN57 tutorial and what can I say, you guys have done us proud. The graphic improvements particularly the trees and vegetation are superb and at the same time performance seems better. The EN57 is paradise on wheels, a great train to drive (slightly tricky braking) looking forward to spending a lot of time in the cab on that. And all for the original price - DTG would have charged us £12 for a DLC of half the quality. So much more to explore. Well done and thank you.

Finding myself quite enjoying Simrail after a slight break, have to wonder how things are going to project for the future. I think running the Polish section through Google Translate there have been some discussions in there but not that I can see in the English section. Anyhow the main thing is, how do we support the project going forward? It can't be cheap to keep those servers running and the only revenue stream Simkol have that I can see is initial sales of the core programme. We don't know if the EN57 and steam loco will be (generously) provided as part of the core or whether they will be DLC. I certainly have no issue buying DLC for Simrail but obviously that could create issues in the MP environment particularly once more locos and rolling stock come out or if the route gets extended and/or new routes added. How do those who don't have that content fit into the MP paradigm (though of course hopefully by that time we will have a much improved SP game along with the save or checkpoint feature)? Run 8 manages it by substituting generic locos and cars for the missing ones though there are no arrangements to sub missing parts of their two main routes. So as I say bring on the DLC - the one thing I would not like to see in the future is any sort of "pay to play" or subscription arrangement to continue accessing the MP servers.

Well sounds are very subjective. The locos and MU's in SimRail (including the Pendolino) sound much better than what DTG have managed recenetly with TSW. The new routes with TSW4 are accompanied by trains with either very quiet or poorly mixed sound. Class 801 Azuma on the ECML has almost no sound in the cab, even after following initial complaints DTG claimed to have given it a buff. The Austrian EMU on the Vorarlberg route has sounds aliased from a different EMU, with DTG claiming OBB refused them access to the real train to make recordings. The F125 on Antelope Valley is okay but being a modern Caterpillar powered diesel tends to be quiet anyway. The Vectron is the best of the bunch and quite nice to drive, with the steam loco Flying Scotsman the least said the better. So I don't know what level of access the Simrail team got from PKP to record their sounds but they actually did a very good job and with the mixing - another case where DTG's audio department lets them down with quite often evident looping and levels too quiet (the recently release Class 700 being a case in point). I do agree though that Simrail need to look at implementing reverb when passing under bridges or through tunnels and a bit of rumble and clatter crossing iron bridges. The sounds for jointed track and points/crossings could also do with a bit of a buff. But overall I would rate Simrail effort at sound (so far) as 8/10 vs DTG at 5/10. Hoping they keep up the high standard with the EN57 and the steam loco, whenever they arrive.

No my suggestion was not to be rated by other players, but some sort of built in algorithm - similar to titles like PC Rail, SimSig or the old SIAM games which assess how you did against the train service. I totally agree that having actual players rate you would be going down the rabbit hole.

Just wondering if there are plans to introduce some form of feedback after a session as a signaller? When you finish a drive you get a summary of how far, how much time you've driven and how much XP you gained. When you exit the signalbox just goes back to the main menu, no indication of progress towards unlocking the next level of signaller etc. or if your shift added to your overall score. It would be nice to get feedback as to how efficiently I despatched the train service.

Amen to that! There was a bit of help from DTG for a few days but then it all went quiet (think their XBox version of TSW4 is more than a little broken). Hopefully editing in Unity will be easier than UE4 anyway. As regards the rest, well hopefully the steam loco and EN57 will be here soon and I for one would be quite happy to support the project if you decided to make one or boh of them reasonably priced DLC. Running those servers can't be cheap and there has not been any means to support the project by purchasing additional content since release.

This is excellent. I was about to post if there was some sort of timetable guide to assist in getting to see all of the routes and fits the bill perfectly.

I somehow don't think it will be as easy as Trainz but so long as there is good documentation (which the TSW editor has none of) I am quite happy to sit down and try to work things out.

Hoping it will continue to grow and that new assets like the EN57 and steam loco are not too far from release. Bored with TSW4 I just had a very pleasant drive in MP this evening, probably back on later for another go. However I also hope it won't be too long now for a better SP game and of course the save/checkpoint to break up those long runs into manageable chunks. And if you do eventually release the route editor, I sincerely hope you learn from DTG who's TSW4 editor is over complicated, came with no instructions other than a few casual video clips and what we have worked out for ourselves. SimRail would be great to create routes for. Keep up the good work guys.

Thanks. Think I might wait for an official editor... 🙂

If this is posted in the wrong section, mods please move. I see there are now some user created scenarios available. This seems an excellent way to set up a series of shorter runs in SP mode to explore the entire route, pending a better SP game and of course save/load or checkpoint feature. However can someone please enlighten me as to how to actually create a scenario? I can't see any editor, official or unofficial, just a Scenario Manager. Is it just a case of scripting them in Notepad or a spreadsheet app or is it more complex. Any information appreciated.

Thanks for that Goppel. Hopefully one day then, would buy as DLC.

Thank you sir.