BigVern

I have a feeling the biggest obstacle to hobby produced (freeware) routes is going to be how the heck do you make up complex signal/dispatch panels for the route? I have signalled many a route I built in MSTS, Trainz and TSC but ask me to translate that to an interlocking board and I wouldn't have the first clue. Maybe the process will be automated but I somehow doubt it, in which case I'm not optimistic about our chances.

Possibly as the game or even the test evolves we need to have "invitation" servers or something like The Depot + for Run 8 where only people who are interested in operating sensibly and professionally are allowed in. This is also one of the downsides to multiplayer in a train game. Just like the griefing and ganking that ruined Elite Dangerous for many decent players you end up with the rowdy element spoiling it. Which is why I'm quite looking forward to the single player test, much as I like to chat and o7 with people I know, being on your own vs. the game removes the unruly element.

I've already asked in the Off Topic section re a save game in single player mode, but would really appreciate an answer on that. Last night I was getting constant penalty notices for not having the correct radio channel tuned. How do I know what the correct channel is? It would help if the text pop up actually told you! Looking ahead to the retail release, we know there are steam locomotives in the full game, but what about diesels? Are we getting any and if so is it possible to list what types?

In that case we could really do with an option to switch off the "timeout" system, but leave the signalling protection functional.

I've switched off the DSD/vigilance as it's a pain I can do without. However I was wondering when passing signals at caution or indicating an upcoming lower speed there doesn't seem to be any form of safety system back up warning, as one might expect on German traction where you need to acknowledge the PZB flashing and reduce speed within a certain time and distance to avoid a penalty brake application. Is this just something that hasn't been implemented in game yet or is that just how Polish Railways operate?

Appreciate the acknowledgment.

Did this by any chance occur after a failed server connection? I have been dumped in a similar situation after an initial failure to connect with the server. It then seems to connect automatically after you clear the warning message but drops you in a stationary locomotive. All the systems seem to be active but you can't get the pantograph up or get anything working. Or maybe yours is a separate issue, though I too last night visited several servers that dropped me immediately behind a stopped train before finding one that didn't.

Just wondered if the full game will include seasonal textures, e.g. snow on the ground and trees, structures etc. in winter and autumn leaf textures in the... autumn?

Probably something like the Ebula in Zusi?

IMHO this information should be shown against trains in the pick list. Frustrating to think you have chosen a nice heavy freight train but get a light engine. Likewise for freight show whether empty or loaded.

One piece of advice, try and change the texture settings before driving - I played around with them and each time hitting Apply the game froze up and then booted me from the server after a few seconds.

Mentioned this in another thread as IMHO a bit overdone and the flickering could trigger issues in people vulnerable to visual disturbance such as optical (aura) migraine etc. I will try this fix but ultimately something the devs need to review having in the final build.

Thanks Jason I will try that. Agree about the brightness. Not as bad as TSW3 "adaptive" lighting but could do with toning down, or user controlled, gamma slider or something.

At the moment when you pick a train from the list you have no real idea which location it's in. As much as I like the challenge of trying to get through Lazy and surrounding locations, there are many more places even within the demo to see. So an interactive map of trains moving on it could help decide which (available) train to choose. Trains currently under control of another player could be shown in black, those available to take over in green, with an arrow to show direction of travel. Depending on whether or not we can save in SP (still waiting an answer 🙂 ) might have its uses there too, as if we can't save the run we will need to pick a train at or approaching the location we left off.

Absolutely and it is great to have a playtest that potentially identifies such issues which can hopefully be rectified before release.

Not a bug report, more of an observation. Does anyone else find the sunlight reflecting and flickering on the cab side window especially the EU and EP07 locos a little distracting and annoying? It could also affect people prone to visual disturbances (migraine) or epilepsy*. IMHO it needs to be toned down to at least remove the flicker, with an option to turn it off altogether. * I don't suffer from epilepsy and wouldn't be gaming if I did, but do get occasional migraines and thinking of anyone else who does.

I'm pretty certain it's the estimated drive time left on that service.

Presumably in the full release and especially SP we will get a more authentic 24 hour timetable. I'm hoping there will be overnight trains, including couchettes and sleeping cars that we can operate!

Yes I'm trying to divide my time but the EU07 is so addictive... BTW Sean are you and Schnauzahpowahz one and the same or is that a different Sean?

Thanks Breb - was just about to jump in for a drive. Strange isn't it, I thought this would be a 10 minute distraction from TSW but I can't get enough of it - driving and signalman - haven't touched TSW in days now.

If anyone just wants to practice, I found the Aussie server very quiet at lunchtime (UK). I was the only live player on there, giving me a chance to generally play around in my first "NX" style signal box to learn the ropes, so to speak. I now my limitations and have no intention (yet) of dropping myself in at Lazy on a busy server. This is of course where a SP dispatcher mode would be great, you could even have it so users need to qualify or "pass out" in SP mode before unlocking in MP - either number of hours working the box or some sort of performance assessment (or both).

The servers now seem to be performing much better and I'm having a great time - mods feel free to close or lock this thread.

Notice from visiting the main site, our friends are also working on a bus simulator and a tram simulator. This is excellent news! Presumably no planned release date as yet.

If you want a quiet server on which to practice especially signalman mode, the Australian server had no one on it (apart from me!) earlier at 1230 GMT/UTC.

Will try that later Sean.