SimRail DLC For April

[NorthernWarrior]

Revised view, do not waste your money Vern regards Railroads Online. 4 small maps to play on and from what i have read on Steam, the game may be abandoned. Last update was December 2024 buddy. Uninstalled here, so 14 quid down the toilet.

Mike.

Funnily enough I was just watching some YT clips and came to the same conclusion. Railroader is superior and Derail Valley too other than being stuck on the same small map. Probably something to try at 80% off or thereabouts. If you could make your own maps for it like Transport Fever etc. that might broaden the appeal. Plus I like strategy games which eventually advance from steam into the early diesel era, as Railroader does.

[haverfordwest]

Never really tried the save game function. Lately i just ride MP in auto mode as i have never actually been the whole length of the route, in either direction.
Derail Valley i game up on months and months ago Vern. Map too small and all the getting sheets of paper from machines and the remote control thingie, puts me right off buddy.
I saw earlier that someone has done an F9 mod for Derail Valley, i think it was. Loads of mods on Nexus Mods for Railroader, spotted a GWR 14xx and auto coach yesterday and a Pannier.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

Next route add on releasing next Thursday...

SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Łódź North Region on Steam

Sounds quite good, will be Day One for me hopefully at the same pocket friendly £10.99 as the previous route DLC. Happy to support anything SimRail do and this one has single track for much of the mileage. 140km total extra route mileage, compares favourably with the £30 DTG want for far less.

[haverfordwest]

Thank you Vern, route sounds interesting and nice it joins to the existing network.
My only gripe is it is with the same old rolling stock, game badly needs one diesel at least..
Agree with your sentiments about value for money, unlike Dopey Twonk Games.

Mike.

[haverfordwest]

Very nice only £9+ if you choose the bundle. £10+ on it's own, no idea how that works as i already owned the second bundle item.
Lovely route mostly single track with passing loops, in effect it is two routes amounting to 85 miles approx (140km).

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

Yes it's a really nice route, reminds me of that old freeware Mechanik game. I was doing the Railtour (Train 11140 I think it is), but today's update seems to have wiped all the saves! So I have started on one of the all stations EMU runs, come back to the Railtour another time. I paid £10.57, didn't spot the bundle... Oh well, still 10% off and far better value than the garbage DTG are churning out for TSW - £30 for another short pointless German route with various bugs including passengers on the line and under trains if what I'm seeing on the DTG forum is accurate.

[haverfordwest]

Nice one Vern, you have it as well. I ran a passenger service which starts with an EU07 but when given the option when it loaded i changed that to the CD 163. Tried saving as i needed food, but it came up with something like............ cannot save at the moment as the route is being compiled........... or similar. I have never seen that message before.

DTG do not even come into my mind any more Vern. I have R8, Simrail and Trainz 22 installed.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

The save game does that sometimes, think it must be loading in tiles. Usually if you wait a minute or two it will save okay. I also find the save game a bit quirky if you use it at stations, best to save on the move. But for all that still better than TSW with its woeful one slot (unless you use the external mod).

[haverfordwest]

Thank you Vern i will keep that in mind for next time. Agreed one save slot in TSW is pathetic buddy.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

First diesel loco releases tomorrow (Tuesday 29 Sept). Day One for me though sadly it’s a modern German built BR285 so probably whisper quiet.

[haverfordwest]

Not for me sorry Vern, i wanted them to do a classic Polish diesel, like an SU45 or SU46. I will get it eventually but no rush for me mate.

[NorthernWarrior]

(Copied from my post on the official forum).

Well this does appear to have launched with a few issues, nothing too major but need looking at.

1. Probably the major one is no diesel smoke from the exhaust. I know this is a modern low emission loco but you would still expect to see some visible exhaust effects, particularly under full power.

2. There is a rather annoying loop on either the running or motor sound, like scuffing or someone talking.

3. Cannot always get power from a stand even with the brake handle in Drive. Need to keep going in and out of dynamic braking before it eventually responds.

4. The diesel engine sounds could do with a bit more bass.

Edit: Loading a saved game the throttle is completely dead. No amount of wiggling back and forth can regain power.
Sigh, not been a good week for add ons this week all round.

[haverfordwest]

I pass then Vern.

[mnowosad]

SimRail BR 285 DLC

SimRail BR285 Cold Start Procedure
1. Switch on the battery, then go to engine room.
2. Enable the engine, and then switch on coolant preheating
3. Go back to cab. Switch on generator, then engine (hold until you hear the engine start working, shall read around 600 rpm on your UI), then
4. Rest is the same as TRAXX, except you do not need to raise pantograph.
WARNING: You must do pre-heating, or the engine will be damaged.

[NorthernWarrior]

Thanks for that. Actually I found you just need to switch the pre heater on then return to the cab and fire up the engine. At least it’s a workaround until or if the devs manage to patch the save game algorithm. Though of course it means a delay as you have to bring the train to a stand before going into the engine compartment to work.