Jul 13, 2021

Train Sim World 2 Roadmap Update 13 July 2021

Train Sim World® 2 - dtg_jd

In this week's Roadmap our focus is on the suite of route upgrades the summer update will bring. Over the past year Adam and the Preservation Crew team have worked through a lot of our existing routes to improve their performance, fix outstanding issues and add extra functionality. Since some of the legacy Add-On routes for Train Sim World 2 date back several years they don't have all the features that might be found in a new release. The Preservation Crew gives us the opportunity to change that and breathe new life into familiar settings.

As part of the summer update West Somerset Railway, Main-Spessart Bahn and the Bakerloo line will be upgraded. This includes features such as passenger information screens, the ability to climb up to a platform from the track at any point, animated crossing gates and more. There are additional changes particular to individual routes that will be detailed in the update notes when it releases but they include the reintroduction of London Landmarks for console and speed limit triggers for Bakerloo Line.

Elsewhere in the Roadmap we've added the dedicated latest generation console releases, coming as part of the Rush Hour release later in the summer. Launching on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S - These will be free to upgrade to if you already own Train Sim World 2 on the respective PlayStation 4 / Xbox One platforms.

We've also added both the Scenario Planner and Livery Designer upgrades to the In Planning section. Neither of these upgrades are due with Rush Hour but work has begun on defining what the second version of these releases will include. You've given us a great deal of excellent feedback on both tools and we know where the pain points and most obvious opportunities to improve them are.

Each of these three focal points in this Roadmap update have a lot more detail to them than is listed here and we want to discuss them further on the live stream. Unfortunately, this week's Roadmap coincides with 3 of the Roadmap regulars being unavailable so we're postponing the live stream by a week. This isn't entirely out of the ordinary. Many members of the team will take a few days off at this point in the year so that we can be at full speed after the launch of the big annual release.

If you have questions for the stream please post them on the Steam forum and we'll collate them before next week.

Key: ▲ Moved up ▼ Moved down ★ New listing ® Rush Hour

Upcoming

® [Fix] Bakerloo Line speed limits now trigger from front of train

® [Fix] Reinstate London landmarks for console on Bakerloo Line

★® [Improvement] West Somerset Railway preservation update

★® [Improvement] Bakerloo Line preservation update

★® [Improvement] Main-Spessart Bahn preservation update

® [Improvement] Add Platform Departure Boards to East Coastway

® [Improvement] [MSB] Upgraded track rendering (Main Spessart Bahn)

® [Improvement] [MSB] Added platform edge climb up functionality

® [Improvement] [MSB] Added Platform Departure Boards

® [Improvement] [MSB] Localisation improvements

® [Improvement] [MSB] Fixed holes in environment

In Production

® [Core] Train Sim World 2 summer update

® [Core] Train Sim World 2: Rush Hour

® [Core] Gradient profile pause screen

® [Core] Immersion controls 2.0

® [Core] TrackIR support

® [Core] Unreal Engine 4.26 upgrade

★® [Core] PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X release

[Core] Steam Update

® [Improvement] Passenger upgrade

[Ongoing] Standard download size reduction

[Ongoing] Memory use optimisation

[Ongoing] Add crossing gates to Preserved Collection

[Ongoing] Add Platform Departure Boards to Preserved Collection

[Ongoing] Add RailDriver support to Preserved Collection

[Ongoing] Full length of platform "climb up" function for Preserved Collection

[Ongoing] Livery Designer compatibility for Preserved Collection

[Ongoing] User guides and manuals

[Loco Add-On] GCC-L7 01 - Class 313 EMU (For East Coastway)

[Loco Add-On] GCC-L6 01 - Standard 1938 Tube Stock - Developed by Rivet Games

[Loco Add-On] DKK-L7 02 - DB BR 187 - Developed by Skyhook Games (For Schnellfahrstrecke Köln)

[Loco Add-On] DBB-L5 01 - DB BR 420 Electric Multiple Unit (Hauptstrecke München-Augsburg) - Developed by TSG

[Loco Add-On] DDD-L5 01 - DB BR 232 Diesel Locomotive (Ruhr-Sieg Nord) - Developed by TSG

[Loco Add-On] DGG-L6 02 - G6 (Rhein-Ruhr Osten) - Developed by TSG

® [Route Add-On] NBD-R7 01 Northeast Corridor: Boston - Providence with Amtrak ACS-64 and MBTA F40PH-3C

® [Route Add-On] GCC-R7 04 Brighton Main Line: London Victoria - Brighton with Southern BR Class 377/4 and Gatwick Express BR Class 387

® [Route Add-On] DBB-R7 06 Bahnstrecke Riesa - Dresden with DB BR 442, DB BR 143, DB BR 146.2, DB BR 363 in DB livery and BR 185.5 in MRCE black livery

In Planning

★ [Improvement] Scenario Planner 2.0

★ [Improvement] Livery Designer 2.0

[Route Add-On] GGD-R6 01 West Cornwall Local: Penzance - Truro & St Ives - with Class 150/2 - Developed By Rivet Games

Jul 8, 2021

Superlative Cane Creek!

Train Sim World® 2 - dtg_jd

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1418844/Train_Sim_World_2_Cane_Creek_Thompson__Potash_Route_AddOn/

Climb aboard for one of the American West’s most scenic, rugged, and challenging modern railroading experiences – with the new Union Pacific Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash route, now available for Train Sim World 2!

“Superlative” is a word that comes easily to mind when one witnesses the evocative Utah desert and canyon country through which the Union Pacific’s Cane Creek Subdivision passes – and it is a term that fully applies to this new Train Sim World 2 route as masterfully created by Skyhook Games!

Renowned for its extraordinary western scenery, the Cane Creek Subdivision extends from a connection with Union Pacific’s Green River Subdivision at Brendel, Utah south to Potash, Utah, 35.8 route miles. As created for Train Sim World 2, the route also includes a fast-paced five-mile section of the UP’s Green River Subdivision main line east from Brendel to Thompson, Utah.

Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash delivers heavy-haul, tough American freight railroading at its memorable and challenging best. From Potash to Brendel, the Cane Creek line climbs nearly a thousand feet in elevation over a profile featuring frequent gradients of 1.2 percent (in each direction), curves of up to 6 degrees, passage through 7,059-foot-long Bootlegger Tunnel, and a journey amid the towering, sheer cliffs of Moab, Bootlegger, and Dragon Fly Canyons.

By American railroad standards, the Cane Creek Branch is a newcomer. In the late 1950s, plans took form to tap massive potash deposits found along the Colorado River. By 1960, development of what would evolve into today’s sprawling potash mine and processing facility south of Moab were rapidly taking form, and the Denver & Rio Grande Western built a new branch from its main line at Brendel which was completed in 1962. The potash mine at the south end of the line began production in 1964 and the branch was operated by D&RGW as its Cane Creek Branch (or Cane Creek Spur) until the road’s merger into Union Pacific. D&RGW was combined with the Southern Pacific in 1988 and merged into Union Pacific in 1996.

Remarkably, the Cane Creek Subdivision gained a second source of heavy tonnage in 2008. Moab had long been the site of a Uranium mill which closed in 1984, leaving approximately 12 million tons of dirt tailings behind. While these tailings are only modestly radioactive, the risk of their erosion into the nearby Colorado River required eventually reclamation. Under the auspices of the United States Department of Energy, a burial site for the tailings was developed at Brendel and train loads of the contaminated soil began moving over the length of the Cane Creek Subdivision to Brendel.

Today, hauling potash from the mine at Potash and contaminated uranium mine tailings from Moab are the dual tasks of the Cane Creek Subdivision. Since both of these duties involve totting loads northbound – which is to say up a climb of near 1,000-feet in elevation – the route requires plenty of horsepower. To answer that call for motive power, the new Train Sim World 2 Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash includes a potent duo of contemporary Union Pacific six-axle, high-horsepower diesels – the venerable Electro-Motive SD40-2 and potent General Electric AC4400CW.

Between 1972 and 1980, UP purchased nearly 600 SD40-2s, and the railroad’s fleet of the versatile diesel grew even larger via UP’s mergers with Missouri Pacific, Chicago & North Western, and Katy, which together added nearly 500 more SD40-2s to Union Pacific’s roster. Today, the Union Pacific continues to operate a large fleet of the now veteran diesels which have been upgraded in a rebuilding program at Union Pacific’s Jenks Locomotive Facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Union Pacific classifies its rebuilt diesels as the SD40N.

Constructed by General Electric, the 4,400-horsepower, A.C.-traction-equipped AC4400CW is a landmark railroad workhorse. Union Pacific purchased more than 1,000 AC4400CWs between 1994 and 2004. And as with the SD40-2, mergers brought more AC4400CWs to the UP, with Southern Pacific and Chicago & North Western contributing more than 300 additional units. Union Pacific has begun to rebuild and upgrade its massive fleet of AC4400CWs, which are expected to remain in Pacific service for years to come. For the Cane Creek Subdivision route, the AC4400CW is provided in both clean and weathered versions.

Along with its pair of authentically crafted Union Pacific locomotives, the Cane Creek Subdivision route includes two types of covered hoppers – a cylindrical hopper in two weathered liveries and a new Union Pacific ribbed-side covered hopper. The covered hoppers feature animated roof hatches and interiors for loading. And also included are a tank car and a weathered open-top hopper (with and without graffiti).

Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash takes you to the heart of Utah’s legendary desert and canyon country in scenic settings that are awesomely realistic. You’ll work heavy tonnage over daunting grades, handle switching at the sprawling Potash mine and Moab dirt loading site, travel along the historic Colorado River, and pass below the famed sandstone Corona Arch. The route features a realistic selection of 12 scenarios and a challenging 24-hour timetable that will fully test your skills as a locomotive engineer! –Gary Dolzall

Climb aboard for one of the American West’s most scenic, rugged, and challenging modern railroading experiences – with the new Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash, now available for Train Sim World 2! After following the Colorado River, a northbound Potash Turn powered by a trio of Union Pacific GE AC4400CWs approaches fantastic Bootlegger Canyon.

Bound for the Cane Creek Subdivision, Union Pacific EMD SD40-2 1653 and kin are hustling at mile-a-minute speeds along the Union Pacific Green River Subdivision main line as the train sweeps through Thompson, Utah (above). On another day along the ex-D&RGW main, as seen from the cab of a UP AC4400CW, Union Pacific trains meet at dawn (below).

A Union Pacific turn powered by EMD SD40-2s swings onto the branch (above) and shortly thereafter crosses a steel girder bridge (below) as it makes its way south along the 35.8-mile line to Potash, Utah.

Masterfully created for Train Sim World 2 by Skyhook Games, the Union Pacific Cane Creek: Thompson - Potashfeatures superlative and dramatic Utah desert and canyon country that at times seems almost otherworldly. North of Moab, Utah, Union Pacific SD40-2s have a Potash turn in tow.

Moab, Utah was the site of a Uranium mill which closed in 1984, leaving 12 million tons of dirt tailings behind. With its “dirty dirt trains,” Union Pacific now transports these tailings to Brendel for burial. At Moab, Union Pacific AC4400CW 6190 and a sister are readying for a northbound departure (above). Moab is also the site of the north portal of 7,059-foot-long Bootlegger Tunnel, from which a trio of UP AC4400CWs have just emerged with a northbound Potash turn (below).

South of Bootlegger Tunnel stands fantastic Bootlegger Canyon, and among its many scenic wonders is Corona Arch, which stands tall above the Cane Creek Subdivision line (above). With loads of potash bound north, Union Pacific GE AC4400CWs are grinding between the sheer sandstone cliffs of Bootlegger Canyon (below).

The scenic southern end of the Cane Creek Subdivision traces the western bank of the wide and historic Colorado River. The new Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash Subdivision route includes a selection of twelve realistic scenarios and an action-filled 24-hour timetable that will challenge your skills as an engineer.

Motive power featured with Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash route is the veteran 3,000-horsepower Electro-Motive SD40-2 and the third-generation A.C. traction-equipped General Electric AC4400CW. The 4,400-horsepower GE is provided in both clean and weathered livery, the latter as illustrated by Union Pacific 6306.

Since it opened in 1964, the sprawling potash mine and facility at Potash, Utah has provided first D&RGW and now Union Pacific with heavy tonnage. A set of UP SD40-2s have just arrived at the large and distinctive mine with empties (below), while a trio of potent GE AC4400CWs are ready to begin their northbound journey with potash loads (below).

Heavy tonnage, tough grades, potent motive power, rugged desert and canyon country representing some of the most awe-inspiring scenery found anywhere in the world – all this awaits you on the new Train Sim World 2: Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash, available now!

Written and screenshots by Gary Dolzall

Train Sim World 2: Cane Creek: Thompson - Potash is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam. Join Sam and Matt on Railfan TV tonight as they celebrate the launch. Watch live on Twitch or YouTube at 19:00 UTC 8th July.

Screenshots and images displayed in this article may depict content that is still in development. The licensed brands may not have been approved by their respective owner and some artwork may still be pending approval.

May 14, 2021

Cane Creek - Designing The Environment!

Train Sim World® 2 - dtg_jd

We catch up with Lewis from Skyhook Games and chat about how the spectacular environment of Cane Creek is being meticulously re-created for Train Sim World 2.

What do you do at Skyhook Games?

I’m Lewis McDonough and I’m an Environment artist at Skyhook Games, I take all of the art-related tasks for a route. I’m involved in all of the art planning and do a lot of design and level work.

What has your involvement been like on this route?

Cane Creek has been enjoyable because I have been a part of this route since the start.
I began by blocking out the scenes and gathering reference, trying to break down areas we would need to focus on such as Potash where there are large canyons. I aim to break it down into its simplest form and determine what assets we were going to need.

Map data: Google, Maxar Technologies.

Has it been challenging to get this route looking as accurate as you have?

The Potash area and towards Moab where the main canyon areas are we spent a long time on at the start. We knew this was going to be the main feature for the route so we spent a lot of time getting reference and getting video. We tried to understand and break down the scale of the rocks.

Scaling was perhaps the most important part, they are so big that you don’t realise how big they are when you are looking at them. The scaling is strange, when you are there in real life they appear as though they are only 2 miles away but in actuality, they are 10 miles away.

When we first started putting the assets in, they didn’t look right. We weren’t getting the correct detailing of the rocks.

It didn’t look right for a long time so we broke it down layer by layer to find out what it consisted of and how we can show it and make it run.

Map data: Google, Maxar Technologies.

Was it a rewarding feeling once it started to come together?

It was weird for me because I was working on this one area for so long making small changes, and improving things bit by bit. Because I spent so much time looking at it, I didn’t notice it improving.

When I went to other artists and colleagues, they would comment on how much better it was looking, so it was really rewarding to hear it from them.

Where do you get your reference material from and how do you collect it?

Google Earth is usually the first place we will go to. With this being a popular area there is a lot of reference around, and it’s possible to drop in and have a look around.

We found loads of panorama pictures for the route as well. Having a 360° view is really helpful.
I will also watch some Youtube videos of people actually on the train, or people who have just visited the area. I try to collect as much imagery as possible.

It’s quite a time-consuming part of the project, but that’s when it really starts to feel exciting. We will see certain areas or certain rocks and think “oh I’ve got to do that, and make those canyons look good”. The challenge can be a bit intimidating at first but that’s what gets me enthusiastic.

Map data: Google, Maxar Technologies.

Have you come across any challenges while creating Cane Creek? How does it compare to other projects you have worked on?

This has been completely different. I certainly didn’t anticipate how difficult the scaling would be. When reusing certain assets, it was hard to make them look as unique as possible. We used Quixel megascans, these are photo scanned assets that gave us a lot of detail.

Due to the types of rocks we were using they were scaled too small, and when we went to enlarge them to the correct size, the detail was relative to a smaller rock and so it looked wrong. We fixed this by using a lot of different rocks and techniques that were blended together.

What is something you are looking forward to the community seeing?
This will feel like a big change compared to other routes the community have driven, when you are driving as first person you really feel the scale of the canyons. You drive through what feels like corridors of the canyon.

My favourite part of this route is probably Mohab. There’s a tunnel for about a mile, obviously, it’s really dark in the tunnel, but when you come out it opens up into this really detailed and open landscape.
There’s a bit of everything in that area, we have canyons on either side, the water reflects the rocks which look really good, and straddle carriers that take off shipping containers from different areas and locos. It’s lovely, especially during certain times of the day.

Have you come across anything unique with this route?

The colour palette. As artists we try to look at everything from a distance to get a sense of the whole picture. Does it read well? Does it sit well from a distance? In other routes there are traditionally very green palettes for trees and such.

Cane Creek however is a big change because we have very orange and red colours. It’s a contrast from the natural bushes which shows up really nicely.

Cane Creek is in development for Train Sim World 2, stay up to date on this route and more by following @trainsimworld on Twitter and Facebook.