Train Simulator: WCML Trent Valley Route Add-On DLC

It announces stations. In Quick Drive! How epic is that? Ok, there's a ton of other awesome features in the Class 350/1, but nothing comes even close to the epicness of automated in-train announcements, including a reminder for passengers to take their luggage when leaving the train. Especially since it works in an ordinary Quick Drive! The route is pretty epic too, nicely detailed and a lot of AI traffic in Quick Drive. I have a nice collection of UK routes, but this is the most epic one. If you like UK routes, I highly recommend this one.

Probably very late review, but probably it may be helpful for someone. I want to review two things - the route itself and bundled AC powered Class 350, that was appearing the very first time in TS. The route is highly detailed and has a bit high pressure on low-end machines, however it's a good sign, not a bad side of the route. The route itself runs mostly outside the cities, so it can be considered a high speed one, however it has a 4 track line for high speed express suburban trains and slow ones as well. Speaking about the route layout and speed restrictions - it's very user-friendly and does not require extreme attention to track signalling and speed restriction, which can happen on some London suburban lines. Thus, this route can be considered as a starting route for someone who wants to try suburban traffic in career more and not to lose points because of low experience. Now speaking about the Class 350. Since it's introduced also in the WCML London-Birmingham extension, it can be useful for someone, who wants to give a try for that route. So this part of the review may apply also to that version too. The train itself has perfect adhesion as well as acceleration - deceleration values (much better of its third-rail Desiro counterparts), so gaining the speed, following the timetable and stopping at stations is very easy and comfortable, even from max line speed (~75 mph). There are sound notifications before each stop, so they can give a hint where to start breaking. Now about the little downsides and bugs - sometimes the train can lose the overhead power and run without the power (sort of breakdown), which, however may happen on some other trains (don't remember exactly which ones, on Class 87 maybe). Also, it has a sort of driver vigilance system (like on class 91 and other similar high speed trains) that applies emergency stop after a few minutes riding above top speed, so the AWS button should be pressed as often as possible (I acknowledge every signal, so it happens very rare). So, underscoring all I spoke above - the route is very interesting for every sort of high speed traffic (HST and container freight) and also - it is probably one among few add-ons that I passed with all gold starts in career mode (950 points and above) and probably first one that has normal and understandable driver tutorial that helps to drive suburban train in Train Simulator (there also other ones, but they don't give you a clue what to do).

One of the best, if not THE best DLC so far this year. Detailed route. I love the realism, you will notice alot of objects along the track. The 350 is definately well made. The sounds are good, even though I do miss seperate cab/outside sounds. The class 66 has realistic branding, good sounds. Both the multiple unit and the locomotive are much better than the standard rolling stock that DTG usually releases. I like the announcements and the information system at the platforms are ACTUALLY working. When I saw this I was so impressed. Very good work! Definately a good buy.

A Route made by Keith Ross and Stock made by Thompson Interactive, it wasn't really a surprise this route would be a must buy. The last time these two came together with the West Highland Extension and if you have that you'd know what to expect with this. An amazing looking 60 mile route covered in detail most companies would overlook, and stock with more detail than you'd expect. Unfortunately lacking some licenses, the Class 350/1 is in a London Midland "inspired" livery whilst the Class 66/4 is in the actual Direct Rail Services livery and most of the company names on the freight stock are also "inspired" from the real companies, but they look good enough for people who don't know the route perfectly to not notice. Sounds aren't too bad, definitely above average and certainly better than you'd expect these days. This route is definitely worth full price, but as usual, if you're on a budget wait for the next sale.

so i purchased this route,its half price because of the 390 virgin pendalino,390s scenerios are for this route.on my p.c,i7 4790 and 1060 6gb card,8gb ram,it runs very well.what i like,i have just done the first class 350 scenerio,is the smoothness,populated with a.i so it doesnt feel empty like some routes,new york new haven looking at you.the 350 feels good and you get class 66 for freight.ok the 66 is in plenty of routes,but when you have a busy freight route the 66 seems right,realistic i dont know.do 67s or 87s etc run this route?the scenery is rural and suburbs.you can input destinations on the 350 which i like,after seeing the likes of the 460 i think all the trains in trainsim should have user in cab input.what doesnt get scripted is lazy.so you have freight via the 66 and commute via 350.i recommend it specially at half price and with the 390 adding to it go buy it.

Excellent add on. Money well worth spending and endless workshop potential with what can already be bought that runs on this route. Living in Tamworth these stations are as ture to life as you can get. Very well done to those involved.

I don't get the hate for this route, dispite AP not allowed to do anything on it sadly. Route maybe a bit empty... I love the Class 350 with all the features such as, ANNOUNCEMENTS and passenger view merged into cab view, with a lot more camrea views (angles) and Class 66 same as the others I would say.

I have very conflicting opinions about this route. First of all, the detail of this route is absolutely spectacular, so much that in order to add anymore detail you'd need to add a spec of dirt onto the platforms and trains to make it better. OHLE is by far the best in the game because it is accurate, it's very easy to use, and it looks like UK Standard Catenary. The 3D track and highly detailed scenery is such that everything had to be a custom made asset in order to simply make it look realistic and detailed to the point where somebody like me could take up the hobby of comparing it to the real world images. Neutral sections are also a great addtion which I am wanting to be implemented in all routes. If something like ECML London to Peterborough can be powered all by one power station along the seventy-six miles even though realistically there should be four or five neutral sections along the route, then no wonder my energy bills are extortionately high. Unfortunately the new train that comes with it, the Class 350, doesn't live up to the standards. While it does have great new features, they don't make it one of the best trains. Firstly, onboard announcements that work depending on where you're going in a scenario are one great thing, but they nothing like Julie Berry at all who is heard on London Midland services formed of Class 350s. Instead it's the voice of a monotone woman who sounds like she's severely dehydrated and suffering from a sore throat, but it's a nice addition at least. Passenger views being implemented into the cab view are great because you can hear the AWS from the passenger view. While it might seem unrealistic to hear the AWS sounds from the passenger view, how often does a train's emergency constantly apply because the driver couldn't hear the cab sounds because he or she was sitting in the passenger view? The alternative isn't any better, in fact it's worse. But the train just looks like it's made of rubber, and I've seen more detail and authenticity in the Bachmann Class 350 model (no product placement intended) and while it's not a bad train, the DPSimulation reskin by Rfletcher is much better for my liking. So the route is good, the train is okay, so what really can put people off with this route? LINEAR JOURNEYS. This route runs the 60+ miles from Stafford to Rugby and Daventry and can literally be traversed on the fast lines in about half an hour. It's nice for a beginner, but this route is so boring in the long run that you eventually see more variety in watching paint dry, though I'm sure that might take longer than half and hour so don't quote me on that one. I always thought that the last WCML route that should've been done was Trent Valley simply because it was so linear and short. I would've went with Preston to Birmingham or Birmingham to London, cause they're long and allow far greater journey opportunities (especially the latter with Watford DC lines and it's stopping service patterns). Overall, I would add this route to your collection, but only during the sales and if like me you want to use it's assets for your own personal workshop routes. Don't try anything for commercial purposes though, cause Thomson have imposed a EULA against third party enhancements and other people making profit off their work. The lighting enhancement pack is really the only thing I'd be wanting to put on this route, but really it's Thomson's product, they're within their rights to impose this EULA. Thanks for reading.

The fact that I don't recommend this route might just be silly. But in a rather blunt manner, I [strike]can't[/strike] won't. The pros for the route make it very promising indeed, it had an excellent level of scenery, and its length to me is just about adequate for the odd LM or even Virgin Trains scenario. The 350 in terms of feaures provided makes the stock almost revolutionary on what you can do in/around the train. Now the Cons: The main one is pretty much an elephant in the room: Thomson has forbidden all commercial content/modifications for this route, So no: AP Class 360/444/450 sound pack update AP Class 66 Sound pack update AP Scenario pack that can ever be made AP Lighting effects update To be fair, we ought to respect the wishes of Thomson Interactive, but after learning they have completely recycled the PDL default sounds, and added a totally inaccurate announcement voice, I suspect they may have done this as a 'Get out of Jail free' card sort of excuse to hammer the nail of such mediocrity down (and hard). Had they said so in the EULA, and added an acceptable amount of effort in sounds, I probably would have said otherwise, but again, I can only suspect it was done as such to excuse how much they have done on the train. Perhaps in short then: If anything I recommend from is is the route itself, not the train. I wouldn't necessarily recommend touching the 350 provided with a barge pole. But It isn't necessarily enough to recommend the DLC as a whole. "Just because it looks good, doesn't mean it is" - Daniel J Mckenzie, TS News.

[h1]Is this the best route I own in Train Simulator???[/h1] The simple answer is [b]yes![/b] But why I hear you ask. I will explain in detail in a minute, however in short it beats the WCML North, WCML Over Shap, West Highland Line Extension and the Western Lines of Scotland. No surprise then, that the route was built by Keith Ross, as with all the others. If that isn't good enough, Thomson Interactive are responsible for creating the hundreds of custom assets and the rolling stock. [h1]The Route[/h1] Oh my gosh, the only way to improve the Overhead Electrification is to add rust to the gantries. [list] [*]Working Neutral Sections [*]Overlaps [*]Return Wires throughout [*]And much more! [/list] The level of detail along the route is amazing. All the bridges are custom assets; all the stations are custom assets; the stations have workng timetable boards; the track has been layed perfectly; no bugs with the speed limits; the route is replete with trackside infastructure. The list goes on. [h1]The Rolling Stock[/h1] This route comes with: [list] [*]London Midland Class 350 [*]DRS Class 66 [*]Containers in a variety of liverys [/list] The Class 350 is revelutionary in terms of detail. FIrst off, on-board station announcements. Unforunatley it's not the reassuring voice of Julie Berry, but rather some dehydrated woman that could really do with a new voice box. Also featured are: a changeable destination blind; simulated TMS panel; passenger view intergrated with cab view (so the AWS can be heard). Again the list goes on. Despite this, there are a couple of drawbacks. The sounds have been recycled from the PDL Class 450, the Class 380, the Class 360. I don't know. I can hear a bit of everything. Wherever the sounds are from, they aren't top notch. The braking effort isn't brilliant either so make sure you give plenty of room to stop. The only other slight issue is the fact that there is no London Midland branding due to the usual copyright issues. Branding issues are not the case with the 66 though. The Class 66 features full DRS branding. It is basically a rehashed version of the DTG Class 66 with a few new sounds and a simulated TMS screen, but nothing too exciting here. Unfortunatley any AP sound/enchancement paks are not compatible. The containers are also nice. Reasonable sounds, however the liveries seem to be inspired. What I mean is they feature different wording than what they would in real life, but you still know what they should say. Again this is down to the branding issues. If this bothers you, then go and complain to Tesco. [h1]Final notes[/h1] Phew! You've done well to get this far. I'm almost done however there are a final few notes I need to add. [list] [*]Many workshop scenarios require WCML TV, so that is a good bonus reason to get it. [*]There are plenty of scenarios included with the route and I have so far experienced no issues. [*]If you are a route builder then so many of the custom assets are going to come in very useful to you and will really elevate the detail and quality of your route. [/list] There is only one last thing I need to mention, however it is the biggest let-down with this DLC. Thomson have imposed a very restrictive EULA, resulting in no AP Sound/Enhancement/Scenario Pack. I understand why Thomson may not want their product being tampered with and then resold. However, I also believe that after we have purchased the product, we own it; and therefore, we should be allowed to do what we want with it. I'll let you decide. The simple fact is - buy this route. Even at £24.99, it is worth every penny. Overall rating - 9.5 out of 10.