Train Simulator: LNER Raven Q6 Steam Loco Add-On DLC

Congrats for this realistic advanced steamloc LNER Q6 ! greetings rob "9F-eveningstar"

TLDR: See points 1 and 2 below, but these points alone do not do justice to Victory Works past achievements which are the stuff of legend... I would first like to preface this review by saying that before Victory Works (hereinafter referred to as "VW") introduced us to their locomotive simulations, those of us who love Steam faced only mediocrity in the DLC offerings. It is true that a Steam locomotive is by orders of magnitude harder to model and simulate compared to that of modern traction, and whilst I have no doubt that those modelers who presented this community with their efforts worked hard to capture the essence of Fire and Water, those efforts paled in comparison to VW and their near super-human achievements to put us on the Virtual footplate. It was VW that converted me from the sceptical viewpoint that Train Simulator lacked the adequate 'mechanics' to properly simulate steam traction, and whilst that is still true to a certain extent, it was VW who narrowed that gap and made me a "believer", by capturing the essence of monitoring a firebox, and correctly modeling such things as the physics, sound realism and much more attention to simulacrum which, up to that point, had been sadly lacking by others. I am by no means an oppulent person, but since my first VW steam locomotive purchase, the few extra purchases of Steam locomotive I have made, have all been (you guessed it) made by Victory Works. The reason for my review 'pre-amble' is because it is with heavy heart that I cannot recommend this DLC for purchase. VW have recently been producing content at a prodigious rate, and whilst I cannot give the reason why, I can say that in their haste, they have let their quality demands slip. Whilst this product is still an example of the Victory Works simulation "ethos", I can neither say it is shining, outstanding nor up to their usual standards for the following reasons: 1).Sound: The execution of the sound engineering is incomplete, opening the regulator generates the sound of the Fireman's shovel scooping a round of coal as opposed to the sound of steam rushing through the opening valve into the steam chest, sadly this sound is repeated in other 'events' (i.e., Steam injectors engaging) ergo it would appear that some erroneous code exists when it comes to calling the correct sound resource. Whilst I see some people complain that the sound is too low, it should be pointed out that previous VW models have attracted criticism of being too loud. Yes the sound is more anaemic than what we are used to, but I have never stood on the footplate of the only remaining example of this class whilst it is in steam. Perhaps the sound levels are accurate, but whilst a low level of sound does diminish the immersion, the aberation of sound application destroys it. 2). External cab view: Before VW, the external and internal cab / footplate views were separate, whilst driving head-out (an important view on a Steam locomotive), one could not view the important gauges such as Steam pressure, brake vacuum / air pressures, and boiler water levels within the cab. In one fell swoop VW removed this hinderance and gave us views of these vital gauges whilst our Virtual heads were out of the windows and scanning the road ahead. It was now possible to do without the HUD entirely. For whatever reason, the head-out view on the Q6 is not from the Driver's / Fireman's windows, instead it appears to be from the Tender's doorway. As a result, the view inside is blocked by a support column. From the Fireman's side, the view of the pressure gauge and boiler sight glass are completely blocked, and whilst it is not so much of an issue for the driver (who still cannot see the boiler sight glass), it does become a greater one when driving the preserved version fitted with Vacuum brakes, with that gauge also obscured. With this DLC we have taken a step backwards and require the HUD whilst driving head-out once again. The above are the major points that break the immersion (for me), there are other small 'niggling' issues (i.e., no 'running' notch on the vacuum brake), but I don't believe them to break the 'supension of disbelief' quite so much, and I can live with them. Sadly, it would 'appear' that Victory Works has dropped the ball with this product, either due to some un-seen motive for the rush of Steam traction that VW is currently producing, or due to a drastic and uncharacteristic change in quality-control. Whilst others may be content to wait for "sound mods", it is my belief that any DLC requiring the purchase of realism mods is incomplete DLC. Should Victory Works fix these glaring issues, I would be only too happy to change my review as it saddens me to think they have lost their famed attention to detail.

I love The Engine, i just cant get it to keep steam, but that's just my fault because i'm plain dumb.

One awesome Steam Locomotive, especially when you set up a double header with the LNWR G2 Super D locomotive in front, the Q 6 is super int-elegant and injectors starts working and stoops on the second loco, then the cylinder drain corks will also close even before the front loco (player) closes his. It makes it like the crew on the Q 6 is very alive and makes it a blast to play with. I rate this locomotive very close to the LNWR G2 Super D. 10/10 http://store.steampowered.com/app/448186/Train_Simulator_LNWR_G2_Super_D_Steam_Loco_AddOn/

I like the train, as I like all Victory WS productions, but the customised sounds are definitely not up to the normal standard. The sound is LOW and pretty much the same outside as inside the cab, and as you move to the front externally, the sound disappears from the front cone. Maybe Steam Sounds Supreme will help out sometime in the near future. If the sound is sorted out , it's a definite recommend.

This came in the LNER pack, and it was absolutely worth it. VC did an excellent job overall. A neat looking model that runs and sounds good. I enjoy it.

Lovely Locos! I give it an 8/10 because: 1: The sound is low, the injectors are louder than the chuff sounds, if there was a patch for it, it was an 9/10. 2: Tender liveries, you only get the N.E. with the number in the middle on the light engine quickdrive consists but if you put down loco and tender seperatly, you only get the N.E.R. lettering. if it was seperately, it was an 10/10 if the sounds where fixed. if you downloaded the Whitby to pickering heritage route from sss, it looks perfect.

This locomotive has to be my personal favorite at the moment. Everything about this loco is spectacular. Dare I say it, the best DLC that Victory Works has released thus far. It is totally worth it at full price and you will not be disappointed. 10/10

I have been using the "British Railways 1950-56 Livery" of this lovely to shunt with loco. It is so responsive to its steam brake, I can "kiss the buffers" everytime. If you are coming in a bit fast, one just needs to give the brake another squeeze and you get an instant response. I also found if I braked a bit too hard and it looked like it was going to stop too short, a relax of the brake and it will gain a bit more momentum. I don't particularly like the look of this loco with its low slung boiler, in fact IMO it's a bit of an ugly duckling. But the sounds and responsiveness during shunting and those wonderful wagons, its been a great buy.

What an engine what an engine: This engine is brillant fantastic and all of the good words in the word aren't enough. Fantstic features and brillant rolling stock. Some decent amount of hours will be brillant with this beast. Two small faults that have been found is that the chuff sounds could be a little louder and the tender textures need some slight modifcations but all in all a 100000000000000000/10 for this loco