Need help making a choice on routes

[JohnS]

Hi All,
I have a coupon for steam and two routes I could use it on but I need help making a choice. I can use the coupon on either the Horseshoe Cure or NS Coal District. I like both but I'm wondering what would be the better buy as far as quality and add-on potential plus the future. The savings difference between them is a dollar so the cost isn't a deciding matter. Any and all input is welcome.

Thank you

[buzz456]

HSC curve has a lot more action as far as I'm concerned and a nice piece of period work if you choose to use it. The coal drag is just that a drag IMO. If you like long trains with very slow speed limits OK but I think I ran it about two or three times and my attention just wandered off.

[JohnS]

HSC curve has a lot more action as far as I'm concerned and a nice piece of period work if you choose to use it. The coal drag is just that a drag IMO. If you like long trains with very slow speed limits OK but I think I ran it about two or three times and my attention just wandered off.

Thanks buzz! I do agree with you on the "drag". Also, HSC does have great history. I wish we had more steam for the PRR too.

[Chacal]

My main criterion for a route is the number of available scenarios for it.
HSC wins, no contest.
Also it is set in the 1950s, a great period, and it comes with good engines and rolling stock.

[JohnS]

My main criterion for a route is the number of available scenarios for it.
HSC wins, no contest.
Also it is set in the 1950s, a great period, and it comes with good engines and rolling stock.

Good point! +2 for HSC

[drivertime61]

Agreeing with the other posters here, HSC does capture the mood of PA steel and coal country, circa the 1950's. I used to drive through that territory often - running the route brings back memories. The small town night scenes along the route are especially nostalgic for me. They are for the most part nicely illuminated in TS15. The Altoona and Johnstown yards are comprehensive.

I added a working coal loader to the Altoona yard and was pleasantly surprised to see that it worked with the old PRR coal cars provided with the route. The original coal loader already in the yard did not work.

The PRR passenger cars add more nostalgia too, but they run dead silent inside and out unless you are able to add the RSDL US Wagons 01 pack to the scenario's DLC list. At least that was my experience.

Much more to do with HSC than mere long, slow coal drags, for sure. And it vaguely resembles a Currier and Ives Christmas card when you run it in the snow.

[JohnS]

Alright then HSC it is. Plus, the Bank-O-Wife released a little more funds for an additional download. I was thinking of getting the K4 with the route.

[buzz456]

By all means do that. It is a oft forgotten nice locomotive.

[trev123]

Yes the K4 is well worth the money.

[Chacal]

Also there are a lot of 1950s PRR diesel engines and repaints avaliable.
It is the only route on which you can go EMD, Alco, and/or Baldwin.
And the RF-16 was released today.

[CARex]

... the Bank-O-Wife released a little more funds...

That's the CFO at my place.

[drivertime61]

Hope your B-O-W still funds steam. Most of 'em around here stopped long ago, sadly.

[JohnS]

It definitely was a good buy for me!