New German Shunter From DTG For OldProf.

[trev123]

http://store.steampowered.com/app/325994

55% off.

[OldProf]

Are you suggesting that I have a soft spot for German shunters? If so, you're partially correct, the truth being that I have a weakness for shunting/switching engines in general, especially those of the diesel or electric persuasion. So, in fact, I've already acquired this one. It's pretty ordinary after the interesting complexities of the DB BR 261, some of which I'm still trying to figure out.

Actually, I was thinking of posting about this latest entry, the DB BR 361, and you've given me a good lead-in, so here goes: I've been Valved! That is, of course, I've allowed myself to be Valved: victimized by clever sales strategies. What am I raving about now? Well, you see, this new shunter comes with scenarios -- the number being somewhat uncertain. A boxed headline at the top of page 11 of the users' manual proudly proclaims 6 scenarios. Just below that, a centered sub-head reads, "Learn to drive the BR 361/V60 using expert controls". And the rest of the page holds brief descriptions of 3 scenarios, two of which are the by now standard marshalling variety. And the other three scenarios? Well, it turns out that the "6" in the headline is the number of the manual's section, not the number of included scenarios. And there's no sign of any scenario of any type that teaches the "expert" [x being an unknown quantity and spurt being a drip under pressure] controls.

However, the point is that only in the semi-hidden, "Read more" section of this product's Steam page does Valve-DTG-RSC-Steam-whatever actually note that the three scenarios require the Munich-Rosenheim route. Thus, while the engine itself is on sale at a 55% discount, the route is at full price: the usual $39.99 (much lower than 40 bucks!), for a total of $48.99. Yes, being the addicted shunting sucker I am, I bought both -- Merry Christmas (decidedly not a politically correct "happy holidays") -- to me.

Thanks for the soapbox, Trev! And to all a good night.

[OpenRailer90]

German shunters....look at vR/FPS's Vossloh G6. That thing is real good.

[OldProf]

German shunters....look at vR/FPS's Vossloh G6. That thing is real good.

Just took a look at your suggested product, which, yes, has a number of nice features. However, it was made for TS2015 and most of those features, apart from a multi-step cold start process, are also available on the DB BR361 and, at least for me, cold starting is a feature that looses its attraction very quickly.
If anyone else is interested, the sales page is at http://www.virtual-railroads.de/locomot ... ps-g6.html and it costs 14.95 Euros. With the Euro-Dollar exchange rate nearly level, that's a good deal compared to DTG's typical price of $19.95 per engine model.

Hmmmm . . . even though vR's products are not eligible for Workshop upload, I'm feeling temptation creeping up on me.

[OpenRailer90]

^ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... Q2ZBVZ_VRQ