Well picked this up lastnight at the mention of my last post, seemingly it dissapearing from the steam store page after I had clicked it through and purchased which was abit amusing.
Ok, before the rest of what I'd like to say I'm going to put the bad out first, I'm not going to butter it up or avoid feet. I'm dissapointed with the decision to cut the BR and LNER liveries from the pack especially when it was shown from the beginning and was one I looked forward to and to have them sipheoned off into a Woodhead themed pack to be released at a later date, I can see clearly this a "idea" from RSC suggested with them recently making the O4 and B1 to come and they wanted another steam engine available to finish off the batch of steam locomotives to make Woodhead more steam era, I also hope the decision is made to keep it at a reasonable price for Maerdy purchases aswell, as the likely hood of seeing the complete cost of both Maerdy and the BR/LNER J94 pack is probably going to be close to what a new RSC released route would be, so in my eyes it somewhat defeats the purpose of splitting the packs, but I suppose some PR and sales boffin thought otherwise.
It also seems a odd decision to not have the BR livery in the Maerdy branch considering the branch ran right into BR adminstration era anyway and considering the fact the other Woodhead steamers, the O4 and B1 ain't coming/or have LNER liveries it seems more odd that the woodhead J94 pack to come is just to be the two liveries.
Anyway, that is my opinion on that matter, take it as you will, I'll still end up getting the BR/LNER J94 pack later but but can't say I'm happy about having to.
Onto the rest.
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Like alot of others I've been following this just shortly after the mentions and interest being shown by Meshtools for the J94 after the ESR release, work on the J94 seems to have started around then as Mike had a clay model of the J94 to show just afterward, originally it looked to be a strip down of the main 0-6-0 provided with ESR but eventually it evolved into a full remodel and redo and clearly alot has been learned since the first outings of the ESR project.
Model wise the J94 is probably the most accurate steam shunter we have to date available for the railworks franchise and all the appropriate colliery varients utilised around the country are present in the pack. The many different technical modifications made the J94 are present from normal to Porta exshaust to the rather odd looking Giesl funnels and the various different braking systems of steam, no brakes, vacuum and air. Further to this there is the J94 but aswell as 50550 class which was the grandfather of the J94s. All done to a very high detail.
To add to the modelling, the advanced version has animated regulator, vacuum and steam brake which are viewable from outside the engine and a full set of various steam emitters around the locomotive from safety valve, under the cab, front end just above the front drive wheels and full cyclinder . emitters which interact with the rotation of the piston motion and water sprays from the pipework when water is being fed to the boiler. Unfortunately beyond chuff smoke all this is available only to the advanced version so if you want full steam effects you will need to run around in the Advanced versions of the J94s. Liveries included are 8 in total which are the predominant well known colliery liveries and named locomotive and all are done to a very high standard and look excellent.
Sounds are the make and break of rolling stock packs adding immension and life to a high definition model and effects and the J94 doesn't skimp one bit. A full and immersive soundset is included which includes a well defined chuff beat which has various different levels of UMPH, driving along is noisy which is only right a proper of a J94 and the running sounds are clunky, banging and all the associated sounds which a J94 is known for when shunting. A nice touch has been the various different whistles, U allows for a single play full length multi-hoot which is more in line of when leaving stations or signalling to a banker, spacebar provides a more controllable whistle allowing you to do with it as you wish, there is also a key for allowing a guard whistle to be blown to. Cyclinder . sounds are present and accounted for and sync with drive wheel motion, as you get up to speed they are a more constant full jet of steam rather than a hiss-whoosh associated with the lower speeds. The cab has a full set of sounds aswell and all interactive controls have a sound to them, its also quite noisy in the cab, which again is what the J94s are like anyway so its fits to a T.
Driving the J94 is a whole different story compared to other locomotive and in advanced its complex to say the least, it can be slightly offputting at first but once you get used to it its extremely rewarding. It has a locked reverser which can be released with E and when the regulator is nearly close otherwise you will slam it into 75% forward or reverse. You have double dampens to allow for more steam generation and when you have autofireman off and the HUD off you have control of pretty much everything. Its not for the faint hearted steam driver and the J94 does not like the autofireman turning on both injectors and water when going up a gradient, so full manual firing and driving is pretty much required if you wish to do the scenarios on advanced.
Included in the driving experience is quite a advanced and interactable braking system which includes the steam brake and a correctly operating vacuum brake system which you actually need to hit J for to release properly. The steam brake is a entirely new way of braking in railworks as its not actually been done before, its abit complex but when learned, and the manual is certainly something you should read about it, its a rewarding and interesting way of braking and very prototypical and can stop a J94 on a pinhead. Incidentally, the various different braking systems are present in the multiple different J94s in the pack, one even just having a hand brake for stopping which is abit nerve wracking.
The Maredy Branch is beautiful to say the least and looks really the part as a welsh colliery and short passenger service branchline. The work and attention to detail is outstanding and it oozes atmosphere as you work along the line. Beside Meshtools own assets there is also some from the various newer route packs as of late which I believe RSC allowed Meshtools to utilise to give Maerdy the proper look as a route. Surpisingly the route while being relatively short in aspect compared to other routes actually takes a fair bit of time to drive along with the various heavy gradients present, moving coal wagons at a sedate 15mph on most of the route is pretty much the norm and what seems like a short 8mile route can turn into quite a long driving play session, especially when shunting, refueling and watering the J94 is nessessary at various points in the driving experience. There is alot of well placed assets and the colliery aswell as villages along the line really do seem correct and done right.
One slight comment in scenery, no fault of Meshtools, but I think overall for the type of terrain and area railworks is in desperate need of more ferns, pine trees and heather assets to really fill out hill sides and around track areas. While there is use of the new trees available from the newer routes they might not be as appropriate as they seem and could do with additionals of being mixed with ferns, pines and heaps of heather, beyond that its still really not that bad but I think its one area of vegetation assets which railworks could do with a boost with and we do have the new route tools which allow for large swaths of vegetation to be placed so it shouldn't be a issue of taking time to place said assets.
What also comes as surprise is both the fact you can do typical colliery work but also doing abit of passenger working aswell, granted the passenger trains are not long but its still passenger working and it has the appropriate feel to it, personally the passenger working reminded me somewhat of the small steam railway on Lake Windermere which actually has a Giesl modified Austerity 0-6-0 by the guise of 3698, 'Repulse'.
Overall the J94 Memories of Maerdy package is a excellent done deal, its been a long time coming but has been worthwhile the wait and both locomotive and route are a excellent addition to TS2013 and gives a much beloved steam shunter to the fans. A big thanks to Mike, Ed and all the other testers aswell as contributors who made this entire pack a reality aswell as giving us a close to accurate realistic J94 experience in the boundries of the simulator, I think its clearly proven that 3rd party when given enough time can find new ways and new innovative ways to introduce prototypical controls and mechanisms of rolling stock aswell as a accurate and full body experience.
While my opening may have been abit sour I think overall this review should give anyone sitting on the fence about purchasing the pack a idea of what they are buying and also of what they are letting themselves into, I would recommend the pack if you enjoy steam shunters, colliery lines, steep gradients, complex controlls and driving in advanced additions and looking for something to do over the weekend, at the price asked for its worth it and probably abit under what I'd expect it to be priced for all the effort put in.
One recommendation, READ THE MANUAL before you dive straight into driving or using the J94, it save confusion and hassle.
Modelling: 10/10 Sub scoring for effects: 8/10 - The Std J94s available could have least still had cyclinder . and whistle emitters available.
Liveries: 9/10 (My favourite BR livery isn't included, sadface )
Sound: 10/10
Scenery: 8/10 - mentioned above.
Route: 9.5/10 - I have a grudge against the gradients,(boo hiss at stalling on a 1in40) knocks off 0.5
Scenarios: 8/10 - A few more would have been nice and alittle more varied weather would be nice to.
Driving Experience 8.5/10 - Its complex, but rewarding but also equally can become overwhelming which may not be the best when your tired and just want to drive, however its not all that bad.
Awaiting a PM from Mike regarding my part in this and my repayment for it (providing a whistle, probably Wimblebury's going by that used in the vids?)