Atomic Systems

Another problem for freeware developers is that routes that use NWC as one of the DLC will no longer be able to attract new users that do not have that DLC. For example, the NWC-BRBlue, and South Lancashire & North Cheshire both have NWC as one of the dependencies. If it were a few assets, then these could be swapped out, but it isn't just a few!

Removing the Virgin-branded stock (and perhaps reskinning Crewe station) would create a NWC light route, that could be sold as a separate item, for those who wished to use it with their own stock, or as dependent DLC

There's at least 4 class 47 reskin packs on the Vulcan Productions website that require the Virgin trains first generation pack .

I really can't see DTG just giving up on what must be a route and rolling stock pack still selling well, so I for one expect them to return after a rework--just like the real 390s will after December's refurb under Avanti West Coast.

Gutted about the decision by DTG, I suppose it is out of their hands

I got the Virgin Pendolino Class 390 and North Wales Coast Route from Steam thankfully!
I'll get the NWC Extension now before it's too late.

Alistair Cowell

skoda wrote:There's at least 4 class 47 reskin packs on the Vulcan Productions website that require the Virgin trains first generation pack .

Thanks for triggering my memory that I needed this pack - reduced to £2.99 on Steam if anyone else needs it before it goes.

skoda wrote:There's at least 4 class 47 reskin packs on the Vulcan Productions website that require the Virgin trains first generation pack .

There's at least one on BackdatedTrainsim too

I've just re-read that announcement by DTG.
It doesn't say that those routes will be deleted or withdrawn from sale, only that they will be affected.
To me that means that there will be no Virgin trains on sale to run on them. I imagine that the routes themselves may have to be updated to remove Virgin trains logos etc from any stations etc affected, but those routes affected may well be available as a new edition of the route for new users to buy. The routes already owned will remain as they are, and only a new version of each route available to new users.
Of course I could be wrong...

Oldpufferspotter wrote:I've just re-read that announcement by DTG.
It doesn't say that those routes will be deleted or withdrawn from sale, only that they will be affected.
To me that means that there will be no Virgin trains on sale to run on them. I imagine that the routes themselves may have to be updated to remove Virgin trains logos etc from any stations etc affected, but those routes affected may well be available as a new edition of the route for new users to buy. The routes already owned will remain as they are, and only a new version of each route available to new users.
Of course I could be wrong...

To me, retired means withdrawn from sale.
As I said several posts above, they could do a light version!

Perhaps the strongest effect this will have, will be on Armstrong Powerhouse, as a lot of their newer addons use the NWC route for the bundled scenarios...

Retired/affected = no longer available in this case

How long until they are retired?

The mentioned products will be retired on December 6th, meaning you have one week to pick them up before they are retired from sale, however, you can save 75% on all this content in the Steam Autumn Sale.

Ok I've consolidated a bit and calmed down after acting rather tempestuous after the announcement.

What if someone (individual/organisation) were to buy the rights of sale from DTG for all the packs? In a similar way to which AP negotiated the transfer of the Class 150/2?

xguerra wrote:Ok I've consolidated a bit and calmed down after acting rather tempestuous after the announcement.

What if someone (individual/organisation) were to buy the rights of sale from DTG for all the packs? In a similar way to which AP negotiated the transfer of the Class 150/2?

I think that would depend on DTG being willing to sell those rights, which if they are planning to relaunch with non-Virgin branding as speculated above, they may well not be. There is the added complication that a license to use the Virgin branding would also be required. Again, it's speculation, but it appears that this decision has been made at least in part by Virgin, so it seems to me to be fairly unlikely that they would withdraw the license from one vendor and then agree to its use by a third party.

I wouldn't hold out much hope on any of the above thoughts about acquiring the rights.

Licence agreements are very complex and almost certainly contain clauses as to what happens if either party ceases to exist. Virgin have pressing matters to deal with such as staff transferring to new operators and legally winding up the company. The fate of a rather insignificant licence for a niche hobby is not likely to be high on their agenda.

IF they wanted to re-release the routes, at least, I'd guess the easiest would be to backdate them to the BR era.. (Personally I'd go with the sectorisation period, but that's just me...) Or do like with WCML-N/WCML over Shap, i.e. basically model the routes as they are today with modern signalling, speed limits etc but with BR era station branding and trains

Actually, it seems it'll only affect future customers of AP's Class 37, since after checking AP's website, that add-on has three scenarios each for NWC and SWC, while a lot of add-ons from AP feature scenarios from SWC it seems no-one else offers scenarios for NWC. I guess we'll see an update to the Class 37 removing those scenarios to not disadvantage new customers...