r/WondersOfSodor

This is the video link for anyone who is curious: https://youtu.be/-XFNSlABBzE?si=vUwsWZf50Lrf6dmA

Before Brendam became the island's main docks, Tidmouth Harbour served as the main harbour for the Main Line engines and was the departure point for Henry's famous Flying Kipper. Since Brendam is on Edward's Branch Line, it's always seemed odd that it eventually handled almost everything, especially given Sir Topham Hatt's usual reluctance to send heavy main line engines onto branch lines, as told to us by "Wrong Road".

Having Brendam on the Brendam Branch, Knapford Harbour on the Ffarquhar Branch, and Tidmouth Harbour as the Main Line harbour would make a lot of sense. It also pays tribute to the Railway Series while blending it with the TV and CGI eras—exactly the kind of balance Dovetail's game is trying to achieve.

Dovetail did a great job including these locations as nostalgic nods to the classic TV series we all know and love. The problem is that several things stop them from reaching their full potential. The lack of characters, limited crash physics that prevent recreating iconic accidents, and invisible barriers where unfinished areas begin all make the world feel incomplete.

Come on—if you have Henry's Forest and Henry's Tunnel, you have to include Henry. If you have the Crosby Barbershop, you have to include Duck. If you've modeled both the rail ferry and the barbershop, players should be able to recreate the famous crashes associated with those locations. If you've already built the Skarloey Railway line and sheds, it only makes sense to eventually introduce the Skarloey engines as well. Finally, if you have the Tidmouth Tunnel, chances are we're probably going to get the Little Western or find a way to implement Timouth Harbor. 

You may have noticed that I included Vicarstown Bridge. A few days ago, I had the idea of extending the line beyond Vicarstown to Barrow, just as it is in the Railway Series. Stories like Gordon Goes Foreign, The Fat Controller's Engines, and even Journey Beyond Sodor inspired the idea. I think it would be fantastic if the main line continued beyond the bridge instead of ending at an invisible barrier, making the railway feel more complete and better connected to the mainland.

Not really much to say—we're still in a content drought, and it honestly reminds me of the post I made a while ago questioning whether Wonders of Sodor could eventually become a flop. That concern is still in the back of my mind.

So, while we're waiting for news, I thought it would be nice to start a friendly discussion. At this point, most players have completed the missions, and beyond that there isn't a whole lot to keep people engaged. What ideas or features do you think could realistically help the game succeed? They can be practical, ambitious, or even completely outside the box.

I've spent plenty of time sharing my own suggestions, so now I'd love to hear what the rest of the community thinks. Who knows—someone might come up with an idea that none of us have considered.

Yes, I am really this bored and desperate, but it's a rainy day for me, so I'm home all day. 

A while ago, I suggested Dovetail extend the line from Vicarstown to Barrow, and I still think it would be a fantastic addition. If they ever do, it would also be the perfect opportunity to introduce AI traffic.

One of the biggest issues with Explore Mode is how empty and lifeless the railway feels. AI trains running between Barrow and Vicarstown with passenger and freight services would make Sodor feel much more alive. Players reaching the end of the line could watch mainland trains arrive and depart for destinations like Manchester or London.

The locomotives pictured above are examples of what could be used. Spencer, Flying Scotsman, Connor, Caitlin, and Pip and Emma could handle passenger services and interact with Gordon, while Hiro, D199 (Spamcan), and Diesel 199 could work mixed-traffic or freight services, creating opportunities to interact with Henry, James, Donald, and Douglas.

I don't expect every engine to make the cut, but the concept would add a huge amount of immersion. Sodor has always felt believable because it connects to the real world through Barrow, and Dovetail's experience building realistic railway simulators makes this idea a natural fit.

Here's the link for anyone who's curious: https://x.com/Railway_Sparr0w/status/2067650635273482587?s=20