A lot of the more recent routes are main line routes between cities and routes around cities for commuter services, but I miss the more scenic routes and branch lines. I play mostly German routes and I like to play S-bahn services, but like to see more branch lines like the Niddertalbahn and Maintalbahn (but with well done scenery this time). I also really enjoy routes like Ruhr Sieg Nord and Main Spessart Bahn because of their beautiful landscape. A good example for a nice branch line is the route between Donaueschingen and Sigmaringen in Baden-Wurttemberg, beautifull scenery and tracks with a winding nature. The BR 612 can be reused for this route (different livery) and also the Talent 1 diesel can be found here. Also Freiburg to Donaueschingen would be I nice route, but I don't know how much KM this is by train. I'm not that well know with the IRL UK routes, but I suppose there are more scenic route too. I like to drive trains in a beautiful environment and landscape, I prefer this over seeing a lot of different trains on a route. How do you guys think about this, do you prefer a lot of trains on a more boring route, or do you prefer 1 or 2 trains on a beautiful scenic route?
I would like to see a mix of both, it is a shame DTG seem to only prioritise timetables now. I think a lot of upcoming third party routes look interesting though so hopefully we will start to see some more scenic routes in the future
The Czech route promises to be quite scenic if/when it surfaces. Part of the problem, for the UK at least, is that DTG and the 3P's seem to be fixated on doing routes that give a large timetable, even though most of the time it's the same pattern repeating every hour. I would take the less frequent timetable routes like the Cambrian Coast, Kyle Line, West Highland or even Highland Main Line would offer. There's nothing to stop you doing the same schedule again, when the appeal of the route is the scenery and maybe tackling the gradients with a Class 26, 37 or 40.
It makes me wonder what DTG will do if they are planning on making a successor series to TSW in the next few years. I imagine they aren't going to convert old content to work with UE 5, so if/when a new train simulator series is announced we would likely at most get 2 trains each for UK, USA and Germany. It seems like it would be very difficult to have a busy route if you only have two trains per country to work with
The Czech route could be a nice one, even without licenses. So I'm curious to see how this route turns out. I do not have any problem with a less frequent timetable or even less different trains, with all the problems on the busy routes going on, it can only be better for the performance. Also, I do not really see a difference in the service at 10AM or the one from 11AM.
I suppose you will get the same idea as the first TSW routes, like Ruhr Sieg Nord, Main Spessart Bahn, GWE, East Coastway. Hopefully with something else the the 4th gen dosto's, BR146 and 185 and Class 66.
I have to wonder if making a more scenic route with fewer trains on it will actually be a good thing to improve performance
Id personally love to see some small branch lines. I love the idea of them and the appeal. I just feel like they'd be better in a historical era is the issue. I wish steam had been a cute little scenic branch line with a loco or two one for some small passenger services and then a small freight service to serve the yards at each small station. (RIP Hayling branch that VW was working on, would've done anything for those Terriers ) Kind of hoping that's what TSG are working on in regards to the steam conversation that's cropped up, something Niddertalbahn style! Would be my first German content without a doubt.
Actually, TBH if Cardiff network had gone to the top of any of the Valley Lines, that would have given a nice scenic run, but still maintained the relatively frequent service levels. Even better if they had done all four!
Historical era can be nice indeed, I'm not sure about steam. But diesel, yes, and in past the small branch lines also had more freigt, the Niddertalbahn is indeed a good example. But also in the modern era, some branch lines are like the time stood still.
They could dive into Norway where most routes are scenic. Or why is it Austria, all we have had is the less scenic routes - where is the Arlberg rather than Vorarlberg, the Tauern Line etc?
Norway sounds great and indeed Austria has more/better scenic routes. The Ardennes in Belgium and Luxembourg can be nice too.
For me in the UK.... Riviera is nice. I still enjoy the old classic NTP to be honest and also ECW. West Somerset of course, but the speed limit kills it for me personally. London Commuter actually has some niceish views on the Southern part, SEHS you can find a few as well and even Midland Main Line, although that is very flat obviously.
I never played NTP and East Coastway, but both are scenic indeed. Those old routes of the first TSW still do have something, newer routes don't have. On the newer routes there are some scenic parts, but it's not really enough for me. I'm thinking about buying Glossip line, this one looks scenic to me further down the route.
