Medway Valley Line Discussion Thread

This overall would be great

 

TSR’s and signal delays are core features so don’t need to be activated on a per route basis. Additionally, TSR’s in core are all 40mph as far as I’m aware and as the core is off limits we will not be doing anything with them beyond that.

Hope that answers the question

 

Unsure why its Tonbridge but a big network of services have opened up for you. Could have extended south to Tunbridge West not Hastings as that could be another route. Ran by Southeastern. Like the Redhill services by Southern.

 

To be honest is there really any point? Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells is like a 10 minute hop, and you can't drive a service from Strood to Tunbridge Wells. If it were me I'd probably include it on a South Eastern Network route. Then you can have proper runs up to London.

 

It's Tonbridge because Medway Valley Line services go to Tonbridge. We wanted all the MVL services to be fully playable on the route, this way they are.

 

judging by mileage and travel time (found online), I guess it is a slower route with max like 60 - 75 mph? anyway, looks great

 

Put it this way, if you’re going 60 you’re on a fast stretch. If you look up PTG Rail on YouTube he will likely have a route learning guide for it, albeit in TSC. I know he definitely has one for a 395 run from Maidstone, not sure about a run from/to Tonbridge.

 

The Paddock Wood to Tonbridge section of the mainline is 100mph with the top speed on the MVL itself being 70mph.

 

PTG Rail was a form of ASMR to watch back in the day... Shame the channel went quiet. I always thoroughly enjoyed his videos and how well informed PTG Rail was.

 

Agreed, loved watching his videos, just something so relaxing about them.

 

One of the few sections of DC line authorized to 100mph btw.

 

I wonder if it was that limit before the Eurostars used to run on the line.

 

It's highly likely, I can't imagine the third rail system improved just for Eurostar.
It's a tried and tested system (and frankly, outdated) for a long time.

 

I funnily enough got into contact with him a few years ago now on Facebook

He worked at the Upper Holloway signal box, I don't know if he's still there now though.

 

Having grown up in Yalding, then lived in Maidstone and now Ashford, it’s all I’ve ever known in Kent, however when HS1 came along, it was quite strange having a line with overhead cables. I guess removing 3rd rail from the network and replacing with overhead power is probably not worth the cost and aggro.

 

Yes, and the DC network is quite extensive in Britain (that wasn't the case in France in the 70's btw, only the suburbs of Saint-Lazare and la Maurienne remained DC electrified).

But that also requires building specific/compatible stock... £££

 

Well all of the electrostars already have future-proofed space for pantographs so I'm sure that's not as complex as building new units, the 395 already has OHLE capability. The just need to get rid of the 465s and we should be good. I'm unfamiliar with SWRs stock so i can't speak on that front.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I meant it's the DC compatibility that require to build specific stock (as it's the exception rather than the rule)

 

that cool. i been trying to make my own cctv and can't get it to work.

 

hopefully we hear more about this route in today’s roadmap- it looks to be nearing release and for me it’ll be a day one purchase barring any major issues

 

450s and 444s have pantograph wells if OHLE conversion is required, same for their 458/4s (I believe their 2 remaining 458/5s are entirely 460 based so no provisions for mounting a pantograph) and the 701s are OHLE ready.

 

I'm absolutely obsessed with this route! The previews we got in the article looks amazing!! I can't wait to get my hands on it!!

 

It should be great. The best part of the line IMO is between Wateringbury and Maidstone West where you snake through the valley right beside the river Medway.

 

I’m sooo hyped for this route, more than I have ever been before with any tsw add on!!! It sounds and looks incredible well done firefly . Will we hear any more news about the route and maybe even the preview stream later this month? . I really hope so, would be fantastic if it released around Easter time .

 

Also, seeing as we got animated sheep on the route, does that mean there is modelled and accessible toilets on the 375?! .

 

I imagine not, and that's a shame.

Similarly, if we ever get sleeper cars, I hope we'll be able to go inside the cabins (and perhaps even turn on the different lights as we please).

 

this needs the class 59 like tsc but then class 66s

 

Watched the roadmap and the pictures looked fantastic when they showed the video though i am not gonna lie the lag in the video was a bit off putting don’t have much hope for console players after watching that at present sadly.

 

On DTG streams TSW doesn't run great though it's never 100% representative unfortunately. May get a better representation by watching the videos directly in the article. Although even on the roadmap article the videos are all WIP. After what Matt said RE optimization and the lengths Firefly have gone too I'm quietly optimistic for console

 

Hope it works for them I really do.

 

As a console player myself this route does look very promising on the performance and textures side of things . This route is looking like one that I might pick up soon after release. I would be looking forward to the Trent Valley route but as its by AABS I would imagine its going to be blurry the whole way through sadly so I doubt I'm going to pick that route up.

 

Too bad this route cannot be merge on to Southeastern High Speed and updated Southeastern High Speed route would be nice and this route making me want more Kent route like say Chatham Main would be great don't know if would be to go all the way to Ramsgate and Dover

 

So their is but also opens up shorter routes between Paddock Wood & Tonbridge, Ashford International to Charing Cross, Dover Priory, Ramsgate, Gillingham all run between Paddock Wood & Tonbridge some of them like stated run full route.

You won't be going to Ashford International on this Route just between Tonbridge / Paddock Wood only on these services. Marden, Staplehurst, Headcorn, Pluckley aren't included.

Not expecting Ai route at Barming to Maidstone East either has it crosses the Medway Valley line. Unlike Trent Valley line where Ai CrossCountry at Tamworth Station, Nuneaton stations seperate to Trent Valley line stations. Class 220 / 170 respectfully.

But would expect these along with Southern Class 171s as Ai at Ashford International, though we probabley won't get them. HS1 route.

Expect Ai Southern too at Tonbridge, non playable due to other direction. From / to Redhill (London Comuter / Brighton Mainline) assume Class 377s route.

Besides when stating Tunbridge Wells I temporary thought some run to Tunbridge Wells from London. But not right place to put them.

Should have loads of services if by current 2026 timetabled services are the intended. By same headcodes, route, etc

 

Excited for this route, love to see another route based in the South East after a few years with Southeastern!!