Hello folks, This is the official discussion thread for the Thames Valley Branches Route Add-On, developed by Incredible Trains, releasing on July 21st 2026. Feel free to discuss this Add-On here, but be aware that user-created discussion threads on this topic might already exist. To help keep discussions streamlined, we ask that you keep discussions on topic and feedback in the relevant threads, where applicable. Once available, we will add the following links: Coming Soon Article Livestream Q&A thread Release Article Feedback Thread Store Links All the best, Jan
While I am also pleasantly surprised by the pricing on this, surely Cardiff isn't that bad of a value? 20 miles of track, two pieces of rolling stock, it has a network style services, failrly expandable through layers and add-ons such as the pacer, no? I mean - I get that around 15 miles of track in TVB are fine for a price like this, but the fact that it is so disjointed is not really contributing to much gameplay. That 2-mile branch will give you how much content? It'll probably be similar to Reigate services on London-Brighton, which is OK as an extra on a full route like that, but it is really limited in a product like this, with no GWE integration.
What it should have included is the short part of the GWE that links the branchlines. Having to "hop" after every 15min service or go back to the menu, rather than jumping on a HST for instance and travelling (or even driving) down to the next branchline would have been my preferred option.
Cardiff came with a hugely upgraded 150 and brand new 153. DTG then went back again to add new sounds. The route itself lends itself to some decent length runs. The JT Pacer timetable also adds more variety.
Train sim society has come out with an interview with Johannes, and it contains over 100 NEW SCREENSHOTS
This Route Need to be an official Paid Expansion for the GWE Route. It’s a pretty Bad idea to have no Connection, because Route Hopping is a terrible Feature. So why is this DLC Not an Expansion?
While I agree it could in theory "route hop" between them, it's still a lot of work by the ONE developer doing it, so he deserves to be paid like everyone else. It's not an "expansion" because the one guy doesn't own GWE (which is how route expansions happen in this game. The original creator adds onto their own route.) I don't see the issue. It's a decent price for three quaint little lines, so each is just a few bucks. Fun for a rainy afternoon. Seriously, for that price you'd do what... have one supper or watch a movie in the theatre for 90 minutes? If you can get at least 90 minutes of gameplay out of it then it's decent value. It's a nice first project for one guy to tackle. Personally I probably won't get it until it's on sale because it has nothing but passenger play with a single EMU and that's not my thing. (I didn't see any mention of layers) However, if it's maybe $10 on a sale, sure... can't go wrong for that lazy afternoon.
I really like this route Irl, having been on all branches and from the screenshots, I am so looking forward to this route. (Sorry to be a bit biased as these are other local routes to me) - The price is really good - These are the sorts of packs I would invest my money - Detail is exceptional - Branches are definitely my cup of tea, back and forth makes it fun, especially if I have a limited time of play - Doesn't really matter for me to route hop to this route from GWE, in my opinion, since its branches, and GWE was created earlier preventing it getting extended, I think its not a problem having the route hop Conclusion: Day one purchase. Johannes, keep up the hard work, your doing an incredible job with this dlc.
£15 is really a fair price for this route... £5 per branch In a world where routes are £29.99 or £32.99 in cases, this is a welcome addition
Not to mention the arguably best quality and range of new features. First time im thinking about buying a non german route day one.
The price is fair for what is on offer. However. After the blurry mess that is the Mildmay line, this is a wait and see.
Waste of Money! Where do I start with the most frustrating release of 2026 for TSW? Well, let’s start with limited playability - this route only contains three very small mini routes and each of them is completely isolated from one another. Within a week you will have covered them all, and then what? Just go back and forth? It’s a waste of money… Maybe we should also mention that it’s not actually ALL of the Thames Branches - so even if they are claiming that is all the route is, it’s actually factually incorrect because they have neglected to include the West Ealing to Greenford branch. So the ONLY selling point this route has is also another lie. [EDIT - Jan - Insulting] So, enough complaining, what should’ve happened then? Well, let’s start off with research. The route is extremely minimal with only 13.5 miles of track across three routes. It’s not exactly hard to include the Greenford branch - that is unless they purposefully didn’t include it so they could release an add on in the future, in which case this makes the route extortion! And this should’ve been released as an extension to Great Western Express Remastered - purely so you could go from one ‘branch line’ to the next without the extremely unrealistic approach that is ‘Route Hopping’ (an excuse for poor development). There are ECS (empty coaching stock) runs missing as a result, as well as other things (rail tours have visited these branches in the past). This COULD have been a decent release and improved and already improved route - add the Airport branch and you’d be laughing, easily allowing this release to cost £20 if not more and people would pay simply for the playability - that is the important word here But oh no, it had to be done this way. What a farce, and this sums up the direction Train Sim World is going to a T.
^^^^ I mean you can just not buy it lol I wish it was connected to GWE as well, but you're just going way overboard with saying the dev must be on drugs- come on man.
Whilst you are correct it's only three branches, and it's fine to be disinterested due to this. (I was at first). That is however reflected in the price being its half the price most routes these days sell for. The flip side is it from the pre-release screenshots is going to be one the most detailed routes in the game. As for the "just go back and forth", aren't basically all routes just going back and forth...? Greenford branch probably should've been included - I agree. As for railtours (not) visiting the branches - how do you know there isn't any? And even if there isn't, you can just replicate them yourself in free roam. The airport branch likely isn't possible due to security concerns, this topic has been discussed on this forum multiple times
One person has made this... Just route hop... In real life, those routes would probably have a few drivers and conductors going back and forth over a period of time (maybe 4 hours) then pass back to depot with an ecs in the morning and late at night (if there wasn't a working that used the mainline to get the train home). Bet you would complain if it was only twyford to Slough was included.
Technically Greenford isn't in the Thames Valley and doesn't go anywhere near the Thames. It has dull scenery and is pretty boring Heathrow can't be done as it is owned by Heathrow Airport Limited who won't give anyone access for research or allow their brand to be used If GWE was included it would be double the price
Hello Leo Martin, You are free to share your frustrations and constructive criticism, but insulting our developers is not acceptable. Please reconsider how you express yourself around here. Thank you.
