Welcome aboard the Network SouthEast tardis, to...........1993! We walk into a wonderful world of blue and grey and Network SouthEast as the full swing from 4-EPB action is slowly swept away by the Networker age. Class 465s and 466s plough their trade on this route from London's Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup or Bexleyheath. Era The route is set in the early 1990s, ideally 1992-1994 to allow Networkers and EPBs to run alongside each other. Lines I propose Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup, and via Bexleyheath, including the Slade Green turn to allow for looped services back to London. Stock We tool our first Mark 1 Southern EMU, the 4-EPB. This is the SR version, with the Bulleid type windows and bodyshape. Livery designer will allow people to do variations, and detail such as graffiti'd units, highly weathered versions, but also unless offered the ability to repaint units into Network SouthEast colours. Lots of reference material on these units is available. Sounds would be relatively easy to patch together, EE507 traction sounds, slamming doors and Commonwealth bogie sounds are all pretty accessible. The Class 465/466 Networker We already have these units in game, and I don't propose asking for any interior changes, just an application into appropriate livery. Station environment Many station assets are a copy and paste, from the red Network bench seats, to the Network red clocks, Network red lamp-posts, and the lovely dark blue Solari boards. This cuts down production time, and it gives stations the real early 90s treatment. Stations such as Charing Cross are created in all their glory, and the wonderful old vibe of London Bridge with its quieter and less compex trackwork stands in stark contrast to the bear rural quiet Kent Link outer London stations as we head towards Dartford. Solari indicator boards change as new trains come and go, the classic split flap sound flickering away, not a single LED digital screen seen at all, apart from some stations with the old CRT screens. Station announcements are muffled, old and don't have timings, just the old days, it's a simple "Platform 1....for the Gillingham service. etc etc" Immersion Slam door stock is unique for immersion. EPBs especially, with their compartments and open plan style coach interiors, done properly, this route could take the player back to the early nineties inner London and Kent operations of British Rail. Driving wise, we could again hear distinctive compressors, lovely loud traction motors, hundreds of slamming doors at stations, and a guard whistle as we depart station after station, working our way down through the London to Kent railway arteries. Route list London Charing Cross, London Waterloo East, London Bridge, New Cross, St Johns, Lewisham, Hither Green, Lee, Mottingham, New Eltham, Sidcup, Albany Park, Bexley, Crayford, Dartford, Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, Welling, Falconwood, Eltham, Kidbrooke, Blackheath, Lewisham, St Johns, New Cross, London Bridge, London Waterloo East, London Charing Cross.
