North Downs Line Reading To Gatwick Airport

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by elarthur, May 23, 2020.

  1. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Screenshot_2020-05-23-12-56-12-1.png
    I would like to suggest the North Downs Line as a route for new dlc. The line starts at Reading going via Guildford and Redhill before changing ends to reach Gatwick Airport. It is approximately 41 miles in distance with 25 stations and passes stunning scenery like Boxhill (near Dorking Deepdene). Over the years it has seen several types of traction including Class 206 'Tadpole' DEMUs, Class 119 and 101 DMUs, Class 165/166 'Turbos' and soon Class 769 'Flex Tri Mode' MUs (formerly Class 319 Thameslink). There has been no freight on the route since 2007 but the line was used between 1988-2004 by the Dover to Manchester Piccadilly Travelling Post Office service. There is also the possibility of including the line from Redhill to Tonbridge as many services used to terminate there.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2022
    • Like Like x 13
  2. First capital connect

    First capital connect Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2018
    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    352
    Nice suggestion
     
    • Like Like x 2
  3. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    A few images of the North Downs Line. Screenshot_2020-05-23-13-10-35-1.png
    Class 206 Tadpole Screenshot_2020-05-23-13-13-15-1.png
    Class 119 Screenshot_2020-05-23-13-10-16-1.png
    Class 166 Turbo Screenshot_2020-05-23-13-10-56-1.png
    Class 769 Flex Tri Mode Screenshot_2020-05-23-13-09-50-1.png
    View (likely from Boxhill)
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
    • Like Like x 2
  4. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    One of many stations en route.
    Screenshot_2020-05-23-13-27-59-1.png
    Betchworth
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Screenshot_2020-05-23-20-26-18-1.png
    Class 33s were used on additional peak services until 1977, this light engine seen at Betchworth.
    Screenshot_2020-05-23-20-24-06-1.png
    Class 101s supplemented the 119s during the late 80s and early 90s, this one seen at Gatwick Airport.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  6. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Reading P4 5 6.png
    Reading platforms 4-6
    Earley.png
    Earley
    Winnersh Triangle.png
    Winnersh Triangle
    Winnersh.png
    Winnersh
    Wokingham.png
    Wokingham
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Crowthorne.png
    Crowthorne
    Sandhurst.png
    Sandhurst
    Blackwater.png
    Blackwater
    Farnborough North.png
    Farnborough North North Camp.png
    North Camp
     
    • Like Like x 2
  8. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Ash.png
    Ash Wanborough.png
    Wanborough Guildford.png
    Guildford Shalford.png
    Shalford Chilworth.png
    Chilworth
     
    • Like Like x 2
  9. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Gomshall.png Gomshall Dorking West.png
    Dorking West Dorking Deepdene.png
    Dorking Deepdene Betchworth.png
    Betchworth Reigate.png
    Reigate
     
    • Like Like x 2
  10. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Redhill.png
    Redhill Earlswood.png
    Earlswood Salfords.png
    Salfords Horley.png
    Horley Gatwick Airport.png
    Gatwick Airport
     
    • Like Like x 2
  11. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855


    Drivers eye view of route. Must watch footage. Towards Gatwick end we see a lot of class 377 activity on Southern routes. Being that they already feature in game, this should be fairly easy to do. Lots of SWR movements mid journey too.
     
  12. TrainSim_Fan

    TrainSim_Fan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2020
    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    476
    Nice suggestion, I must say I would want this route to be based in the modern day.
     
  13. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Basing it in modern times does not strictly prevent the running of older classes of rolling stock for those of us who liked them. Realists could simply refuse to buy or run them on their game. This should apply to ALL routes.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  14. TrainSim_Fan

    TrainSim_Fan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2020
    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    476
    Agreed, I would say no locos older than 1990.
     
  15. TrainSim_Fan

    TrainSim_Fan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2020
    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    476
    Upon looking at your pictures the class 769 looks nice.
     
  16. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    The locos would have been mostly pre 1990s as freight ceased in 2007 and the TPO only between 1988-2004. I used to travel a lot on the 769 in its previous Thameslink class 319 guise around south london. Handsome design by BREL.
     
  17. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Locomotive classes seen on the line over the years include classes 20, 31, 33, 35, 47, 56, 66, 73 and 74.
    Also seen was the 207 DEMU from time to time.
     
  18. Tay95

    Tay95 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2018
    Messages:
    808
    Likes Received:
    1,089
    Nice suggestion, I'd buy that! It would also mean that we would have to switch ends at Redhill and it would be both a scenic route and built up in some areas.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Helpful Helpful x 1
  19. fanta1682002

    fanta1682002 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2019
    Messages:
    1,175
    Likes Received:
    561
    wa very good route
     
  20. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Bringing this route to TSW2 along with a Brighton Mainline route would connect GWE to ECW and create a sort of mega route. Reading would seem slightly busier as would Brighton. The required trains are already in the game with tremendous scope to bring more in the future. Many different classes have worked these lines over the years.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  21. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    I never noticed until today that the Class 166 is run off the North Downs Line in TSW2. Such a shame that we cannot drive this route ourselves as well as the other GWE branches which also have the occasional train running off them in game.
     
  22. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2020
    Messages:
    1,921
    Likes Received:
    2,855
    Should be in service now.
     
  23. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2021
    Messages:
    9,084
    Likes Received:
    5,601
    Excellent idea and this should end at Reigate where North Downs Line joins BML. Links GWML London Paddington to reading and BML via Guildford. Class 769 standard if GWML London Paddington to reading is owned Class 166 layers in
     

Share This Page