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.
A few images of the North Downs Line. Class 206 Tadpole Class 119 Class 166 Turbo Class 769 Flex Tri Mode View (likely from Boxhill)
Class 33s were used on additional peak services until 1977, this light engine seen at Betchworth. Class 101s supplemented the 119s during the late 80s and early 90s, this one seen at Gatwick Airport.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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