Yep. London - Faversham. Again. Well, hear me out. The Chatham Mainline has been requested quite a few times I've seen. After all SEHS was a high-speed focused route (in my opinion the Kent Section is better but that's just me) So I am suggesting this to serve Southeastern and it's network with a truly Commuter-based route. Introduction The Chatham Mainline is a key is busy commuter corridor in the south of Wales, this proposal being the line between London Victoria and Faversham with the line branch to Sheerness (also well-requested) Route Length 53 Miles Operations Operators Southeastern Rolling Stock Included (With route) Class 375 Class 377 Layers from SEHS Class 395 Javelin DLC (not potential, just DLC.) Class 465 + 466 'Pack' (466 new) Services I couldn't find info on what train does what service outside the obvious Javelin services. 1tph Victoria to Faversham [Ramsgate] (Commuter Trains) 1tph Victoria to Faversham (Dover) (Commuter Trains) 1tph Victoria to Faversham via Gillingham & Catford Loop (Dover) (Commuter Trains) 1tph [St Pancras] Rochester - Faversham (Class 395) 1tph [St Pancras] Rochester - Faversham [Ashford via Dover then St Pancras] 2tph Sittingbourne - Sheerness-on-sea (Class 466, Class 375) 2tp-peak Victoria - Sheerness (Westbound in Morning, Eastbound in Evening) (Class 466/375) 1tpd Sheerness - Gillingham (Class 466/375) Stations Terminus Stations in Bold (Branches in Brackets) Depots, Yards & Sidings in Italics ------------------------------------ London Victoria (Catford Loop branches off) ------------------------------------ Mainline: Brixton Beckenham Jcn. Shortlands ------------------------------------ Loop: Denmark Hill Peckham Rye Nunhead Crofton Park Catford Bellingham Beckenham Hill Ravensbourne ------------------------------------ (Lines Meet again) Bromley South St Mary Cray Swanley Farningham Road Longfield Meopham Sole Street Rochester Chatham Gillingham Rainham Newington (Junction to Sheerness Branch) ------------------------------------ Kemsley Swale Queenborough Sheerness-on-sea ------------------------------------ (Mainline) Sittingbourne Teynham Faversham Route facts: 53 Miles long Has 31 Stations Modern Day to fit in with SEHS Reasoning: Read the first paragraph. Thanks for reading.
A good suggestion. I think many will agree, me included, that the high speed part of Southeastern High Speed was the worst part. Going mostly through tunnels and a lack of stopping at stations is dull. Hopefully we get another commuter-focused Southeastern route like the one you mentioned or similar.
I'd like this and would happily purchase it. It's maddening having to end London Victoria-bound trains at Gravesend, and that will only get more frustrating when LV-B opens up!
Excellent Idea and for this route if made by DTG 375 & 377 DLC Class 465 & 466 can layer here onto SEHS and implement a linked route with SEHS. In the case of SEHS Classes 377 375 465 & 466 final stop shared by Class 395 which goes to St Pancras do you wish to continue to London Victoria Yes or No? If Yes Chatham Main Line boots up for you assuming both Chatham Main Line & SEHS are owned. On the other hand, no gives you these options return to Main Menu Continue Journey, and return to free roam.
I should also add that this poses a lot of pros to dovetail should they make the route. 1) It's local again 2) It's also on Train Simulator 3) Southeastern are clearly willing to work with them 4) All trains have been prior made (I imagine the 377 would need a couple of changes from the original) 5) The section between Faversham & Rochester has already been built (a few things could be better but thats minor fixes) 6) A small part of the scenery at the junction for Sheerness sets that up as well. 7) London Victoria, it's surrounding scenery and the track layout will show in Brighton Mainline. 8) As you see in my route linking https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/route-linking.40393/ suggestion, there could be an opportunity to connect with BML and SEHS 9) People are likely to get behind it, considering how many requests it has had.
I have to ask, what's the difference between a 465 & a 466? Is it length? Do we need yet another EMU? Nice idea for a route ☺️
They are both EMU Networkers and run on 750 DC Third Rail. A difference between them is that, the 465 has 4 coaches and the 466 has 2 coaches. Also, the train formations with the 465 and 466 together can be: 6, 8 and 10 coaches.
Excellent idea. Thank you very much for suggesting the Chatham Mainline. It is one of my favourite UK Mainline routes, and we can have a Southeastern route that does include the Class 466 Networker.
I should add in regards to the Class 465/466 'Bundle'. This would be the current Class 465 DLC. The 466 would only come on this route (so not SEHS) and would be what I call a 'Dual-DLC' where the requirement is SEHS OR Chatham Main.
Yes! Would love this! Though have you considered the branch to Orpington as well? I think it would be worth it (and also I know the area and am biased...)
It would make sense to include the Orpington branch as there is a 4tph service that operates between Orpington and London Victoria along this route, plus i think the train simulator version of this route includes the Orpington branch as well
Nice suggestion but I think its time the north or the Midlands get something modern. Plus we already have enough electrostars
I'd much prefer the North Kent Lines... The CML services tend to run fast from VIC to Bromley South and then fast again to Longfield. North Kent lines would run from Gravesend to Dartford (2tph, class 465 for the main) where the line then essentially splits into three, via Sidcup, Bexley and Woolwich. Joining up with the Kent Mainline and with another split at Charlton (one going to Lewisham, the other via Greenwich) the lines then converge between Lewisham and Millwall (just after New Cross) and go on through London Bridge to Cannon Street and Charing Cross. this would give huge service possibilities for the 465 and if they wanted to remodel the 375 into the 376 this would complete the whole line Add to this you could then run aggregate and oil services from South of Strood and from Hoo / Cliffe all the way to Lewisham junction There are stabling sidings at Dartford, Plumstead, depot at Hither Green and Slade Green and a freight depot at Hither Green too. This gives much greater service flexibility than the CML ***EDIT*** All of the above discounts the class 700 because I don't think it'll be in game for a long while. The 700 runs from Rainham to Gravesend then onto Dartford (additional 2tph to the above) then Abbey Wood, Woolwich Arsenal, Charlton then all stations via Greenwich to London Bridge before taking the spur off towards Blackfriars and Luton / St Albans City
Not to be rude, but maybe it's not the time for another south of England 3rd rail commuter route. I'd much rather see some electrified mainlines north of London. Your suggestion is still good, but in my opinion DTG has to wait a while before doing another route like this (definetely now BML is coming).
I mean the majority of my recent-ish suggestion have been north and/or West: South Wales Network - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/south-wales-network-class-800-143-150.40378/ North Clyde Line - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...helensburgh-balloch-airdrie-springburn.39708/ ECML North - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/east-coast-mainline-edinburgh-newcastle.37930/ ECML Scotland & Fife Circle - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/east-coast-mainline-edinburgh-dundee.40384/ Riviera & Avocet Lines - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/riviera-avocet-lines-exmouth-paignton.39682/ West Highland Line North - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/west-highland-line-fort-william-to-mallaig.39700/ Ayrshire Coast & Paisley Canal Lines - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/ayrshire-coast-paisley-canal-lines.38687/ The main reason I suggested this was so Southeastern Commuter services would finally get to London. I personally would rather something northern however considering the poor way that the HS1 section is I would like to see this. But I agree, the rest of the uk needs more.
The only thing I have against this (right now) is that we don't have any traction for that area, and knowing DTG would probably only produce one train for the line you'd have a very barren looking run through North London.
I think if this route were to be done, the opportunity should be taken to go retro, i.e. pre high speed anything, when CEPs (BEPs), VEPs and EPBs worked the trains. One of my favourite routes in old MSTS was the London and South East add on.
I'd love to see this, having spent much of my life commuting back and forth on it. My best friend even drove trains on part of it, from Orpington and Sevenoaks to Victoria. From a gameplay perspective it's also an interesting and challenging route, especially keeping the speed right going into London. Would be nice to get the Catford and Herne Hill branches like in Train Simulator if possible.
