His replacement has also nearly guaranteed all domestic restrictions in England will be lifted on the 19th too.
On today's update. Quote from the article: "Finally, we're still not quite ready to confirm the final make-up of the West Cornwall Local route as the team are evaluating the scope of the project. It may end up being larger than it is currently, hence the delay in releasing full details." "...the team are evaluating the scope of the project. It may end up being larger than it is currently" This could (reasonably) lead to two things; 1) A 3rd train (either a 2nd reused or 2nd new one) 2) The route being made longer. Maybe to Par? With the Newquay & Falmouth Branches? Why do I think this? Well if it's (potentially) larger try name any other options. Also, Cornwall is quite a scenic place, you are going to want to do as much to serve it justice as you can. And Rivet's pace has so far been Slow & Steady, which implies to me that they are going to try make this as good as they can, which I feel reinforces my thoughts here. As for the train - why else would a potential upgrade of the route hold back on the included trains? Because the trains must be (potentially) changed or another one added to the list. So fingers crossed.
So excited for the 150. Would LOVE for it to be longer. Would rather the route longer than extra locos but will have to wait and see
From the responses on the forums, an extension to Plymouth or the Falmouth Branch would seem the be the extensions of choice. I can’t see Plymouth being the option due to the distance so Falmouth would be the obvious choice. I had the pleasure of travelling on this for the first time a couple of years ago and would personally welcome this. However the extension of the project may refer to an extra train being provided.
If there was to be another train produced for the route, I wonder it might be. Possibly a 158 for regional services on the main line or even an IET if set in more recent times? I agree that the Falmouth Line would be very nice if it was included as I do like a branch Line, but I'm not holding out for anything extra.
The Class 150 is welcome news. Wonder if we’ll see the Falmouth branch or even an extension to the main line, maybe St Austell, Par or even Bodmin Parkway..
I had a poke on Wikipedia about what trains Penzance depot (I think it was, I’ve slept) serviced. That may yield potentials.
They have may have listened about no point going to Truro, if you don't include Falmouth. They are going to the effort of making the 150, you might as well give it two branches to run on? That would be my expectation? D
Surely the expanded scope is either Falmouth, or they're adding in the Night Riviera. Either would be sensible moves, I'm glad they are considering doing that I'd certainly rather wait a little longer for something with more play value.
Night Riviera doesnt fit their phrase of "It may end up being larger than it is currently, hence the delay in releasing full details." It means more track surely? Lets see where they go!
OK. Have they also said they're making the DLC itself larger (ie possibly extending the route, increasing the amount of included trains, etc)?
I think it depends on what you read as "scope". The quote is :-"Work is continuing on other projects. Cane Creek was pushed back slightly but is still expected to release very soon. Finally, we're still not quite ready to confirm the final make-up of the West Cornwall Local route as the team are evaluating the scope of the project. It may end up being larger than it is currently, hence the delay in releasing full details." If you are interested in trains, then you read it as there being 'larger number of trains'. If you are concerned about the shortness of the line then you see it as being a 'longer route'. "the scope of the project" Its a huge kettle of fish, which anyone can choose the mackerel or cod. D
With the announcement of the 150, I think that almost necessarily implies the Falmouth branch because that's where they run. The only other place they run in the area is the St Ives Bay line, which just runs to St Erth. That still leaves a train needed to run the main line, which in this period could only be the 158 (plus the occasional HST)
Before Caste sets and 158s came in class 150s (and 153s) were very frequent on the Plymouth to Penzance service. The 158s used to run on Bristol to Taunton, Weymouth, Cardiff, Portsmouth and Great Malvern services before the 165/166s were moved to this area. The 158s were then moved to Devon and Cornwall
The 150's ran the plymouth- penzance shuttle, before the now Castle Class taking over the slack. When after privatisation the government of the time reduced the number of HST's going to Penzance- even threatening at one point during the mid 1990's to close the line west of Plymouth. There were originally a direct London train every hour. But that got reduced to once every 2 hours ish with the 150's doing the shuttle enabling you to connect with the London train at Plymouth. One could still get to London (or Penzance in reverse) every hour, but it meant changing at Plymouth! So, the point of the ramble is- depending on the date this is set, the 150's will be doing a there and back every other hour and the HST will be the alternate. D
We didn't said that, but we're looking into options. Please stay patient for a little longer, we'll announce the details as soon as we can. Oh and btw, happy to see your excitement about the class 150!
I would suspect a /2 also, as they run that line now, and did back in the time period give for this route
Definitely happy about the 150. I too hope it's the /2 as it's what I'd wager most think of when 150s are mentioned, not to mention them being much more common. I really hope they get the sound right, I'm praying they get AP in to do that as I don't want this iconic DMU to just have a generic diesel engine sound. As for the other train (if there will be one), I'd be more surprised if they didn't include a HST, what's more interesting is if they reskin the existing one or do a Valenta version. In terms of the route being extended I definitely think the Falmouth branch is more likely, but who knows what will happen.
*Baseless Speculation Warning* Perhaps, there is a plan to include a HST, which may have originally been planned as a reskin of the existing GWR model, but is now being considered with a newly built model, (perhaps with a Valenta engine) as part of an "expanded scope" for the project. I have no reasoning as to why that could be a possibility but it would certainly be an interesting thing to consider. As usual, when we are given a morsel of information we let our imaginations run wild, so forgive me for having speculative thoughts on the matter.
It’s good to see Rivet are reading this tread but if you want a longer route, please add a comment on their forum too. The more that’s heard may make a difference in the long run. https://forums.rivet-games.com/forum/general-chat-en
I mean they did already say previously it would be 1 new train, 1 Reused so the HST would fit the latter.
Unfortunately, right now we have a date bracket which is broad enough to include BR or First, Valentas or MTUs. We just can't know yet.
Given that Rivet has said they are looking into options, It might be possible to get an extension to Plymouth. According to thetrainline, the distance is 64 miles, and given Risea - Dresden in 65, this is viable for route expansion and also makes a BR Blue HST Viable
I doubt it, the longest route Rivet have done is 16miles. They'll most likely keep building the route length a bit longer to every route they release. When TSW was released, DTG did not keep doing 60/70 mile long routes they gradually built up. As we know the route currently (Penzance to St Ives and Truro) the route is 30miles. Routes in TSW around 30mi: RRO, HRR, BKL, TVL, WSR & NEC New York. Some routes fall underneath this bracket.
It’s all just speculation as always, but I’d prefer a network rather than an end to end Plymouth to Penzance route. Truro - Falmouth, would be a fantastic addition, or even up to Par and include Par - Newquay. I think pretty much fair to say we’re getting 150/2 and HST, which is pretty much 100% accurate (apart from a Voyager and Sleeper Stock) for the route.