General description Drive along this beautiful southwest Wales (Cymru) coastal 71-mile route during the late 80s (around 1989) hauling long freight and passenger trains in train sim world 4 on the South Wales (Cymru) main line: Barry and Swansea to Bristol. Intro Hello, I would like to suggest the South Wales (Cymru) main line (Swansea and barry to bristol) for Train Sim World 3 because it is a very scenic route and includes the vale of Glamorgan line a great branch line for drivers wanting a fast and slow-paced services. Plus this route is set in south Wales meaning there is a ton of freight services to operate that would be worth the while. This is why I think this will be a great route for Train Sim World 3. Rolling stock Motive power Br class 116 DMU (blue and grey with Welsh dragons). The class 116 is a 2-3 car Suburban first generation DMU that was used on short high density services in the UK (Britain, wales/cymru and scotland etc). For this route they will be operating stopping services on the mainline from bristol to swansea and the vale of glamorgan line where they operate from cardiff central to barry, barry island plus Penarth not Bridgend as that section of track was closed at the time of this route. The reason I chose to include this dmu in the route is because of one the iconic welsh dragon symbol (shown above) that was used to designate the trains to the Welsh (cyrmu) valley lines which includes the vale of Glamorgan line but was also found on members of the class operating on the mainline. Also, I think this train would be great for the route as it would need the vale of Glamorgan line and it was the only train, I could find that wouldn't be another version of the class 150 or the class 108 (from my other suggestion) that would work for the route. As I thought it would make this route suggestion really cheap due to it having rolling stock basically copied from another route which is why I think the class 116 should be apart of the route. Br class 56 freight loco (Railfreight grey large arrow, Railfreight coal, metal and construction sector liveries). The class 56 heavy freight locomotive that started the second generation of diesel locos in Britain and the first diesel in the Uk to be built in Romania. The class would become infamous for some due to reliability issues but also famous for rail enthusiasts as it was found hauling many long freights across the whole of the Uk and are still in service today nearly 50 years old. Now for this route the class will operate long coal and iron trains on the mainline. I think the class should be added due to it being a great freight train that could layer out to other routes and provides a challenge for the driver. Also, on a personal note I saw it on Hornby's website (model rail company and not advertising) in metals sector livery named 'the Cardiff rod mill' which made me suggest this whole suggestion just because of one great loco. Br class 43 HST (intercity executive and swallow). I will make this brief by skipping this train and why I think it should be added as it is the class 43 hst which is self-explanatory on why it should be added as it is a train majority of people reading this would know. Now on the route put very simply this train would operate express services on this route from swansea to britsol. Br class 37 mixed traffic loco (Br blue large logo Railfreight metal and coal). As with the class 43 I will not be talking about its history as most people would know it as it and the class 43 are already in the game. However, for this class I will explain why I chose to add it as it is a long but I'll make it short story. The reason I chose to add this class is I wanted a semi fast train for this route operating services on the mainline the options I had were this class or the class 156 (due to the class 155 being sent elsewhere at the time of this). I ended up picking the former as it would allow the route to add mk1s and more freight services which before the train was thought of for this route it would've been barely any. Logo that would be on class 37's and 56's (if in railfreight liveries due to it being found on the locomotives) Wagons PUA open wagon (bauxite) MGR coal wagon (Railfreight) BOV wagon (Railfreight) no image due to copyright Br 16 ton mineral wagon (bauxite) more next page
Br mk 1 (blue and grey) Br mk 3 trailer (intercity executive and swallow) Freightliner container wagon layering IN for this route layering will be class 47 with mk2s for passenger trains, class 37 from wcl for services on the route, NTP freight wagons for additional freight services, TVL wagons for extra freight services and locos from aforementioned route excluding class 20 for services on the route. Scenarios OUT All stock would layer out to routes of similar era. Scenarios If you have any suggestions for any including difficulty, fun names, interesting parts etc feel free to add them below so I can add them here with your permission. Training Will be on and off route depends on what people prefer.
Notable stations Bristol temple meads. Cardiff central Swansea Newport barry island Timetable I couldn't find one but If you know where I can please tell me. DLC Only one I have in mind dis a 1990s class 60 one with new wagons but any suggestions of dlc you have please tell me. Finals words I hope you enjoyed this suggestion which took me nearly 2 hours and I hope DTG might make this a route in the future. Sources and questions If you wondering what sources I used or have any questions feel free to post them below. Also any suggestions of anything on this route feel free to post on here and I'll try to add it to the main post.
Holyhead to Barry would be a bit of a trek... The SWML goes from Swansea towards Bristol, with the South wales coastal going on to Camarthen and then places like Milford haven, Fishguard Harbour and Pembroke Dock
thanks and in my opinion I prefer BR era routes over modern uk routes as the latter is being done to much. Like its the only uk thing dtg is doing.
100% agree mate. I would really love to start to see the trains of my childhood in game as all these modern units are starting to get a bit samey now.
Bring it on and why not set this the same time as West Cornwall Local that way Class 150/2 can layer in to the route. Speaking of HST is that a MTU version or Paxman Valenta engine version? For the 1980s version have you considered WCL layering here or not?
I would very much love to see this route set in this period. I agree a decent length BR period route is overdue. I would love to see a class 116 DMU, I don't think it has been in any simulator, not even Diesel Railcar simulator. I remember Tyseley sets very fondly in the 1980's.
I was going to however because of it's livery (regional railway's livery) and the way it looks I couldn't add it plus issue with when the route is set. Like at the time class 150s had windows on their cab doors and were in regional railways livery if I were to change the era the class 116's would be lost due to being withdrawn during the early 1990s. Also by the 1990s there were less freight services despite class 60's being introduced.
Yes the late 80's was far more interesting. A Provincial liveried class 150 could layer in. The Regional Railways livery wasn't widespread on the class 150's until around 1995. In 1993 all Lairas class 150/2 fleet were still in the Provincial livery.
Bring it on, perfect era - could even sneak in my all time favourite DMU, the Class 120 Swindon Cross Country.
I believe the class 120s were withdrawn by the time of this route but I could make it dlc for like a 70s version of the line.
Class 120's left South Wales in 1985 if I remember correctly. C615 and C616 were the last sets. Cardiff had about 15 Class 101's to work West Wales and Heart of Wales services and a number of 116's to work the Valley Lines. Many services west of Cardiff were worked by Class 33s and 47s with Mark 1 stock up to 1986, with the 33s replaced by 37/4's until the Sprinters arrived in 1987. At this point a number of Class 108's arrived from the North West of England to replace the 101's. Class 155's took over the Portsmouth, Crewe and West Country runs from 1988.
When I was doing my research at the time of the route the class 155s weren't around due to reliability problems so class 156s operated on the line. I found a ton of old photos and videos or trains around stations like cardiff or newport during the late 80s and I didn't see any 155s only 156s. Also class 47s in the videos were pulling what I think were mk2as possibly for some cross country services.
156's substituted for a period when door issues with the 155's were resolved. The 47 plus Mark 1 finished around 1987. Those with Mark 2abc were likely working to Create and those with Mark 2def would be working beyond Birmingham to Leeds/York/Newcastle.
Good idea and if another 1980s route had a Class 150/2 Provincial Railways paint then it will combine with Class 155 & 156 on South Wales Coastal
Absolutely cracking idea, I suggested this route recently albeit in the modern day, this needs to feature in TSW in the future, this and the North Wales Coast as well to keep that side of Wales happy too
Would a provincial railways liveried class 150/2 have the window where the gangway door is or is that only for the early sprinter liveried variant.
The 150/0's and the 150/1's which were the first interation of the class 150 had the non gangwayed front with the three windows. It would have been the 150/2 variant which were operated by BR Provincial sector in the 80's. The 150/1's went to Derby, Tyseley and Newton Heath, they were seen in Wales but on the Cambrian and presumably the North Wales Coast. It was long after privitisation till any class 150/1's were seen in the south west.
150/1's did work the Cardiff-Birmingham service briefly before the 155's were introduced. I have a picture of one taken at Gloucester. PS, your profile picture, is that around the back of Landore depot?
Ah okay, thanks, I stand corrected, I remember them on New Street to Hereford services I hadn't realised they were used on the Cardiff services. I do remember the class 155's coming through Stourbridge Junction before they were routed down the Lickey route. I suspect a 150/2 would be a more useful choice though and 150/1 would be nice to have in the sim. I think it (the photo) is taken from round the Landore area. It is a central Wales line service I am sure.
I think it (the photo) is taken from round the Landore area. It is a central Wales line service I am sure.[/QUOTE] Two units, so more likely headed for West Wales, where I remember them in the 70s & *0s
Two units, so more likely headed for West Wales, where I remember them in the 70s & *0s[/QUOTE] Ah okay, good memories I would imagine. Sadly I was too young to have been able to travel to see the class 120's in operation, by the time I was old enough there were only a handful in Scotland which was too far away. I would love to see them with a suitable route in the sim but sadly they either aren't modern enough or don't have a funnel!
Ah okay, good memories I would imagine. Sadly I was too young to have been able to travel to see the class 120's in operation, by the time I was old enough there were only a handful in Scotland which was too far away. I would love to see them with a suitable route in the sim but sadly they either aren't modern enough or don't have a funnel![/QUOTE] if this route were made it could come out as a loco bundle that just changes the livery of every train on the route.
The reason I mainly chose the 80s was we are getting a bit to much modern uk routes and it would be better if they start making some set during the 80s as it has barely been covered.
I would like to see the 70's for the chance to get some Class 120 Cross Country DMU's in there but mid to late eighties would be quite interesting... Still plenty of heritage DMU's and loco hauled trains about, but Sprinter stock (150's and 155's) also creeping in. HST's were solid Paxman Valenta.
Class 120s need to be in a route where they wouldn't be overshadowed by any famous rolling stock like the ones I've suggested for this.route.
I am interested in any BR routes that would provide more first generation dmus. Although the Class 101 was in widespread use across the UK, I have far more recollection of the Derby based types such as Class 115, 116, 117, 121 etc.
And the Class 120!!!! Also Cravens tended to pop up in all sorts of places, even seen pictures of them on the now largely closed former GNSR network north of Aberdeen.
Derby 108's were in many places too especially by the mid 80's. I would argue they would be more useful than a class 101 especially for the current BR routes in TSW. Something like Bristol to Weymouth would suit the 120 nicely or Cardiff to Birmingham both set in the 1970's. The chances of seeing routes and stock which would be regarded as niche by DTG are almost nil. It doesn't sound like at the moment they would even do a 1980's version of the Riviera line which you would think would be very popular.
Indeed, I think if one DMU type comes it will probably be a 108, there being several preserved examples on heritage railways so no excuse for not getting accurate details and sounds etc.
Class 120 is a good suggestion. The Class 123 (although rarely if ever seen in Wales) were a staple of semi fast Western services.
I am sure the 123's operated out of Canton before ending up on the London division, or was it after, and before they went to Hull to supplement the 124's. A 123 would be lovely but the 120's were far more numerous.
https://www.railcar.co.uk/type/class-123/operations This website agrees with you. Cardiff, then London
Out of all the DMUs I have always had a soft spot for and had some excellent journeys on 108s. Would be brilliant to see them in game one day.
Experienced my first on train fatality travelling on a 108, at Aslockton between Grantham and Nottingham of all places. As I was sitting at the back looking at the rearward view, wasn't the nicest thing I saw that day... Apologies for slightly morbid aside!
Class 123s could only be included if route was backdated to the 70s. As they were all scrapped by the time of this route.
I think the 123’s might have briefly appeared on Cardiff to Portsmouth services, but more common on the North and West when the service was DMU operated or the London Division semi fast outer suburban services.
As the class is extinct it might be near impossible to accurately recreate it in the game as they wouldn't have any recorded sound for them which is a hassle. Also from what I've just accidentally found out months after your post but from what i have read they never showed up on any services to Portsmouth, though surprisingly I learnt they operated up to Crewe from Cardiff during the late 70 before being sent to hull. Class 123 DMU Operations (railcar.co.uk)
The class 114 and 115 DMU's used the same engines of which there are a few preserved so getting recordings might be possible. I think in such situations most would accept something as close as possible even if it wasn't the exact sound.
The third image from the bottom of the page you linked to shows a Class 123 at Portsmouth & Southsea, and there are more relevant images on the following page.
