The Great Eastern Mainline (GEML) is a historic railway line that connects London Liverpool Street with the city of Norwich in eastern England. The line was originally built in the mid-19th century and has undergone significant upgrades and electrification over the years. The electrification of the GEML began in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with the first electric services operating in the 60s. The line was fully electrified by the early 1980s, with the last section, from Colchester to Norwich, completed in 1987. The GEML passes through a number of important towns and cities, including Stratford, Ilford, Romford, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, and Norwich. Each station on the line has its own unique history and character, and many are still in use today. Liverpool St London Liverpool Street is the starting point for services on the GEML. This historic station opened in 1874 and was extensively rebuilt in the 1980s. Today, it is a major transport hub for east London and Essex, with services operated by several train companies, including Greater Anglia and the Elizabeth Line. Stratford Stratford station, located in the heart of the Olympic Park, is one of the busiest stations on the GEML. It serves as a major interchange for the Elizabeth Line, London Underground, Overground, and DLR, as well as National Rail services. Maryland Maryland station is a small station located just east of Stratford. It serves the local community and provides connections to other parts of London and Essex. Forest Gate Forest Gate station is located in the London Borough of Newham and provides access to local shops and amenities. It also has connections to other parts of London and Essex. Manor Park Manor Park station serves the Manor Park area of Newham and provides connections to other parts of London and Essex. Illford Ilford station is a major transport hub for the London Borough of Redbridge. It provides connections to other parts of London and Essex, as well as and East Anglia. Seven Kings Seven Kings station is located in the London Borough of Redbridge and provides access to local shops and amenities. It also has connections to other parts of London and Essex. Goodmayes Goodmayes station is a small station located in the London Borough of Redbridge. It serves the local community and provides connections to other parts of London and Essex. Chadwell Heath Chadwell Heath station is located in the London Borough of Redbridge and provides access to local shops and amenities. It also has connections to other parts of London and Essex. Romford Romford station is located in the London Borough of Havering and is a major transport hub for the local area. It provides connections to other parts of London and Essex, as well as the West Midlands and East Anglia. Gidea Park Gidea Park station is located in the London Borough of Havering and provides access to local shops and amenities. It also has connections to other parts of London and Essex. Harold Wood Harold Wood station is located in the London Borough of Havering and provides access to local shops and amenities. It also has connections to other parts of London and Essex. Brentwood Brentwood station is located in the town of Brentwood in Essex. It is a major transport hub for the local area, providing connections to other parts of Essex, as well as London and East Anglia. Shenfield Shenfield station is located in the town of Shenfield in Essex. It is a major transport hub for the local area, providing connections to other parts of Essex, as well as London and East Anglia. Ingatestone Ingatestone station is located in the village of Ingatestone in Essex. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Essex and London. Chelmsford Chelmsford station is located in the city of Chelmsford in Essex. It is a major transport hub for the region and provides connections to London, East Anglia, and the South East. Chelmsford station has a rich history, dating back to the 1840s when the original station was built. The current station was rebuilt in the 1970s and has since undergone a number of renovations and upgrades. Hatfield Peverel Hatfield Peverel station is a small station located in the village of Hatfield Peverel in Essex. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Essex and London. Witham Witham station is located in the town of Witham in Essex. It is a major transport hub for the local area, providing connections to other parts of Essex, as well as London and East Anglia. Kelvedon Kelvedon station is located in the village of Kelvedon in Essex. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Essex and London. Mark’s Tey Marks Tey station is located in the village of Marks Tey in Essex. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Essex and London. Colchester Colchester station is located in the town of Colchester in Essex. It is a major transport hub for the local area, providing connections to other parts of Essex, as well as London and East Anglia. The original station was built in the 1840s and has undergone a number of renovations and upgrades over the years. Manningtree Manningtree station is located in the town of Manningtree in Essex. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Essex and London. Ipswich Ipswich station is located in the town of Ipswich in Suffolk. It is a major transport hub for the region, providing connections to other parts of Suffolk, as well as London and East Anglia. The original station was built in the mid-19th century and has undergone a number of renovations and upgrades over the years. Needham Market Needham Market station is located in the village of Needham Market in Suffolk. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Suffolk and London. Stowmarket Stowmarket station is located in the town of Stowmarket in Suffolk. It is a major transport hub for the local area, providing connections to other parts of Suffolk, as well as London and East Anglia. Diss Diss station is located in the town of Diss in Norfolk. It provides access to local shops and amenities and has connections to other parts of Norfolk and London. Norwich Norwich is a city located in Norfolk and is the northern terminus of the Great Eastern Mainline. It is roughly 114 miles away from london and is served by Greater Anglia and East Midlands Railway. The rolling stock used on the GEML today consists mainly of Class 90 electric locomotives and Class 321 and Class 745 and Class 720 electric multiple units (EMUs). The Class 90 locomotives were introduced in the 1980s and are still in use today, primarily for hauling intercity and express services. This should be included as a future DLC as the class 90 can be used on a plethora of other routes. The Class 321 EMUs were introduced in the 1980s and have undergone a number of refurbishments over the years. They are mainly used for suburban and regional services on the GEML. The Class 745 EMUs were introduced in 2020 and are the newest addition to the GEML fleet. They are primarily used for intercity and express services and have a bimode alternative for non electrified routes The Class 720 is a close relative of the aventra family which is a group of locomotives designed and built by Bombadier. They are currently replacing the BREL built Class 321 EMUs Class 345s are also a relative of the Aventra family and are used on Elizabeth line Services from Liverpool street and South East/West London to Shenfield in Essex In conclusion, the Great Eastern Mainline is a historic railway line that connects London with Norwich, passing through a number of important towns and cities along the way. Each station on the line has its own unique history and character, and many are still in use today. The line was fully electrified in the 1980s and today is serviced by a fleet of modern rolling stock, including Class 345s/720s and Class 321 and Class 745 Multiple Units (MUs). It is a very nice and scenic route with the iconic Illford Depots and connects central and east London with Norfolk
Same goes for the one you proposed. It's an interesting route in general. My first exposure to it just happened to be with Class 86s and older EMUs so that's what I'm biased towards lol.
It’s hard to decide what era, really: The ‘50s has Thompson B1s, Britannias, and 306s. The ‘80s has 31s, 37s, 86s, 309s, and 315s. The ‘10s has 66s, 90s, 321s, and 360s.
80’s preferred also don’t forget the 305’s which were the workhorses of the outer suburban services. There is an outside chance this could be DTG’s newly teased UK route but modern era would be rather bland.
Excellent idea overall and this is a requested TSC route that must be made in TSW3. Keep in mind that Linke Rheinstrecke Koblenz Bingen Mainz was a train simulator Classic route that went Koblenz Bingen Mainz Frankfurt am Main Hbf. Speaking of this That is a Class 755 Electro-Diesel code E. PTG Rail has a video on how to do Hudless GEML ATS GU Sim is making Class 745/755 for TSC they should be brought back for TSW3 version
Brilliant idea. I'd be happy with a modern version with 345s, 720s and 745s. But ideally a 1993 version including 309/312/315/321 would be my favourite. I'd be surprised if DTG did London to Norwich in its entirety, so London to Ipswich would be likely, though I'd ideally want the Clacton/Walton branches as it's my local line.
Less stations, but is more than double the length at 113 (i think) miles. I'd be happy even with Liverpool St to Southend or Clacton at a push.
It's still areas of intensive human activity, so it takes development time to do it justice. If the TSC one never made it to Norwich, I doubt (but hope) the TSW one will. As long as we get the branch lines to Southend/ Southminster and maybe Braintree, I'm happy. 321 or the earlier 312s and I'm happy also!
The good news is that there's a new TSC version of the GEML being made that will go to Norwich. I think it'll be released by ATS, probably in time for their Stadler Flirt release.
Yes this definitely needs to come to TSW3/4 in the next 12 months!!! The TSC route has a Norwich extension.... wondering where you can get it? It would be amazing if DTG can do all the way to Norwich.....
They did Kassel Wurzberg.... Hopefully we get a new French route TGV... I see no problem with GEML, the Class 90s would break new ground. They could then use them in ECML and WCML routes, such as WCML over Trent etc. The class 360s would be amazing!!
The rolling stock used on the GEML today consists mainly of Class 90 electric locomotives and Class 321 and Class 745 and Class 720 electric multiple units (EMUs). The Class 90 locomotives were introduced in the 1980s and are still in use today, primarily for hauling intercity and express services. This should be included as a future DLC as the class 90 can be used on a plethora of other routes. Well I hope we get the Class 360s. Like in TSC.
I think the class 90s are long gone from this route now and as I type this sitting on a class 720, sadly so are the 321s. Great idea for a route in tsw3 though and really hope to see it.
I was hoping SD40 would respond so I could segway into the "more stations = shorter route" discussion but yeah.
I agree with you but these days class 90s Run Freight on this route. This is a Class 90 FKA combination
Wow that's an amazing video, almost as fast as the Bullet train!! Wow!! Now that would be amazing to have so much variety!! Thank you for sharing!
Crouch Valley (To Southend Vic & Southminster) is still available I think, but the freeware route to Norwich in Marketplace has been withdrawn and is getting a make-over for the ATS version coming soon. I Withdrawn from Marketplace now. If you downloaded it in time you can still use it though.
I made the Crouch Valley route for TSC. Would love to see that Branchline feature in Tsw along with the bit to Southend Victoria. And of course the rest of the Great Eastern. Great line with lots of variety for different stock and services.
Yes the GEML (and West Coast over Shap exactly as it was in TSC) is absolutely needed for TSW3!!! I think it won't be far away. There is a huge amount of interest in it. I'd love the same as they got in TSC. TSC I hate it because it stutters when you pass a train.... I love TSW3!!!!
I don't think they would do it modern. Like the class 720's 745's 345's. I want it back dated so like: Class 90's, Class 321's, Class 170s. Because to be honest. Greater Anglia's new trains are kinda rubbish.
Agree, I would love to see the GEML but it would have to be done pre 745s, 720s etc for me to buy it.
As much as I'd love to see a BR-era or even pre-2019 version of the route DTG's propensity to release routes with no more than one type or two types of rolling stock would leave this line looking pretty bare. At least a 2023 version looks realistic with just 2 types of unit. Anyway, it's all not going to happen because Kent-based DTG have only ever released one DLC for Essex in 15 years and their current release strategy is focused on London Midland region or Kent. We'll have 3 different routes to Chatham before anything gets released to the north of the Thames Estuary.
I would suggest that the current 'release strategy' for UK Content is just "avoid London at all costs", because of how much people were getting fed up with it. MML (East Midlands), Peak Forest (also East Midlands), BCC (West Midlands), EDN (Scotland - Central) and Glossop Line (Greater Manchester / East Midlands) is quite a fair spread (including 3rd parties), considering that the Midland region is a very large grooming of regions. I think Anglia and Essex are, at the moment, is just an issue of licensing. Greater Anglia branding has never appeared in any TSC or TSW Product, so that's a sticking point. Same applies for C2C.
