As a big fan of all UK content, I personally feel that at least a couple of routes need reworking or at least tweaking to bring them up to more recent standards. In particular..... Great Western Express deserves to have the missing branch lines added which are... Old Oak Common to Northolt for a few random runs. West Ealing to Greenford. Southall to Brentford Waste Terminal. West Drayton to Thorney Mill and Colnbrook for stone/oil services. Slough to Windsor Central. Maidenhead to Bourne End and Marlow. Twyford to Henley on Thames. Reading to Basingstoke. I have deliberately omitted the Heathrow branch as licensing and security issues persist. East Coastway desperately needs... Wivelsfield to Lewes line which presently forms a bit of a black hole. Missing AI Brighton Mainline services. As it currently stands, these missing lines are conspicuous in their absence with no foreseeable way to ever include them otherwise. By recent standards these 2 routes in particular are somewhat lacking compared to the rest. Perhaps these additional sections will reinvigorate interest in these fairly overlooked and often neglected routes by adding additional gameplay options.
I think GWE's would be really good if it stayed in the era it is and went to Oxford and Swindon - on top of the branches you mentioned. I know the era it currently sits in is fairly awkward with regards to future add-ons and such, but it's unique and is part of the TSW Route's Character. At the same time, it would be good to bring in a 165. This would bring GWE from; 16 Stations | ~36 Miles to 26 Stations | ~101 Miles So, probably just about possible. Certainly would be worth it, though. All the branch lines, a proper mainline experience to Swindon from London. It would be glorious!
As far as locomotive dlc is concerned, GWE requires 4 main types to add variety as follows... Class 57 with Mk3 Sleeper stock Either Class 59, 60 or 70 for freight work Class 165 particularly for branch services Class 180 for express and semi fast services Possibly Class 360 for Heathrow Connect services as far as Hayes and Harlington.
Exactly what I have been requesting for so long now. It seems so unloved, especially when compared to the vast amount of additions and dlc given to routes such as SEHS. The only dlc ever on GWE was the period inaccurate DLoGW which gave us nothing from the 2015 period.
Yes, I'd love to see GWE get some love but I think TVL or NTP would be better candidates than ECW as although technically it isn't complete ECW doesn't feel as if it's crying for more.
To be fair, while I'd happily love to see all the routes you mentioned get updated, regarding ECW I'd say it definitely does need an update due to, among others: - Missing London Victoria to Eastbourne/Ore services in timetable mode - The lack of AI traffic at Brighton compared with London Commuter - As an extra maybe even the inclusion of DMU services with the Class 171 to represent Ashford Intl services which once in the past went all the way to Brighton instead of just Eastbourne nowadays for more variety and interesting gameplay to the timetable - Extension of the route to Ore
Extend GWE to Bristol (TM) and add a 800 and 345 with wires, and we basically have a Mainline. 113 miles, 27 stations (we get the 387s in a new GWR livery and 166s are made compatible for LD) and yeah that’s a good route
East Coastway extend to Ashford from Eastbourne and be Brighton to Ashford International where it meets up with SEH distance is 61 Mi 55 chains from railmiles Engine. Tees Valley Line Bishop Auckland extension with Pacer Class 60 prototype or Pacer 1989 colours with Class 58
Yes don't disagree but the base of all those reasons can be applied to many other old routes too (e.g. lack of AI, obvious extensions etc). Like I say don't disagree though.
To have extensions and everything don't they have to rebuild the route entirely I can't see that happening although I would love it to
Absolutely. With quite a few of the more recent TSW 3 routes not being as interesting, I'd certainly prefer to see some of the older routes get a complete timetable and TOD 4 update instead of always having brand-new routes.
I am glad that SEHS received a rebuild to include Ashford International and Dartford as destinations but I fail to understand why this is the only route to receive such treatment, not to mention the impressive amount of locomotive dlc it has received and is still due to get when GWE and ECW (amongst others) are just as deserving with so many missing parts. I had a thought regarding NTP as well. If rebuilt, it might be nice to see the DC Bury line added from Manchester Victoria to Bury featuring the Class 504 EMUs. Not a particularly long route but more gameplay options as well as better populating Manchester Victoria.
It was done out of popularity and to show that dtg can extend routes which required a full rebuild from upgrading the existing track, adding new track, remaking the timetable, new signaling, etc. Basically creating a whole new route. Wasn't possible before until now.
Perhaps it is time to remaster some of the other deserving routes now. Especially, as I said, those that are now lagging behind.
I think if GWE was remastered it should be in the phase where the newer 387’s, and IET’s were running alongside the older locos. Just because when it comes to people wanting GWE to get remastered or something like that there is a fine line between people that want the time period untouched and people that want a current day version
So your thinking of GWE being set around 2017-2019 as that's when both diesels and electrics operated on the route together.
These are the two older routes which for me would be the priority to be extended, they should have been longer in the first place. Although I would settle for ECW going to Ore, Ashford would be wonderful though, but would require a class 171. Most of the DMU services on TVL go on from Darlington to Bishop Auckland so whilst that short branchline wasn't added is beyond me.
Needed locos: -NS, CSX, and UP GP40-2s -BNSF ET44C4s; UP, CSX, and NS ET44ACs -BNSF C44-9Ws/AC44C4Ms, B40-8Ws, GP50s/GP25s, SD70MACs, SD60Ms, GP60s/GP60Bs/GP60M(-3)s, SD75Ms/SD75Is -UP GP60s/GP62s, C4460ACs/C44ACMs, SD90-43MACs, SD70Ms, C45ACCTEs, C45AHs -CSX ET44AHs, ES44AHs, CW60AHs/ES46AHs, SD70ACs, SD80MACs, SD40-3s, GP38-3s, GP40-3s, ET23DCMs -NS ET44ACs, AC44C6Ms, SD70ACUs, SD80MACs, SD70ACCs, SD70ACes, GP60s, GP50s, GP59s/GP59ECOs/GP33ECOs, SD40Es, SD60Es -CN ET44ACs, ES44ACs, C44-9Ws, SD70M-2s, SD75Is/SD75ACCs, SD40-2Ws, GP38-2Ws, GP40-2Ws -Amtrak: P42DC and/or P32AC-DM Genesis, ALC-42 Charger, P32-8BWH -British: Class 55 Deltic, Class 70, Class 67, Class 59, Class 60, Flying Scotsman, Mallard, LMS Black Five, GWR Castle Class, Hall-Class -New updates for routes: -Cajon Pass extended to Yermo, Mojave, and/or West Colton; add operations at Victorville cement plant and grain silos at Verdemont; include cement hoppers, new grain hoppers, and other rolling stock. -Extend the Cane Creek route to maybe Ogden or Green River, and include the dirty dirt cars in the expansion.
Get it now and if TVL went to Bishop Auckland that's where the Class 142-144 Pacers should be running them just like 1989 since those entered service in 1986-1989. If one has WCL with TVL Bishop Auckland to Saltburn the Pacer will run with Class 150/2 like 2019-2021 due to their non accessibility compliance while Class 150/2 is RVAR 2010 compliant
They should do it like they did with Sherman Hill, Loco dlc or so and then scenery/route improvements! SMH stuff was very welcoming by the community so why not doing this by other routes?!
Well, not in my idea. I would keep it as it is, era-wise, so no Elizabeth line. And heathrow won't happen due to licensing/security issues
So, as a recap, I think that the following rebuilds should be implemented.... GWE with added Thames Valley passenger and freight branch lines and Class 57 Sleeper, 165 Turbo and 180 Adalente dlcs. ECW with added Wivelsfield branch and Brighton Mainline AI traffic. Maybe even extension to Ore or better still, Hastings for additional variety. NTP with added Bury DC line with Class 504 and Class 141 Pacer dlc for Huddersfield to Leeds services as when launched in 1984. Perhaps also the Class 123 and 124 dmus for Transpennine services as in their twilight period. TVL with added route to Bishop Auckland along with dlc Class 56 for freight work and Class 142 or 143 Pacer for variety on passenger services. Added Boulby branch. I believe that these additions would make rebuilds worthwhile and bring these older routes into parity with more recent releases. It might even prompt a resurgence of interest in these great but somewhat neglected routes. I hope that the powers that be at DTG give these proposals serious consideration.
I would also stipulate the Boulby extension for TVL. ECW, think I would prefer to see that reach Hastings.
East Coastway is both one of my favourite routes as well as the most disappointing. I was excited when it was announced in 2020, but I was instantly frustrated upon realising that DTG only made half the route and neglected Eastbourne - Ore. I don't see any changes coming to this route anytime soon, especially when the mistake of "Polgate" (should be Polegate) has remained uncorrected since the DLC was released. I think they should have at least put AI traffic on platforms 1 and 2 towards and from London Victoria rather than having it look like an abandoned area. I hope DTG extends to Ore and maybe bridges the Lewes - Wivlesfield stretch of the line, as well as making further improvements, but for now, at least, I am not going to hold my breath.
I suppose it depends how much community pressure is applied as any business cannot afford to ignore its customers. If enough of us really want it, it could theoretically happen.
Yes any improvement to the existing routes would be good, but more time is spent on bringing out new routes it looks like .The GWE route is basically just a straight line which is a shame, I rarely play this route because it isn't that exiting at least this route definately needs some improvements
Exactly what I have been suggesting for at least a few years now. Paddington to Reading is not a true route without the Thames Valley branches as they are completely integral to the mainline. I would love to drive to Windsor Central and see the castle along with freight trips from Brentford, Thorney Mill and Colnbrook amongst other branch services.
Elizabeth Line - maybe. Although it has the drawback of an ATO section in the middle which would put some people off. Heathrow - nope. The Airport owns the track and stations within their land, and won't allow it to be recreated in TSW for security reasons.
It's hardly difficult to use Google Earth or take pictures from outside the airport's land. The Railway leaves no such options as it's in a tunnel, so you'd be at the full mercy of the Airport.
Yes but if you jump over to the flight sims there is also extensive reproduction of radio frequencies including ILS landing beacons, Ground Control, approaches (SIDS/STARS) accurate mapping of taxiways etc. So as I've remarked previously do wonder if it's more a licencing issue or no one at DTG has even bothered to ask BAA (or whoever runs LHR these days) for permission. And although the infrastructure is owned by the airport, it is controlled operationally and for maintenance by Network Rail.
The most infuriating sentence on the forums is exactly that: "maybe someday, have hope" - even though you make an objective statement doubting the proposal's likelihood. LOVE*'s sake.
But as the post above said it’s not just the airport buildings necessarily like other things are simulated that are similar to real life
Could possibly rework the line for around 2019, the electrification was complete by then allowing 387’s and 800’s, possibility for 345’s pre Elizabeth line to run alongside the diesel rolling stock before they were replaced. Personally, I want to stick to the Mainline and run services to Swindon while also including the other minor branch lines. 180 DLC could be added too. Edit: 345’s realistically maybe a DLC too, could take longer to get a license. Edit 2: Huge possibilities for Freight, runs from Acton to Didcot with possible action at the power station. Further runs from the Reading triangle, freight could even go to Swindon and to Wootton Bassett Junction
As I said: It would be good to keep GWE as what it is, rather than just making it a modern version in a very 'standard' era.
I agree, only thinking about electrification after hearing about how SEHS‘s extension led to DTG reworking/updating the line.
There was some talk a while back that DTG no longer had the GWR license. Was that confirmed or speculation?
Speculation although it would seem to hold true. DTG haven't released anything First Group for a while. The only one remotely close that I can think of is Avanti, and that's just LD/CC stuff. Of course, SWR said no/ignored the Island Line license for IOW 2022, and likewise GWR did the same for West Cornwall. So, I would say "Speculation rooted in reality".
