So on the assumption that DTG are beavering away on three keynote route releases for the summer, let’s indulge some harmless speculation as to what these might be… Note this is not a wish list! 1. UK - Bedford to Blackfriars or London Bridge. There is no way they are making the Class 700 just for a few short runs on SEHS. Outside chance it could be Kings Cross but 50 miles out from London terminates nowhere in particular. You also have the EMT HST which can layer on mainline services out of St Pancras. 2. Germany - harder to call but given we have had main line with Rheinstrecke and rural with Niddertalbahn, probably something urban or local. Might through a wild card here and suggest it could be based around Berlin, which we haven’t seen in game yet. 3. USA - last year was heavy freight so suspect it will be back to urban this year. Wild card here is they have a NYC subway licence and we will get something iconic like the Coney Island or Rockaway Beach line. Outside chance it could be a western route, maybe part of the LA to San Diego Surfliner. Well that’s my thoughts, probably all wrong and for all we know there might not even be a big three this year. But feel free to join in with plausible thoughts as to what the routes might be.
Hard to say. I'm not even sure they'll be able to release 3 brand new routes within a few months, especially with the summer holiday coming up. Although it's been awefully quiet on the road map when it comes to route releases. Then, they could also improve one of the existing routes, much like they've done with SEHS in TSW3. TSW3 emphasized on longer routes, no clue what the theme/focus would be for the summer release. As for guesses and wishfull thinking; For the UK, I wouldn't be surprised if they went for a Steam route. Although SOS was part of the Deluxe edition, we haven't had any Steam route part of the most basic edition. For Germany, I do hope they continue their trend of more historic routes, and certainly not another high speed one tricky pony like they did with TSW3. For the US, my guess would be on another NJT route. They've done a few NJT routes for TSC, and I suppose being able to reuse some of the existing trains would help make a busier timetable. But really, it could be anything. If there's even a summer release at all. :P
For Germany I‘d like to see something around the Berlin S-Bahn. Berlin Hauptbahnhof is an fantastic structure and German DLC is sufficient to make it look busy if they add S-Bahn trains. America I know nothing about so can’t even guess. UK, I‘d like to see the Riviera Line redone in TSW. I don’t think that’s very likely though.
One thing of note for Germany to be considered is their comment on how they approach vintage content. The setting of BRO allowed for the Br 110+n-Wagen combo, which served as preparation for LFR. Then we got LFR with a Br 103 - curiously outwardly in a 70s condition* for a 90s route. That coupled with Matt's comment regarding testing much requested earlier settings in Germany might mean some more vintage content is on the horizon. Or it might not - maybe it's just wishful thinking on my end. *: It was claimed that that was just a research mistake. Honestly, the 103 model is a mess all over - a 70s model on a 90s route with a cab layout from the early 2000s.
Oooooh big summer release... I only have UK route knowledge so... They said they wanted to focus less on the south of the river Thames... Given that we've only had the Class 323 and LMS Fowler 4F as new Locos from DTG ever since Birmingham Cross City, the UK route will probably have a new loco (or two!) The Class 700 code is GKK-L7 01 so it is definitely a loco DLC. The East and West Coast Mainlines have been requested extensively, but I don't think we are ready for them yet. I reckon the new UK route is probably going to be something in Wales. Also when TSW2 came out, the US route was a re-release of CSX:HH When TSW3 came out, the UK route was an extension of Southeastern High Speed Does this mean if TSW4 comes out, the German route will be a re-release/extension of an existing route? Then again, Rush Hour came with three brand new routes, so maybe we could get three brand new routes again? As for technology, maybe a working EbuLa, GSM-R, Guard mode, or something else.
I’ll stick my neck out and say it will be a break from the norm with no new routes but a pack of 10 trains to add to current routes and expand the timetable count….. I know, I am dreaming but that’s ok!
Well, they probably got some employees skilled in making routes and you gotta keep them busy as well...
My personal feeling is that there won't be a big summer release this year. But if it happens, then I can assume: - that one of the new routes will be connected to the new DLS BR class 700. The direction towards Bedford looks more logical. But I don't expect we can get a full route to Bedford. Most likely the London-Luton section with HST, 700,66 trains; - I admit that the second route may be a new route from France or extended to Lyon LGV; - The third should be the German route, they are the most profitable for DTG. I suppose that this will be a site for the new German multi-system Vectron. My personal preference: - North Kent Line London-Dartford for a full class 700 run or a remaster of the Brighton line with an extension to London Bridge and a class 700 schedule; - LIRR remaster with DE/DM 30 or new Amtrek passenger route using P40; - German Cologne-Düsseldorf-Duisburg or a remaster of Hagen-Finnetropen with an extension to Siegen.
I have no clue about what is going to be this year, so all Im going to say is purely speculation. The UK route I think it could be something that uses the Manchester Pic. Station that they have from the Glossop line. At some point also thought it could be another SEHS extension (Maybe Paris?) or a London - Brighton - Eastbourne merge. No clue about the german route, but I think we will be back to the current era (2018+). I expect the US route will be modern freight, since the last 2 releases have been passenger (Boston update + Acela and NY). I bet DTG staff is going to have a fun time reading this thread.
For the UK route, my bet would be on a renovated and optimised (à la SEHS) London to Brighton, with perhaps a couple of branches added.
My guess is, the many rushed out releases of past months are not just because the takeover by focus, also they needed probably a high amount of development time for the summer release. Whatever is coming, those releases in a unfinished state was highly annoying. Especially the shortcuts on the timetable. Working on my goal to get the money back. 12 more releases getting at 70-80% discount should do it.
If we get the ECML, It might be London - Peterborough but I doubt we would get it. if we get the West Coast then my money would be on Trent Valley, or we could get London - Bedford
Just saying... Luton to East Croydon is 43 miles 44 chains... Add the Thameslink cavern to STP and away you go
I hope its not a modern emu fest but with the 700 on the horizon I fear it maybe. Someone else said about some more Amtrack. I would like that too, especially on the diesel side. We have lots of routes already that could take a few diesel amtrak layers.
For the UK I am not certain it would be something with the class 700. Would they make it as DLC and sell it seperately then supply it with a new route, it could cause some consternation? Unless it isn't going to be a seperate DLC and will come with the new route and layer in on SEHS. I wonder if it will be a West Midlands route probably involving New Street, like with a class 350 with the 323 layering in. They might want to start taking advange of existing licences and new assets like New Street. The German route will be modern as we have had two more historic ones, don't know where but probably an electrified route, hopefully with a one new train. Maybe the new Vectron will layer in. I think the next US route will be a freight route as NYT was the last and Boston has had an upgrade.
Nothing says they have to Make the MML south with the 222 and then layer in the 700 as an add on Most unlikely but possible
Possibly, but if you don't have the class 700 it wouldn't make it a very interesting or realistic experience, but that could be an option.
People want the extension from Reading to Bristol. That would have as much interest... And if they want the 700... buy it
I think if there’s a release, then for the UK there’s two possibilities. Anything involving the Class 700 (Bedford - St Pancras/Blackfriars) Or Crewe-Birmingham New Street There’s a method in the madness to do with layers New DLC Class 350 A Pendolino would be a must but I can’t see it including both. As for layers at Crewe, you would have Northern 323 and EMT class 158. And Birmingham New Street you would have the WMT 323.
Well what interests some doesn't interest others, I think as an extension, Reading to Bristol would be great as I would love to drive Paddington to Bristol. Reading to Bristol on its own wouldn't be so inticing but it would give a decent run in the HST and the class 166 could layer in around Bristol. I think if DTG market the Midland Mainline to Bedford as coming with the 222, but if you want the frequent Thameslink service you need to purchase the recently released class 700, it won't go down that well, in my opinion anyway.
I would quite fancy New Street to Crewe but I agree I don't think it would come with a Pendolino and a 350. Do they run on the Wolverhampton to Stafford section? Personally I could live with it without the Pendolino as long as at somepoint it might come in a different route and layer in.
I know he has retired from dtg now (unfortunately) but didn't Sam (Dtg Protagonist) say earlier this year that Birmingham New Street wouldn't stay quiet for much longer?
Lest we forget, SEHS on TSW2 had electrostars running down the line to Gravesend and when they went from TSW2 to TSW3 suddenly the 465 was included, so those who paid for it in TSW2 were "losing out". Sometimes things DTG do don't make too much sense
Some wishful thinking from my side: 1. UK - conclusive bug fix and patch release for TSW2 & 3, end of August 2. Germany - conclusive bug fix and patch release for TSW2 & 3, end of August 3. US - conclusive bug fix and patch release for TSW2 & 3, end of August Did I mention bug fixes? [Pipe, duck & hide=true]
For USA: I would definitely like to see New York to New Haven be created. Hopefully Cactusjuice can assist with signaling on this route and JoetheFish can help with creating a busy timetable to simulate busy operations for Amtrak and Metro North. With Amtrak to Penn Station, NJT and LIRR can layer in. The M8 can be created for the New Haven Line, while the M7A and M3A layer in. This can also include the P32AC-DM with Shoreliner coaches. Amtrak rolling stock would be the Acela and ACS-64 with Amfleet coaches. For the purposes of playing extra scenarios, we can include LIRR scenarios to West Side Yard and shuttles to Woodside. If this isn't the US route, I would like to see the Staten Island Railway be created. This would be a good segway into receiving future NYC subway routes in TSW. For UK: I speculate the South Western Main line being released. Germany: S25 Heart of Berlin
I'll chip in with Birmingham New Street - Manchester Piccadilly as my top pick (I think this might be why we're getting Glossop, to fill out Piccadilly / the Stockport end with the Northern 323 and front-load the development for the complex termini), with London KGX - Peterborough a close second. Don't think we can expect more steam for now until they've made progress on the physics / manual firing. Wouldn't have a clue about Germany or the US sadly.
I don't think we will see any more steam until well into next year, certainly not a route in any case. New Street to Piccadilly would be a great route to have.
Maybe but Rugby isn't a great place to start as a lot of trains don't stop there. It isn't quite as bad as starting a route at Ambergate Junction granted.
The 700 is already a standalone dlc so it wouldn't be part of a base route, but a layer. Same with the acela. It released the same day as nyp-trenton and only those who bought it got the layer.
I'm assuming that in the case of Bedford the class 700 could be declared as a new 12 car train (700/0). Separate from the DLS for High Speed where the train is represented by the 700/1 series in an 8-car version.
Well yes that is what I thought which is why I don't think DTG would produce a route which needed the class 700 and where a whole swathe of services wouldn't be present, only the EMT express services, unless you also purchased the class 700 at extra cost. You still get a lot of Amrak services on NYT without the Acela.
Chester to Llandudno 1993 Hagen to Warburg via Brilon Wald 1990 NYC subway to Coney Island 1975. Once I wake up and get reality check it's probably some modern stuff for all.
Would love to see this as the summer release. DTG could do NWC set in the early 1980's and not even have to model any new DLC for it, maybe reskin some mark 1's into blue/grey (also maybe rebogie them) and good to go.
St. Pancras to Stevenage including the Hertford Loop Would be great to have East Coast Mainline especially with LNER centenary celebration going on this year.
Not sure what could come from the US side of things, I doubt it would be passenger since NYT was the last US route released. Though I bet if it's modern freight, it'll probably be another disappointment.
For a prospective US route, I did see Brandon recently suggest that he has been doing work on something. So, that would lead me to believe another Northeast passenger offering. My guess is MNRR GCT-Stamford with M8. For the UK, like others have said New St was supposedly going to get busier, so... For Germany I would guess something in France.
That would be fantastic for me as well especially a BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4 T for SOS or the Peak forest railway.
When I first saw the thread I though MML from Bedford to London and ECML Peterborough to London were the two standouts which would bring the other 700 subclass to game and one completely new unit but reading through the thread and remembering it's not a wishlist I genuinely don't know now.
If that is the case, I hope it reaches New Haven instead of ending at Stamford, similarly to how we have the route in TSC.
I suspect such a route would also go to Penn Station to reuse the NEC:NY assets that didn't get used in NYT.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and the UK route will have a Welsh connection. Perhaps Manchester Picc to Chester with a TfW class 66. With Northern obviously making up the additional services. They'll be crys of WBQ being a ghost town naturally. Germany will be the Berlin Sbahn simply because it's so overdue. USA will be another short section of the NEC with yet another version of NORAC signalling which will be just as broken as Boston and Trenton versions.
For the UK I don't see a GWE extension coming anytime soon although that would be my choice but I thought Didcot to Birmingham New Street or Oxford to New Street, would be something different. Chester is in England no?
A few people really want to see the NYC subway huh? I’m not knocking those that want to see it, but what’s the draw? For context, I’m born and raised in Queens, NYC. I’ve lived on Long Island, love the LIRR and would love a better LIRR route. I’m a Jersey guy now and was stoked to see NJT make it into the game. Rode that line for a few years. But when it comes to the subway, man, I just always hated it. It’s always been a sketchy environment, dirty, too much of a fast paced rat race (so riders are ruder than elsewhere), and idk but the equipment isn’t really anything cool (to me) in comparison to what railroads have. I want to see the other perspective though. However, (and this is a pipe dream) I would definitely be all in for a red bird 7 train riding down Roosevelt Ave. You’d have to do a lot of work to get the skyline right for the period (and put Shea Stadium, not citi field, etc). I mean I doubt it’d happen but that’s the one subway route I’d be all over.
Highly doubt it given Matt's comments recently on historical US content. With only 2 U30Bs preserved, and really no clue if either are still running (Or any other GE with a similar prime mover) it's highly unlikely DTG would make it. You also have to factor in the Feather River Canyon was home to the California Zephyr, and with DTG not even attempting passenger cars for the ATSF F7 due to the "Need for a research trip". A vintage Feather River is a no go. At most you may get a modern day version with UP equipment and layering in of BNSF trains, or a possible late Western Pacific Era with the GP40-2.
