The Ultimate Tsw Route Tier List (2025 Edition)

This is one of those threads that probably could have ended up in the TSW discussion section of this forum, but I felt like it would probably be better suited for this section here.

So here comes something that might ever bring us all together or cause an absolute stir among people here, because I have made what could probably be the ultimate tier list on TSW. What do you mean may you ask? Well this tier list is a ranking of every single TSW route that has been released so far, from the very first route with Sand Patch Grade, right the way through it the most recent route release, Glossop Line (except for Training Center). For the rankings, I've put my own personal spin on this, inspired by life on the railway, which looks like the following (and an explanation for what they are):

• GOLD Star Route: This is for what you consider as the best of the best that TSW has to offer regarding routes.
• Star Route: A route that is pretty good, but not quite on the level of the tier above.
• Above Standard: Pretty much self-explanatory, a route that is above average.
• Middle of the Tracks: A route that is neither good or bad, it just sits in the middle, as the title suggests.
• Below Standard: Same as two tiers above, but the other way round.
• Bad Experience: A pretty bad route, but not on the level of the tier below which is...
• TRAIN WRECK: The lowest of the low, the very worst when it comes to TSW, route-wise.
• Don't Own/Never Played: If you haven't played with a particular route, don't worry, you can put it here.

This for me is something that I've wanted to do for a while now, and is an evolution of the Rank the Routes thread that I did a couple of years ago, which works in the same way, but now uses the tier list website (which this is my first one by the way). I don't know what to expect from this, but I guess let's find out! The tier list can be found via the link down below:

Link to Tier List Here

…and for those who want to know about the icons that represent each route, here it is:

Some notes I should probably point out:

• The version of Sand Patch Grade is the post-TSW2 version, since I feel like that's the one that the majority have played with (especially if you are on consoles).
• This list even includes the OG NEC: New York from TSW 2020 (The one that never came over to TSW2 and beyond, and later reimagined into NEC: New York-Trenton) for those that did have a go with it and want to rank it as well.
• The 2022 version of Island Line (The one that the Class 484 brings) is not included as I consider that less it's own route and more a loco add-on that brings an updated version of the route it is for.
• There are two different versions of Southeastern High Speed, the TSW2 version and the TSW3 Extended version, as I consider them two completely different routes, and having them be on the same ranking would kinda mess things up here.
• Don't worry if you haven't played every single TSW route, you can still take part regardless.
• I Plan to do a Loco Add-On version at a later date. Probably after Skyhook's US Expansion Pack comes out.

That should be everything covered, happy tier listing I guess!

EDIT: Just finished mine, if you want to know what a finished one would look like (Updated as of May 20th 2025):

 

Here's mine

PS- Put that remaining DLC in the train wreck 'coz it's no longer there

 

I like the ECW thumbnail all wintery and christmas coozy

 

Thanks, WonterRail
You bring quite amazing stuff to this forum !

Already waiting for your 'Hidden tracks in TSW-4 DLCs' thread

 

Here is mine, I would've thought Island Line 2022 would be there but nevertheless, great tier list that

 

Same here, it's like you're taking christmas shoppers home.

 

Might be a good bit of fun. Please, don’t take my post too seriously - threw it together in a couple of minutes based on what came to mind first. Not even sure I agree with all of the things on it

 

I have to wait and give the NYT route a chance after the timetable comes out for me to do the list

 

I'm struggling to see what the icons refer to. Could be an age thing like...

 

They are the store icons for each of the routes that we have had over the past 6 years.

 

NEC is a train wreck because it doesn't even exist in tsw2 and up lol.

 

Oh I love these! Just as a note the British routes are all my personal opinions and as I don't own any routes from other countries they are based on what I have read on here. If I haven't read anything on here that sticks out to me I have put them in the middle.

 

There’s no way I can see at a glance what route is what from the tiny icons. The names would be so much better. I can tell most of them with a closer look and a bit of a think but for sorting them into order it would take me ages.

 

Made a half-hearted attempt to put them in order (left-right: better-worse), but for the most part it's best viewed in tiers.



One thing that stood out to me is that outside of Rapid Transit, there are no German routes I consider as "bad". At worst they're simply just "mediocre". So good on you, DTG folks who make German routes.

Spoiler: Crossing out the ones that I haven't played

 

I changed Train Wreck to NA as I don't have any experience with those routes.

 

The ones I put in the middle are ones I don't mind/haven't played
EDIT: ScotRail express is there cause it's the only train in tsw I have actually been on irl and it's a very fun route.

 

WonterRail Would you be able to create such a List for LocoDLC as well?

After thinking about it again I have revised my List again, I have now also tried to sort Routes within the individual Points.

 

That is the plan, but I'm going to wait unit after Skyhook's US Expansion Pack comes out (which shouldn't be too far away now, considering it's being previewed next week), and that list will cover all the loco add-ons, expansions packs, bundles & livery packs.

That list is also where I'm going to place the 2022 version of Island Line (The one that came with the Class 484) as I don't personally consider it a true route add-on, but more of what I like to call a 'loco add-on that adds a new version of the route it is for'.

 

I'm always interested in reading people's opinions on the various DLCs, but I'm not nearly well enough versed in them to be able to tell from a thumbnail which route it is. I'm just seeing lines of pretty train pictures. Can I second stujoy in asking for the names to be included, or at least a legend to be posted?

 

I will say, the icons are the cover pictures for each of the routes that you find on the store of whether you purchase each of the routes, but if you're having difficultly working out which route is which, I've made this sheet here, so it can be explained a little easier (this sheet is also now on the first post of this thread).

This I feel is a compromise from add names to the icons, which would require me to completely redo the whole tier list.

 

No worries on the compromise; this is spectacular. Thank you!

 

These are the one I have played.

 

SEHS is my favorite then DRA.

 

I would rate them like this, in no particular order within the brackets.
I don't have N/A routes, but most of them would probably go in the Below Standard or Bad Experience with the exception of Scotrail, MML and Trenton - I may get these at some point when they're deeply discounted.

 

MML does not deserve that tier!

 

Neither does Edinburgh to Glasgow!!! Wow! Both are really good routes. Can't believe that.

 

That's why I have them marked as exception - I don't have them, but may get them in the future.
With Trenton I am waiting for the revised schedule, Glasgow I don't know about the very narrow driver's window, MML... I don't know about that one. The route itself and the trains seem nice, but overall not very interesting to me. How is the route profile - elevation, curves?

 

Nothing much hill wise but there are curves and a few interesting speed limits, it is a very good route which would benefit from so extra polish and an extension to Sheffield.

 

Here is my list. I do feel like a lot of the older routes like LIRR and Rapid Transit would do a lot better, but have pretty much just been forgotten about and haven't seen any major updates or dlc since TSW2020

 

heres mine

 

Agree, a list of names would be better under each heading, if not so colourful.

 

Mine:
It’s controversial but I like RT, timetable update + DLC made it refreshing plus I really like the Leipzig scenery and its contrast on the outskirts of town.

 

Would be mine.
Only including routes I've given a proper go (hence the lack of German routes). These are all the TS3 versions of routes.

 

None have been complete train wrecks imo, most have been alright

 

Here’s mine!



This mainly made me realize just how many add-ons that came out in the last year I didn’t buy. I guess I just got a bit picky once my DLC collection was big enough and only buy content if I’m really excited for a DLC or if it’s steeply discounted nowadays.

I mainly looked at replayability, quality and memories attached to the routes when creating the list. LIRR is in last place for reasons many here will understand (and share), then we’ve got some routes that amount to rather emotionless rides from A to B. Lots of stuff in the above standard category. Routes that are in reasonably good shape and can always be played, but ultimately don’t offer as much quality and/or reasons to keep playing as the routes in the higher categories. The star routes have something special and unique to them, and the GOLD routes have had a huge positive impact on my experience with the game and railways in general.

I got to ride some of these routes on my recent UK trip, that was surely a great experience. My day on the West Somerset Railway will stay in my mind for a looong time, and I will likely end up buying Edinburgh-Glasgow soon because we rode on exactly the same train and route.

 

This was mine!
I don't own a lot of the dlc but the British routes I do have are here

 

Too bad I don't have time to compile one of these, heck I barely have time to play the game. But it's a fun idea.

However, just a cursory glance through the lists tells me I would be in wild disagreement with most of the entries.

 

An

Give a couple of the controversial takes, I’m interested.

 

Here are my rankings with Sand Patch Grade and Huddersfield Line being my bad experiences while HRR and LIRR are train wrecks for me. The first one was due to pitch dark runs despite using max beams Lirr lack of other trains. BML SEH and Riesa-Dresden

 

Ok I can't let this one got unquestioned! What did NTP do?

 

It has to do with how poor the Class 101 Daisy DMU brakes were because when I played NTP on Class 101 I end up stopping short of the station due to it non-air brakes unlike the other British DMU Class 166 air brake equipped. That was back in 2021 when the Xbox game pass has TSW 2020. Sand Patch Grade US heavy freight train can't stop quickly as a European heavy freight train. Had to ask the forums on how to stop it correctly

 

That's how they are in real life, for me it's the locos which really make that route though. Oh, I do love the Peaks!

 

I knew you would bring it up!

 

I also love peaks but I do prefer rats and I think they should also be in ntp.

 

I couldn't have gone to sleep comfortably last night without knowing!

I do like the Rats and would love to see them on both NTP and PFR but the Peaks are my favourite.

 

Did somebody want a tier list for loco add-ons?

Well I can now say that I've done just that. I've decided to put it in a seperate thread, which can be found here.

I've also updated the tier list to include a Don't Own/Never Played ranking, just so you have a place to put your unplayed add-ons without having to make adjustments yourself.

 

My list, based on but not limited to;

-some but not fully thoughts on bugs
-what it brings to TSW
-taken into account its current state and extra dlc I own for it.
-how finished it feels
-some thoughts on what time I put into them

Edit: Just noticed a rogue old IOW that should be on middle tracks not above standard

I appreciate you making these WonterRail, it was good fun seeing how my lists turn out on both of them, and easy for once to upload a picture to the forums.