Hey all. I just wanted to share a theory I have regarding TSW4, and one of the potential core routes it could come with. Introduction I’ve always thought that DRA (Dresden - Riesa) is the perfect route to upgrade and extend for a big summer release, essentially getting the ‘SEHS Treatment’. Why DRA is the perfect route to extend Why do I think this is a good route to do so? Well… first of all there is the abandoned Dresden Flughafen S-Bahn branch, which was originally planned to release with the route, but was then scrapped due to the deadlines imposed with the Rush Hour summer release. Some more S-bahn around the city centre of Dresden would be lovely, and I suspect many would love to see this branch finally come to the game. Of course, we got the Meißen branch as a later addition, so we already have that meaning there would be a lot of S-Bahn around Dresden. Additionally, the introduction of Leipzig Hbf in TSW4 would be amazing, and would finally give us a nice big, new modern terminus station, not to mention all the future route possibilities there are with Leipzig Hbf. I don’t know much about the route, but as far as I’m aware, beyond Riesa, there are a few RE stops, with RE50 services operating stopping services from Dresden to Leipzig, and then you’ve got the ICE trains going non-stop from Riesa to Leipzig. While the distance between Riesa and Leipzig is around 65km, the fact that there are only 7 stations inbetween Riesa and Leipzig makes me think that it is feasible extension that could very well come in TSW4. Are there any hints or leaks to suggest this? I do believe so, some may be a reach, but they do make sense if you think about it. 1. The Vectron For those who aren’t aware, the German Loco currently listed on the roadmap is the Vectron, as leaks have pretty much confirmed this. The in-game files have also confirmed that this loco is indeed for Dresden - Riesa. This for me is a big hint towards a DRA extension. Think about it, SEHS got extended, then it got the Class 700/0 as a DLC later - we could see this exact formula but this time with DRA and the Vectron. 2. The community A big reason for the SEHS last year, said by DTG themselves, is that SEHS in TSW2 was a very highly-played route, and one of the community’s favourite UK route. Well, from what I’ve seen, DRA is a loved route by the community, and I believe it is one of the most played German routes, not to mention how much potential this route has for extensions. 3. The Austrian route There have been many talks of an Austrian route coming in TSW4, more specifically, a route based in Bregenz. This is backed by the epic database listing a ‘Central European’ route bundle, or something along those lines. Additionally, there is a picture on a roadmap which people are saying show the hills above Bregenz station, anyway, while this is loose speculation, there are a few things suggesting we will get an Austrian route this summer. You may be wondering, how does this relate to a DRA extension? Well, an Austrian route wouldn’t be too different from a German route, while still having some nice differences, and also getting a new country in TSW! Anyway, I believe this Austrian route could be the ‘new’ European route we get this year, which the German route of the year not being necessarily new, but an existing one being extended and upgraded. This means there is still something fully new that is also European for players who may not enjoy the Dresden route, and show low interest in a DRA extension. 4. Train Sim Classic This isn’t really important, but just something to mention.. Dresden - Riesa was extended to Leipzig Hbf in TSC, meaning they have shown interest in this idea before, and they have the references too, which they can use for TSW. ICE-T? More of a question, but do you think DTG could include an ICE-T with a potential DRA extension? It’s worth noting that last year, SEHS was not given a new train when it was extended, so it’s not definite that DTG are willing to extend a route, and also include a brand new train along with it, but who knows.. Conclusion To finish off this very long thread, I believe a DRA extension is very likely for this years summer release, TSW4. It has so much potential, both with RE, ICE and the S-Bahn around Dresden. It’s a generally liked route, with lots of expansion potential. I also would love for a nice new timetable to be included - I always felt that DRA’s timetable was a little underwhelming, Dresden Hbf always felt incredibly empty, but this may just be me being fussy. What are your thoughts on all this? Is there anything I missed which further backs the potential of getting Dresden to Leipzig, is there something that disproves this all? Let me know Thanks for reading!
NB there are 11 stations between Leipzig Hbf and Riesa (L-Sellerhausen, L-Paunsdorf, L-Engelsdorf, Borsdorf, Gerischain, Machern, Bennewitz, Wurzen, Kuhren, Dahlen, Oschatz). The S-Bahn used to run from Wurzen to the terminus, but now branches off at Engelsdorf to head south via the city tunnel - and we do have the stock for this service. The remaining two Leipzig stations are served by DMUs which branch off to the south. A link to Rapid Trainsit would be nice too but very unlikely.
I would probably be the first to jump in circles with Joy when DTG announces a Extension of Dresden-Riesa, but somehow I can't imagine it. DRA is already a Crash-Fest for some People and I don't think DTG wants to make that worse.
I also found the section from Leipzig to Riesa in TSC a bit uninspiring. Largely straight, flat and no real scenic highlights to speak of. I think it would likely we could see RSN extended with a makeover, or maybe join the dots with some of the other Ruhr routes.
DRA seems to be about as fully developed as I think we are going to get. It's already a bit of a network with multiple routes and destinations and the timetable is nice and fleshed out. I would be very surprised if it got anything else done to it apart from getting layers for German Locomotive DLC.
That would be nice. RSN is one of the best routes and RRO is great fun but very short and needs a bit of work.
Both RRO and HRR should have gone as far as Dortmund. There's scope for a really good network based route in that area, it's such a busy and fascinating part of the world with so many lines criss-crossing.
You are correct and I did address that with Hauptstrecke Bochum/Dortmund Hagen Hbf that includes the big yard Hagen Vorhalle. Which will then merge RRO RSN and HRR as a single route.
This is pure a theory due the release of SEHS Extended earlier.... There is no clue on this release that hints on a extended route Last release was also affected by the Covid period. So i beleve this year there will no extended but more 3 routes... But thats more my prediction!
Dresden Riesa is such an awesome route to begin with so any revisiting of it to make it even better would be exciting.
I'd love this to be the case and it would make sense since we had an upgraded SPG with TSW2 and an extended SEHS with TSW3 that it would be the turn of a German route for TSW4. The issue is that Matt said that extending SEHS didn't save any time or money as it took as much effort as making a standard route from scratch and lots of people complained that there was no new UK route and that they we paying twice foenyje msae route. For this reason I think it's unlikely we're see a similar treatment of a route in TSW4. You never know though!
I'm still holding out for a return to Munich, with the underground platforms, city tunnel and eastbound routes. (And maybe the skyline, this time)
They should definitely have included Munich Hbf low level, that was such a disappointing corner to cut. It would have been cool to walk between the two parts of the station in free roam.
That's at least a different route. Having the S-Bahn ending at Hackerbrucke when you have the rest of the Hbf just makes no sense. It's the same mentality is adding the IC coaches with no restaurant - you just think "come on lads, don't cut corners"
For me it very nice that you have more choices in what for train you can drive in timetable mode... At the moment you can for the most routes only use route specific trains... For me it would be great if you can choose in time table mode the normal train or i can use the 612 on DRA for exemple to have more fun!....
Main issue would be the timings which are specific to a train. The dispatcher can only cope to some extent.
That is no point of the problem.... If you been behind scedule with the trains that included you can drive normal.... The only thing is the score but if you have already the medal the score is not a big deal anymore... Otherwise its bringing more fun and needs more experice drivers!
Truste me thats not gonna happen! DTG have no experice with Austria and also the way of creating a route in the mountens is not the best way for the UE... The problems are more in distance... You see this problem realy good in the left rhine route
What they shared there? I've missed that! If it's confirmed than correct my opinion.... If you could do that would be great to hear!
Okay, but only to stop the rumors and people getting excited on stuff that's not coming. https://media-cdn.dovetailgames.com/2023/072023/07/TSW4_Voralberg_Tier_1_Unlocked_1.png
Wauw thats good news! And for sure now we get TSW4 And a austrian route... I have never beleve that that will happen! Cool! I love austrian routes. And i hope with a Desiro ML or a Talent of the OBB!
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/dovetail-direct-tsw4-thread.72044/page-5#post-693131 Here is the US route. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antelope_Valley_Line
Practically they do. Austria uses the same safety systems and almost the same signage and signals as Germany- nothing to re-engineer. And the rolling stock is also the same or very similar, starting with the Eurosprinter/Taurus/182 traction.
The thing is they dind't create alot there for TSC but whe no at the moment whats comming so i'm very hyped now for the Voralberg route.
That was only one time so there was my expections low on that part but now it is the Voralbergline i'm so hyped for that
On the TSC forums they call it the Three Country corner route Bludenz to Lindau and St Margethen Kanton St Gallen
If it is the 3 country corner route that would be ideal, because it might also mean more SBB stock as well as the OeBB and could also mean existing DB stock can layer in. Plus it's a bit of a network - similar to my suggestion here https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/dtg-should-make-a-countrys-entire-railway-network.54599/
