The busy west coast mainline is london's main link with locations across the west and as far north as glasgow, the section i am suggesting is the 112 mile stretch between London euston and birmingham new street. The route Spanning 112 miles from end to end, the line from birmingham to london is a very busy route, with many services connecting the two largest cities in the uk, from LNWR's stopping and semi-fast services to avanti west coast's express services, here are a few examples of services you may find on this route. 1Y21: 0856 departure from london euston to birmingham new street. Calls at: Leighton buzzard, Bletchley, Milton keynes, Wolverton, Northampton, Long buckby, Rugby, Coventry, Conley, Tile hill. Berkswell, Hampton-in-Arden, Birmingham intl, Birmingham new street. Journey time: 2hr 10min Traction: Class 350 9M48 1017 departure from Glasgow central to London euston Calls at: Birmingham Intl, Coventry, London euston Time taken: 1hr 2min Traction: Class 390 2K03 0609 departure from london euston to milton keynes central. Calls at: Harrow & wealdstone, bushey, watford junction, Kings Langley, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, Cheddington, Leighton buzzard. Bletchley, Milton keynes. Time taken: 1hr 7min Traction: Class 350 There would almost certainly have to be a reduced timetable for previous gen consoles, likely without layers. Rolling stock & layers Here is some of the stock that could be included, whether included in the base route, as layers, or as DLC Included on release: Class 390 "pendolino" The class 390 is a 9 or 11 car electric multiple unit, capable of 140 miles per hour, although limited to 125 on mainline services, it is famous for its ability to tilt, allowing it to travel at higher speeds on the twists and turns of the west coast mainline. Layers: BCC, Glossop, Bakerloo, Edinburgh-glasgow. Class 350 "Desiro" The class 350 is a 4 car electric multiple unit with a top speed of 110mph, it is the backbone of stopping and semi-fast services on the south of the west coast mainline, operated by LNWR, 2 liveries would be included, the newer LNWR livery and the unbranded London midland livery. (LNWR variant) (LM variant) Layers to: BCC, Glossop, Bakerloo, Cathcart circle (replacing TPE 350s). Layers: Class 710 Layers for driveable london overground services between watford junction and London euston. Class 323 Layers as AI at birmingham new street, and driveable depot moves. 1972 stock Layers between queens park and harrow and wealdstone as AI. Class 387 Layers for services to milton keynes central standing in for class 377/7s. Class 66 Layers for freight services and RHTT. Railtours Classes 20, 31, 37, 40, 45, 47, 55, jubilee, flying scotsman layer for railtours. Future DLC: Class 221 "voyager" (pre-2024) The class 221 is a diesel multiple unit with a top speed of 125mph, like the class 390s they also tilt, albeit not as much. These units would operate occasional services to replace class 390s, depot moves and services from holyhead. Layers: Same as 390, although less common. Class 805 (2024+) The class 805s are avanti west coast's new upcoming trains, which will be replacing their voyagers, they are bi-mode multiple units very similar to the class 801 already in game. Conclusion: While this route would likely be close to the limit to what is possible in tsw, it would be incredible to see in-game, with plenty of layers to spot, oppurtunity for scenarios, and a handful of busy terminus stations. (Apologies for lack of detail on this one, i may come back to this at some point.)
I love this suggestion! I would really like to see this route in the game! Brilliant way to add that AWC 390 to the game. With the added bonus of the 350 and TONNS OF LAYERS! Just note CCL has a.i layers at Glasgow Central. Brilliant suggestion! Well done!
Cathcart is set in 2014 iirc, long before avanti unfortunately, i would be down for a virgin trains/London midland setting but that would probably be unlikely considering DTG already has the avanti west coast licence
I like this suggestion. The WCML is a must have now, especially since we have ECML & GWML, these three are arguably the most well know and iconic of all the mainlines.
Yes please, anything to get a Pendolino into the game Being realistic though, I would prefer the more northern sections of the WCML (Over Shap or North on TSC) as you will have the breathtaking scenery whilst you are going through the Lake District or into Scotland to look at as you tilt along the WCML in a Pendolino
I’m absolutely for suggestions like this, looks like you hit the era right where I would want to see the WCML and probably the right area end points for a section (probably not by TSW size though) (Avanti 390&350, think I prefer the LM for the 350) I do worry this would be too much for DTG tbh, number of locos aside it seems quite long at the moment and then theirs the timetable for it. would probably have to be one of the big routes like how ECML was for a chance,I couldn’t see it being a general dlc unfortunately.
Yeah Euston to Milton Keynes with the 350 and the 378 included (and the 390 following as an eventual loco DLC) seems more plausible for a TSW sized WCML south.
Ending it at Milton Keynes makes no sense to me tbh, there’s too many avanti services that don’t call at Milton Keynes
Rugby as well, like a lot of avanti services skip there. Coventry would be the perfect place to end it as all avanti services stop there
Yeah, New Street is very ambitious,112 miles, we need to finish somewhere like coventry that feels long enough but somewhere where all trains stop so the end doesn't feel random.
As much as I would love WCML south in TSW if we are being realistic 100+ miles, busy and diverse scenery would not come in 1 route for a while. We got lucky with Kassel - Wurzburg bc its basically Viaduct - Tunnel - Viaduct route nothing really to see. If we are being realistic they would probably do London-Rugby via the fasts and Slows. If they went to Birmingham they would probabaly choose whether to go only via Northampton or not. Also 2 trains in 1 route goodluck .However I do want this so a like from me
Rugby sounds good enough so thar you can have a Rugby to Stafford via Birmingham and Rugby to Stafford via Tamworth. It then allows a nice simple Stafford - Preston, and Preston - Glasgow (Glasgow bit Uses the Edinburgh - Glasgow route) and there you go, the ambitious WCML in 4 routes It sounds very very ambitious as a suggestion yes but I believe it seems practical
