Introduction: Introducing west cornwall local: remastered for train sim world! This remaster would bring some much needed life into a currently underwhelming and outdated route. As well as revamping existing rolling stock, and adding a new loco to the game. What needs fixed? Currently, west cornwall local is a route that feels lacking in a lot of aspects. A lot of these can be fixed in a revamp, which would be similar to those that Cathcart circle, and West Somerset railway recieved earlier this year. The class 150... Probably the most criticised part of the route, the class 150 is famous amongst the TSW community for its awfully blended sounds. Even though it uses the Armstrong powerhouse soundpack, which are pretty good recordings themselves. The class 150 would need a complete physics rebuild from the ground up, to make it feel more like an actual class 150. Certain sounds are missing or not very good quality as well, which include things such as brake rub, Track joints, and flange squeal. The class 150 has a lot of potential to be layered onto other routes as well, such as Blackpool Branches, and TVL, and a more accurate one would definitely be very well received. The scenery The scenery on the route is another part which feels a bit bland. Although it isn't as bad as routes such as fife circle, some improvements on stuff such as the coastal sections, vegetation, ballast, and added things like whistle boards would go a long way. New loco add on: Class 43 (Valenta) This remaster would be the perfect opportunity to add the class 43 with its iconic paxman valenta engine. A famous and common sight along the mainlines of Britain between the 1970s, and early 2000s. An intresting fact about this variant is drivers were not actually supposed to use full throttle until the rear powercar had left the station, due to just how loud the roar of these engines are. Liveries could include Intercity swallow, intercity executive, and the famous BR ic125 livery. These could even work in mixed formations with one another occasionally. with a combination of BR blue, and Intercity swallow mk3s, or different powercar liveries. Top speed: 125mph IC executive IC swallow IC 125 Scenarios: The revamp would include a few extra scenarios as well. Summer 125 It is a roasting summer morning, and you have been tasked to bring this Intercity 125 set originating at London Paddington, between St austell and Penzance. It should be a clear run to Penzance today, with amazing views of the cornish scenery along the way. Enjoy! Train: Class 43 (IC 125) Time taken: 60 minutes Difficulty: 1 Cornish executive This evening, you will be tasked to drive this executive tour bound for Glasgow central, from Penzance to St austell sidings non stop. You will run slower along certain parts of the route to allow the executives onboard to view the scenery. Train: Class 43 (IC Executive) Time taken: 80 minutes Difficulty: 3 Gale force express Due to a storm ravaging the uk, services across the network are being canceled. You will be driving one of the few services that are running, between Penzance and St austell. Calling only at St Erth, and Truro. The adverse weather will cause a lot of wheelslip on your run today, so expect to have to manage your power, and sanding a lot. Train: Class 43 (IC swallow) Time taken: 60 minutes Difficulty: 4 Coastal breakdown This class 150 has failed at St Ives station, so you will have to take a class 142 pacer out of Penzance sidings, up to St Ives to rescue the failed unit. On the way back, you will call at all stations as far as St Erth, before running as an ECS back to Penzance sidings. Train: Class 142 Time taken: 45 minutes Difficulty: 3 Extras: Some extra improvements that could be made include: • Full TOD4 update • New timetable • Extra layers (Class 142 as a full layer, locos such as the class 20 for freight etc) • Class 150 layering to other suitable routes Overall: Such a revamp would bring a lot of life to this route, and the valenta class 43 would be a new but welcome addition to train sim world.
I’m all for a Valenta HST, but This route is not worth spending anymore time or money on in my opinion. Personally if we ever get a Valenta, I’d like to see it on a new route - Riviera Line in the Eighties.
Great suggestion. However, the 142s were gone by 1991 due to difficulties on tight Cornish branches. Not sure if any 20s were regularly used here either. Paxman Valenta HSTs...yes please.
Frankly both the route and train need rebuilding from the ground up by competent people. Well the 150 model is fine but the physics and sound needs to go back to scratch in Simugraph, maybe use the SHG 158 as a very approximate template. The route… So much to do but a start would be sorting out that erroneous speed limit on the St Ives branch in the Up direction. Equipping the various level and foot crossings properly. Foot crossings with red and green lights only warble if someone pushes the button and the light turns red with an approaching train. Advance speed boards need AWS magnets. In Absolute Block areas fairly sure only the distant signal has AWS. Get rid of the weird tree stumps everywhere and make the countryside look like Cornwall rat he than some great primordial Forest.
