Introduction: One of the first routes released for tsw3, Birmingham cross city is a commuter route set in and around Birmingham, with roughly 32 miles of track in total. It uses the class 323 on stopping services, which typically take just over an hour to complete a full length run. It also runs through the busy Birmingham new street station, which feels pretty underwhelming in-game. Visual changes: Since the scenery is fine at the moment, the only change I am suggesting is the addition of soho depot. The track is already laid to here as far as I know, since it would be a matter of adding scenery and signals. (Soho TMD) The timetable: Currently, trains on the Cross city section of the line run at a fairly accurate frequency, however the problem at the moment lies with the lack of AI. In particular, the WCML sections of the route at Birmingham new street, and Lichfield trent valley. A.I at birmingham new street include: AWC class 390 LNWR class 350 LNWR/WMR class 730 Video example: A.I at Lichfield trent valley include: 8TPH (AWC 390/22x, both directions) 1TPH stopping services (LNWR 350/730) Several freight services per hour Video example: Loco DLC: As Cathcart included the class 380, an updated Birmingham cross city could include several new trains. Class 730 'aventra' The class 730 is a 3 or 5 car electric multiple unit which operates on routes across WMR's network. They would operate services on the Cross city route itself, as well as AI from WCML services. Top speed: 90mph (3 car) 110mph (5 car) Layers: WCML north (5 car) 3 car unit (323 substitute) 5 car unit (operates on the WCML) Overall: Such an expansion would give extra life into the Birmingham cross city route, as well as populating the currently empty Birmingham new street station.
Brilliant suggestion! New street is lacking alot of services and the whole route needs updating in general. Love to see it remastered!
Expand from Birmingham New street to Wilncote, Tamworth, Burton on Trent and Darby or from Lichfield Trent Valley to Rugley Trent Valley, Stafford and Crewe making use of the lower platforms
I definitely agree with this however the Walsall loop would be absolutely insane if it was added too the cross city line it's a slight possibility it's not too long either and a short trip as I actually live and commute on the south section of the cross city line
It's a favourite route of mine despite it being a lonely drive with only 323s about. I'm hoping the licensing issue between WMT and DTG is resolved and they're friends again and they do a remaster but as part of a a Class 730 pack. Having a choice of driving a 323 or 730 would add so much to Cross City and WCMLs. New Street with 350s, 390s, 730s and reskinned 170s on the southern part of Cross City would add so much to this lovely little route The inclusion of a fully functioning Soho Depot with additional ECS workings would also be really welcome.
A good idea, the AI around BHM and LTV need a rework, Soho is already laid down, as AI 323s go to/from there so it would just need appropriate scenery along the short line from New Street. I have another point though: If the 170 was reskinnable into both WMR & XC liveries, the Birmingham to Bromsgrove section of the BCC would be realistic as XC operate their Nottingham-Cardiff services along that stretch and WMR operate their Birmingham-Hereford/Great Malvern/Worcester services too. Could have a 196 added alongside the 730 possibly? Maybe...
Agree the route desperately needs AI. Currently it’s a lovely model with a good train but a poor driving experience with it being an hour and a half end to end on a stopper with little variation of experience or sights
The 170 would be great but a short distance to Worcester foregate and shrub hill be fantastic they can add the 166 too from GWR and we'll get some use out of the 170 too because after Bromsgrove it's only some peak services at barnt green then express to university skipping five ways it's well designed route it's just the ai that lets it down
Typically, DTG tend not to extend routes during remasters, so this route will not be heading to Worcester unfortunately. We will have the 170 to run the service to Bromsgrove then the AI would take it to/from Worcester Foregate Street/Shrub Hill (off-map) and vice versa if heading into Birmingham .
I hope the remasters continue. It seems like something DTG don't get credit for. They rarely did this with TSC, meaning that after 15 years, there's some really basic kuju routes that are only drivable thanks to enhancement packs. My top routes for revamp are: Crewe to Liverpool - Modern Day (it's unlikely but would be more work for the 350 and 390) Birmingham Cross City - as suggested by the OP. Bakerloo Line - to bring it up to WCML standards and add LO/WCML services.
Pretty much every TSW and TSW 2 route could do with a remaster or even a 2.0 so long as a 2.0 route contains a significant loyalty discount for previous owners (Unlike LIRR 2.0)
Because remastered routes tend to be passion projects, they are, so far at least, free upgrades for those who own the original. If you are buying for the first time, the remaster replaces the original in store and becomes the only version available.
None of that explains why I've owned the Long Island Rail Road since TSW 2020, but I have to pay £30 for 10 miles of new track and 1 new but not at all unique EMU
New textures does not mean full rebuild. Other routes have gotten new textures in free updates. Like I say, all that was new was 10 miles of track and 1 EMU. And you seem to think that is worth £30 for people who already owned the other 40 miles of track
And the passion projects tend to be of a much finer quality (obviously, it’s a remaster!), but it’s much better as a single developer than a vast group of collaborators! Also, this route has been given the ‘guard mode treatment’, but sounds pretty broken still. This is good news anyway!
