Love this thread and I'm glad to finally be able to offer up my own suggestions after a couple of runs this afteroon! Route:- London Overground: Gospel Oak to Barking Train:- Class 710 Service:- 2J22 08:16 Barking Riverside to Gospel Oak Spoiler: Service Details After departing Barking Riverside you're quickly presented with adverse signals as 4M41 London Gateway to Lawley Street was given the signal shortly before you and ends up running just ahead of you. The adverse signals continue into Barking but the station dwell time allows a gap to open up and the signals clear just as you depart Barking. The gap isn't huge though and you catch-up with 4M41 again as you near Woodgrange Park causing more adverse signals. As you call at Woodgrange Park and Wanstead Park the gap grows enough to provide a clear run for the remainder of the service Extra:- I also ran 4M41 and had 2J22 catch-up with me just as I departed Ripple Lane which created a very brief moment of parallel running until 2J22 was held at a signal to allow me to run ahead. The rest of the run with 4M41 was clear and this brief moment at the beginning was the only real notable part. Route:- London Overground: Gospel Oak to Barking Train:- Class 66 Service:- 6O94 Dagenham Dock to Allington Hanson Spoiler: Service Details You're in the drivers seat of 1 of 2 Class 66's working in tandem on a train of loaded hoppers from the Cargo Line Vol 2: Aggregates pack. You have a clear run from Ripple Lane to Gospel Oak, however with 3,000 tonnes on the hook you need to manage your throttle and brakes carefully as you tackle the changing gradients of the route - at times having to keep the throttle at full power just to maintain your speed. The unusual occurence of 2 Class 66's working in multiple in service mode combined with the heavy train made this one a really interesting run in my view
[ Nice runs! Thanks for joining in and getting me back on a great route. Below is the latest update; please let me know if I have any errors or omissions. My current plan is to add TSW 5 runs to the TSW 3 & 4 spreadsheet. Currently, we have just over 240 entries for TSW 3 & 4. Does anyone have any thoughts about just continuing with that spreadsheet? Google Published Documents: TSW3&4 Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...4lUuBrw-k2_y7FxuzH6mZ1m3Qu4YTfLViTfxQ/pubhtml TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet..._wzt7qTCooxSTBW8pGAwYLs_ohsdDOcQOuZ4A/pubhtml Chaos Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...yCTbHVZrwBSBUUkPiiJGlTWfRXexfPn7kBVDw/pubhtml Excel Spreadsheets: TSW3&4 Recommended Service Runs https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=108028767534258522758&rtpof=true&sd=true TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YgilvnKZFc7TJXyqftRJ0I5yTMlMf81/view?usp=sharing Chaos Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cMKrwNA2OmZz8tVEQo1_FZnRZXpNT463/view?usp=sharing
Another interesting BPO run: 1M21 Glasgow C - Blackpool N (12:14 from Preston). Blackpool has always been a very popular seaside destination for the people of Glasgow and this service reflects that - a nice heavy 11 coach load to tax a type 4. Played in August, and some signal checks to contend with. Spoiler A clear start, but you begin to catch up the train in front from around Kirkham and then it’s signal-to-signal into Blackpool.
A Peak Forest one and my first run I’ve mentioned Service: 05:05 Ambergate - Rowsley Sidings (Mixed) Train: 8F Spoiler: The Cool thing You are shown with an early morning purple sunrise, set it between late August - Early September. Overall the service is a bit boring, but the sunrise makes it better.
As i understand it everyone will be able to get tsw5 for free, so i'd option for joining the spreadsheets together. I am very often using them to find something to do and that would make it easier too Keep up the good work!
1G94 08:00 Blackpool North - Birmingham International is another interesting run. These Blackpool - Birminghams are real favourites of mine. Firstly, they tend to have a Layton call, which given that they have 8-coach loads and the platform is precisely 8 coaches in length means you have to put the loco exactly one locomotive-length beyond the end of the platform to get all the doors on the platform - not easy with a vacuum brake! Secondly, although they can be driven with either the 40 or the 31, it feels very much as if the timings were designed for a 40 - which makes them great fun with a 31! An 8-coach load with a 31 is a thrash at the best of times, and with timings as tight as this you have to give it everything. Thirdly, they often have signal checks. In this case... Spoiler The exact checks you'll get will depend how close you can keep to time. I was 1-2 mins late for most of the run and got a red at Kirkham, and then a heavy check coming into Preston. I played in September - in torrential rain (not sure if that's relevant, but it makes it all the more interesting as you have to be patient putting the power down at low speed).
I'd like to make my first contribution to this thread by recommending a run on Frankfurt - Fulda, ICE 1555 Wiesbaden Hbf - Dresden Hbf leaving Frankfurt Hbf at 0718 on the ICE T. Make sure you're comfortable with LZB and PZB as you'll have plenty of interaction with both on this run. Spoiler After a parallel departure with another service from Frankfurt Hbf, everything proceeds smoothly until Hanau where you get held outside the station for a few moments. Shortly after passing Hanau, you again get held to let an ICE1 go ahead of you, which you then follow all the way to Fulda with plenty of LZB and PZB action to keep you busy.
I'm going to make a first contribution too Frankfurt Fulda with the Flixtrain: FLX (1240) Stuttgart - Berlin Spoiler After the LZB zone you are stuck behind a regional stopping service until you can overtake him a few stations further. So expect some PZB action and red lights
Wow! That was excellent. I am loving this route and this loco. The LZB and GNT transitions, combined with some PZB action and a ton of AI traffic make this a great experience!
WCMLS: 1H12, Euston to Manchester Picadilly in the 390/1. A non-stop run from Euston to Milton Keynes, but some constant AWS action later in the route as you catch up with a puny little 350
It took me halfway to Hanau to realise that the needed content on my platform is only coming on the 17th . In the meanwhile i got another one : ICE(1652) Dresden -Wiesbaden Spoiler Lots of LZB PZB and GNT action At the start in Fulda you get a red signal in LZB to let another ICE-T pass. From that point you're running behind him and every signal can be a yellow Watch out for possible SPAD
Managed to squeeze this one in today and must say, very enjoyable run, as is expected from BPO. That 31 really sounds lovely and were a very immersive run. I went for some clouds and a light mist over the fields. Brilliant run! Spoiler I managed not too drop too much time, about half a minute down by Kirkham and just over a minute by Preston, and didn't have anything get in my way at either Kirkham or Preston. That is what I love about this route, it does feel much less predictable than any other.
Interesting. It sounds as if you managed to keep slightly closer to time than I did, so perhaps I lost my path and you didn’t. There are also quite a few seasonal services on BPO (for the summer, then for the illuminations) so that creates variation too.
4L66 starting at 06.20 in WCML using the Class 66. (TSW5) It starts out normal, but with about 28 miles to go, you'll start to run into yellows and eventually a red. If you set the weather to custom, clear, and set the date to November first, you might not notice a (2nd) red near the end if you're distracted by looking at the sunrise.
I am slightly confused a i have done quite a few runs on Frankfurt Fulda now... and up until now every single one of them was special in a way... DB 146.2: RE50 (4545) Fulda to frankfurt ICE-T 1555 FLX 1818 ( i got this out of OldVern his bug report but is quite nice to run) Spoiler DB 146: meeting with the RB51 service who is holding your platform in gelnhausen, which you will take over the next station and meet again while stopped in the next station 1555: a sudden meeting with a freight train who goes of the way for you, and when you're lucky an encounter with a landing aircraft very low altitude) edit: and i'm still waiting for my layers!
Southeastern High Speed remains my favourite modern day UK route. The Javelin is also fun to drive especially on the High Speed 1 section. 5L12 (Part 1) @ 0820. An ECS move from St Pancras to Ashford Depot. Spoiler You're following another ECS which also goes to Ashford Depot, which in turn is following another service - plenty of signal checks. Also a lengthy wait at Ashford Station as you wait for the train in front to finish its depot move - ideal for trainspotting.
Be sure and rerun FLX 1818 once you get all the layers. It gets even better! Spoiler: Spoiler Wait outside Frankfurt for an RE 50 and then later catch up to an RE 55 which you eventually pass. Finally, you chase Freight 51825 into Fulda. I am putting this run up for a GOAT nomination. I continue to be impressed by this route! Every run is interesting and the ICE T and FLX Vectron are both very enjoyable to drive.
I haven't read the previous entries, so I'm not sure if these were shared previously. Anyway, I came back with a double punch with the release of TSW5! FLX (1240) on the new Frankfurt to Fulda route with the new Flixtrain Vectron. This service has it all. PZB action, LZB, SPAD potential, red on LZB and a whole lot of others. I hope to see more of these. SB319 on the San Bernardino line. This is a full run on the San Bernardino line with the Rotem cab car. It isn't as eventful as the previous one but you do get some adverse signaling and also some SPAD potential. Be sure to have the Jovet sheet ready for Metrolink if you don't know the signaling by heart. This run summarizes why I personally enjoy driving on US routes. Delightfully obscure signaling while you wrestle with oversized machinery.
Even the "routine" runs on Frankfurt Fulda tend to be excellent. Here is one: FLX (1241) Berlin Hbf to Stuttgart Hbf at 10:40 with the Flixtrain Vectron You get some traffic if you are running on time. Spoiler: Spoiler A 101 service leaves Fulda before you and you catch up to it just after Hanau. There is also a platform wait at Frankfurt Süd. I am having too much fun with FFA to try anything else right now. The route and timetable combined with the ICE- T and the Flixtrain Vectron make for an awesome combination. So, here is an update from someone who hasn't run anything else for a while and who is looking forward to eventually trying WCMLS, San Bernadino, and the bonus SEHS Javelin run that was uncovered by jack#9468 . Google Published Documents: TSW3-5 Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...4lUuBrw-k2_y7FxuzH6mZ1m3Qu4YTfLViTfxQ/pubhtml TSW1-2 Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet..._wzt7qTCooxSTBW8pGAwYLs_ohsdDOcQOuZ4A/pubhtml Chaos Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...yCTbHVZrwBSBUUkPiiJGlTWfRXexfPn7kBVDw/pubhtml Excel Spreadsheets: TSW3-5 Recommended Service Runs https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=108028767534258522758&rtpof=true&sd=true TSW1-2 Recommended Service Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YgilvnKZFc7TJXyqftRJ0I5yTMlMf81/view?usp=sharing Chaos Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cMKrwNA2OmZz8tVEQo1_FZnRZXpNT463/view?usp=sharing Please let me know if there are any errors or omissions, especially for the runs on WCMLS and SBO that I haven't done yet. Also let me know if there are better descriptions that I can provide; please keep in mind that I need them to be brief so that they fit on the spreadsheet.
We need to make an extra spreadsheet with '[edit]bad[/edit]normal Fulda-Frankfurt' runs i think. Will be faster to navigate
Dear DTG JD, may we be pinned again? This is actually my nr 1 post of things to do when i boot the game
Run this Frankfurt Fulda service before it gets fixed: IC (1279) Berlin Ost to Basel SBB at 11:46 with the DB BR 101. It is not the expert 101 (yet!), but you will have plenty of issues. For maximum surprise, run it before you read the spoiler. I have tried it twice. The first time I was able to complete it, but the second time my system had its first TSW5 crash. Spoiler: Just pretend it is one of those random events you have been asking for! You get a quick red for a freight (service 51195) that is stopped just outside Wirtheim. Perhaps the train line blew or it had another issue. It will proceed after about 8-10 minutes and you then follow it into Hanau with plenty of LZB and PZB braking. If you can get a rough idea of the speed of the freight, you can smooth out the ride. Smooth or rough, you will be about 15 minutes late once you clear it. After that you will have lost your slot and be dealing with adverse signals and traffic into Frankfurt. ICE 597 is one train behind and has similar issues if you want to run that one.
Oooh, I liked that one I read your post only very briefly to not get spoiled, so I initially thought... Spoiler ... if you didn't crash into the freight, as the vorsignal is bugged and shows ambiguous signal (but of course SPAD would end the game).
I am currently only a couple miles into this one, but I had to pause the game to post on here. Route: WCML Train: Class 350 Service: 2T00 Tring - London Euston There is just so much going on! I am currently stopped at my second scheduled stop, Hemel Hempstead, and I have already seen 3x other 4-car 350s, 1x 8 or 12 car 350, 3x Pendolino, 1x Class 66 with containers.
Great Service Ran in September with Rainy very busy as you say and very Atmospheric with the lighting!! Thanks
Just ran 1H61 Euston to Piccadilly in the 390/0 on WCML. Really enjoyable run with lots of traffic if you have all layers enabled. Includes overtaking freight as well as oncoming freight, there is a section where you also pass 2 350s in each direction at the same time, all topped off with adverse signals while following the 1Y11 express to Birmingham.
This one was a blast! I really enjoyed the 4-train meet, it felt surreal to have 4 trains a the same point at the same time.
Holy smokes I just did this run and Spoiler: spoiler the vorsignal is kinda bugged indeed. The freight train is supposed to be stopped at its next red signal, in order to let the intercity services pass. However they messed up the stop point and it is stopped with its tail end protruding into the main line. Since the switch is still set to go into the right platform where the freight train is sitting, the vorsignal is giving you a 60 km/h signal for the junction, combined with a yellow/yellow for the stop. IRL this could never happen; the vorsignal would not be showing the speedrestriction along with the yellow/yellow as that is an invalid signal. I was doing the run without HUD and I almost needed clean underpants when I saw what was happening.
You were probably thinking about it, but you were too lazy to do it. List of the matching trains from FTF and KWG (and BRO). I'll just put it into this thread as that's where people tend to look for interesting services, and standalone thread would get buried and forgotten quickly. It's a very missed opportunity to include ICE 776 on Frankfurt - Fulda as well, but you can replace the first leg with ICE 276 that runs just 7 minutes earlier. Going beyond TSW, the KWG matches the timetable used in ZUSI3 timetable Hamburg-Kassel/Kirchheim-Veddel_2020_06Uhr-10Uhr. This way, you can extend your runs significantly in the other game. I compiled some examples: ICE 91 Hamburg-Altona – Wien Hbf: 07:57 – 10:01 Hamburg-Harburg (Abzw Veddel) – Göttingen (Zusi, 411+411) 10:21 – 11:31 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Würzburg Hbf (KWG, 401) ICE 275 Berlin Ostbf – Interlaken Ost: 06:20 – 07:12 Hildesheim Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Zusi, 401) 07:12 – 07:44 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Fulda (KWG, 401) 07:43 – 08:42 Fulda – Frankfurt Hbf (FTF, 401) ICE 277 Berlin Ostbf – Basel SBB: 08:20 – 09:12 Hildesheim Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Zusi, 401) 09:12 – 09:44 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Fulda (KWG, 401) 09:43 – 10:42 Fulda – Frankfurt Hbf (FTF, 401) ICE 581 Hamburg-Altona – München Hbf: 06:00 – 07:21 Ehlershausen – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Zusi, 401) 07:21 – 08:29 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Würzburg Hbf (KWG, 401) ICE 888 München Hbf – Hamburg-Altona: 06:25 – 07:33 Würzburg Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (KWG, 401) 07:33 – 09:50 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Hamburg-Harburg (Zusi, 412) (3h30 total time!) IC 2083 Hamburg-Altona – Berchtesgaden: 07:33 – 10:05 Hamburg-Harburg – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Zusi, 101) 10:05 – 11:20 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Würzburg Hbf (KWG, 101) (3h50 total time!!)
This is great, thank you. Maybe we should add another "Awesome TSW Route Hopping Mode Runs" here on the forum too to also find the best hopping times eg. Hagen, LA, San Bernardino or Euston
I had no problem stopping for the freight train, but i did do a SPAD a bit further, the yellow vorsignal at Gelnhousen is WAY to close to the red main signal, no way to stop, must be a bug (Signal S556 i think)
Thank you for this! I added this link to the lead post and will include it in future spreadsheet updates: noir has complied a list of Matching Services between FTF and KWG (and BRO): https://forums.dovetailgames.com/posts/904330/
A nice short run on FFA: TEE (340) Aschaffenburg Hbf to Koblenz Lützel DB Museum at 10:21 with the BR 103 DB. Scheduled for 11 minutes, but be patient. . . Spoiler: Run it before reading! There is a long platform wait at Frankfurt Süd and you get a hill start after a red. It is fun to handle the 103 in the busy corridor between Frankfurt and Hanau. I don't know if this service is seasonal or player only. If it is seasonal and you know the month, 642 service 25125 and 401 ICE Service are also affected. Does anyone know if the 103 services show up as AI and, if so, what months?
Starting from this suggestion, I discovered a bunch of delightful services around this time. ICE (1646) Erfurt Hbf - Frankfurt (M) Flughafen Fernbahnhof 06:42: ICE-T from Fulda to Frankfurt Süd ICE (1652) Dresden Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf 06:42: ICE-T directly following the first one and going to Frankfurt Hbf ICE (591) Göttingen - München Hbf 06:48: ICE1 as the third of the sequence and going to Frankfurt Hbf RB51 (15541) Bad Soden-Salmünster - Frankfurt (M) Hbf 06:44 RE50 (4545) Fulda - Frankfurt (M) Hbf 06:16 Spoiler It's fascinating to see from the perspectives of the the different services, how they overtake each other, slow each other down, who gets priority and using the different safety systems of the ICEs. There's a bit of congestion near Hanau until all the trains have sorted themselves out. And that's only in one direction and within one timespan of the day... A lot more to discover!
When I recently bought Cathcart I was delighted that there was a 314 railtour on the original Edinburgh-Glasgow timetable. An excellent run this! 1Z31 EDD-GLAS dep 12:00. Spoiler Don't think this is going to be flying along on greens all the way! Plenty of adverse signalling the whole way keeps you alert. The first time I tried this I had a SPAD first signal out of Edinburgh. Ooops! In comparison the return trip is rather more mundane.
By pure happenstance just did that run. Fun fact: I was on the real run as well, which took place on the 2nd of June, 2024 (though I had joined after Frankfurt). So maybe it’s locked to summer? I didn’t check. In the meantime, here’s a shot of the real train: Spoiler
Another one for Southeastern High Speed, the gift that keeps on giving: Class 465/9, 5L95 Plumstead Sidings to Strood, 06:02. I ran it in August, with all SEHS layers active. A really engaging ECS move from Dartford to Strood. You're initially following a stopper, which you catch up to. Then you're held by the signaller while a 395 (also ECS) joins in front of you from Ebbsfleet. You then follow both these services to Strood, with SPAD potential as you come across several possible checks at signals that rarely show danger aspects. (Apologies, not sure how to post spoilers!)
Cathcart 2024 Class 380/0 2P14: Glasgow - Newton 15:18pm Requirements: ScR 158, WCML-S, E2G (for 385) Lots of traffic coming into Glasgow if you wait a couple seconds before departing you can parallel run a 350
Thanks for posting these runs. Is there a particular one among the five that you want to highlight? I was planning on entering them as one run and adding the other 4 in the comments.
