Hello, Everyone Today I suggest the Riviera Line between Exeter St Davids and Paigntpn but in the 80s! The Route One of the most well-known routes in Train Simulator Classic (not TSC2024) is 'Riveria Line in the Fifties' and sadly due to the abrupt pause of steam locomotive production in TSW, it'll be a while until we see that route make a come back so I suggest the exact same line but in the 1980s! The route starts at Exeter St Davids and travels south towards Paignton via the legendary Dawlish Sea Wall. The original TS route travelled further on towards Dartmouth but the section between Paignton & Dartmouth has been a heritage railway since 1972. The line is roughly 25 miles (approx 40.2km) and takes around 45 mins to go between the two end stations. Rolling Stock With the route, I suggest that the route should come with - - BR Class 50 50 Class 50s were built between 1967 & 68. The Class was transferred to the Western Region between 1972 & 1973. Withdrawals took place between 1987 & 1994. Today, a healthy 18 have been preserved. On the route, I suggest that the Class 50s such be included in BR Large Logo (as pictured) and in BR Blue - BR Class 43 HST (Velenta) 197 Class 43 HST Powercars were built between 1975 & 82. The class could be seen all over the UK up until the late 2010s when GWR became the first the withdraw their HST fleet in May 2019 with other companies doing the same. GWR did re-activate some of their sets for local and semi-fast services with these sets shortend to 4 coaches and named 'Castle Class'. Today only GWR & Scotrail operate HSTs in passenger service with Colas Rail & Network Rail using at least 1 set as a test train however GWR will be withdrawing their final examples by the end of 2024. Thanks to their popularity, 13 powercars have been preserved including 43002 "Sir Keith Grange" & 43302 "The Journey Shrinker". 43302 holds the world speed record fot the fastest diesel locomotive. On the route, I suggest that the HSTs such be included in Inter-City125 Blue (as pictured) & Inter-City Executive Layers Northern Trans-pennine - BR Classes 40, 45, 47/4 & 101 + Heavy Freight Pack Wagons Tees Valley Line - BR Classes 20, 31 & Class 37/5 Blackpool Branches - BR Classes 08 (Improved), 47/4 (Improved) & 142 ('Skipper' livery) Peak Forest - LMS Jubilee + Mk1 (Railtour) Thanks for reading my suggestion. (IMAGES BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS)
Wow! Diesel entered my veins instead of blood! I loved this route on TSC and I'd love to see it again, here on TSW. Excellent proposal! Long live the 12RP200L Paxman ! PS. You managed to bring two of my favorite English units together in one single proposal!
Superb proposal and great time period. Should avoid any licensing issues as all BR. Many of the locos already exist in the game (Class 45, 47 etc.) though the Class 50 almost compulsory along with a DMU more suited to the WR than either the Class 101 or elusive Class 104. Really surprised DTG haven’t got this on their radar for TSW as it would sell like the proverbial hot cakes, done properly.
The route is fantastic as it is but I can't help but think it would be better if linked with the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway as most of our current catalogue of loco DLC would fit nicely for a diesel gala. The extra mileage would be nominal with a whole different experience on each part of the route with mainline type speeds and frequency from Exeter to Paignton and a leisurely 25mph low frequency from Paignton to Dartmouth. A similar approach could one day be taken with the South Western Alton branch attached to the Mid Hants Watercress Line. I would go for anything BR 70s or 80s above other eras.
Really hoping someone will make this route for 2025. It is almost scandalous it hasn't been made already. Would be even better if it included the line to Kingswear as well. Could be the perfect route to re-introduce a steam loco, either a Pannier or a Prairie.
I would really like to see this route set during the steam era but we are more likely to get it as a diesel route
Feel this one would be a shoe in for JT in their 1986 time period. A Class 50 and Blue/Intercity HST are sorely missing from the game. As it's 25 miles, I feel we could also have the Plymouth line, Exmouth branch and Kingswear Branches and still be in around 60-70 miles total range.
And after that they could develop a second linked route (how they are doing Blackpool and Carlisle) with Exeter to Bristol including the Weston Super Mare section!
I would like to add the line up to Plymouth as this would only add an additional 32 miles and would add extra game play to the route, The line from Exeter to Paignton is fairly flat and high speed making it a very good express route with some awesome views but what makes a good route is hills and the section from Newton Abbott to Plymouth is very slow and bendy and in places very steep adding the challenge of descending the grade while sticking to the speed limits.
Also the section after Teignmouth alongside the river is cool. I used to often stay at a holiday park (Devon Valley) before it closed and loved watching the 43s glide past in the distance.
