The Ultimate Tsw Route Tier List (2025 Edition)

Hello good folks,

I was looking for a ranking thread and found these to be the last on this forum. So I updated the tier list with newer routes and ranked them.

For my score I compared my routes on the following aspects: length, amount of stations, route variation, commuter, cargo or combined, amount of trains for base route and the last category: personal experience. I gave points for each of these categories [data not shown. ], which resulted in a mark 1/10 [see below].



Explanation:
The first three routes offers much variation and score high on all categories, I named earlier. Number 4/6 scored a little bit lower but are charming routes with mostly some older stuff. 7/13 are routes that are normal routes but scored a little bit higher than the middle of the tracks. The rest are ok routes in my opinion. I don't own routes which are not enjoyable of carbage. American routes scored mostly lower because most of them are straight forward without much variation and complexity. Although the Bakerloo line can be fun and was my first experience with TSW, I scored it the lowest because the lack of variation and driving in the dark.

Until next time.

Ranking score:
1 Nahverkehr Dresden GER 8,8
2 Southeastern High Speed UK 8,3
3 Kinzigtalbahn GER 8,1
4 Linke Rheinstrecke M-K GER 7,7
5 Peak Forrest A-C-B UK 7,6
6 Tharandter Rampe GER 7,5
7 London Commuter UK 7,4
8 West Coast Mainline South UK 7,2
9 Peninsula Corridor USA 7,1
10 S-Bahn Vorarlberg AUT/GER 7,1
11 Schnellfahrstrecke K-W GER 6,8
12 Schnellfahrstrecke K-A GER 6,2
13 Spoorlijn Zwolle - Groningen NED 6,0
14 Cajon pass USA 5,8
15 Sand Patch Grade USA 5,7
16 Boston Sprinter USA 5,6
17 San Benardino line USA 5,6
18 LGV Mediterranee FRA 5,5
19 Antelope Valley Line USA 5,4
20 East Coast Main Line UK 5,3
21 Sherman Hill USA 5,1
22 Bakerloo line UK 5,0

 

To be honest the upgrades and changes to the route really do make it a different experience. Plus they represent the route in a different period of time entirely, so if a retro version of the WCML was to be released it would need to count as well.

Would you be able to add a link to your updated one?

I used the original one but I'll have another go at it later.

 

I respect everyone's opinions ( including yours ) but seriously... How's Holiday Express a gold star route & BCC below standard ?
What's your thought process... I'm curious

 

Sarcasm.

One train, an empty timetable and mediocre scenery.

 

Well, seeing it's been getting some traction over the past few days and considering it's now 2 years old already, I think it's time it got an update.

Here is the new for 2025 Tier List, now updated to feature all the routes that have come out over the course of the past two years (covering TSW4 & 5):

You can find this newly updated tier list by simply clicking here.

 

Here's mine:

 

I updated mine to the new version. I rejigged some of the ones from the original if I felt like I was too positive or too harsh.

And yes, The Holiday Express' placement is still sarcasm. It will stay where it is.