Hello, I've recently jumped over to TSW having previously been a Train simulator (Classic) player. One route I often returned to because of it's re-playability and interesting scenery was the old Cornish China Clay for Export route by Creative Rail. The route itself: Map of the railways of Cornwall, with the Mainline from Lostwithiel to Par & the lines to Newquay and Fowey (dotted freight only line) proposed. One of the things I've found TSW does really well is shunting, being able to interact much more with the locos and get in and out of the cab to change points, uncouple, put handbrakes on etc is really immersive. The old CCCFE route had plenty of opportunities for shunting at places like Fowey (pronounced Foy), St Blazey depot & around Bugle. Overall view at St Blazey & Par, the heart of the route with a depot to start runs from. Some of the Newquay branch DMUs were stabled here, allowing for empty stock runs in addition to the freight loco stabling & wagon shunting. It's also a really interesting route for freight in general, with some quite challenging gradients and non linear gameplay as you bring China clay trains to the harbour at Fowey with several run round moves needed along the way. To expand the gameplay, I would also propose the route be slightly extended over the original TSC version, with an extension to Newquay, allowing passenger runs along the whole branch. This would broaden the appeal of the route to those interesting in passenger runs too, both local and Summer Saturday runs via the mainline. I would also add a short extension down to Par Harbour, an interesting short little line which still sees occasional China clay trains. Overall it's a route that packs in a lot of gameplay despite being relatively short which makes it an ideal candidate for TSW. Era: While the route has seen a lot of interesting rolling stock over the years, for maximum variety and future potential addons, I would set the route between the years 1974-1976. We haven't had a route set in the 70s yet, and in that short period there was a lot of variety in rolling stock as Hydraulics were phased out. The HSTs began running in 1976, and during this time class 50s were also being transferred to handle passenger work on the Western region. Newquay station has been heavily rationalised over the years, so setting the route in the 70s would allow more opportunities for run round moves and shunting than if the route was set in a later period. However, much of the rest of the route has changed very little until the recent resignalling programme, allowing for scenario creators to produce scenarios across a long timespan without looking out of place. A 50 on a Summer special at Newquay station before rationalisation, with more operational interest than if set in a later period A 70s era route would also be quite fun for potential new NPCs, with the (questionable) fashion choices at the time! Rolling stock: The base pack could include an 08 (Both in standard BR blue and a China clay weathered variant, similar to the JT Preston - Carlisle route), China clayhood wagons, a Class 52 with Mk1 or Mk2 coaches & a Class 118. The 08, Mk1/Mk2 coaches & 52 are already modelled, so the only new items to produce would be the class 118 DMU and the clayhood wagons (which are similar to wagons made for the steam era routes) By the 1970s, Westerns were increasingly being used on freight services so could be used for the freight runs from Bugle to Fowey, along with express passenger runs to Newquay. The class 118 would bring another 1st Gen DMU to TSW, and in the proposed time period was the mainstay of local passenger runs on many of the branches in Cornwall. A 1st gen DMU would make an interesting challenge on some of the steeper gradients as you may have to change up and down gears a lot to avoid losing too much speed. The 118s hadn't been refurbished yet, so headcode blinds could be changed (although no longer required after 1974) and tail lamps were still placed at the back. The Newquay branch has quite a few stops compared to most of the Cornish branches adding to the challenge. It also has the additional bonus of looking very similar to a number of other DMUs, allowing use in scenarios on other BR era routes, and as a stand in for a 115/117 on the WSR. (Interestingly a less common to the area 116 at this time at Par without the large headcode box, but gives you an idea!) Class 35 Hymeks were on the way out at the beginning of the route era, but could make an excellent follow up stock pack, adding a second Hydraulic to TSW. This, like many other items of rolling stock could also be used on the WSR too. In fact, most hydraulics could be produced in future stock packs without looking out of place. An original condition Valenta engined HST stock pack could also be produced for the route, representing the other end of the proposed route era. This naturally would also be able to be used on many other routes, making it quite a popular pack I believe. For example, in Eastern region guise, it could layer on as AI services around Leeds on NTP, or in IC Swallow livery be used on West Cornwall local. Class 50s could be seen on the mainline services during the transition away from Hydraulic traction, and this could also make an excellent future stock pack. A popular locomotive with enthusiasts, it could have a fair amount of appeal, and could also be used in backdated scenarios on the Preston - Carlisle route on double headed workings just before the OLE went live. Conclusion Overall, this route would have a lot of potential both for freight & passenger workings and I'm sure like the original TSC version one to come back to again and again!
Honestly this seems like a very good route and a JT style route if they move away from the Northern region, this seems quite interesting and it would be nice to have a way more better part of Cornwall than previously. This is just a preference but i would prefer the mainline be extended to Liskeard at least and maybe St Austell so we can utilise route hopping.
