Introduction: The route starts at Bedford, about 45 miles north of London. We then head south, to St. Pancras, where trains can terminate at the high-level station, or continue even further through the Thameslink core, which runs underneath central London to Blackfriars and London Bridge, and further still to East Croydon. Players can switch route to complete the run to Brighton. Services on the route are operated by Thameslink, as well as East Midlands Trains for services north of St. Pancras, and Southern and London Overground for services south of London Bridge. Route Map: Route length is 63 miles. Why this route would be good for TSW: -Huge variation in AI traffic across the route -You'd be able to drive through central London, with several landmarks visible -Brings the highly requested class 222 -Both third rail and overhead wires -Able to drive a full Bedford to Brighton service if BML is installed -Possible route merger with BML -Long awaited second route for the class 700 -Planes can be seen flying over Central London as well as into Luton Airport Time Period: A 2018 time period would be ideal for this route, as it would match the timetable with BML and would remove any licencing complications with EMR. Rolling Stock: Class 222: High Speed DEMU similar to the voyager. Would operate EMT Intercity services north of St. Pancras. Class 700: Desiro City EMU. Would operate the majority of services along the route, through the Thameslink core. Ideally, the sounds should be improved from the SEHS version. These improvements should include louder AC motor sounds, AI trains not playing DC sounds while on AC, improved passing sounds as the current ones loop weirdly, and an improved DC motor sound as the current version sounds more like a class 350. Class 377: Electrostar EMU. Would operate Southern services south of London Bridge. Like the 700, there should be some improvements. For example, improved flange and track joint sounds, improved PIS to look more like the real thing, as well as a different interior and light cluster to reflect some /1 units. Timetable: Class 222: 1 train an hour from St. Pancras to Corby, calling at Luton and Bedford. Playable from St. Pancras to Bedford. 1 train an hour from St. Pancras to Nottingham, calling at Luton Airport Parkway and Bedford. Playable from St. Pancras to Bedford. AI services to Leeds and Sheffield that don't call at any stations on the route. Class 700: 4 trains an hour from Bedford to East Croydon (Limited stops). 2 per hour run off-map to Three Bridges and the other 2 run to Brighton 2 trains an hour from Luton to Rainham (All stations). Playable to London Bridge 4 trains an hour from St. Albans to Sutton (All stations). Playable to Blackfriars 2 trains an hour from Peterborough to Horsham. Playable from St. Pancras to East Croydon 2 trains an hour from Cambridge to Brighton. Playable from St. Pancras to East Croydon Class 377: 2 trains an hour from London Bridge to Epsom. Calling at Norwood junction only (service runs off-map here) 2 trains an hour from London Bridge to Caterham/Tattenham Corner. Calling at Norwood Junction and East Croydon (service runs off-map here) 2 trains an hour from London Bridge to London Victoria. Calling at New Cross Gate, Brockley, Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill and Sydenham (service runs off-map here) Layers: Class 378 for Overground services between New Cross Gate and Norwood Junction. Class 43 HST for EMT intercity services alongside the class 222 Class 375 & 465 for Southeastern AI at London Bridge Class 387 for Gatwick Express AI at East Croydon Thank you for reading the suggestion.
It would be a good addition. No Class 360? I have a lot of affection for those units from their days out East. It was sad that they, like the Class 90s never had an official last run for enthusiasts due to Covid-19 lockdowns. Though I gather their reliability has dropped off a cliff since their transfer to EMR but doing 110mph in them must be fun and it would give us another unit in preparation for our first East Anglia route.
I set the suggestion in 2018, as when the 360s started on the MML, the 222s stopped stopping anywhere south of Kettering on a regular basis.
I really like this suggestion. I would change the era slightly so it includes the transition period from class 319/377/387 to the class 700. Could also include HSTs as a layer. Would be good as part of this to do a BML remaster to expand the offer of traction.
