Hello everyone, I wanted to share a detailed draft map of the Berlin Ringbahn, showing lines S41 (clockwise) and S42 (counterclockwise). I'd also like your feedback, suggestions for additions, and perhaps a comparison of how these lines work compared to others in similar cities. Introduction to lines S41 / S42 — Berlin Ringbahn The S41 and S42 lines form Berlin's famous Ringbahn, a circular railway ring served by the S-Bahn system, which connects peripheral neighborhoods and urban transit hubs without passing through the city center. The S41 travels clockwise along the circle. The S42 travels counterclockwise along the same route. The complete route is approximately 37.0 km long, with 27 stations along the circle. The average time for a complete circuit is approximately 59 minutes. Stations S41 / S42 – Berlin Ringbahn (in order from Gesundbrunnen, clockwise) Gesundbrunnen Schönhauser Allee Prenzlauer Allee Greifswalder Straße Landsberger Allee Storkower Straße Frankfurter Allee Ostkreuz Treptower Park Sonnenallee Neukölln Hermannstraße Tempelhof Südkreuz Schoeneberg Innsbrucker Platz Bundesplatz Heidelberger Platz Hohenzollerndamm Halensee Westkreuz Messe Nord / ICC (formerly Witzleben) Westend Jungfernheide Beusselstraße Westhafen Wedding Notes The S41 and S42 run exactly the same route, but in opposite directions. Each station has different connections to other S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, or bus lines. Some major stations: Ostkreuz, Südkreuz, Westkreuz, and Gesundbrunnen are important interchange hubs. Services, schedules, and features: Frequency: During normal hours, services run every 10 minutes, but during rush hour, service increases. Berlinstadtservice Schedule: Service begins very early in the morning at 4:30 AM and ends around 1:30 AM. Nights/Weekends: There are night services on weekends, with longer intervals. Trains in use on lines S41 / S42 – Berlin Ringbahn 1. DB Baureihe 481 (Series 481) Type: EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) Year of entry into service: 1996–2004 Manufacturers: Bombardier & ABB Henschel Maximum speed: 100 km/h Features: Iconic design with red and yellow front 4-car train (double units coupled to create longer trains) Air conditioning not present on the original models Still widely used on the Ringbahn today Status: Being replaced / complemented by the new Baureihe 483/484 model 2. DB Baureihe 483/484 (Series 483/484) Type: New generation EMU Year of introduction: from 2021 Manufacturer: Stadler Rail + Siemens Mobility (consortium) Maximum speed: 100 km/h Features: Air conditioning Digital passenger information system Ergonomic and modern seats Quieter and more accessible trains 2-car (483) or 4-car (484) trains, modular to adapt to demand Status: Gradually introduced on the S41/S42 lines From 2023-2024, many Ringbahn services will only use 483/484 during peak travel periods
I think a Berlin S-Bahn route would be excellent. There are also the other S4x routes to run before they branch off, and parts of S8, S85 and S9. Quite a lot of mainline AI too, particularly in the north and east, with some very short driveable local services between Jungfernheide and Gesundbrunnen, and a few freight workings that could be driven. Layers: ICE1/ICE3/ICE-T/101+IC 112/143/146/182+Dostos 442 Freight
I would much rather we had got this for TSW6 than the straight shot extension from Riesa to Leipzig. Though I had to do a double take as at first glance I thought the title was referring to the London Underground Met/Circle Line! Only caveat is that DTG have (allegedly) said Berlin is in the too difficult basket due to the complex rail network and built up city scenery. Well to me, that comes under the heading of tell me solutions, not problems. It’s a great route in TSC so if it’s possible in that game and runs well, are DTG admitting their shiny new product can’t handle it?
If the NYC cityscape and skyline cannot be modeled with any accuracy in NYT, Harlem and LIRR, I doubt Berlin would fare much better. Will DTG ever be able to model this kind of scenery? Probably not with the current engine and memory constraints.
It's worth pointing out that the route suggested (literally) circumvents the city centre, and almost all of its high-rise buildings, and wouldn't include the Hbf, or the other major stations on the Stadtbahn. There would be 3 quite big stations (Gesundbrunnen, Ostkreuz and Sudkreuz), but none are beyond what we've seen in many TSW routes.
Ok, but the problem with city railways, even if they are on the outskirts, is what would be visible from the train. And, generally speaking, large cities are very prominent in terms of high rises and ambient lighting. TSW has not done a good job with cities like Manchester, Birmingham, New York etc.
