To avoid another thread titled “TSW7” yes it’s inevitable but that’s not this threads point it’s just regarding something specific what I think may be looking more obvious now is it just me or is things pointing to next years U.K. Route being WCML extended from Milton Keynes to Birmingham, i say this as it’s gonna be the only section between Crewe and London missing, I think it will be too far for TSW standards to connect it all, but across 2 routes seems likely especially given how Reisa Dresden was extended and reused twice. Will they shy away reusing an already existing route as their flagship or is it an opportunity too silly to miss. what do you think ? No ? Possible ? A yes I see that aswell ?
Personally I think you are looking for the answer you want to find and will then convince yourself and probably others that this is solid fact. Then will come the mass grabbing of pitchforks and sharp sticks because you were all definitely certain you were going to get what you wanted, and the protests will start, government petitions will get slapped about, and this will just be a normal boring day in these virtual halls.....
Well, let's think logically. If DTG were going to make a Milton Keynes to Birmingham route, they would probably want to use the updated Birmingham New Street station from All Aboard studio's Birmingham to Crewe route, so they would have to have negotiations with that team. DTG themselves have shown no interest in fixing their own version of Birmingham New Street station on the BCC route, even when Rivet Games released the XC / WMR class 170 DLC and timetable update, so I don't believe the WCML is on their radar right now. As DTG are so focused on the GWR licence, HST Farewell DLC and GWR Express remaster right now, I would bet my money on the TSW7 core route being either GWR Reading to Bristol, Cardiff to Bristol, or Exeter to Bristol.
Technically the pure WCML would be extending from Milton Keynes to Rugby then via the Trent Valley to meet up with the AAB route at Stafford. Though Birmingham would be nice as well. Not to mention you can’t really ignore the Northampton Loop or the back road from Stechford via Bescot to Portobello Jn.
I use this map, that shows all the UK routes in game so far. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...ll=53.332528780883386,-1.6239091376516324&z=8 it really illustrates the routes that need to be added to the game as the gaps are obvious (and desired). The OP post is spot on for the MK to B'ham. The big focal point would be a MK to Northampton to Coventry to B'hm. That way it could link up to Peterborough (Doncaster ECML) and Leicester (MML) too. It would be one hell of an expansion and I think we would all lose our cool over it There are also some other spots that stand out. I'm betting (demanding) these: Crewe to Liverpool (modern) Manchester Airport to Crewe as an extension by AT York (with links to Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster Hull) Carlisle to Newcastle Sheffield to Manchester Brighton to Bournemouth Cardiff to Gloucester to B'ham.
Is Dresden - Leipzig received that well by players? The extension don't look to bad, but it's also not exciting new and you also don't get new rolling stock. If the route is not that populair, big chance DTG won't do such a thing again.
There's so much WCML at the point that I hope it gets given a break after Birmingham to Crewe and Crewe to Preston
I am hoping the ECML gets some attention next. It’s kind of been kicked to the curb since the P’boro to Doncaster route.
Completing the WCML seems somewhat pointless to me as you can't do the whole stretch without having to load in to the next map at Milton Keynes and then Birmingham. I understand it's impossible to have a route that long, but if DTG allowed you to seamlessly load into the next map, still cut-in to the controls with AI traffic in the same place by giving a pop-up option to "continue service on Milton Keynes to Birmingham route?" then I'd be fine with that. However, we all know you'll complete your run to Milton Keynes, have to back out to the menu, select the next route and the same service, load-in, cut in to the train that you were previously already cut-in to once more, set up AWS again, just to carry on the service, making for a super unrealistic and jarring experience.
