Intro: I know I have suggested this in the past with 2 separate suggestions: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/ecml-extension-to-york-and-possible-add-ons-for-ecml.80527/ and https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/ecml-york-to-newcastle-sunderland-middlesborough.80544/ but this is looking very unlikely and a lot of changes have been made since then. The WCML has been getting a lot of content from DTG and 3rd party developers and I think the ECML should now have its turn. So this is why I'm giving an updated suggestion. Route The route is around 102 miles in length and the following stations will be present: Doncaster York Thirsk Northallerton Darlington Durham Chester-le-Street Newcastle Trains: The 2 primary locos included in this route will be: Class 185 Class 802 Nova The Class 801 from Peterborough - Doncaster will be present as without it Doncaster would be inaccessible The following trains will layer into this route: Class 220 Voyager (Drivable) EMR Class 158 (Visual at Doncaster) Potential DLCs: Northern Class 158 Grand Central Class 180 LNER Class 91 The WCML has almost been completed with DTG and 3rd party developers with what's been released and what's coming since TSW5 and now I think it's the ECML's turn to shine as Peterborough - Doncaster is the only section we have.
This is a better suggestion! This would be a DLC I would buy. I think it could be better if we also got a new freight locomotive like a 60, 68 or 70 (or to really please DTG, a 66 but in a new livery that isn't EWS or DB). Any layers for railtours or any special moves?
Surely a slightly backdated version would be better in this case since I think the 91 one did this part of the line
Good suggestion. It's true that now that the WCML is approaching its completion, developing the ECML would be a good project for the United Kingdom.
Pretty sure 91s run between King's X and York now anyways?, and the new timetable should see them running to newcastle. Correct me if I'm wrong, I kind of skimmed through the timetable
I’ve also made almost a same suggestion 2 hours before yours. I also suggested Newcastle-Edinburgh. I think Newcastle is a great hub for terminating and departing trains because it’s the only large train station in the Northeast
They do run King's Cross to York. The Newcastle diagram isn't coming back until March at the earliest, if ever, from what I've read
I've read , one set per day to newcastle from King's X in the midafternoon from December 25 but the set will be shortened from 9 to 8 car operation. The other remaining sets will continue there normal operation until replacement
That implies less services to drive vs if the route was set BR era, but seems to be a good compromise, as it would also pleased those who prefer modern era routes ?
East coast era? Get them grey HSTs and 225s running I think using the stock we have rn would make sense then afterwards we could he have backdated versions
That’s incorrect. As far as I’m aware, all 225 sets have now been shortened to 7 car operation, as this is required in the new timetable for approximate parity with Azuma timings. Initially it was planned that a 225 would form up to Newcastle and operate the 18:27 return working also, but this hasn’t happened sadly and the diagram has been replaced with an Azuma.
Hopefully this could come with an 801 updated with 802 improvements such as announcements and guard mode. (And an 800 to layer onto Fife Circle)
This would be great mid 90s with the Valenta HST/Class 91. There would also be the potential for RES Class 47s on mail services. Dream scenario is the Deltic/HST crossover period
What a fantastic suggestion. Since they are doing a 100+ mile trent valley route for the WCML, this gives me hope that this route would be possible. Maybe set in early 2000s or late 90s would be better imo but a modern day one would be an instant buy still.
There's a lot of locos here that aren't in the game at the moment so I'd say have the class 91 + coaches come with the route then (unfortunately but realistically) have the TPE 802 an add on (if set modern day). If they are setting it in the past then they could make an updated 47s and 40/45s pack which ran on TPE routes
I'd prefer the Southern section given my bias towards reducing the black hole of East Anglia a little and I like the rich choice of services available without needing to add more than one or two pieces of traction. However, a more interesting and populated (in terms of variants of traction) slice of the ECML would be really good and I think this DLC would be perfectly achievable as the main DTG release for 2026.
It's a bit long for all in one go with all those stations. Given issues with consoles and long/heavy routes I don't think it'd run well in TSW's current state (well the state of consoles really) The idea itself is a nice concept, I just think it really should be broken up. Doncaster to York (and the branch to Leeds) would be about half of that, and the section from York to Newcastle would work all by itself. That gives three terminals to run to and the next route then goes from hub (York) to hub (Newcastle) They'd both be reasonable at around 60ish miles.
Fun fact it’s actually a lot of the smaller routes on consoles which has problems, for example Manchester airport will have blurry and glitchy textures every few routes But on Preston to Carlisle I’m yet to encounter it for more than a second and even then I can go months without seeing the issue
That's nice. What console? Also not just length but the traffic on the route (and optimization a bit) I am under the impression this is a heavily travelled route with lots of movements. I still think it makes sense to keep it short, more dense and connect to Leeds and York giving a lot more complete traffic rather than avoid connecting to the NTP. In the long run, that connection would reinvigorate NTP and link to the West Coast, boosting popularity as well as make it more playable.
Series X, anyways it’s less value for money to cut it, like seriously we need more longer runs in this game, they are also some of more stable routes in game. but it all depends what era they actually do it in, like the link to NTP is only good if the route is set in the past
It's a stretch, but they have done 100 mile routes 2 times now with other DLC. I totally agree with your comments on the state of the game. I think we would have to accept for any new stretch of the ECML we get that there will be performance issues as we've got Kings Cross to Peterborough to come (70 miles with a lot of stations) and Newcastle to Edinburgh which would have to be split I think. York to Newcastle wouldn't make sense as there's only 20 minutes between York and Doncaster. I think it would be a mistake not for it to go to Doncaster but I wouldn't want to see the route yet, until the game steadies up
