This route is unique as the only route in the UK with ERTMS signalling as oppose to AWS use. The route runs for 71 miles from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli with an extra 12 miles from Dovey Junction to Aberystwyth. Notable points on this route would be the great feckin big Barmouth Bridge just east of Barmouth: The connection of the Ffestiniog and Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railways at Porthmadog and Aberystwyth and just the stunning scenery west of Machynlleth Motive Power: Transport for Wales Class 158: Network Rail Class 97 Services: The Class 158 would run passenger services from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli as well as some services from Aberystwyth continuing off the map to Birmingham International. You could also do ECS moves to and from Machynlleth depot. Alongside the Class 97, the KFA log wagon would have to be included for the once a week log train to and from Chirk. A Colas Class 56 or 70 would bring the train as far as Shrewsbury and a Class 97 would be put on the front for the run to Aberystwyth. The reason for this because the Class 97 is the only UK locomotive equipped with ERTMS, the 158 is in the same case as the only DMU. Because the Class 56 isn't in the game and the Class 70 is in Freightliner colours, to improvise, a Class 97 would just haul the train the entire way in game. Besides the log trains, the Class 97 could run crew training trips along the line as just a light loco. Timetable Layers: - If you own JT's Mk2f pack, you could operate with the 97, the Cambrian Coast Express to either Aberystwyth or Pwllheli All other layers would be Ai at Shrewsbury - The TFW Class 150 and 153 for Heart of Wales line services - The WMR Class 170 for Shrewsbury to Birmingham services - The Class 66 for some freight Alternate method for the log trains: Cargo Line Volume 7: Logs If a license with Colas Rail can be made, the Class 56 could be included to represent log trains on more the just the Cambrian line. Keep the Class 97 included as it's essential for any loco hauled workings on this route.
whilst this is a good suggestion, I believe Matt Peddleston has said that TSW can really handle the ETCS / ERTMS signalling system so if we did get The Cambrian, it'd be set before the current signalling system was installed but don't quote me
I wouldn’t object to the route set in an earlier era. However the entire Cambrian network in one go would be too much. Best you could hope for would be Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth or Mach to Pwllheli. But either way a summer Saturday timetable with 37/4’s or even better pairs of 25’s on the Euston services would be a real treat.
Would love to see the route in either modern day or an older era, I think I’d prefer modern day as you’d get the coupling/uncoupling action at Mach, where a 4-car set comes in from Shrewsbury/Birmingham and splits to form a Aber service or Pwllheli service, which would be nice since not much of that happens on passenger services, however getting some new traction with the 25 would also be very nice, and with the 37/4s could come with a nice remodel of the 37s which I think would go down well (extra bonus would be an accessible engine room and nose, which I have wished the 37s can do for a long time…) Could you also then make a further add-on to this with all the narrow-gauge lines that branch off along the route, such as Rheidol, Talyllyn, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland which all intersect the route at some point? Would be interesting to get some narrow gauge locos in the game.
I would love this my step grandparents live in Barmouth and ive been along that route a few times its a stunning route especially the scenery would be great if it came to the game we need more Welsh lines
