I thought another map suggestion was what I was thinking about but it wasn't. I think it would be good to select your route from either a map of each country with routes in them or a globe that highlights the position of each route as you scroll in. Each route is highlighted as you move your cursor over it with either "Go to route" or, if it's not in your library, an option to buy it. Additional options could be a hovering timetable selection or rail fanning scenario options. A really interesting option would be a tie-in with the live weather on the map to show current weather conditions if someone's fancying a metrological challenge. I think this will help mesh networks and locations of routes in players' minds. It will highlight missing sections in players' collections and just make the Train Sim World more real, less abstract and fractured.
I appreciate there are sizeable gaps in the TSW map, maybe have something globe-like with higher detailed maps for the countries with content. Or flags sticking out of the global that you click on which takes you in to a higher resolution map of one or two (neighbouring) countries. No need for the southern hemisphere yet, for example.
The usual pathway through the UI would remain the same, in my mind it would give you the option to "Explore routes on map". I can't see anyone constantly using the map option this is more for curious minds and those wanting to see what options there are to travel over a few routes in the correct order. Particularly useful if you're planning a long-distance freight or railtour run. And I love maps. They are our dependable friends in a world gone mad.
not a bad idea, but what this game desperately needs is either Ebula/PTC or some sort of alternative, maybe fictional (but still immersive) way to fill up the inactive screens... like, I dunno, give us option to put track monitor on one, maybe the "T key" screen on other... or sth... and while they are at it, make the screens readable even without clicking on em
