With the upcoming Cathcart Circle route only including one type of rolling stock (*sigh*) here are some (or rather all) other EMUs that were/are in service on this route and would make an enjoyable loco DLC. I mainly want to show the diversity in possible rolling stock here, as I couldn't decide myself which of these different EMUs would be my favourite. Therefore I have only added some basic information to keep this post compact and easy to read. And don't forget to vote on your favourite (if you can decide on one). Class 385 Quick Facts: Manufacturer: Hitachi Rail (Japan) Constructed: 2015-2019 Number built: 70 Max. Speed: 100mph (160km/h) Variants: 385/0 (3 car) | 385/1 (4 car) The class 385, or as I call it "The Rhino", is the most modern EMU found on Cathcart Circle. Since the delivery of all 70 units was completed in December 2019 all Class 314 trainsets on this line have been put out of service. There have been proposals for a battery-powered version of the 385, but at the moment these plans haven't evolved into a real project. Class 380 Quick Facts: Manufacturer: Simens Mobility (Germany) Constructed: 2009-2011 Number built: 38 Max. Speed: 100mph (160km/h) Variants: 380/0 (3 car) | 380/1 (4 car) Being part of the Desiro UK family the 380 shares many technical similarities with other trains from this family, like the Class 185, 350, 360 or 450. The 380 has been and still is in service on multiple lines around the Central Belt. Class 320 Quick Facts: Manufacturer: ABB York (England) Constructed: 1990 Number built: 34 Max. Speed: 90mph (145km/h) Variants: 320/3 (3 car / original) | 320/4 (3 car / converted from Class 321/4) The class 320 is the three-car variant of the class 321, which is still operated by Greater Anglia. Whilst the original order only included 22 units this number was raised in 2016/17 by converting old class 321/4 units into the 320/4. The converted 320/4 has a 10mph faster max. speed than the original 321/3. Class 318 Quick Facts: Manufacturer: BREL York (England) Constructed: 1985-86 Number built: 21 Max. Speed: 90mph (145km/h) Variants: 318 (3 car) The class 318 is the oldest EMU in active service in Scotland and was built to replace old DMU units on then newly electrified lines. The 318 is the three-car version class 317 which is still operated by Greater Anglia. Class 303 Quick Facts: Manufacturer: Pressed Steel (England) Constructed: 1959-61 Number built: 91 Max. Speed: 75mph (125km/h) Variants: 303 (3 car) Being the classic unit on the Cathcart Circle Lines, the class 303 was in operation since the electrification in 1967 upon their replacement by the class 314 in 2002. They are nearly identical to the class 311 that was also used on the Circle Lines.
Love all of these trains, for me it would have to be the Class 380 but would also love to see the 303 as a historic addition
for me i would love to see the class 320, they remind me of the class 465's and would be a great addition to the cathcart add-on.
I think if a Class 380 appears it has good reuse potential being modified into a Class 350/450 for any future routes, but I'm also strangely drawn to the Class 318 with its weird front end and the Class 320 due to their loud motor sounds. Any of these would be good though, thanks for making such an informative post with a sensible poll too.
Class 318 because it's a Mk3 Coach based EMU that can serve as the basis for Class 455 EMU 750v DC Third rail Top Contact. Perfect train for 2014-present Cathcart Circle alongside 2010 built Class 380s & 2015 build Class 385s
320 if for no other reason than it would then possibly lead to the 321 which are used on the GEML which would be another good addition in game
Sort of gutted to see the 334's not on this list - The class 334 is my all time favourite train, and has never been actually replicated in any simulator (Other than I believe BVE?) It's been in use around the same time as the 314, it's not unknown for it to appear on the circle's branches.
As said above, the Class 385 was introduced only after February 2019, but all the others are good suggestions. For 2014, though, I’d have to go with the 380 for the realism as it operated the most on the circle lines out of all the others.
The class 380 or the class 318 would make much more sense than the others if the route is set around 2014. The 385s didn’t enter service until 2019 and the 320s weren’t introduced to the circle line properly until 2016
Yes, the route is set in 2014 but if I had only listed the trains that operated on the Circle Lines at that time it would have been a rather short post. I have just listed all EMUs that were used or are used on the Circle Lines today. The 334 on the other hand was never used there so including it would not make any sense.
As a general rule, as class numbers increase, so do the yawns when driving them. This is why more and more safety systems are required. Modern trains are so boring to drive (unless they are high speed) so to get a good driving experience you need to go back in time, lest you may fall asleep at the helm. Class 303 for the win!
I'd like the class 303 along with the class 311. But then again I love watching class 380's coupling.
The 334 was used on the Cathcart Lines, with some services on the Branches, however that was before the routes era. Plus listing the 385 makes no sense as, and I will stick this in bold to emphasise, The 385 didn't exist.