It was mentioned that Great Western is due for a preservation crew update. I'm wondering if a new and busier timetable would be a good idea. Much like what was done on Rapid Transit. For all the London locals.. is the route busier in real life? I'd have to imagine it is. One thing that makes the Rush Hour routes so fun for me is the amount of traffic. Maybe a version of this approach could be taken. Not necessarily a London-Brighton level approach, but something in between.
I don't think the GWE timetable can be expanded without needing new trains to go with. IRL most of the Thames Valley services in the time the route was set were operated by the Class 165, so without this DMU we're quite limited in regards to more stopping local services. Hopefully if we ever get a Class 165 on a Chiltern route, we could get a bonus Class 165 in GWR livery (extra work needed of course for minor interior and exterior differences, but it would be a welcome addition nonetheless). So far all that I think the GWE update includes will be livery designer functionality and a passenger information system integration.
I really hope they change the door closing timings on the 166. Most (if not all) other trains allow you to close the doors a few seconds before departure and the countdown still counts until the doors are fully closed, whereas on the 166 as soon as you hit the button to close the doors, the timer stops and you have to open the doors again.
Even better if we could get the special liveries for the HST powercars, like 43002 in BR Blue/Grey and 43185 in Intercity Swallow.
The 165 was originally built as a local unit, whilst the 166 that came after was for express service, however the only main difference I can find is that 20 of the 165/1 (GWR Sets) are 2-cars, although 16 are 3-cars, so probably possible to renumber those.
They have slightly different gearing, the Class 165 having a 75mph top speed with slightly better acceleration. They also have opening hopper style windows at every window because they lack air conditioning (note that the Chiltern Railways Class 165 fleet have air-con retrofitted and some windows are sealed shut). There are some minor interior differences too I think. The Class 166 is essentially a faster, longer range version of a Class 165 built for longer distance commuter services to Oxford/Newbury, whereas the Class 165 was intended for Thames Valley stopping services and branch line work mostly east of Reading.
Top speeds are different. The class 165 max speed is 75mph whereas the class 166 top speed is 90mph. The class 166 is air conditioned and has 2 lavatories per unit instead of just the one (class 165). The interiors are different between the class 165 and 166 (the 166 has dedicated cycle storage/luggage storage in carriage 2) and the 166 also has a different dividing screen between the doors and passenger areas. The exterior also differs slightly between the 2 Thames Turbo classes. The class 166 has opening hopper style windows every second one whereas the 165s have those style opening windows on all passenger windows.
One of the things i expect is replacing the cl.66 by the one from eastcoast way. I also do hope they add platformsnow, and place the pis on all stations (like in the mod) Also a rework of the 165 is needed, which is working pis, problem of one unit cant have passengers, and it seems at london 2 brighton the 165 accelerates to slow. Looks like a.i physics are interrupted. Adding a main battery switch to the hst would be nice as little extra. If something is possible on the service side, i think realisticly a tour service can be an option. Or empty rolling stock in yards depots like old oak. What about a shunting service of hst gets moved with the cl66 at old oak common.
The 166 has air conditioning and hence has different passenger windows (all sealed) whereas the 165 has hopper type windows as the did not originally have air conditioning. There may be a difference of top speed too with 165s rated for 75mph and 166s rated for 90mph. Otherwise there are few differences.
Sadly this upgrade would be too extensive although I totally agree that the branch lines are much needed.
Update: with the launch of the creators club some pc users have up loaded the fgw mod in the form of scenarios. Sounds exciting! i have downloaded the mod but not tried it yet