On a stream before Xmas, Matt mentioned that an obstacle to expanding to new countries was the requirement to create entirely new stock and assets that may only be used once. A solution to this might be cross-border routes: Germany borders many countries, and to include them would solve this problem: not only could they use stock from existing routes, but in some cases their stock could enhance routes we have. This could then be a springboard to expanding further into those countries. Here are some suggestions, which, I think also make for very interesting routes. 1) Aachen (Germany), Liege (Belgium), Maastricht (Netherlands) 3 towns that are very close together and form a triangular route - Aachen to Liege is a continuation of the ICE service, with a classic and high-speed line intertwining. Also at the western end of Aachen, the line heads north, with a line branching off at Herzogenaurach and crossing into the Netherlands at Heerlen. Heerlen is a point of another triangle, with the mainline continuing to SIttard, and a branch across to Maastricht. From Sittard there is a line south to Maastricht, and from there the line continues south into Belgium, reaching Liege. In amongst this there is also the freight line from Aachen via Montzen yard, which connects with the Liege - Maastricht line at Visé. There is also a small stub branch to Eupen, plus, if you wanted to get really ambitious, the Aachen diesel network, which branches off at Herzogenaurach, then loops around to the Koeln line at Stolberg and Eschweiler. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 182, 186, 197 * ICE3M * 146+Dosto * 425 Selected new stock: * NS VIRM (Regiorunner) * NS FLIRT EMU * Arriva NL FLIRT EMU * SNCB AM08 EMU * SNCB18 Vectron * SNCB I11 coaches * SNCB Classique EMU * Thalys PBKA * DB 643 EURegiobahn Desiro
2) [Amersfoort] - Deventer - Enschede (NL) / Bad Bentheim - Rheine - [Osnabrück] (DE) Part of the Amsterdam to Berlin route, this is very busy on the domestic side, with most Dutch services branching off at Hengelo to serve Enschede. International trains continue across the border to Bad Bentheim, which features a loco change, which I think would be a really cool feature. At Rheine (which isn't on the Rhine), the line joins the route from Emden, before leaving that to head east to the split level station at Osnabrück. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 182, 186, 197 * 146+Dosto * 101+IC Selected new stock: * NS ICM (Koploper) * NS 1700 * NS SLT EMU * Eurobahn FLIRT EMU * and/or the NS stock from above
3) Koblenz - Trier - Luxembourg An extremely scenic route, this line runs along the Mosel - and indeed either side of it for a short period. Formerly served by IC trains served by 181s, nowadays the route's top service is an RE operated by a DB SUWEX FLIRT (single decker) and a CFL KISS (in tandem), which splits at Trier, the DB portion continuing to Saarbrücken. There is also a stopping service, a small non-electrified branch to Traben-Trabach, and a significant amount of freight. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 182, 186, 197 * 146+Dosto * 442 (but with different decals) * 143, 425 and IC at Koblenz Selected new stock: * DB SUWEX FLIRT EMU * CFL KISS EMU * CFL 146 + Dostos * CFL 186 * DB 628 DMU If set 10 years in the past: * DB 181 + IC * DB 143 + n-Wagen
4) Basel Regio S-Bahn The Basel S-Bahn continues in multiple directions in three different countries. While including all would be ambitious, the following lines would create an international network: * Mulhouse (France) - Basel SBB * [Freiburg] - Müllheim (Germany) - Basel SBB * Mulhouse - Müllheim * Basel SBB - Rheinfelden (Switzerland) * Basel Bad - Rheinfelden (Germany) The latter two lines run on opposite sides of the Rhine - the German one is unelectrified, while the Swiss one is a secondary route to Zurich, and is also part of the main trunk freight route to the Gotthard line. The lines to Mulhouse and Müllheim also run either side of the river, albeit further apart, and make up parts of main lines in France and Germany respectively. A single line connects the two. There is also an S-Bahn line to Zell which connects to the German line in two different places. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 182, 186, 197 * 146+Dosto * ICE 3 * ICE3M * 101+IC * TGV Duplex * DB 612 Selected new stock: * SBB FLIRT EMU * SBB Eurocity coaches * SBB Re 4/4 II * SNCF SYBIC + TER 2000 * DB 641 / SNCF X73900 DMU * ICE1 * ICE4
5) Singen - Schaffhausen - Zurich (Switzerland) The Swiss part of the route is served by the Zurich S-Bahn, and the entire route has an hourly Intercity service, half of which continue beyond to Stuttgart after a loco change. The border area sees regional trains from both countries, and there is some freight. At Schaffhausen you get views of the Rheinfall, and Zurich is of course a major rail hub - it can be approached from the north three different ways. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 182, 186, 187 * 146+Dosto * TGV Duplex (at Zurich) * DB 612 * DB 425 Selected new stock: * SBB Eurocity coaches * SBB Re 4/4 II * SBB 450/511/514
6) Munich - Rosenheim - Kufstein - [Innsbruck] (Austria) This is the main route served by the Brenner EuroCitys rather than the slower Karwendel route through Garmisch (although that's an option too). It's still very scenic though, and has a nice variety of services, with freight, long distance, and local services at both ends. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 152, 182, 186, 187 * DB 423 Munich S-Bahn * 101 + IC * Dostos Selected new stock: * OEBB 1216 * OEBB Intercity coaches * OEBB Railjet * OEBB Desiro ML EMU or Talent EMU * Meridian FLIRT EMU * DB 111 * n-Wagen (111s ran the local services until Meridian took over from DB a few years ago)
7) Salzburg (Austria) - Freilassing - Berchtesgaden Immediately after the Salzburg to Munich line crosses the border, there is a scenic route in the Bavarian alps to Berchtesgaden, which despite being in Germany, is part of the Salzburg S-Bahn. Local services are operated by OEBB and BOB (Veolia), with a daily Intercity service. There is a small amount of freight. Existing stock that can be used: * Class 152, 182, 186, 187, 363 * 101 + IC * Dostos Selected new stock: * OEBB 1216 * OEBB Talent EMU * BOB FLIRT EMU or DB 111+ n-Wagen
8) and final - Dresden to Usti nad Labem (Czechia) Heading east from Dresden, this forms the other end of S1 as far as Schoena, on the border. The line follows the Elbe (or Labem) river all the way, and on the Czech side there are lines on both sides - freight dominates the eastern bank, but can be seen on the west too. It is an enormously scenic route, with superb rolling stock in quality and variety. * Class 152, 182, 186, 187 * 101 + IC * 112/143/146 + Dostos * 442 * 612 Selected new stock: CD Vectron loco CD Eurocity coaches CD 371/DB 180 loco CD Express coaches
You forgot this one Duisburg-Oberhausen-Arnhem Railway that can stack with Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr by making the triangular Railway Junction at Duisburg Hbf and Mülheim Styrum Busy. Allows S3 to end at Oberhausen Hbf. Domestic Dutch section of the Railway line is Amsterdam Utrecht Arnhem. Requires DB BR406 update to drop pantographs and change voltage. I also made the suggestion of Liège Aachen Line 37. Own Liège Aachen with Base route SKA SNCB HLE77 78 will appear and you can drive them to Aachen Rothe Erde where you then replace SNCB HLE77/78 with existing Freight locomotives. Furthermore, SNCB HLE16 can interact with German locomotives including another suggestion of mine Legends of the GDR
I thought about that one but remembered that you'd suggested it before. There are of course other candidates - Strasbourg is another good one.
German and Austrian trains in some instances do it as German name first then the original Czech Name therefore it's Aussig (Usti Nad Labem).
Great suggestion would like and hope to see it soon Hopefully will be the Netherlands finally in the game
Which international route to the Netherlands Henglo-Bad Bentheim Osnabrück for Rollbahn or Hollandstrecke Duisburg-Oberhausen-Arnhem Amsterdam via Utrecht. Hollandstrecke Duisburg-Oberhausen-Arnhem should be the first one make Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr Duisburg ICE Nightjet services and Mülheim Styrum Busy due to Netherlands services. Mülheim Styrum Bochum Ehrenfeld Zevenaar Freight S3 to Oberhausen
Lindau (DE) - Bregenz (AT) - St.Margrethen (CH) - St.Gallen (CH) Existing stock that can be used: - Class 182 (ÖBB Taurus) Select new stock: - Stadler GTW 2/6 and GTW 2/8 (Thurbo) - Alstom ETR 610 "Astoro" SBB - ÖBB Talent (Reihe 4024)
Apologies for the late response but for me doesn't matter which line or route at least some border crossed routes and the Netherlands both would be nice at least the route length fits for the game maker Because I know that's also what matters that the routes aren't to long we will see in the future what for nice routes come out. Have a nice evening
You forgot ÖBB1116 these run the Railjet Zürich Hauptbahnhof Budapest services. If made there's the Nightjet to Aachen Hbf from Innsbruck Hbf. Playable sections are Main Spessart Bahn Aschaffenburg-Lohr Schnellfahrstrecke Köln-Aachen. I also a suggestion called covering the Belgian section of SKA Liège Aachen Railway Infrabel Belgium L37.
