Description This modern 3rd rail commuter route runs between the south coast cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, including the lines to Havant and Eastleigh to form a network of traversable lines. The route forms the western segment of the West Coastway Line, with short stretches of the Portsmouth Direct Line and South Western Main Line also being present. The route would feel most similar to East Coastway, with local commuter trains connecting smaller towns to the larger cities across stretches of scenic countryside flanked by suburban and coastal scenery. Points of interest include the Spinnaker Tower, views of Portsmouth Harbour, marinas near Burlesdon and Bitterne, Eastleigh Works, Southampton Docks and Southampton Airport. The route would allow for the introduction of the Class 444 and Class 450 Desiro EMUs into Train Sim World, which are the primary train types on the route. Layers could incorporate the existing Class 66, Class 166, Class 313 and Class 377, allowing for a busy and varied timetable with lots of service possibilities. Route length would be around 35 to 45 miles, with 23 stations and 3 depots. Services South West Trains/South Western Railway -London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour via Havant, 2 trains per hour. -London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour via Eastleigh, 1 train per hour. -Southampton Central to Portsmouth & Southsea, 1 train per hour. -London Waterloo to Poole, 1 train per hour. -London Waterloo to Weymouth, 1 train per hour. -Winchester to Bournemouth, 1 train per hour. Southern -London Victoria to Eastleigh, limited service. -London Victoria to Southampton Central, 1 train per hour. -London Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour, 1 train per hour. -Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour, 1 train per hour. -Littlehampton to Portsmouth & Southsea, 1 train per hour. Great Western Railway -Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour, 1 train per hour. -Cardiff Central to Brighton, limited service. Based on current timetable. Service duration would vary between 15 minutes and 1 hour. Other services include AI Cross Country expresses at Southampton and Eastleigh, South West local diesel services between Southampton, Romsey and Salisbury via Eastleigh, and many freight trains serving the docks at Southampton seen again between Eastleigh and Southampton. Train Types Included trains should be the Class 444 and Class 450 'Desiro' family Electric Multiple Units. There are 127x Class 450 and 45x Class 444 units currently in service. They have recently undergone refurbishment following transfer to South Western Railway, with a new livery and interior refresh. Loco DLCs could include the Class 442, Class 421 and Class 423 in SWT livery, and the Class 150 and Class 158 in GWR livery. The 3-car Class 377/3 subclass could also feature, substituting in on services operated by the Class 313. Locale The route would be best set in modern times to make best use of layers, although use of the previous South West Trains branding would suffice for a modern day setting. Layers -Class 66 from Great Western Express, adding container freight between Southampton and Eastleigh. -Class 166 from Great Western Express, adding Cardiff to Portsmouth/Brighton services. -Class 313 from East Coastway, adding Portsmouth to Brighton/Littlehampton coastway services. -Class 377 from East Coastway, adding Victoria to Portsmouth/Southampton/Eastleigh services. Portsmouth Harbour Havant Fareham Eastleigh Route Map Thoughts welcome.
Not a bad suggestion though as always I would prefer the earlier BR era. Nice little network to explore. Class 33 or even Class 31 could feature on Cardiff to Portsmouth services as a classic traction layer and this route would provide a perfect stamping ground for a Class 205 Hampshire "Thumper". In fact I would go so far as to suggest extending from Southampton to Salisbury would be doable and add to the possible service structure, also give us the Freightliner terminals to play with.
A Class 421/423 in BR Blue Grey with a Class 33 in BR Blue hauling Mk1/Mk2 coaches would work I guess, with layers for the Class 31 and Class 47. Though for better reuse of the Class 33, I would love to see Bournemouth to Weymouth with the push-pull 4-TC sets and Weymouth Quay. That would be quite interesting operationally.
Railtours Gen 9 PC Only if made Class 47 BR blue Huddersfield line Northern Trans-Pennine Green West Somerset Railway and Tees Valley Line Class 37/5 DLC Classes 20 & 31 or West Somerset Local route. Freight GWML London Paddington to reading Aggregates East Coastway.
This does indeed look really interesting. I do really like that it could bring new trains and a new TOC and benefit alot from what is already there in terms of rolling stock. The network style of this suggestion too adds to its variety.
Thanks. Personally I prefer shorter routes with multiple lines than longer A to B style routes, as there's more variety like you say.
