Hello all, today i am going to be suggesting the full length of London’s Elizabeth Line for TSW3. Route overview The elizabeth line is a 73 mile long railway line running from Shenfield in the East to Reading in the West, including branches off to Abbey Wood in the South East and Heathrow out west. Featuring 41 stations and 3 different signalling systems, the line is very unique in what it does and how it works. Keeping the line running is done now by the one and only Class 345 ‘Aventra.’ With its tube-like ‘driving’ experience in the central section to outer suburban stretches as you reach the countryside, the route has a lot to offer in playability for all. It would bring many new experiences to the game in the forms of new signalling types, new ways of ‘driving’ when in the central section and the joy of driving a state of the art train from the UK. Why this route? The elizabeth line is one of the most complex railways in not just the uk but entirety of europe. It’s architectural features on many of the stations are what makes this line unique, aswell as the way it operates. The line is the first example of ATO (automatic train operation) seen used on any form of mainline train in public service. Some may be thinking ‘what’s the point of a route i can’t drive’ well, this is only seen on the central section of the line, which is from Paddington in the West of the city to Abbey Wood & Stratford in the east, meaning for a one way journey the most time you’ll be in ATO mode will be just 30 mins. I’ll talk more on signalling later. Trains included with this Add-On The elizabeth line operates with just one type of train, that being the Class 345 ‘Aventra’ Electrical Multiple Unit. It is an 25kv AC Overhead only EMU with each unit consisting of 9 coaches, each of which are similar to the length of intercity trains’ coaches, meaning they are very long trains indeed. They have a top speed of 90mph and there were 70 built, numbered 345001-345070. These trains entered service in June 2017 under the name ‘TfL Rail’ which was the lines’ name before all being joined up to form what is now the elizabeth line. They’re also distinctively known as the ‘purple trains’ among rail enthusiasts, thanks to their purple livery and wonderful purple coloured moquette. I’ve added some photos below of the trains exterior, cab and interior for your viewing Signalling & other features i’d like to see Of course, with such a technically advanced modern EMU, it does come with many unique and cool features. Some basic ones that are seen on most UK trains are: GSM-R radio Authentic PIS Displays TMS Possibly working announcements Some features which are particularly unique to these trains are the signalling systems they’re equipped with, of which there are 3 different types. Those being: AWS & TPWS ETCS CBTC First of all, AWS & TPWS are something many UK players will be familiar with as it’s seen across the country on all mainlines. On this route, it is used from Stratford out to Shenfield on the eastern side and from Westbourne Park to Reading in the western section. It runs off a physical signal system similar to traffic lights, and if you’re fairly uneducated on this signalling then i will link the Wikipedia page to this below, as i will also do for the other 2 types - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_Protection_&_Warning_System Second up, ETCS. ETCS stands for European Train Control System, still using the line side signals but acts more as an interventional system in comparison to the preventional system that is AWS/TPWS. On this route, this signalling type is used on the Heathrow Section meaning it isn’t used for too long. Here’s the wiki page if you want to read more about it - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Train_Control_System Last but not least, CBTC. CBTC stands for Communications Based Train Control. It is the most efficient and effective of the 3, especially when used for metro railways across the world like this one. On this route, you will see this system used between Westbourne Park in the west of the city then going underground through to the platforms at Stratford and the south-easterly branch to Abbey Wood. It allows for trains to travel closer together to one another meaning frequency can be kept at a higher level and safer too. Once again, here’s the wiki link for more info on this - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications-based_train_control Depots and Stabling Sidings As you may expect for a route of this length and density train wise, there are quite a few places trains are stored and maintained. The main depots are based at Old Oak Common besides the GWML and Ilford besides the GEML. Stabling sidings are located at Maidenhead, Westbourne Park, Plumstead, Abbey Wood, Gidea Park & Shenfield. I’ve spoken about how i feel around depots and sidings in game in this thread https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/improving-gillingham-depot-future-depots-and-sidings.65183/ and i would hope this would be considered for this route also if ever created. Timetable & Scenarios For the timetable of this route, there’s the choice of either the Dec 2022 - May 2023 WTT or the upcoming May 2023 - Dec 2023 WTT. The latter would have more services as it is part of the final touches to the route with a slightly increased frequency from the Dec 2022 timetable. Overall i wouldn’t mind which one would be used aslong as it is authentic and matches the real one exactly, meaning no service left out. As for scenarios, i’ll make a separate reply to this original posting at a later date with scenarios i will make up which could possibly used as i enjoy coming up with them The route would also come with 3 different training modules, those being: Introduction to the Class 345 Introduction to the Elizabeth Line Signalling Tutorial for all 3 types in one Layers For both the GWML & GEML sections of the route, freight traffic could be in place as either AI or playable services so that it adds life to the one train route. As for the GWML section, although it may not be the correct era, possibly adding in GWR HSTs as AI only could just make the route feel that bit more alive. The could also be rail tours on either end of the route, once again adding to the variety of available services. As for tube trains visible at Stratford and Ealing Broadway, the 72 stock can layer in to fill a gap as although it may not be fully realistic, it still does the job as AI. Summary Overall, i truly believe this would be one of the best routes that could ever become apart of TSW3 thanks to its uniqueness and experience it offers new and current players. With wonderful looking stations and a state of the art train packed with new features, you can’t really go wrong. As for pricing, i feel like it would be acceptable to price this route at a maximum of £34.99 due it’s length and challenge of modelling all 41 individual unique stations. Anyways, i hope you’ve all enjoyed reading my suggestion of the Elizabeth Line for train sim world 3 and it’d be nice to hear your opinions below
Excellent Idea and for the Signal Systems intro which section of the Route will that take place? Remember BAA didn't allow DTG for Heathrow Branch measurements. What Crossrail allows DTG to do is get an Experience in a route that has complex signal systems. An Example is the HRR international section which is the HDU Hollandstrecke Duisburg Utrecht merged form with HRR the HDBU Hollandstrecke Duisburg/Bochum-Utrecht. 15kv PZB Duisburg Emmerich 25kv 50hz ETCS Emmerich Zevenaar and lastly 1.5kv DC ATB EG/NG Zevenaar Arnhem Utrecht. For a through operation the In-game hint should say to continue the journey to Shenfield please use CBTC AWS & ETCS when needed just like SEH voltage change at Ebbsfleet.
I'm Honestly Right behind you on this one and i Agee with you 100%, I would also love to see this on TSW3 As i have suggested it to my fellow rail enthusiast friends.... But the only problem is that DTG Would not Listen Until Another Year or 2 As they haven't added some good UK MainLine routes they've only added some terrible American routes and some other Abismal rotes from other countries...
