This was really good. Spoiler I actually got caught at a few red lights, including about 5 min approaching Loughborough, where a northbound 158 was also stopping at platform 3 and had priority. You can also continue on to Leicester as 2D15.
For the first time in a very long while, I have an awesome service recommendation for GWE: 2P59 - Reading to London Paddington - 1518hrs - Class 166 For context, I've recently started replaying GWE after literally years and since all the preservation updates - and I can't believe how much I'm actually enjoying it which is fantastic! Anyway, regarding this specific service, once you depart Reading for the first part of the journey, you'll see a lot of AI traffic from both the HST and 166 in both directions which is great - I certainly don't remember GWE being as busy a route regarding AI traffic. Going towards Twyford, you'll race an accelerating HST; later on during the service you'll also see a Class 66 freight service. This specific service takes around an hour to complete with lots of stops, so trying to keep schedule with the 166 is quite a fun challenge! One final thing I really love about this timetable is the AI traffic from the many different branch lines which means some of the larger stations feel more alive which is great.
1D57 - London St Pancras - Derby (via Nottingham) - 18:40 - HST This service is unique for MML and split into two parts. Part 1 is from Leicester to Nottingham with a couple of stops (36 mins). Then there's around a 10 minute wait at Nottingham which requires a change of power cars for the run to Derby (29 mins). Not much in the way of AI traffic or yellows but I ran it on todays date in clear conditions (April). Service starts with a glorious sunset and gets darker as you near Nottingham. By the time you reach Derby you have been through all the lighting changes into darkness. A beautiful run. Only shame was it crashed for me (hard lock PS5) outside Nottingham...
The Rail Operations Group Services on SEHS with the Europhoenix Class 37/7 are all enjoyable; they are ECS runs and subject to being caught behind other services. A favorite for me: SEHS (Extended) 5X47 Tonbridge West Yard to Slade Green Depot at 08:01 It's a Strood to Dartford run that Spoiler: Just do it! gets caught behind a 395 service early on and a 465 later. There is much talk about what makes a high quality route in this game and I think we need look no further than the TSW3 version of SEHS. This route combines a complex timetable with an impressive diversity of services and driving experiences. SEHS has multiple layers from prior content and has new content in the form of loco DLCs. It has two different safety systems, both of which work pretty much flawlessly, and a loco which uses both systems and changes over power mid-route. As much as I lean towards the German content in TSW, I must admit that this route is currently the pinnacle of the game for me.
Enjoyed this very much, thanks for the proposal! And it highlights the importance of the local knowledge how to handle the group exit signals... Question to hyperlord in this regard Spoiler: Spoiler Did you actually encounter the red exit signal at Büdesheim or was I just too fast? The tricky bit without HUD being the fact that you dont see the exit signal from the platform (which you are supposed to pass only and not stop), but you need to stop at the platform in order not to run a red signal (there is an "invisible" signal at the platform, as the exit signal in behind the switch). So you better contact the dispatcher in order not to violate the "invisible" red at the "H" marker. I luckily DID contact the dispatcher and after he declined I checked the map and stoped in time... But it was a close one
In Response to OpenMinded : Spoiler: Büdesheim I did encounter the red in Büdesheim in my first try and ... yeah it ended my run here. It hit me quite with some surprise since I never had "problems" there - actually I wasn't aware of the situation like you discribed it. But you are correct this is exactly what happened. I just looked it up in the DTL log and the run was ended after roughly 8km. In my second attempt, now knowing what could happen there I was super-aware - this time, the incoming train was some seconds faster [or slower, can't remember but it was different) and I encountered "Fahrt". Still not aware what happened until I read your comment
This one's not in the spreadsheet, so I presume it's not been posted -- I haven't checked the whole thread. Northern Trans-Pennine, 1819 Leeds - Manchester Victoria, this is the 8th installment of the Journey with the Class 45. Spoiler You catch up to a stopping service at Huddersfield and it's a really nice illustration of the long signal blocks and use of distant signals on the route, with a couple of shiort-notice stops
It's on the list now! Thanks for finding it. Here's the latest update: Google Published Documents: TSW3 Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...4lUuBrw-k2_y7FxuzH6mZ1m3Qu4YTfLViTfxQ/pubhtml TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet..._wzt7qTCooxSTBW8pGAwYLs_ohsdDOcQOuZ4A/pubhtml Chaos Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...yCTbHVZrwBSBUUkPiiJGlTWfRXexfPn7kBVDw/pubhtml Excel Spreadsheets: TSW3 Recommended Service Runs https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=108028767534258522758&rtpof=true&sd=true TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YgilvnKZFc7TJXyqftRJ0I5yTMlMf81/view?usp=sharing Chaos Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cMKrwNA2OmZz8tVEQo1_FZnRZXpNT463/view?usp=sharing I still can't edit the "Spreadsheets last updated 3/7/23" in the lead post to reflect the recent updates. However, I can edit this post. Puzzling!
I played this run the other day and definitely enjoyed it, the red & yellows keep you on your toes that's for sure!
Route: Harlem Line Train: M7A Service: Train 2358 Crestwood to GCT (18:28) Another deadhead move following a local train, expect lots of speed restrictions with safety systems on.
Just done this run, brilliant! So much AI traffic on the way to Paddington. The race with the HST at the start is fun and then about 2 miles from Ealing Broadway you get overtaken by another HST, now I don't normally do the stopping services but this one was good. Thanks For anyone who's interested the HST service that overtakes you between Reading and Twyford in the above service is: 1A83 - Penzance to Paddington 1519hrs - GWE HST the HST service is much quieter in terms of AI traffic compared to 2P59 but on approach to Acton mainline you get yellows and reds so it keeps you on your toes into Paddington and when you arrive at Paddington nearly all the platforms are in use, probably the busiest I've seen it before.
Sorry to include this here, but I experienced a "Not awesome Service at all! I run a passenger service - Timetable - from Mainz to Koblenz, with the DB110, stopping at some stations. As to signals everything was green, until I was almost arriving to Koblenz. There I got a red light!. Then I checked the map, and I noticed another train stopped not so far away from mine. It has a red light too. So I looked forward, and the same situation!. Then I checked the map closer to Koblenz, and saw a third train also stopped by a red light! But strangely no train on the final platform.. So waited some time, and nothing changed. Then I had no choice to give up, lost my time, as could not end the service, and of course get very disappointed! But I started it again, in order to check where those trains starts.... Surprisingly they starts on some stations before Mainz!. So in resume, DTG created a timetable, including 3 trains ahead of mine, which never generated a yellow or red light, - in order to make the drive more interesting -, and after doing almost all the route, you find all of them stopped before the final station, not allowing you to complete it!. Has this any sense?!
You are correct, I've also never seen Paddington in TSW that busy, which is fantastic! GWE might be a very old TSW route, but it seems to still have a lot of excitement and quality.
Sorry if these have been mentioned already but I played them yesterday on the DLOGW timetable and if you don't mind waiting 15 minutes between services you can do them without returning to the menus as well as doing a bit of train spotting. So first off is a shunting service with the Class 08 5X91 - Prepare outbound tanker train 0520hrs Spoiler this one is unique as it's the only freight shunting service on the timetable, while you're preparing this tanker train you'll see several express and local services pass by on the mainline, seeing the old diesels and MK2's thundering past is great to see with some 101's heading out from Paddington, once you've finished and parked up the 08 click return to free roam and take a walk upto the fuel stands where a 47 is parked. Climb on board and this will be your next service, you'll have about 15 minutes to wait before the service actually starts but in the mean time you get to watch a few more services pass by on the mainline, mainly 101's on local stopping. As you're already on board this service which is 4V01 - Acton to Bristol Temple Meads 0550hrs Spoiler once the service starts you're required to head down the yard and shunt back to your tanker train, while you're doing this a 31 on the limited stopping service noisily heads by. After you've coupled upto your tankers you'll have a 45 arrive with the inbound tanker train, be careful not to apply to much power pulling away it's a fairly heavy train, when you finally get out onto the mainline you'll get a good run of green signals until outside Iver where you finally catch up the limited stopping service hauled by the 31, now you'll end up with yellows and reds all the way to Twyford where the dispatcher moves you onto the fast lines until Reading. Now this next service is optional if you wanted to do it, it's nothing exciting just a normal express run to Paddington but when you arrive at Reading from the previous service you'll need to be quick getting out the loco as it will depart seconds after clicking return to freeroam. Head over to platforms 8/9 for your next train. Your next service will be 1A49 - London Paddington 0700hrs Spoiler while you're waiting you'll get an express service arrive on platform 9 hauled by a 45 when your service arrives it'll be one of the many 52's hop on board and get everything set up (you may need to quickly check the master key is off in the rear cab otherwise you might not get the front cab working). After you get underway it's pretty uneventful you get a nice non stop run through to Paddington thought it'll be good to add this as you get a mix of 3 different services.
The 14:59 London to Liverpool service with the Jubilee on Spirit of Steam can now be completed thanks to today's patch. It's a good run! Spoiler: Watch for Distant Signals Plenty of SPAD potential when you catch up to a local service at Runcorn.
It's time for another London Commuter recommendation - and this might be one, if not, my favourite GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) service as you'll see why! 1M39* - Brighton to London Victoria - 0946hrs - GX Class 387 This 12-coach service beginning at Brighton calls at just Gatwick and Victoria, however the amount of adverse signals (both yellows and reds encountered) was truly amazing - for an extra challenge I recommend selecting the weather as thunderstorms for those without the HUD. Initially, the service is pretty normal for the first part of the journey, however, once you get to Haywards Heath you'll start encountering a lot of adverse signals as you end up following the Class 66 freight service 6V60 from Ardingly to Acton - once you pass Balcombe Tunnel the 66 moves out the way but you'll actually race it parallel towards Gatwick which is very cool; the freight service will likely pass by again as it heads to Clapham Junction via Redhill. Elsewhere, and later in the journey, as you near Purley you'll briefly race another service in the form of a 4-coach 377 from Reigate. Meanwhile, as you near East Croydon you'll then starting encountering more adverse signals pretty much the rest of the way to Victoria - with hardly any greens this requires utmost concentration! Finally, at Clapham Junction, there is another Class 66 service, this time an AI-only one, however you'll also briefly race this parallel too. It's services like this which is why I love TSW when it's at its best - and is certainly the reason why London Commuter is truly the best route in the entire game (and why there needs to be more like this!). *Please note this service was from Gen 9/PC due to the brand-new extra freight services which I don't believe are on Gen 8 which is a shame.
I lean more towards SEHS with a bit of a nod towards DRA, but with 50 recommended services and 3 GOATs, it is hard to argue with London Commuter as the best route. More AI, busier timetables, and more gameplay, please. This is the core strength of TSW in my opinion. Spreadsheets are up to date. I am still unable to edit the orignal post to this thread. Some admin assistance would be greatly appreciated. Google Published Documents: TSW3 Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...4lUuBrw-k2_y7FxuzH6mZ1m3Qu4YTfLViTfxQ/pubhtml TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet..._wzt7qTCooxSTBW8pGAwYLs_ohsdDOcQOuZ4A/pubhtml Chaos Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...yCTbHVZrwBSBUUkPiiJGlTWfRXexfPn7kBVDw/pubhtml Excel Spreadsheets: TSW3 Recommended Service Runs https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=108028767534258522758&rtpof=true&sd=true TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YgilvnKZFc7TJXyqftRJ0I5yTMlMf81/view?usp=sharing Chaos Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cMKrwNA2OmZz8tVEQo1_FZnRZXpNT463/view?usp=sharing
If I might suggest one. 1P56 Dover Priory to London Victoria on Southeastern High Speed. A good variety of AI services the entire run between Faversham and Rochester (including a stable RHTT at Sittingbourne, two 12-Car 375 services between Chatham and Gillingham and a rare 12-Car Javelin at Rochester). For a challenging experience it is better to do this in journey mode as it presets the weather to rain and is a night time run so a challenge to play, especially without the HUD.
Is there any kind of timetable explorer? I'd love to delve in and check for services with unusual stopping patterns, routes, and platforms without having to just start services and hope that something comes up.
An excellent run, thank you for highlighting it. It encouraged me to drive this route for the first time in a long time, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I think this thread is as close as you can get, really. There's very little information in the game about the contents of each service - you can't even see the stopping pattern without selecting the service and looking at the timetable. It's one of TSW's more peculiar features. The only thing in-game which does sometimes reveal interesting services is to look at the journey time - which is displayed. If you spot one which seems to have a different journey time to other similar services between the locations shown, it suggests there's something unusual about it - maybe extra station stops, or signal checks.
So, this might be considered a cheat, but i really enjoy "chained" services, so here goes (feel free to add to the spreadsheet or not lol): Route: Peak Forest 4F- 06:05 Light Loco move- nothing too exciting, you're taking your 4F to Tunstead Quarry for shunting duties. Back to the timetable unless you want to wait for a hour 4F- 07:02 Tunstead Quarry Shunting 4F- 07:42 Tunstead Quarry Shunting These two services have you loading a limestone train for further departure. Watch your manual switches and ground signals! Spoiler You can periodically hear them setting off blasting charges at the limestone quarry- we have one a few miles from my house and they really nailed this little detail! Now, you have a choice- depending on how long you took with the prior two services, you can wait and continue to: 4F- 08:50 Tunstead-Peak Forest (Banking) Banking the train you just built up the hill 4F- 09:05 Light loco move After banking, back to the quarry to to prepare for the next Limestone train OR you can go back to the menu for: 8F- 08:20 Light Loco move (watch your switches before departing the Buxton sheds- it's easy to get off path quickly, and careful not to SPAD on ground signals). You'll make your way to Tunstead, finishing assembling the limestone train from the prior 4F services. The gradient can be tricky here with the loaded limestone wagons. Into: 8F- 08:54 Peak Forest-Northwich ICI (Banking) Slightly misleading title as you're actually the lead loco here And, finally: 8F- 09:04 Peak Forest-Northwich ICI (Limestone) Haul the loaded limestone train up to the end of the map. I know the passenger timetable has gotten some flak for being thin, but the freight services have been top notch so far IMO.
It's time for more London Commuter recommendations - these services are great if you like shorter, 30-minute journeys with lots of adverse signals! 2B63 - Epsom Downs (Selhurst) to London Victoria - 1338hrs - Class 377 This was a fantastic service which had hardly any green signals all the way to Victoria - I also liked the arrival into Victoria which had three simultaneous departures (a pair of 377s and a 465) as you wait at a signal. 2B84 - London Victoria to Epsom Downs (Selhurst) - 1529hrs - Class 377 This, like the service above, had plenty of adverse signals for an interesting experience. However, what was notable about this particular service was thanks to the Class 66. As you arrive at Clapham Junction a Class 66 Convoy - 0O57 from Peterborough to Tonbridge - just departs the station and you follow this for the entire trip to Selhurst with hardly any green signals.
Wunderline Bremen Oldenburg Groningen IC 2131 Emden Cottbus 13:30 DB Baureihe 101 if you have Left Rhine Railway owned then DB Baureihe 103 can be used to substitute DB Baureihe 101 Spoiler: What makes this a special run. if you leave a minute early from Oldenburg Hbf to Delmenhorst 13:50 then leave at that station at 13:52. You should catch up to a DB Baureihe 425 at Delmenhorst Df. Which causes you to arrive 2 minutes late at Bremen Hbf. Remember to set AFB to 5 kmh bellow speed limit under PZB 1000hz & 500hz magnets
NIce run. I am usually in the Javelin on SEHS, but I enjoyed some flashing yellow signals with this stopping pattern. The AI was London Commuter level!
On the subject of chaining services together, I booted up London Commuter and took a Class 377 out of the yard in the morning for two ECS movements and then a passenger service, which was quite fun: - 5T57 Three Bridges Tilgate Sidings to Redhill at 4:36 - A short run, then change ends and wait 20 minutes at Redhill to stay out of the way of a GWR Class 166 - 5R06 Redhill to Reigate at 5:15 - Change ends, then form: - 1R01 Reigate to London Victoria at 5:29 I didn't encounter any adverse signals, so perhaps this isn't the right thread for this, but it was a treat to stay with the same train for a while instead of teleporting around and time-traveling just in time for departure. I also got lucky with dynamic weather, starting with a beautiful sunrise before heavy rain moved in for the rest of the trip. Left: Waiting at Redhill to run ECS to Reigate. Right: Loading passengers at Redhill about 30 minutes later, now in a downpour.
Not sure if this one has been mentioned London Commuter. Service 1J30 1226 London Victoria to Southampton and Bognor Regis. (As far as Threw Bridges). You depart a minute after a Brighton service and are on Yellows as soon as you depart Victoria, upon arrival at East Croydon you are overtaken by a Gatwick Express service and so you end up following both upto Gatwick Airport. Concentration is needed.
My first real foray into Peak Forest was with the Royal Appointment scenario. This is one of the most challenging and enjoyable scenarios in the game. It is Greatest of All Time material for me. It was also a SPAD fest! But, I somehow feel like a better person for having survived it. I am not sure the British Royalty feel the same way. It is double headed Jubilee action up a beautiful route. It is rainy hill starts on a 1% grade. However, the real challenge lies in the signaling. Know your semaphores well and be vigilant responding to adverse distant signals. Remember that an adverse distant signal applies to multiple signals ahead of you. Don't consider yourself back under green until you pass a clear distant signal. If you manage it without a SPAD, consider me impressed. I relied on the frequent game saves so that a SPAD would not send me back to the start. Save game worked flawlessly for me on PC. If you manage it HUDless, I am in disbelief. I used the HUD, but had the next signal aspect feature turned off and this was the perfect level of challenge for me. This was one of my best ever TSW experiences. I look forward to really getting to know this route.
Thanks for sharing the experience with that scenario, JustWentSouth I've heard multiple times it's extraordenary good!
Got a nice one on Left Rhine today as I was in the mood for some 110 action in preparation for the Einheitselok-festival at Koblenz-Lützel tomorrow: SE 3370 Frankfurt Hbf - Koblenz Hbf Br 110 at 15:48 Spoiler Lots of being overtaken going on here. While waiting at Bingen, a freight gets to go ahead of you. In addition, you’re being overtaken by 2 ICs in separate locations. Just feels very dynamic and alive. A May setting bathed the route in golden light, which sets a nice mood.
I love how these different services string together and then interact with each other with banking up the hill. Check the spreadsheet and let me know if you have a better idea for how to enter them.
Peak Forest Coal Mines - Rowsley Sidings (Coal) at 17:05 with the Stanier 8F A run with unfitted loaded coal wagons up to Rowsley where a 4F shunting service takes your train. Spoiler: Run it without looking at this! You catch up to a semi-fast Jubilee service at Matlock and it can be an adventure bringing all those unfitted cars to a halt.
10:48 Manchester Victoria - Leeds Class 40/45/47 hauled semi-fast. This is a rare example of a Northern Transpennine run with numerous signal checks, but without any of the incorrect signal sequences for which the route is rightly famed. For anyone who - like me - loves Northern Transpennine but hates the dodgy signalling, this service is TSW at its absolute best. I played it in TSW3, but I don't know whether it would be the same in TSW2. I also have the Heavy Freight pack, and I suspect you wouldn't get the same signal checks without it. The oddity of this run is that the signal checks actually make you significantly late. I haven't experienced that in TSW before. Usually signal checks are all planned and scheduled, and so the timetable is adjusted accordingly (my least favourite feature of TSW) but on this run that is not the case. That is what makes me suspect the signal checks are caused by a train added in the Heavy Freight pack, and the schedule was never amended to reflect that. No spoilers as to where the checks are - I strongly recommend going and discovering for yourself. Oh, and of course, for the full experience and the ultimate test of your route knowledge, it has to be HUDless...
So widely acclaimed, and I finally got the chance to do it: Peak Forest All Mixed Up Scenario with the Stanier A classic local freight run from Rowsley to Gowhole, shunting sidings along the way. It is long, but the save function worked well for me.
Service #800 providence to Boston. the cool part is at the end of the run when your held between back bay and Boston. Don’t want to spoil it but it was glorious.
I was updating the spreadsheets and I haven't had a chance to run this one yet. I assume it is Leeds - Manchester Victoria? Thanks for the recommendation. Here are the latest spreadsheets, now with over 350 recommended TSW compatible runs and approaching 100 TSW3 runs. As always, let me know if you see any errors. Google Published Documents: TSW3 Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...4lUuBrw-k2_y7FxuzH6mZ1m3Qu4YTfLViTfxQ/pubhtml TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet..._wzt7qTCooxSTBW8pGAwYLs_ohsdDOcQOuZ4A/pubhtml Chaos Runs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...yCTbHVZrwBSBUUkPiiJGlTWfRXexfPn7kBVDw/pubhtml Excel Spreadsheets: TSW3 Recommended Service Runs https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=108028767534258522758&rtpof=true&sd=true TSW Compatible Recommended Service Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YgilvnKZFc7TJXyqftRJ0I5yTMlMf81/view?usp=sharing Chaos Runs https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cMKrwNA2OmZz8tVEQo1_FZnRZXpNT463/view?usp=sharing
No, definitely Manchester Vic - Leeds. If it doesn’t appear to be there I’ll double-check the departure time tonight.
Thanks. It could be that I missed it, but I didn’t see a run with the 40 in that direction at that time.
Think i must have been slow out the trap on this one as hardly hit any traffic until Dartford. Sunday driver here when freighting.
I like to grip it, and rip it when it comes to freight throttles! Probably why I just do trains in the simulation.
Midland Main Line - Service 2D55, Lincoln to Leicester (starting from Nottingham at 19:31). Haven't ran this since today's patch, but set in summer (I ran this in late June) and with light clouds for a lovely sunset run with the 158 down to Leicester.
