Hey all. There is currently a UK route in development on the roadmap and I have a very strong theory as to what it could be and I’d like to share it with you all. I believe the next UK route will be the Chase Line - Birmingham to Rugeley T Valley with the LNWR Class 350. This route has 16 stations, 3 of which already exist in game as part of Birmingham Cross City and so would not need to be remodelled. It is around 20 miles (from what I’ve found online, please correct me if I’m wrong) and this seems like the normal route length DTG would do for a UK route. It also is a one-train route with only the Class 350 running on it, which also fits DTGs criteria. A class 350 would be a very ‘useful’ train for TSW in that it has many layering opportunities for future routes, and if DTG were to do a section of the WCML, a 350 would be around half the traffic on it, so it’s quite an important train to have in game. It is also possible that Rivet will do the scenery for this route. This has been the case for Cathcart Circle Line and Glossip Line, which have both been sort of ‘filler’ routes before a big DTG summer release. I just think this route is a perfect candidate for a DTG UK route and meets all the criteria. It hasn’t got too many stations, the route length isn’t too long and the big station on this route (Birmingham New Street) has already been modelled so doesn’t need to be made from scratch which would be very helpful for either DTG or Rivet. Please let me know if you think this route is likely (or not) to be the next UK route and why!
it’s not a suggestion, it’s a prediction for the next UK route and why I think it’ll be the chase line
Nice prediction, though for me, it fits more with a launch route than a new DLC. I could see something like a BCC upgrade/extension plus rolling stock as part of a TSW5 launch edition like they did for SEHS.
A bit dull imo, i would rather see something like Rugby to Birmingham then you can run all the intercity services and railtours.
I like the way you’re thinking. Sounds like a realistic possibility even if it’s not the very next route. What’s the licensing situation?
Going off the ECML coming with TSW4, I'd imagine the WCML isn't far off coming. DTG like to do one train routes nowadays, and the WCML wouldn't feel right with just a Pendolino. The Chase Line is the perfect candidate to get a 350 in game (sounds from the 700 can be reused as they were sourced from a 350 anyway), then a WCML with the Pendolino as the new train, and the 350 as a layer.
Sorry, just no. Not another all stations bus stop EMU. After Goblin we need a lengthy main line, preferably diesel, where we can get our teeth into some fast and challenging running over a decent distance between stops. And yes, this belongs in the Suggestion forum or Off Topic. At best it’s wishful thinking.
At this rate we will have every EMU going yet zero mainline electric, WCML with a 87, Settle & Carlisle, Bedford to St Pancras (like TSC) laying already would be good add in 222 and 350 you would have lots of services.
exactly my thought process! unless they do a super isolated northern section of the WCML, a 350 is a vital train to layer onto the WCML for most other sections.
Once again, it just isn’t a suggestion, nor is it ‘wishful thinking’. It is a genuine prediction with reasons as to why I think it is the next UK route and the aim is to get a discussion going about people’s predictions for an actual upcoming route and if they agree with mine.
It's not because you insist on calling it a predictions that it is one, you have no proof to back up your claim. It is a suggestion you make out of wishful thinking packaged as a 'prediction', if everyone starts calling their route suggestions, predictions the forum is going to end up being a right mess.
It could be the Chase Line, but it would be quite an underwhelming choice IMO, too similar to Birmingham Cross-City in terms of operation and scenery despite it fitting in quite well with the profile of routes we've come to expect from DTG nowadays. It could as equally be Wolverhampton to Walsall with a Class 730, allowing DTG to reuse parts of the Class 710 modelled for the Goblin line. If it were a Class 350 then I suspect it could be a WCML segment such as the Trent Valley, which is a faster segment with more service variety with end-to-end freight and express services too, which would give DLC possibilities. They could even do a Class 450 for a South Western route then modify it into a Class 350 for a WCML South route, as a second train alongside a Pendolino.
Be great if they extended the route so we had 4 different directions out of BNS. That would make the station much more life like in traffic and type. Just need 15 miles in another direction, with the above prediction would double the route size and would make this a falgship route. If you could get the busy feeling from BML into this, i really think it would be one of the best routes in the game. Include the Soho Depot and you've got a winner.
It definitely wouldn’t be my first route choice either for a route introducing the Class 350. I’d gladly take a faster route with a section of the WCML, although it would feel quite empty without any 390s present. I’d rather take a route where I know only 350s run so it doesn’t feel empty when we are missing loads of trains y’know?
I know what you mean but like I said there could be better options such as getting a Class 450 first, then making a Class 350 from that as a part build for a route such as WCML South or Trent Valley with a Pendolino as the new train. Thomson Interactive made Trent Valley on TSC with just the Class 350 and a Class 66, the Class 390 arriving later as DLC.
Honestly with a 380 likely coming soon as well, I can see dtg reusing some of the physics and sounds between the two. And that "Summer release" could be a rush hour 2.0 style thing, with maybe a portion of WCML south (Euston to Milton keynes central?). It adds up pretty well with us getting a route with the 710, which would operate overground services as well. Only problem I see is route length but again, goblin was only 15 miles and is one of the best recent routes, and it allows DTG to spend more time on the 350 as well
Cash I'd suggest not making blatantly false posts on the forum. If it's a suggestion, it should be in that forum.
It may be an unsubstantiated " prediction ", but unfortunately he may be correct in predicting a one train, one-handled emu A-B commuter route, which is the current paradigm in TSW. The emu is the gift that keeps on giving. The most popular future routes in a recent poll were London commuter lines.
I think this forum needs a "Wild Assumptions & Speculations" section. Would be a great playground for those who love this kind of game.
Also known as the suggestions section . Jokes aside, I hope we don't get another all stops route. Even I want a high speed long run route, and I deteste those
u clear have not seen and worked out the easter egg on the goblin line its clear we not moving to TSW5 in 2024 and that we getting TSW4 Season 2 look at the billboards at barking
If it's the next route, I won't be purchasing it. Another quiet Birmingham New Street with 323s layered and the inevitable 66 on RHTT services, it's a no from me.
