Might be a bit of a controversial one since we’ve already had one extended route in the south but here we go London Commuter is a great route to drive, but after a few drives just the BML feels a bit repetitive. Yes, I know there are other stopping patterns and whatnot but it does start to feel a bit boring sometimes. London Commuter - Expanded could feature some additional rolling stock, such as: Class 171/7 and 171/8 With some modifications to the 170/4, this could easily be added as AI, even for the small stretch between Windmill Bridge and South Croydon. Class 377/6 and Class 377/7 These are 5 car units with the same body shell as a Class 387. The /7 is dual voltage. Class 700/1 This unit has a stronger argument for being added, as the BML in general but especially Windmill Bridge, East Croydon, the slows from Redhill and Gatwick all feel empty without these units. It also feels deserted with some stations such as Balcombe, Earlswood and Horley. The /0 even strays this way sometimes, so services could be run using that instead. Class 455/8 For the period the route is set in, the suburban scene feels off only seeing 377/4s. This would massively improve the route, and give an interesting driving experience. Potential route expansions: Dorking and Epsom Downs Services to Dorking would branch off at Balham Jn, then run via the Mitchams, Sutton and Epsom to Dorking. Services to Epsom Downs would branch off at Gloucester Road Jn, then run via West Croydon and Sutton to Epsom Downs. Could potentially extend to Horsham from Dorking, and to West Croydon from Balham via Streatham Hill, Crystal Palace and Norwood Jn. East Grinstead, Caterham and Tattenham Corner Services to East Grinstead would branch off at South Croydon, and run via Oxted to East Grinstead. Thameslink also runs peak hour Mon-Fri services, and these could be driven from East Croydon. The CatTats would split and branch off at Purley to run down their respective lines. Could potentially extend to Uckfield from Hurst Green. (Grinstead branch) The Arun Valley Services to the South Coast would branch off at Three Bridges, run to Horsham where they split and then run down the Arun Valley to the coast. Could extend as far as Portsmouth and Southampton, but most likely only as far as Chichester and Bognor. Thameslink stoppers would terminate at Horsham. Could potentially include the West Coastway, Littlehampton, Cliftonville Curve and Portsmouth/Southampton. Long shot in the dark this ever happens, but at the very least an upgraded East Coastway bolted on with Plumpton would give some variety.
Nice suggestion! Not sure if the route and game are stable enough for more services and more playable area. 455 would be an amazing addition for the route tbf, some iconic stock on the BML!
The main issue is the memory which it uses a lot of. If an expansion was to happen, it would also need to work on last gen and the series s (not a next gen console) otherwise it's pointless
Basically what Renne said. BML balances on a knife edge as it is, probably why DTG never went back in and fixed some of the more glaring errors such as the missing track at Redhill or the fictional representation of Reigate. Highly unlikely it could support an extension which would also need a massive amount of work to rebuild the behemoth timetable.
If they were able to add more services, that would be amazing. Although it would take a ton of optimization and they would probably have to completely rebuild the route to make it work performance wise
I’d buy an extension if only Norwood Junction Streatham Hill, Streatham, Queenstown Road and Wandsworth Road were available there already on the map just move the end of the represented area. could create a timetable with less trains to include class 700 and 442 as the Gatwick Express
If this would happen it will be like South London network on TSC. But is a southern route and a electrostar route so very unlikely to happen
loving that route a lot since it has branches and ton of different routings and service patterns, so even more of that? hell yeah
