As a new German Route, my favorite would be the Bodenseegürtelbahn (Singen)-Radolfzell-Friedrichshafen Stadt-(Lindau Insel/Reutin). It would also be the 3rd German diesel route. The route length is pretty normal at about 75 kilometres or 46 Miles. Depending on when the route is portrayed, we would need different rolling stock: Around 2015: DB BR 650 (Regioshuttle) for RB‘s, DB BR 611(predecessor of BR 612 and also a tilting train) for faster IRE services. The DB BR 218 with Dostos (also for fast IRE services) and the DB BR 628 (for slow RB Services) would have to layer there. Possibly when it’s out also the DB BR 232 for a few freight services. Around 2021: SWEG BR 622 (for RB Services), DB BR 612 in a new yellow-white Bwegt livery (for IRE services) and layers for DB BR 628, DB BR 218 and DB BR 232. Present Day: DB/SWEG BR 622 (for RB Services), DB BR 650 (for RB Services), DB BR 612 in Bwegt livery (for IRE Services), DB BR 245 (Diesel variant of BR 146) with high entry Dostos, and a Dosto cab car (for IRE Services). The DB BR 218 could layer for IRE Services and the DB BR 232 for freight Services. I‘d even be willing to pay 35,99€ for that!
I rather like this idea! The route is very scenic and beautiful, hugging Lake Constance (Bodensee) quite closely in some parts. When it leaves the seashore and runs further inland, it usually passes through hilly terrain with lots and lots of fruit orchards (apples, cherries and pears mostly, also some wine in places). There are some curved parts with interesting speed changes to keep you on your toes while driving... could be a good playground for the 612 indeed. Sort of a Tharandter Rampe, just with Maultaschen (a famous local dish). Even the part from Friedrichshafen Stadt to Friedrichshafen Hafen could be included... With less then 800m length it's probably the shortest standalone route in Germany Sad thing is, not much freight to haul on this route either, close to none depending on the era. Blame German politics of the last ~50 years for the lack of cargo services on smaller German routes. Suggestion: Setting this in the 90's could also be used as an opportunity, since at this time the route was basically run single-handedly (double-handedly?) by 218 with n-Wagen and 628. We already have the mint 628, and getting a 90's-accurate 218 and n-Wagen diesel cab would mean those could then sub into Niddertalbahn and Linke Rheinstrecke. More value for same effort
Tharandter Rampe with Maultaschen really fits the route. It’s always interesting going into the curves after Uhldingen-Mühlhofen and really feeling the 612. The 90s would also be really interesting, maybe the route could be in the 90s and 2020s (I know, dovetail hasn’t done that but, why not) as a little reminder to also play the 90s they could also add the n wagen in SVG livery, so you can drive the Freizeitexpress Services to Singen and back to Friedrichshafen.
Bring it on and your diesel era suggestion can merge with the Vorarlbergbahn Lindau-Bludenz/ St Gallen
