Route Servernside Crosscountry - Bristol Temple Meads To Cheltenham Spa & Gloucester

Severnside CrossCountry: Bristol to Cheltenham/Gloucester

This route focuses on the scenic and varied section of the CrossCountry network between Bristol and the Gloucestershire towns, offering a mix of urban and rural landscapes, challenging gradients, and
diverse passenger operations. The route is around 50 miles.

Key Features:
* Modern CrossCountry Operations: Featuring the iconic Class 220 Voyager and Class 221 Super Voyager in their CrossCountry liveries, allowing players to experience the high-speed, long-distance services that define the route.
* Great Western Express Layers: Seamlessly integrate the GWE layers, adding Class 166 Turbo services along shared sections, enhancing the variety of AI traffic and player opportunities.
* Scenic Severnside Scenery: Capture the beauty of the Severn Estuary, the rolling hills of Gloucestershire, and the urban approaches to Bristol and Cheltenham/Gloucester.
* Varied Station Operations: Recreate the unique atmosphere of each station, from the bustling Bristol Temple Meads to the more relaxed Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester.
* Challenging Gradients: Experience the challenging gradients along the route, requiring skillful driving and careful management of the Class 220/221's power.
* Branching Options: The route should branch to allow for full services to both Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester.

Stations
* Bristol Temple Meads:
* A major railway hub with complex track layouts and busy passenger traffic.
* Multiple platforms, including through and terminating platforms.
* Features the iconic Brunel-designed roof and historic architecture.
* GWE layers would add frequent Class 166 services.

* Lawrence Hill:
*serves inner Bristol suburbs.
*simple platform layout

* Filton Abbey Wood:
* A growing suburban station with connections to the aerospace industry.
* Relatively modern station.
* Will be a major interchange once the new station works are complete.

* Patchway:
* A suburban station with a mix of local and regional services.
* Relatively simple platform layout.
* GWE layers would add local services.

* Bristol Parkway:
* A modern, major interchange station serving the northern suburbs of Bristol.
* Multiple platforms and high-speed junctions.
* Important for CrossCountry and GWR services.
* GWE layers would add frequent Class 166 services.

* Yate:
* A local station, serving the town of Yate.
* Relatively simple platform layout.
* GWE layers would add local services.

* Cam & Dursley:
* Relatively new station, serving the towns of Cam and Dursley.
* Simple platform layout.

* Stonehouse:
* A small town station with local and regional services.
* Relatively simple platform layout.

* Gloucester:
* A historic city station with a mix of local and long-distance services.
* Multiple platforms and complex track layouts.
* Important for CrossCountry and GWR services.
* GWE layers would add frequent Class 166 services.

* Cheltenham Spa:
* A historic spa town station with a grand Victorian architecture.
* Multiple platforms and a busy passenger traffic.
* Important for CrossCountry and GWR services.
* GWE layers would add frequent Class 166 services.

Gameplay Opportunities:
* Run high-speed CrossCountry services between Bristol and Cheltenham/Gloucester, adhering to timetables and managing tight schedules.
* Operate stopping services, calling at all intermediate stations.
* Experience the challenges of driving the Class 220/221 on challenging gradients and varying track speeds.
* Enjoy the scenic views of the Severn Estuary and the Gloucestershire countryside.
* Experience the busy rush hour operations at Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway.
* Drive Great Western Railway Class 166 services using the GWE layers.
* Experience the differences between the Class 220 and Class 221.
This route would offer a diverse and engaging experience for TSW5 players, capturing the essence of modern CrossCountry operations in a beautiful and challenging setting.
* Guard mode included on all units offering a variation of gameplay from the standard passenger/driver gameplay.

Thank you for reading, I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

Would be a fantastic route but Arriva / Cross Country aren't very keen on licenses so would probably not happen. However I like the suggestion alot and would provide good opportunities.

 

Same issue with Great Western for licencing. One solution might be to set as a retro route in BR days, pre 1994.

 

And the GWE remaster unbranded 387 at bristol parkway.

 

The whole reason I suggested this route was for the voyagers, unless theres some way around that?

 

Perhaps could be set it the era when Virgin had the Voyagers but not sure if they actually operated on this route.