Honestly recreating the Riviera Line with the scenery it shows would be absolutely phenomenal if executed right in TSW, and this time we could go further than TSC and even include the Avocet Line so you can complete the full run between Exmouth and Paignton. The route would come with the Class 166 from GWE as well as a GWR Class 150 and 158. These would be relatively easy to add as all three trains are already in game. We could even make the HST usable if you have GWE and also possibly include a GWR IET and Cross Country Voyager. The route length is perfect as you can do a lengthy run between Paignton and Exmouth as well as quick fast services between Paignton, Newton Abbott and Exeter St David's if you prefer a shorter run. Services included will be: GWR: Exmouth-Paignton (150/158/166) Paddington-Paignton (HST/IET) Paddington-Plymouth (HST/IET) Paddington-Newquay (HST/IET) Paddington-Penzance (HST/IET) Cardiff Central-Penzance (HST Castle Set/IET) XC: Manchester Piccadilly-Paignton Manchester Piccadilly-Newquay Manchester Piccadilly-Penzance Leeds-Plymouth/Penzance Edinburgh-Plymouth/Penzance Glasgow Central-Plymouth/Penzance Aberdeen-Penzance (I know it's being axed but it's iconic so I'd love this to still be included)
Both GWR and Cross Country continue to pose licensing obstacles. Best chance of this route appearing (and IMHO more interesting) would be BR Classic particularly when the diesel hydraulics were still in regular service. Sadly despite numerous requests over the 7 years (to date) TSW life cycle, DTG have failed to rise to the challenge and produce this route in any era - there many who feel it would have been an excellent first venture into GWR steam, until they also abandoned that in favour of 12 mile electric bus stop routes.
This as well as many other suggestions are once again a possibility. Let's hope DTG exploit the renewed licence to its full potential.
Indeed. Though this is one route I would still rather see set back in the 70’s with loco haulage and diesel hydraulics on the internal WR services. Also bear in mind with a modern day rendition, even with GWR back in the fold we are still lacking a licence for Cross Country who run hourly from Exeter to Plymouth and vv (plus a couple of Paignton trips) most of the day. Any Riviera Line is going to have to include a walkable Dawlish Sea Wall, regardless of era.
Would be a shame not to get over to Plymouth and Laira! In fact, I think I’ve said before that Plymouth to Exeter, Paignton to Exmouth and the Dartmouth / Kingswear branch is the only way I’d want it! The Scenarios would write themselves..
Would love to see it, with the GWR license back on the cards to appears we'll be heading back West anyway!
Yes, so is the West Somerset Railway. Think of the rail tour scenarios from Exeter to Kingswear (Dartmouth)!
This is my dream, a railtour that you start at Exeter and end up in Kingswear, then part of the scenario on the way back is to use the turntable at Churston to have the loco facing forwards for the return leg.
Honestly fair enough and maybe include the line to Buckfastleigh at a push? But yeah that would be incredible. And with the licensing for GWR returning it would be a brilliant opportunity to do this route and I'm hoping one day we could see DTG have licencing for Cross Country too
I mean this route would be perfect from Taunton to Plymouth and at least the Exmouth and Paignton branches as the English Riviera Express swaps loco at Taunton from Diesel to Steam which then the steam takes it from Taunton to Kingswear and then you could have the Royal Duchy which stops at Taunton and Exeter and then goes down to Plymouth even try and make a recreation of a railtour that happened yesterday (of writing this comment) The South Devon Explorer but it would have to start and finish at Dawlish as it didn’t stop at Taunton but it would have a good 3 part service.
