Hello folks, and welcome to this suggestion for a brand new (well, at least partially) route for Train Sim World, featuring the Euregiobahn, an icon of the Aachen railway network. This route would feature a length from about 45 to 55 Kilometres, depending on what time frame and parts would be included. A TLDR will be included at the end of this suggestion. First, let’s start on a general overview and why the route would be a good pick for TSW. The Aachener Euregiobahn runs in, well, the Aachen region and would, depending on the time frame, feature the following parts, with the earliest suggested part starting from 2014: 1. Aachen-Düren This is the already familiar part from SKA, though it would take a slightly different route. At Stolberg, you might have seen the tracks split, with a branch going up north, and at Langerwehe, you might have spotted a branch joining the main line. On the modded timetable and the new updated timetable, there even are trains using those. And those trains are the RB20! So essentially, you would follow this different route from Stolberg to Langerwehe, doing two additional stops compared to on SKA. An inclusion of the SKA route from Stolberg to Langerwehe would also be nice to have, though not necessary for this route. 2. Aachen-Herzogenrath This section would be a new piece of track, heading north from Aachen. This track would consist of a more urban line from Aachen HBF to Aachen West, where you can even find some freight sidings. The RB20 is not the only line running along these, as you also can see RB33 and RE4 trains there, and in modern time frames, the international RE18 LIMAX trains. This section is a two tracked, electrified main line. 3. Herzogenrath-Mariadorf(-St.Jöris after May 2014) After seeing two main line sections, this is finally the reason why the RB20 runs on Diesel trains. This single track, unelectrified side line runs at a top speed of 80 km/h through small towns in the region, including Alsdorf, where a coal mine and energy museum can be found. After Herzogenrath, the tracks run east to Mariadorf. After that, it turns south to Sr. Jöris, where this branch terminates… or does it? More info will be shared later on. 4.Stolberg- Stolberg Altstadt If you ever took a look at Stolberg station on SKA, you might have noticed that some platforms are set in a southbound turn. This is the branch line to Stolberg Altstadt. It runs through urban and hilly areas of Stolberg, feeling more like a tram on separated tracks than a full train. While just being a short branch line, it definitely is worth including in this potential DLC. 5. Aachen Rothe Erde-Talbot rail services (esp. in 2020) Talbot is a rail vehicle manufacturer in Aachen, working on trains such as the 643.2 (which I will write about later on, as this train is the one running on the RB20) and the renovation of the Flixtrain coaches in 2020 and onwards. Yes, those Flixtrain coaches. While there aren’t any passenger operations on this mainline, RB20 trains could drive there for maintenance and, if the route is set in 2020 or onwards, Flixtrain coaches could be transported there for renovations, which would be quite an interesting idea. 6. St. Jöris-Stolberg ( from July 2016) Looking at a map of the region you might notice that St. Jöris lies directly north of Stolberg, and connecting those two would create a loop. This was done in late 2016 and would allow for interesting operations. Also, this part of the route runs directly behind the runway of the general aviation airport Aachen Marzbrück. This proximity is the reason why the branch has not been electrified: As the tracks are too close to the runway, electrifying them would be a hazard for starting and landing planes. 7.Herzogenrath-Geilenkirchen (before 2017 or early 2024) According to Wikipedia (Which I sadly could not find another source on) the RB20 operated two times in the morning between Aachen HBF and Geilenkirchen before 2017. While you might not think it would be justified to make this extension for two services, it would still be a good Idea as the RB33 and RE4 would get two additional stops, making their service duration up to 25 minutes. Also in early 2024 there were construction works in Alsdorf, so RB20 trains ran to Geilenkirchen instead of terminating in Herzogenrath. 8.Herzogenrath-Heerlen (before 2016*) Last, but definitely not least (in fact I find this is the best part of the route) is a border crossing branch. Yes, we cross into the Netherlands with this one! Allowing for a TSW first, changing safety systems by crossing a country, this 80 km/h branch would only really add 12 minutes of travel time, however they would be the highlight of this route. You might wonder why I wrote before 2016, and that is because the line was electrified and new EMU’s began running there (those being the RE 18). though there might be a way to make this compatible with the line up to 2018. As the electrification works only were finished in 2018, the RE 18 operated with diesel trains of the type 643.2 between Herzogenrath and Heerlen. Yes, a twelve minute run would be less fun than an hour run, but you’d still cross the border, and would not need the addition of a new train besides the 643.2, which runs on the RB20 regardless. Included trains/services: A route would not really be a route without appropriate rolling stock. And luckily for DTG, all but one of the required trains already is in TSW. 1.DB BR 643.2 This is the shiny new train this route would include. The 643.2 is part of the Bombardier Talent family and represents the diesel equivalent of the ÖBB 4024 found on Austrian routes. The two part DMU was built especially for the RB20 operation. Original plans of the route included tram-like operation in Aachen ,so the trains were fitted with a tram kit, including indicators and rear view mirrors. As the tram plan was scratched eventually, most of the tram kit was removed from the trains, though things such as the indicators still can be found on them. This train would run on the RB20 (here is a line running diagram from 2020 straight from wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...regiobahn.svg/500px-Karte_Euregiobahn.svg.png ) or the RE 18 between 2016 and 2018. This website: https://www.vonderruhren.de/aachenbahn/seiten/linien15.php has great documentation on how the trains of the region ran throughout the years, including the different runs of the RB 20 (which there were up to four different runs, though two were always coupled together.) Services would take anywhere from 10 minutes to up to an hour. Interestingly, the 643.2 also features ATB, so that it can run on the part to Heerlen. 2.DB BR 111 with DoStos The BR 111, already included in SRM, MNK, and FTF expansion pack would see yet another return on this route. It would run on the RE1 between Aachen and Stolberg(or Düren if DTG choose to include the SKA bit) as well as on the RE4 between Aachen and Herzogenrath (or Geilenkirchen if that bit is included).Services would range anywhere in between 15 to 25 minutes in length. In peak times, the RE4 also ran additional services with N-Wagen, so they could be included via a layer. 3.Angel Trans BR 185 with cargo waggons While the BR185 could come with a different livery, the Angel Trans one would be quite fitting for this route. In reality, many SNCB BR 186 trains run cargo operations around Aachen West, the Angel Trans livery is almost identical to the SNCB one, so it would give the route an extra feeling of authenticity without needing to include a new loco. These trains would run cargo services between Aachen West to Herzogenrath (only about 5 minutes, extending to Geilenkirchen would be better) and Stolberg (about 20 minutes, extending to Düren would be better). Included layers Of course, no experience would be complete without layers, so here are some potential ones: RB33 with BR 425 The RB33 would run between Aachen and Herzogenrath (or Geilenkirchen) and is already drivable on HRR between Essen and Duisburg. This service operates with the BR 425 featured in HRR,BRO and MNK. RE9 with BR 442 The RE9, seen on SKA, would be able to run with the Talent 2 EMU’s. Similar to the RE1, it would either run from Aachen to Stolberg or Düren. IC/ICE Aachen-Berlin “Karolinger” Between Aachen and Berlin, there is an ICE running, which would make stops in Herzogenrath and Geilenkirchen (if it would be included). In the morning it runs from Aachen to Berlin, while it does the return journey in the evening. The service uses an ICE T, but before 2020 (not 100% sure) it used to be a 101 with IC coaches service. BR 363 shunting services (+ Flixtrain after 2020) The BR 363 could do shunting services in Stolberg, where a gravel mine can be found, and in Aachen West. If the Talbot section is included, and the route would be set in 2020 or later, it could also shunt modernized Flixtrain waggons from the Talbot site to Aachen Rothe Erde, where they would be put into sidings. ICE Frankfurt-Bruxelles Midi (AI) The already familiar ICE from SKA could do another return. As Köln HBF would not be included (this would make the route essentially an SKA plus, which would strip chances for any extensions outside of the necessary ones), it would only be AI. Possible loco add-ons: As with any route, DTG would need to be able to monetize it twice. In particular, I see two DLC possibilities that would make sense for this route. 1. BR 266 Yes, if you look at pictures of this, it looks like a class 66. In fact, it basically is a class 66 german edition, even featuring the cab on the right side like the british class 66. It has been fitted with SIFA and PZB though. Where this train could make sense: Operating “diverted” cargo trains from Aachen West over the RB20 loop (Alsdorf- St.Jöris) if the full loop is included. Also, it would enhance the AI at Aachen West, as many of the real BR 266’s go over a cargo line to Antwerpen there. It probably would not be too hard to make, as the Class 66 is already in TSW (I could be wrong though) 2.LIMAX FLIRT 3 seeing as the Flirt 3 took over operations between Heerlen and Aachen, it would be a great train to consider. If the route was built to be pre 2018, the Flirt 3 could feature a new post 2018 timetable. It is operated by Arriva Limburg, so I could imagine that getting a license would be difficult. In reality, the train is supposed to run from Liege over Maastricht to Aachen, so in game it could have German and Dutch safety systems. Why this route? This section is especially for people at DTG, to summarise what could make this route attractive for developing. First, sections of it are already included in SKA. While this sounds like a downside, there are benefits to this. You already have some reference material (especially after the new SKA timetable!) for this project, as well as some route specific assets like Aachen HBF. The route would add more diesel side line action, something not quite present in many German routes. The route also features a lot of different service types, from tram-style operations in Stolberg to IC(E) services from Aachen to Herzogenrath (or Geilenkirchen). The RB20 also is a network style route which the community wants more of. Lastly, adding the part between Heerlen and Herzogenrath (funnily I only noticed now that both start with an H) would give a new experience to TSW, that being the switch from ATB to PZB.Adding the 643.2 would also allow for many other interesting routes like Gerolstein-Trier or Eurobahn services with only adding a middle coach and removing ATB. You can see that there are many selling points to this route. And here is the promised TLDR: The RB20 is a network style route featuring a brand new DMU. The route includes parts of SKA and could recycle many of the already included trains. With a potential border crossing to the Netherlands if set before 2018 you would also get a TSW first, that being a safety system switch due to a border crossing. Thank you for reading my suggestion! Let’s all hope this wonderful route gets added to TSW .
