All Aboards Next Route Is Crewe To Birmingham!

There was some video footage in the direct last night and it looked nice. The interior entrance to Crewe station looked spot on.

 

Finally after the WCMLS joke.

 

Any extra traffic on the WCMLS is most welcome, currently it doesn’t reflect this busy route remotely.

 

If the 390 and 220 have layers, then I can see this quickly becoming one of my favourite routes in the entire game. Riviera line is great but I appreciate having a route where the Voyager can stretch it's legs a bit.

As for the 805, I'm assuming it's for WCMLS. It didn't exist in 2019, and even if the route was present day, the class is meant for use on Euston- Birmingham/ North Wales services.

 

I expect there to be a discount on this route for owners of wcmls, given that it includes no new stock. However, I also expect any discount to exclude consoles

 

Has this ever been the case for any route in the past?

And this is a potentially hot take, but I really don't think every route needs a new train. With the long overdue introduction of the Voyager we have a very wide range of modern British traction, to the point where it's getting quite hard to name modern British routes where a completely brand new train is needed.

Crewe to Birmingham is a prime example. What's missing from this route that isn't already in the game? We have Pendolinos, Voyagers and 350s. We're missing 196s but they weren't around in 2019 so the 170s will fit in fine. They could easily make a TfW 158 if the desire was there and even if not, the 150s and 153s aren't unheard of on the line. I've seen plenty.

 

That's what runs on the line and to be fair it's not a super exciting bit of track.
But, it's been requested a lot so it's useful filler to get from London to the North.
The biggest coimplaint (which can't really be fixed) will be people who want to "hop" to the next route and find it's "Spirit of Steam" from 60 years earlier.
There's no helping it though since that came first and to change now they'd have to redo a route they already did, which they won't do.
So you get to time travel for a short bit on your trip along the WCML.
Just think of it as a Doctor Who episode.
(Honestly I'd love to see the modern stock layer on there just for S&Gs but the purists are probably going to be fit to be tied and treating it like religious heresy)
Then again, I don't think you can really get from Crewe to Manchester or Preston so it's a bit of a moot point. It doesn't really "connect" fully anyway.

 

Glossop Line comes to mind, owners of BCC got a discount and, like Birmingham-Crewe, falls into the category of "routes which have every train they need"

 

As a local really intrigued whether Crewe to Stafford will be via the main line and/or Stoke - if it includes both - then I will be very happy - but can’t wait for it to be confirmed !!!

 

My problem is simply that a year ago, I bought the deluxe version of tsw5 purely to drive the 390. The fact that I am likely going to have to pay full price for a route where this loco will be the main layer is slightly disappointing

 

"Likely" it might not be.

Don't get upset about something we don't know yet.

I thought the 390 would be the "included" EMU for the WCMLS but it wasn't.

Don't know until you know =-)

 

What is the obsession on various routes with 2019 timetables?

 

Pre COVID timetables that are packed and full?

 

It'd be pretty actually I think there is 3 disused stations on the section to stoke too it would be cool to zoom through them such as Barlaston & Wedgwood I can't remember the other one but this will be such an intensive busy route regardless it's pretty great to have this route in game and we've got a couple of stops to stop at in the 390 or 805 (I'm not too sure if the 805 will be added in the timetable since it's 2019)

To be honest it'd be pretty cool to see some layers at Stoke on Trent too with some northern 323's especially at Crewe anyways

It's great that TSW are building such a collection of assets that can be used in game now it's actually incredible to utilize a lot of the stock that we have available.

 

Quite impressed with how quickly the route is coming out, no new rolling stock isn't a dealbreaker if the quality is good. The 805 could still go on this route as part of a new timetable

 

Aren't we getting the 350/2?

 

Aren't those services all 390s? They alternate between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh, with a couple running to Blackpool North, I'll have to check but I'm not sure if an 805 had made it to any of those locations in service.

 

I believe the whole thing of having in 2019 so that London midland/LNWR are debranded because of licensing issues. the 350's did look de-branded during the sneaky preview shots we had Birmingham new st. So It's probably for that reason. However it wouldn't surprise me if a modder creates a modernized timetable with these units included in there

 

I can only assume the reference to 2019 means we'll get the old BCC WMR liveries layering in rather than the new purple one. 350s in unbranded LNWR and Avanti 390s (the only 2 trains I recall seeing) would both be just as at home now in 2025 otherwise!

 

The roadmap article is out. Confirmation that the 805 is for WCMLS with a new timetable. That solves that...

Some great pictures on there too. I'd have loved to see the route map, but I'll take it for now!

 

wow, this is looking stunning!

 

Anyone able to identify the trains/services in the final picture of the article? On the right hand side is a white train I'm struggling to identify the train/livery and then what looks like a 323? Do we think those are likely playable given where they're positioned at Crewe?

 

Looks like an interesting route. I can't believe they're doing what DTG couldn't and including variants and liveries of the 350. Now if someone makes WCML Milton Keynes to Birmingham New Street we'll be able to drive on the WCML all the way up to Crewe from Euston, then switch eras and go up to Carlisle.

 

It'll be a 323 on Manchester to Crewe I think as AI.

 

Damn, how missing is the stretch from Alderley Edge to Crewe, arrrrhhhhh!

 

To complete the WCML all we need now is the Trent Valley, Alderley Edge - Crewe, Milton Keynes - Birmingham (+Northhampton), Manchester - Stoke and Carlisle - Glasgow & Edinburgh. That was quick

 

All Aboard Studios certainly are making a bloody good name for themselves and they haven't even released a single DLC yet!

I am absolutely over the moon that a new WCMLS timetable will be included with the Class 805... And not only that, but looks how stunning Crewe to Birmingham is! This is looking like two seriously tasty add ons at the moment, I can not wait to get my hands on either.

Not only that but we are finally getting the 350 subclasses added too, which will add so much variety.

Do I need to pinch myself and wake up?!

 

this route looks amazing. just wow

 

I really, really hope the Voyager will have a layer on this route. It would turn what's looking like a good route into a great one.

No mention of the route including the line to Stoke, which is a shame.

 

After reading the Roadmap Article today (28th Aug), I’m really pleased about how the Class 350 is being modelled and worked with:

- Although the brand is still notaccessible, AABS have done a much better job with the livery; Not only does the LNWR one have the light green stripe at the carriage ends (Which the WCMLS one was missing), but theLNWR Transition liveries will also be implemented.
- Both London Midland and WMRinteriors will be fitted. This and thepoint above about liveries will vary between each Sub-Class variants.
- The 350/2 and /3 will be modelled by AABS and included, meaning that we will finally start seeing some variety amongst the class (Interior layout, max speed, cab details).

All of this, none of which DTG could do, should make this Add-On quite engaging, even without layers (Of which there will be a megaton).

 

…and even if they’re not official layers, there’s plenty of other DLC to pad-out New Street…Voyagers, 170s etc. I’m guessing someone has done a TfW repaint for the 158s too. This is definitely on my ‘buy’ list, probably more so than Riviera.

 

Yes?

 

New Street looks a lot better cluttered too. Nice to see the BTP liveried unit also making an official appearance! Can’t wait for this one..

 

If I'm not mistaken the 323's were used to Wolverhampton occasionally however I'm not too sure when they were replaced on that line

 

Someone suggested the 323 is likely a Northern train that would be AI. As an owner of the BCC 170 pack, I'm hoping and assuming it will be the 170 in WMR livery going up to Wolverhampton. On the 170 timetable, the 170 runs the Wolves to Walsall service (which is reportedly accurate for at least part of 2019) as AI

 

I think the branch between Norton Bridge and Crewe via Stoke is definitely not included, sounds like just the main line between
Crewe and Stafford, but for all that, absolutely blown away by the screenshots, mega, mega, excited - i'm just checking on Google earth to make sure there is a pedestrian crossing that side of road, but i'm sure there will be...a full run from Crewe to Birmingham will be busy and you'll start from Crewe with some nice countryside and then very industrial just before Wolverhampton and through to New Street - certainly plenty of Pendolino runs, Class 350 and hopefully 323s between Wolves and Brum - I can't remember if Cross Country run now or in 2019 to Crewe (ironically all the Manchester ones have been this month due to the Stockport diversions) - but definitely at least Birmingham to Stafford, so hope this is layered in (i'm sure there will be a mod for this on PC soon if it isn't from the outset) - did I mention I was excited !!

 

The release of the Pendo last year where it only had a 30 minute run usually without stopping was a borderline scam. In which case the WCMLS should have gone at least to Rugby, but it seems rivet were involved in a big way and they could barely manage getting it to MK without LOVE ups. If DTG didn’t have a route that gave the 390 an hour run minimum they shouldn’t have released it.
I sincerely hope some UK routes will be getting extended next year. ICE doesn’t seem to have these problems.

 

220 confirmed as layer in the roadmap stream!!! Awesome news. This route... can't wait!

 

I agree. With Brum to Crewe we should have plenty of Class 390 layers running the full length between the two route terminals. About 50 mins -> 1 hour full length if I’m not mistaken. Should be fun

 

Looking superb! Hope they’ve done a good job at modelling the Alexandra Stadium…

 

You aren't even using scam correctly. How is a train running for 30 minutes a scam or a lie or some deceiving going on

 

Soho depot finally made it. That wasn’t on my TSW6 bingo card. I wonder if Oxley / Wolverhampton Depot has been included too?

Can’t wait to run some slow path freight out of Basford Hall either!

 

From what I have been told Crewe to Brum Timetable is set in 2019, 805's didn't exist then. They were build in 2021 and entered service of June 2024 so It would make no sense for the 805s to be in the timetable

 

Yes me too! I would hope Oxley is included as well as that would add more action for 390s taking them in and out of the depot. Can't wait as well to Route hop on services towards Crewe from BCC!

 

If they nail the timetable with this route it could be special. It’s got so much AI variety potential. BNS was always a huge miss in the game with it only in BCC and it having no traffic. Now we have the potential for it to be as buys as Glasgow is in the CC remaster.

 

Soho finally arrives into tsw

 

If I remember the timetable correctly, I would expect the following layers for playable services:
170 - Birmingham to Shrewsbury services (every hour)
350 - Walsall to Wolverhampton (every 30 minutes)*
350 - Birmingham to Liverpool (every 30 minutes)
350 - Birmingham to Crewe via Stoke (every hour)
220 - Birmingham to Manchester via Stoke (every 30 minutes)+
390 - Birmingham to Glasgow/Edinburgh (every hour)
390 - London Euston to Liverpool (every hour)
323 - Moves to Soho depot

* I don't remember any 170s on these services, probably some for services that extended as far as Rugeley before the completion of the electrification but most Rugeley services terminated at New Street.
+ I think only one or two per day via Crewe

Of course, if we had a TfW 158 that could layer in as well.

I wonder how good my memory is... I can't wait for the release.

 

XC only serve Crewe on limited runs to retain knowledge, hopefully those are there & as we saw with the 170 pack (and many other add ons), devs will bend time to get gameplay in.

 

In addition to the one or two daily XC services via Crewe, the route is used for diversionary purposes. If they really wanted to, they could send all or most of the XC services there under the context that the route is being used as a diversion. That's the exact same excuse they used to include Southeastern 375s on London Commuter.

 

Do any of those services run via Tame Bridge Parkway or are they all via Sandwell & Dudley?