For the last few years there have been some great suggestions for UK routes in the 'BR Blue' era (1970s and 80s) but never with any real likelihood that they'd be made, as there hasn't been a developer with an interest in developing routes for that era. It's fantastic to see that Just Trains have arrived on the scene with the Ormskirk-Preston-Blackpool route in that era and have expressed an interest in further routes set around that time. They've encouraged me to start a thread with suggestions (well, JT Mark said "you're welcome to..." when I suggested it, and I'm taking that as enthusiastic endorsement!) and it certainly feels great to be able to talk about such routes knowing there's now a chance they may actually be made. So please make any suggestions for routes you have from the BR Blue era here, and hopefully one day Just Trains (or indeed another developer - you never know!) may take up one of the suggestions. I'll start the ball rolling with Chester to Llandudno (the North Wales Coast) in the mid-1980s. The route has always intrigued me as being (and I'm open to being proved wrong here) the route/era which could realistically contain the highest number of units/locos already in TSW. I reckon it could realistically accommodate classes 08, 20, 31, 33, 37, 40, 45, 47 and 101. The HST didn't arrive until rather later unfortunately (and didn't overlap with the 40s) but it's still scope for an impressive range of stock, all on one route. The route itself isn't just about variety of stock though. It's a visually interesting route, running along the coast for much of the distance, with a series of fair-sized towns and stations, hopefully big enough to provide visual and operational interest, without creating an excessively huge task to re-create them. The route is 47 miles. Some trains run its full length, while trains bound for Bangor and Holyhead would be driveable from Chester only as far as Llandudno Jct, which is still 95% of the length of the route (Llandudno Jct to Llandudno is a short branch really, but many trains on the mainline went there rather than Bangor/Holyhead so it's worth including to get them to their destination). All trains called at Chester and Llandudno Jct, so there wouldn't be any trains which were undriveable due to not stopping at one end or the other. In addition, both Chester and Llandudno Jct were common crew-relief locations, so it would feel realistic to start/end your drive there. The route gives the opportunity for some decent speed running - the locos could be really put through their paces - but also with plenty of intermediate speed restrictions to comply with, as well as a good number of intermediate stations, and an interesting variety of stopping patterns with fast, semi-fast and slow trains in operation, in addition to freight. Finally, there have been calls for a Welsh TSW route for a long time, and it has been rather badly done by compared to the England and Scotland, so this is a great opportunity. Please note the map is taken from RailMapOnline (©2023 RailMapOnline.com). If you don't use this site it's well worth discovering, and please consider a donation, as it's a superb resource (the above snapshot doesn't do it justice!) which isn't cheap to maintain, and the author provides it without charge. A link is below: https://www.railmaponline.com/UKIEMap.php
I'd like to suggest Preston - Carlisle with either a class 86 or 87. Tsw currently has no electric locomotives from the br era whatsoever so either one of those loco's would be great addition to the game. Route length is 90ish miles. Route would feature Shap Summit, one of the most famous railway summits in the UK. Preston Station already being modeled in an 80's era setting (thanks to JT) should help with Station dev times. Route could use AI layers at various points along the route using the br era stock we already have.
Ok I couldn't hold off until later here is my suggestion for the Riviera line. The South Devon mainline runs for 52 miles between Exeter and Plymouth in the delightful county of Devon in the West Country and combined with both the line to Paignton and Exmouth branch it would total to around 70 miles of track providing my maths is right! The key selling point for many would be that I am suggesting that it be done in the early 80s with the icons in BR blue thundering up and cruising down the harsh inclines of the route. Even for those not interested in the locos this route has so many scenic places of beauty which I wouldn't dream of missing and due to the popularity of the area in summer the timetable wouldn't be empty either. The key stations are Exeter St Davids, Plymouth, Paignton, Newton Abbot, and Exmouth. Now onto what rolling stock would come with this route and I am going to start off with one of the most iconic things which came out of the the 70s: The Intercity 125! Although we have the HSTs with GWE and MML this version would be how it used to be with Valenta engines and less 'mod cons' so it will feel like a different experience. Along with the HST the route could come with the class 118 which I am sure could be found around the area at this time (if this is wrong let me know as this is based on 40 year old holiday memories and so could have gaps in it). Not only would this route have two new trains but it will use the existing range of BR diesels with the 45/1s, 47s and even 31s on cross country runs and the 47s can be used for the loco hauled Paddington services. Along with this I am sure the Class 20 can be put in blue and provide some sort of freight layer too. The coaching stock for the loco hauled services would be the existing mk2a from ntp and mk1 coaches. A loco dlc which would be a must for this route would be the class 50 which could bring mk2 air con stock (both pictured below along this wonderful coast) and will also be on the Paddington loco hauled services. Overall this route could fill a massive gap in the market as it will bring another BR blue route which many people on here, including me, would adore to see make a long awaited return to TSW. Also the fact that this route could be so scenically astonishing may make it appeal to those who may not be fans of the BR diesels potentially making it one of the most popular routes of all time. As always if I have made a mistake let me know because I am not from Devon and only remember it from my holidays over the years!
Welsh route, even if it is North Wales would get my vote 100%. It looks and sounds very interesting with plenty of trains to run. Great shout, consider me on board (sorry, no pun intended ). As for you Matt#4801, those pictures look amazing and I’d definitely be up for the iconic Inter City 125. Let the train take the strain,
I would personally vote for anything that includes BR Blue diesel hydraulic locomotives such as Class 22, 35, 42/43 and even the original Warships of Class 41. Class 14s were more from the green era but also much wanted. Further to this I would love to see any route that brings us more of the first generation DMUs, in particular classes 120, 123, 124 and 128 as none exist today. Also SR Thumper classes. This is my favourite era and deserves much more inclusion in TSW. Hopefully third party developers and new creators (using the PC Editor) can bring more of these to reality.
Cheating but a week or so ago I made this BR suggestion: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/liverpool-manchester-via-warrington-central.72136/ Includes 4 rolling stock but only 1 new one - Realistic length for TSW and has intresting variety.
There are so many candidates it is difficult to choose! Personally would like to see part of the Marches Line from Newport up towards Hereford and Shrewsbury, in the transition between Class 25's and DMU's to the Class 33's. A Scottish Highland route with Class 26 or 27 or even 37 would be great but probably more within the purview of Rivet. JT have experience in the Bristol area so something in the mid eighties encompassing Weston SM up to Bristol Parkway and Severn Beach, maybe across to Newport. Part of Birmingham to Norwich with Class 31's and DMU's (if they were to do a 104 that could layer back into Blackpool though a Class 120 Cross Country would be even better). Cambrian or Cambrian Coast would be nice albeit mainly DMU. East Anglia - Wherry Lines are crying out to be made and could bring a Class 105 Cravens DMU to the soiree.
London Liverpool st via Shenfield and Southend and Southminster. Set it in the 80s and you have a vast selection of early AC emus to pick from. Classes 306, 307, 308, 312, 315, 86,
My suggestion for this would be Doncaster - Cleethorpes in the late 80s. Clocking in at around 52 miles, the route is very busy with freight since it serves large ports like Immingham and also Scunthorpe steel works. The new loco would be a class 56 with new wagons in the form of MGA coal hoppers. Old wagons like the BBA and the TEA tanks would be included too. Re-used stock that would come with the route would be a 47 + MK2s, an 08 & a pacer. The 47 would run fast/semi-fast trains between Cleethorpes and Doncaster, and would also be the mainstay on the HEA oil trains. The 142 would run stopping services and the 08 speaks for itself. Layers would include the TVL 37, 31 & 20, subbing onto various freights & adding some local passenger turns for the 31. The TVL HEA hoppers would also sometimes sub in for the MGR hoppers. So playable services would be: 56/37s/20s+ MGR: Immingham - Doncaster 56/37s+ BBA: Scunthorpe - Doncaster/Immingham 47/20s + TEA: Humber & Lindsey Oil - Doncaster 47/20s + TEA: Immingham - Doncaster 47 + MK2s: Cleethorpes - Doncaster fast/semi-fast 142: Cleethorpes - Doncaster stopper 31 layer: Cleethorpes - Doncaster stopper/semi fast 08: Various shunting duties All playable in the opposite directions too of course . 4 locos in 1 route is a lot but I feel that you would need those 4 for the full experience (only 1 would be new as well). And with those 4 locos you would get probably the most varied experience in the game. Intensive freight workings from multiple locations, shunting, express passengers & local stoppers.
Another good one would be part of Waterloo to Exeter, set around the transition from Class 33’s to Class 59’s. Although it is strange to reflect how many quite long distance services in the 70’s were actually DMU operated and not loco hauled like you might think! Aberdeen to Inverness, Class 120 ScR variant. Norwich and Cambridge to Birmingham, mixture of Class 120 and Class 104’s. Newcastle to Carlisle. Cardiff to Crewe day time service was largely Class 123’s or Class 120’s, sometimes running coupled. Trans Pennine was DMU. Before the 31’s took over Bristol to Portsmouth was a mixture of WR DMU sets and SR Thumpers.
I'd love to see Birmingham to Peterborough via Nuneaton-Leicester and Stamford. Set during the era of 156s taking over from 31s on the Birmingham-Norwich services, the new build would be the 156 with plenty of AI traffic at New Street (If AC locos were available they could be added). Other forms of traction would be 45, 47, 150/2 (in original Sprinter livery), 101, 31, 37 and 20, and HST in BR blue/Intercity variations
No Class 159’s came after the 50’s in around 1991. The 33’s were displaced in the early 80’s when more HST’s on the WR in turn cascaded the Class 50’s on to the route. There was a period when either could turn up on the service and the 33’s still tended to work the Waterloo to Salisbury stoppers. Rest of the 33’s then cascaded on to the Portsmouth to Cardiff services kicking out the 31’s and eventually saw 3 or 4 day cyclic diagrams out of Eastleigh which took them up to Crewe and down to Milford Haven.
My apologies OldVern, I see you mean freight services getting 59s in place of 33s. I recall class 47/7s and occasional 33s on Waterloo to Exeter trains just before 159s came online with 50s until their withdrawal a bit earlier. Spent many hours at New Malden and Wimbledon just waiting for the diesel Exeter services to pass.
I would love to see Edinburgh to Stirling Via Falkirk Grahamston including the line down to Grangemouth complete with abandoned station, gridiron yard, refinery complex and Loco sheds.throw in the hump yard at Edinburgh Millerhill and it would be an awesome route. It could even include the branch line from Bo'ness Junction down to Kinneil colliery. Back in the seventies there was a run round loop at the Grangemouth end Of Grahamston station at Grangemouth junction so trains heading to Edinburgh could get the loco on the right end. lots of interesting workings on this route including Soda ash tanks at Larbert, coal from Kineil to Bo'ness junction and the onwards from there, Oil Trains and mixed goods to Edinburgh and even aviation fuel for RAF Leuchars in Ffe. there was even cement traffic from Grangemouth cement plant back then.
A West Wales route, Swansea to Carmarthen, including the Gwendraeth Valley, 1983. The main line would have urban/industrial setting through Swansea and Llanelli and coastal sections through Loughor, Pwll and Ferryside. Class 33 and Class 47 hauled passenger trains, Class 37 and Class 47 hauled freight, and Class 119 and/or Class 120 DMUs could feature. The Gwendraeth Valley would see triple headed Class 03 shunters bring coal down the valley to the Power Station at Burry Port, the empties returning double headed with a banker.
While we are talking BR Blue, we mustn't forget the Southern Region and the original Mark One (or earlier) based EMU's - the CIG's/BIG's, CEP's/BEP's, VEP's, SUB's, EPB's, HAP's and of course the mighty 4REP tractor units with accompanying 4TC trailer sets. I would love to be able to take a train from Bournemouth to Weymouth with a 33/1 on the front and of course during this period the Weymouth Quay line still saw some seasonal traffic. Then you have the various Thumpers - the Hastings units for which we need Hastings to Tonbridge, the 3H Hampshire/Berkshire units which popped up everywhere but Salisbury to Portsmouth (along with the Class 31's coming in from Bristol) would be nice. And then the 3D Oxted units, working out of Victoria and London Bridge down to East Grinstead and Uckfield, plus the spur across from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells. Lovely trains and lovely lines, many a happy day spent bashing round those in the late 70's/early 80's. I can still smell that lovely Thumper diesel aroma and of course the slightly musty smell they all seemed to exude sat in the passenger accommodation. Oh and the Tadpole Class 206's working Reading to Redhill and Tonbridge!
I’m totally with you on this. WCML with any of the tap-changer electrics (81-87) for a very different driving experience. I think my preferred section would be further south, only because I’ve spent a lot of time on Preston - Carlisle and Carlisle - Glasgow C on TSC, and while TSW is a different experience (and overall better, mainly because of the Timetable mode) I’d still prefer a route I hadn’t driven before. None the less, any part of the WCML in the BR blue era would be fantastic.
WCML Preston-Crewe gets my vote - a nice comparison to the Crewe of SoS, plenty of scope for some fast electric runs, reuse of existing assets such as the 08, 40 and 47. An obvious playground for a new loco (25) too… maybe even the APT
WCML south, 70s era with the loco hauled electric locomotives, the APT services and the 309s running the slower London to Birmingham services and commuter services, along with bakerloo line layers.
How about ECML Doncaster York Newcastle Upon Tyne comes with Deltic Class 47 HST Paxman Valenta and complete with Doncaster Railway Works
Would love to see the Class 86. I remember it was a fun loco to drive in TSC. We certainly could use some electric BR blue era locomotives.
Not really my preferred Era, but I'm all for more variety of content. So definitely would love more representation of this period for people that enjoy it. If it's done well, I'll even take a risk personally in buying them lol. The JT route for example, not my preferred era, but it looks to be such high quality I will take the risk on it. I'm sure I'll end up loving it like I did with Nidertelbahn.
Preston to Carlisle for sure. Maybe just a tiny extension to Dumfries just to make it fair and ofc connect to the already existing Glasgow - Edinburgh route. Idk about having the cumbrian coastline as an extension or within the same pack, idk.
Cumbrian coast would be an interesting route on the whole - bit dull as far as passenger workings are concerned (old Derby 108s worked the line in my day), but plenty of scope for a lot of freight work anyhow - nuclear flask traffic for Sellafield, steel traffic (double-headed 31s, 37s) for Workington, a 47-hauled TPO from Workington, lots of 25s and 40s...
Some Deltic locomotives for ECML. Class 25, 123, 128 and 141 for NTP. Bring the Pacers to TVL as well as Class 56. Some other diesel hydraulics for DLOGW such as Class 22, 35, 42/43 along with 117/12, 123, 128 and 251/261.
