Hi all, today I am suggesting the Bristol-Exeter line as the next British route for Train Sim World. All feedback is welcome. The Route The route runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St. Davids, including a short branch loop serving Weston-super-Mare. The total route length is approximately 85 miles, plus the four-mile Weston loop, giving approximately 89 miles of represented route - roughly the same as the total mileage of the extended SEHS. Much of the route passes through open Somerset countryside with notable route highlights including the colloquially-known "Devils Bridge" - a Grade II listed, high brick bridge constructed by Brunel over a deep cutting, and Wellington Bank, where it is claimed that GWR 3700 Class 3440 City of Truro became the first locomotive to exceed 100mph back in 1904. Talking of which, much of the line is relatively high-speed, with large sections cleared for 100mph running, plus a short segment of 110mph speed limits. This allows the fastest services to cover the 85-mile distance in under an hour. The mainline is continuously double-track, with additional tracks around Bristol, while the Weston loop is single-track save for a crossing loop at Weston-super-Mare station. There are a total of 13 stations along the route - 11 on the mainline and two on the Weston loop. There are also three depots at either end of the route - Exeter TMD, Bristol Barton Hill & St. Phillips Marsh TMD. As well as sizable freight marshaling yards in Bristol, Taunton and Exeter, there is also a goods yard at Bridgwater used for waste traffic from the nearby Hinkley Nuclear Power Station. . Services These are the regularly scheduled passenger services operating along the route according to the most recently published timetables in May 2022. GWR Intercity services between London and Devon/Cornwall (Taunton-Exeter) - 1 Train per hour GWR Regional services between Cardiff and Taunton (Bristol-Taunton VIA Weston) - 1 Train per hour, some extended to Penzance GWR Commuter services between Avonmouth and Weston-super-Mare (Bristol-Weston) - 1 train per hour GWR Intercity services between London and Weston-super-Mare (Bristol-Weston) - 16 trains per day, some extended to Taunton & beyond CrossCountry Intercity services between Scotland and Devon/Cornwall (Bristol-Exeter AVOIDING Weston) - 1 train per hour CrossCountry Intercity services between Manchester and Devon (Bristol-Exeter AVOIDING Weston) - 11 trains per day Additional services originating and terminating at both Bristol Temple Meads and Exeter St. David's may also be included to liven up these stations. Freight services and depot movements do not follow such strict schedules, though should still be included in some capacity. Included Rolling Stock CrossCountry Class 221 'Super Voyager' The Class 221 is a high-speed tilting diesel multiple unit built in the early 2000s by Bombardier and operated by CrossCountry as the backbone of its long-distance Intercity operations. Most units have 5 carriages, they can reach a top speed of 125mph, and were built with tilt functionality, which has since been disabled on the CrossCountry fleet. On the Bristol-Exeter route, they would be used on limited-stop CrossCountry services along the entire route avoiding Weston-super-Mare. GWR Class 255 'Castle' The Class 255 'Castle Sets' are short-form Intercity 125 trains (already featured in Train Sim World) comprised of two Class 43 power cars bookending 4 refurbished Mark 3 coaches with sliding doors. They operate local regional trains between Cardiff and Penzance, making most local stops along the way. On the Bristol-Exeter route, they would be used on regional stopping GWR services along the entire route via Weston-super-Mare. GWR Class 166 'Networker Turbo' The Class 166 is a 3-carriage diesel multiple unit which, since 2017, has begun working local and regional services around Bristol following the electrification of the Thames Valley lines where they previously worked. This train could be included either as part of the route itself, or via a Great Western Express layer. On the Bristol-Exeter route, they would be used on all-stops GWR services mainly between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. DB Cargo UK Class 66 The Class 66 is a diesel-electric locomotive used for freight operations across the UK, and is a staple in the fleets of most British rail freight companies. This train could be included either as part of the route itself, or via a Great Western Express layer. On the Bristol-Exeter route, they would be used on both local and long-distance freight operations both on the mainlines and in the goods yards along the route. Possible DLC Rolling Stock GWR Class 802 'IET' The Class 802 'Intercity Express Train' is a bi-mode high-speed multiple unit operated by GWR on long-distance Intercity services between London and Devon & Cornwall. Built by Hitachi Rail to replace the ageing HST fleet on GWR's long-distance services out of London, the units can reach 125mph and run on both overhead electric wires and diesel generators (The Bristol-Exeter route has no electrification). One of the most heavily-requested loco DLCs on Train Sim World, on the Bristol-Exeter route, they would be used on regular long-distance services between Exeter and Taunton, as well as the small number of service extensions from Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare and further down the line. BR Class 8P 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' The Torbay Express is one of Britain's most famous named passenger trains, running on summer weekends most commonly between Bristol Temple Meads and Kingswear, Devon. A multitude of different steam trains have provided motive power for the train throughout the years, and the one I have picked for Train Sim World is No, 71000 'Duke of Gloucester. She is a 4-6-2 steam locomotive first built in 1954, and was saved from the scrapyard by rail enthusiasts who spent 13 years restoring her to as-built conditions, Today, she is one of the most efficient steam trains on Britain's tracks, and can regularly be seen operating railtour excursion services throughout the country. 71000 is therefore a good fit for a popular train on the Bristol-Exeter route, and can also layer onto other UK routes operating railtour services. On the Bristol-Exeter route, she would be used on the Torbay Express excursion services along the entire route. Conclusion Bristol-Exeter has the potential to be a fantastic route for Train Sim World, combining the running of high-speed, long-distance expresses and all-stopping commuter services onto the same tracks on one of the most important rail corridors in the West of England. The potential for a Class 802 and additional steam locomotive DLCs, as well as the added busyness that GWE layers could offer, make this route a must for Train Sim World. If you have any ideas for this route to make it even better, feel free to comment below.
Set it back in BR classic era, throw in a Warship and this could be interesting. Classes 31, 45, 47 and 52 already exist though you would need a Class 117 or 118 and possibly Class 120 DMU for the local services. The downside is, compared to further west the line is relatively flat and not that scenic, particularly between Bristol and Taunton, though you do have Wellington bank going on towards Exeter. But I have a feeling if DTG were to give us something western, likely to be Exeter to Paignton/Kingswear or Exeter to Plymouth.
