Hey everyone, I’ve been digging into some details on the Budapest Metro M3 line and I honestly think it could bring a ton of flavor to TSW5. The line spans around 17.3 kilometers from Újpest-központ in the north to Kőbánya-Kispest in the south and is the longest in Budapest’s network. What really stands out is that despite its retro roots, the entire line underwent a full-scale modernization between 2017 and 2023. This wasn’t just a cosmetic change—the stations now sport fully accessible designs, updated lighting, new escalators, and modern safety systems, while keeping a distinct local architectural charm that you’d immediately recognize. What makes M3 so appealing is the mix of historical and modern experiences along the route. For example, major hubs like Nyugati pályaudvar, Deák Ferenc tér, and Kálvin tér aren’t just transfer points; they’re situated in bustling urban environments where the architecture tells a story. The tunnels themselves, built during the Cold War era, have been refurbished and now offer dramatic visuals with a blend of stark concrete finishes and contemporary lighting that reflects off every surface—a setting that could really draw players into an immersive metro simulation. The rolling stock is a treat, too. Despite the updates on the infrastructure, the line is still operated by refurbished Metrowagonmash 81-717.2K/714.2K trains which was an remodernized version of the 81-717 series?, idk about that. These trains, originally in service since the late 1970s and early 1980s, received significant overhauls between 2016 and 2018. They maintain that classic exterior silhouette while hosting modernized interiors, digital displays, and enhanced safety systems. For any sim fan, the feel of manually driving these units (despite the onboard ATP/ATO systems) adds a layer of authenticity that’s both nostalgic and challenging. It’s not just about reaching 70 km/h; it’s mastering the tight curves and steep gradients that are characteristic of this line, particularly through the older, more complex underground sections. One aspect that has caught my eye is the operational feel. Outside of the well-lit, modernized station environments, the line has sections with varying station spacing—a cluster of stops in the city center followed by more spread-out stops as you approach the suburban terminus. This naturally forces a mix of stop-and-go driving with sprints along longer stretches, adding diversity to gameplay pacing. Plus, the short open-air section between Határ út and Kőbánya-Kispest offers a sudden change of scenery. Imagine transitioning from dimly lit tunnels into a daylight run that gives you a glimpse of the depot operations and service tracks at Kőbánya-Kispest. It really could be a fun spot to incorporate depot challenges or even scenarios involving service and maintenance routines. In terms of simulation potential, the driving dynamics on M3 could really test a player’s skills. The route’s tight curves, especially around central stations where precision in braking and acceleration is crucial, would nicely complement TSW5’s attention to cab detail. Add to that the authentic sounds—the characteristic hum of the refurbished Metrowagonmash trains combined with the unique acoustics of underground corridors—and you’ve got a setting that’s equal parts technical and atmospheric. Route Map: just focusing on M3 lines, not M1, M2, M4, HEV and MAV national railways Main and Principle Stations on the M3 Line: Újpest-központ – The northern terminus of the line and a key hub for residents in Budapest’s Újpest district. It serves as a major feeder point with heavy commuter traffic and strong intermodal connections via buses. Nyugati pályaudvar – Strategically important due to its location beneath one of Budapest’s major mainline railway stations. The transfer potential here between metro and long-distance trains makes it a natural hotspot in any realistic service timetable. Deák Ferenc tér – The central interchange of the entire Budapest Metro system, connecting M1, M2, and M3. It’s the most vital station on the network and the core of underground movement in the city. High traffic, multiple levels, and distinct architecture make it a must-have in any recreation. Kálvin tér – Another high-traffic central node, this station links M3 with M4 and sits close to cultural and academic landmarks. Its newer design following the recent modernization gives it a sleek, upgraded look that stands out. Nagyvárad tér – While less central, it holds importance due to its proximity to several medical and university institutions, along with acting as the transition point before the final run toward the terminus. Kőbánya-Kispest – The southern terminus, and equally important as Újpest-központ. It’s one of the busiest suburban nodes, offering metro-to-bus and train connections as well as access to the main M3 depot. It would be central to any gameplay involving yard moves, storage, or early/late services. Heres a list of all the stations on the route Ujpest - Kozpont Ujspest Varoskapu Gyongosi utca Forgach utca Arpad hid Dozsa Gyorgy Ut Lehel ter Nyugati Palyaudvar Arany Janos utca Deak Ferenc Ter Ferenciek tere Kalvin Ter Corvin - negyed Klinikak Nagyvarad ter Nepliget Eorseri ut Pottyos utca Hatar ut Kobanya - Kispest Rolling Stock Metrovagonmash 81-717 2K/ 714 2K series Interior Driving Cab (controls) And maybe as a bonus DTG could release the route with the older metrovagonmash 81 717 and the Ev/ Ev1 trains with the Budapest Metro M3 line or bundled up as a seprate add on. Metrovagonmash 81-717 series Interior Driving Cab + controls Metrovagonmash Ev/ Ev1 Interior couldnt do driving cab images Possible Scenarios and Timetables 1. "Foggy Commute" Time: Morning Peak (06:30) Rolling Stock: Refurbished 81-717/714 Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Hard) Description: Start from Újpest-központ with high-frequency services. Fog affects visibility on surface segments near Kőbánya-Kispest. Precision timing and stopping are essential during rush hour. 2. "Last Train Southbound" Time: Late Night (23:45) Rolling Stock: Refurbished 81-717/714 Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Hard) Description: Run the final train of the day with low visibility and a simulated brake system fault. Handle passengers carefully and complete the shift safely despite the technical issue. 3. "Line Closure Chaos" Time: Weekend Midday (11:15) Rolling Stock: Refurbished 81-717/714 Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Hard) Description: Shuttle services operate due to planned engineering works. Turn trains around at temporary platforms and deal with altered signaling. Manage short intervals and heavy weekend traffic. 4. "Reversal Rush" Time: Late Morning (10:00) Rolling Stock: Refurbished 81-717/714 Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Medium) Description: Reverse your unit at Göncz Árpád városközpont and return it to Fehér út depot. Precise maneuvering in non-revenue mode and correct use of depot entry procedures required. 5. "Power Surge!" Time: Afternoon (15:00) Rolling Stock: Two coupled refurbished 81-717/714 sets Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Hard) Description: Respond to a failure south of Nagyvárad tér. Couple to a failed unit, then haul it to the nearest safe point. Includes emergency radio calls and restricted-speed operations under stress. 6. "Test Run – Calibration Ride" Time: Early Morning (04:30) Rolling Stock: Refurbished 81-717/714 (Test configuration) Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Easy) Description: Conduct a no-passenger performance test on a newly refurbished unit. Measure acceleration, deceleration, and braking curves. An ideal intro to manual driving systems and route familiarity. AI Layers: Hungarian National Railway (MÁV) passenger train (fictional AI Traffic) Bahnstrecke Salzburg - Rosenheim DB BR 111 redesigned in MAV livery IC Steurewagen loco redesigned in MAV livery Schnellfahrstrecke Kassel - Wurzburg DB BR 185 redesigned in MAV livery + doppelstock coaches/ cab car Kinzigtalbahn Frankfurt - Fulda Flixtrain Coaches redesigned in MAV liveries Luzern - Sursee RABe 523 redesigned in MAV livery Semmeringbahn OBB 4024 redesigned in MAV livery OBB 1116 redesigned in MAV livery + along with the passenger Coaches. AI Traffic: Freight (Fictional AI Traffic) Main Sesspart Bahn DB BR 204 (Could be reskinned as a track repair diesel at the depot for Eastern Bloc-style cameo.) Tees Valley Line Class 08 reskined (Could be used for a fictional maintenance depot shunter, painted in Hungarian colors.) Possible Mastery Rewards Tier 1 Mastery Rewards (Unlockable with basic milestones like completing a handful of scenarios or driving X km) Station Poster Pack➤ Unlock vintage and modern Hungarian posters that decorate station walls—advertisements from both the 80s and today for extra immersion. Cab Decal: Hungarian Flag➤ Add a small patriotic touch inside your train with a Hungarian tricolor flag sticker on the control panel. Train Exterior Sticker: Metro Rebuild Logo➤ A special livery sticker celebrating the M3’s recent refurbishment campaign (the “M3 Felújítás”). Tier 2 Mastery Rewards (Unlockable after completing tougher challenges like driving all scenarios, reaching high XP, or completing difficult services) Fehér út Depot Walkaround Area➤ Unlock an explorable static version of Fehér út Depot with static rolling stock and hidden collectibles. Scenic Collectible: Surface View Rooftop at Göncz Árpád➤ Adds an accessible rooftop view in free roam mode, showing the unique above-ground metro landscape in Budapest’s northern section. In-Cab Customization: Retro Dashboard Skin➤ Switch the cab UI to a classic amber-glow instrument panel with CRT-style visuals, a nostalgic callback to Soviet-era controls. Ambient Enhancement: Budapest Fireworks Skyline➤ Special nighttime scenery over the surface segments (on national holiday dates in-game like August 20) with fireworks above the skyline. Why DTG needs to consider this route to come to TSW5 In closing, the Budapest Metro M3 line is exactly the kind of focused, gameplay‑first route that DTG should seriously consider for TSW5. It isn’t just a standard metro route, nor does it demand half a dozen brand‑new train builds—just the refurbished 81‑717.2K/714.2K Metrowagonmash units which i did mention previously, running in the modern post‑2018 era when every station, tunnel and system was fully overhauled. Licensing is straightforward (one operator, one train type) and the scope fits neatly into a single DLC: a 17.3 km north–south metro, hand‑driven under ATP/ATO control, with tight curves, steep gradients, and a mix of stop‑start urban rhythm and that dramatic tunnel‑to‑surface sprint into Kőbánya‑Kispest where you finally go overground (not the TFL operator). What makes Budapest metro M3 line genuinely fun is the constant operational pressure—2‑ to 3‑minute headways in deep, echoing tunnels, precise braking into curved platforms at Deák Ferenc tér and Nyugati pályaudvar, then the sudden burst of daylight and depot‑yard shuffles at the southern terminus. It’s a pure skills challenge wrapped in a richly atmospheric Eastern European setting, with safety‑system management, manual door control, and realistic turnaround workflows all built in. And because it’s self‑contained—one trainset, one service pattern, one depot—it’s both achievable for the dev team and endlessly replayable for players. In short: it’s mechanically rich, visually immersive, and completely different from anything currently in TSW so lets bring the Budapest metro M3 line to TSW5. Feel free to chat or discuss below
+1 Igen, ez jó lenne, Nagyváradon születtem, öt évesen Amerikába jöttem. Yes, this would be nice, I was born in Oradea, at five came to America.
here are some more videos of the metro just rides on the train also here are some videos of the old rolling stock on the route
I like the look of this train; (Metrovagonmash 81-717 series) it's old and has seen better days. But it has that nostalgia
Could be interesting, biggest problems with any transit line such as this are, 1. If the operator will grant a licence and permission to reproduce their trains and operations in a game (due to security concerns) and, 2. DTG have seemingly cried off doing any routes with sub surface/underground stations due to the complexities of getting the light baking right.
This is very true, OldVern DTG does have a hard time getting the lighting up to par, it can be seen in the Northeast Corridor: New York - Trenton route, and in the MBTA at the start of the Geometry Extra service. But even if they can get over these hurdles, a license and permission are the first steps to get clearly taken care of. And as trainfan#6965 stated, we can hope. And after hearing what happened in Greece a few days ago at a train station, things may get a bit harder, as it comes to security...
Szerintem nem jó lenne azért, mert a metróvonal többsége a föld alatt közlekedik. I don't think this would be a good idea, because the majority of the route runs underground.
What happened in Greece, if you don’t mind me asking? That didn’t make the BBC or any of the other news feeds I look at. All Google is bringing up is the Tempi train crash in 2023 and I don’t want to search too deeply as it has a habit of bringing up splat images. Edit: Just found this on Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/athens-b...er-over-greeces-worst-train-disaster-13346911 so yes, I think that could be an issue going forward.
Yes, that was the story that hit the papers in the US. I was unsure if I should post it here. I am surprised it didn't hit more news outlets. That was a major incident, but even in my area, it was a small article for a paper that covers a large area.
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