The Gatwick Express Class 442 definitely has to come to Train Sim World 5, it represents a unique blend of classic British engineering and modern express service functionality. Known as the "Wessex Electrics," these units were originally built in the late 1980s using the chassis of the older Mk3 coaches, giving them a distinctive design with a smooth ride quality. For the Gatwick Express, they were refurbished with a stylish red livery and modernized interiors to serve the high-speed airport route between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport. The Class 442s were fitted with powerful traction systems, allowing for fast acceleration and a top speed of 100 mph, making them ideal for express services. Inside the cab, the driver had access to modernized controls and safety systems such as AWS and TPWS, which would add depth and realism to the TSW5 driving experience. Their unique motor coach configuration, with motors placed in a single carriage instead of spread throughout the train, also gives them a different performance profile compared to other EMUs. Their eventual withdrawal in 2019 or 2020 and replacement with newer rolling stock mean they now carry a nostalgic value, giving players the chance to drive a part of recent railway history. Including the Class 442 in TSW5 would offer a distinctive and stylish express EMU that stands out both visually and operationally, especially on routes that capture the busy, high-speed corridor to Gatwick. Unfortunately these trains aren't in service anymore and have been scrapped probably around 2020 - 2021 due to fears that the units were wrongly turning signals to danger as a train approached them. Think of how the DB BR 101 was an add on for the Haupstrecke Rhein Ruhr route same as how the Class 442 can be an add on for the Brighton Main Line route and why should it be an add on for the Brighton Main Line or you can say the London commuter route is because these trains operated on these routes in real life so it definitely has to come. Also the train can be unbranded if Gatwick express is not doing licensing anymore. Here's some info about the train In Service: 1988 - March 2020 Manufacturer: British Rail Engineering Formation 5 cars per unit; As built: DTF-TS(A)-MBLS-TS(B)-DTS As refurbished by SWR: DTSO(A)-TSO-MBC-TSOW-DTSO(B) Order No: 31030 (DTF vehicles) 31031 (DTS vehicles) 31032 (TS(A) vehicles) 31033 (TS(B) vehicles) 31034 (MBLS vehicles) Refurbished: 2008–2009 (Gatwick Express) 2017–2018 (SWR) Family Name: MK3 (Mark 3) Trains Replaced: Class 432, Class 438 and Class 460 Built At: Derby Litchurch Lane Works Constructed: 1987 - 1989 Fleet numbers 442401–442424 Capacity As built: 300 seats (50 first class, 250 standard) SWT: 316 seats (50 first class, 266 standard) GX: 346 seats (24 first class, 322 standard) SWR: 336 seats (32 first class, 304 standard) Owners: Angel Trains Operators: Network SouthEast, South Western Railway, Gatwick Express, South West Trains Depots Bournemouth Stewarts Lane (London) Lines served Brighton Main Line Portsmouth Direct Line South West Main Line Car body construction Steel Car length 22.570 m (74 ft 0.6 in) Width 2.740 m (8 ft 11.9 in) Height 3.810 m (12 ft 6.0 in) Doors Single-leaf sliding plug (2 per side per car) Wheelbase Over bogie centres: 16.000 m (52 ft 5.9 in) Maximum speed 100 mph (160 km/h) Weight MBLS: 51 tonnes (50 long tons; 56 short tons) Trailers: 34 tonnes (33 long tons; 37 short tons) Traction motors 4 × English Electric EE546, each of 300 kW (400 hp) Power output 1,200 kW (1,610 hp) HVAC Air conditioning Electric system(s) 750 V DC third rail Current collector(s) Contact shoe UIC classification 2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′ Bogies Powered: BREL P7-3 Unpowered: BREL T3-7 Minimum turning radius 90 m (295 ft 3 in) Braking system(s) Electro-pneumatic Safety system(s) AWS TPWS Coupling system Drop-head Buckeye Multiple working Within class, and with locomotives of Classes 33/1 and 73/1 Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge so hope DTG considers this route to comes to tsw5.
would require a new timetable probably included with the train, as I'm sure there was problems adding the 700s into the current one, while adding a train that's completely different is a lot harder then just substitution, like the 313 on ECW These left around 2016? Mabey upto 2018 For realism sake, some thameslink 387s and 377s reskins mixed with a few 700s. would love a 442!!
Probably be better in network southeast or south west trains or there small-time on southwestern railway over put more stress on to London Brighton
