Quickfire: XC voyager, XC & EMR 170, FL 66, 14 Stations, 7 depot/yards, 70 miles, 3 route hops, many layers, 222 dlc? Intro… This is my suggestion for a tsw dlc that covers a portion of the Cross Country route and features the following stations: - Birmingham New Street (hop to BCC) - Water Orton - Wilnecote - Tamworth - Burton on Trent - Willington - Peartree - Derby (hop to MML) - Duffield - Belper - Ambergate (time travel to PFR) - Chesterfield - Dore & Totley - Sheffield Proposed stock… 1. The Class 221 super voyager Picking between the 220 and 221 I chose the 221 as it has both 5 and 4 car variants. While including both variants would be preferable, as visual differences between both is minor. XC 221s run - From Sheffield: - 1tph to Plymouth via derby (playable as far as Birmingham) - 4tpd to Reading via derby (playable as far as derby) From Birmingham New Street: - 1tph to Edinburgh via derby (Playable as far as Sheffield) From Derby: - 4tpd to Newcastle via derby (playable as far as Sheffield) Stopping patterns at intermediate stations can vary By focusing solely on one variant, I believe dtg may be able to put focus on other areas such as: 2. The Class 170 Turbostar 3 and 2 car sets in XC and EMR livery respectively The class 170 is a DMU with its 2 car variant already present in tsw. XC owns 11 2-car and 18 3-car variants, while EMR owns and operates 43 class 170s. 2 car variants are often run in pairs by both operators to create 4 car consists. I believe this DMU represented by both operators would be beneficial to the route as XC 170s typically operate south of Derby, whilst EMR 170s typically operate north of Derby along the midland mainline. And as this is a DMU which pre-exists in-game, it will lower the workload needed to produce this dlc. XC 170s run - From Derby: - 2tph to Birmingham. (One terminating while another continues off map to Cardiff central) From Birmingham: - 2tph to Nottingham via Derby (playable as far as Derby) - 2tph to Leicester (playable as far as Water Oran) From Water Oran: - 2tph to Birmingham New Street EMR 170s run - From Derby: - 1tph to Matlock (playable as far as Ambergate) - 1tph to Crewe (playable as far as Peartree) From Ambergate: - 1tph to Nottingham (playable as far as Derby From Peartree - 1tph to Newark Castle (playable as far as Derby) From Sheffield: - 1tph to Norwich (playable as far as Chesterfield) From Chesterfield: - 1tph to Liverpool Lime Street (playable as far as Sheffield 3. The Class 66 in Freightliner Dark Green with FFA/FGA container wagons & HIA aggregate wagons in both green and white Freightliner livery Between Wilnecote and Water Oran is the site of lawley street freightliner terminal, hence the proposal of a freightliner liveried 66. Along with this terminal. There are another 6 depot’s and yards either along the line or just branching off, such as Derby Etches Park. This opens up many opportunities for shunting duties, and freight runs direct into industries, similar to TVL. 4. Layers, Substitutions, and AI Traffic - EMT 158 from MML - 170 substitution: By keeping the red, yellow & white livery and replacing EMT branding with “EMR REGIONAL”, the MML 158 is brought up to modern standards, this should be a freeware update to the route, for owners of MML. Similar to the db red 628 - EMT Class 43 from MML - hst rail tour: The hst from MML can make rail tours along the route simulating the rail tours operated by ‘railadventures’ - Cargo Line DLCs: Considering the connection with MML at Derby, it would be a shame if the cargo line dlc’s didn’t layer into this route. They would provide a lot of static stock for yards, and more variety in freight gameplay. - AI Traffic Birmingham New Street can now be fully populated with stock from WCMLS, BCC, and CCN. More WCML stock should be seen on the lower platforms in Tamworth. With also the potential of an Easter Egg in the form of a class 87 rail tour. Lots of EMR and XC AI at Derby that operate southbound along the MML. EMR Class 222 DLC… It would be impossible to reach this routes full potential without the 222 Meridian in EMR Intercity colours. 2tph Northbound, 2tph southbound between Derby and Sheffield. With 3 named trains: “The Master Cutler”, “Sheffield Continental”, & “South Yorkshireman”. With the 222 should also come a 2025 timetable for the MML route. Which would substitute 222s in for the retired hsts, have 158s with their updated branding, and 170s as substitutes, and added XC voyager and 170 layers. (Old timetable should still remain unchanged, similarly to how the original CCL timetable stayed after the 380 release) (As an Aside: With the 222 in game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a St-Pancras-Bedford route down the line. With 700 FLU and Class 360 desiros) Conclusion… Overall, I think this route would be a sound introduction of Cross Country into TSW. As well as a reintroduction of EMT in their new identity as East Midlands Railway. I’d like to hear everyone’s thoughts and ideas on this route suggestion. I’m especially keen to hear ideas around mastery reward unlocks, potential scenarios, and maybe another loco dlc. Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion.
As a freight man and someone who wants to see the expansion of more Journeys across the british network I say give the man a route. As Playability for freight this would be amazing allowing for hopper diversions via derby to the MML. And when I do passenger services the 170 is one the best DMUs in game and having a brand they will layer onto routes south of Scotland Would be really welcome. As for the class 222 Would be a new unique long distance highspeed DMU bringing various new options to the table Such as when major works take place And Diesels step in to go via the unelectrified sidings and branch lines to keep services running Opening a whole new door of possible gameplay and route options As for the Add on it would be the opposite of whatever came with the pack so we get the 222 and the 220 10/10 would definitely buy
I like this suggestion. I'll even add to say these can layer onto MML and BCC, both routes really need additional traffic from how quiet these routes are.
I like this suggestion. Ticks a lot of boxes and provides an opportunity to enhance other existing routes in the Midlands. It would be cool if the XC 170 and Voyager could be layered onto BCC. The 170 going to Cardiff would stop at University and then speeds through. There was a time when XC trains also stopped occasionally at Bromsgrove. Councillors have recently campaigned for this to return. It would be a good opportunity to revamp the BCC timetable to add in the other AI layers you mention at New Street.
