Why this route? There is alot that can be done with this route, starting off with period. My initial suggestion was to be based around 2014 (just before the change to GWR and when they had a wide variety of trains working around the area) FGW would be the main stay of services around the whole route but being backed up by SWT (south western trains) around Exeter st David's and Exeter central and also Cross country running between Taunton and Paignton. A modern timetable could work with a slight change in rolling stock, but as the voyager isn't in the game, cross country would be missing and would make the timetable rather quiet. This route could also be based in the early 1990's with the mix of regional railways, intercity and network south east on a mix match of loco hauled and unit workings. Most of my suggestions are going to be based on the 2014 era. This route offers a wide mixture of services such as :- Freight workings out of fairwater yard (Taunton) and Exeter Riverside Yard (Exeter) as well as freight trains that are not stopping at those yards, i.e the Westbury to st blazy rhtt. High speed intercity services running between Taunton, Plymouth and paignton, stopping mainly at Exeter st David's, newton abbot and Totnes, with the occasional service stopping at Tiverton parkway, dawlish and teignmouth. The variety in these services are incredible and most journeys are notably different. Local services running between barnstable and Exeter central, Okehampton and Exeter central (era depending) and Exmouth to Paignton. Each offer longer and shorter runs either between Exeter and Exeter central or between Exeter barnstable Paignton and exmouth. Again this is era dependant. Rail tours running between Taunton and Paignton. These are common during the summer season as Paignton is a big tourist hotspot. Diesels usually run trains as far as Taunton where occasionally a steam train will be brought from the WSR to continue onto Paignton. This would provide some interesting stock moves at Taunton and Paignton at the end of the route in goodrington sidings. On the side of sidings and depots, this route would incorporate Plymouth laira depot for both Intercity and local units alike, Exeter tmd for local units, Exeter new yard for turning services around, Exeter Riverside for freight, possibly Norton fitzwarren for the occasional railtour and the jump point to the WSR and fairwater yard for freight in Taunton. Trains:- Starting off with units currently or about to be in the game (again era dependent) Class 150 As this train is already in the game, it would really only need a cosmetic refresh and forms the backbone of local services around Exeter. Class 153 This train is very much like the 150 and usually worked in multiple with other units with the same coupler i.e, 143, 150, 153& 158. Class 158 Not as frequent as it is currently in the area but it did make an appearance occasionally when stock shortages were happening and sometimes on a few intercity routes between Cardiff, Bristol Taunton Exeter Plymouth and Penzance. These can also be subbed in with the logos removed form the EMT units as both EMT and SWT trains were run by stagecoach, meaning they had a similar livery. These would run between Exeter st David's and central, where the AI could take them over and continue in the direction of pinhoe. HST We have this already in the GWML and it's already made with he correct livery. It ran the intercity work between Taunton, Paignton and Plymouth. These were commonly based at Plymouth so would be quite common on the route. They also worked with Cross country meaning a slight livery change to a fictitious livery would mean nearly double the services. Class 66 This is common across most up to date routes on the game and is also just as common in the Devon area. Steam Train This is very loosely put, but any one of the steam trains (apart from the 4f) could take over from the railtour at Taunton and take it all the way to Plymouth. Alternatively, the option to have diesel locos running it would be a nice feature. New additions:- Class 143 pacer. We already have the 142 in game so the gubbins are already there. These were quite common around the Exeter area and would be a great addition. They also used to work multiple with 150's, 153's and 158's as they didn't meet PRM requirements. This means you will more than likley have something different to drive once you reach the end of one line. Voyager I have heard rumors that there is trouble with licencing a voyager which is why it's at the bottom but to have all HST cross country would be cool, it isn't very realistic. I know it's been requested a few times and this would be no better route to make it's first appearance. Route features :- Dawlish sea wall, This is considered one of the best railway journeys in the country with regards to views as you travel along the dawlish sea wall between Starcross and teignmouth. Token handover Crediton, As the line towards barnstable (and possibly Okehampton) is single lined, they have a token operation still in place, the signaller meets you at the platform and it would be good if we could take it from the signaller and put it in the cab. Reversal at Exeter SD, Travelling from Exmouth to Paignton or vice versa, you would have to swap ends of the train to continue, adding a slight complexity to the journey. The kingswear Heritage line This is probably the lowest priority on the list but would make a good addition. The kingswear heritage line starts off at Paignton station and goes all the way to kingswear. They operate a mixture of both diesel and steam locomotives and a mixture of cartridge stock. This would liven up Paignton a bit more and would add some more variety on the route. I have probably missed something very important in this so please feel free to add onto this below. Thanks for reading.
We also now know that class 153 will be brought into the game with the Cardiff route, as well as an improved 150. Good idea!
Would love to see a 220/221 on this route, though I know what you mean re licensing. A 220/221 is much needed in the game. So much current and future layering potential.
