Looking at other TSW2-era routes, it's shocking how well Riesa-Dresden has aged. Now that we're in 2025, I want to propose a slew of expansions to further solidify this route as an immutable classic of the series and to ensure that it continues to age well. #1 - The S2 Airport Line This is one that I've been itching to see for a while, and I was a little disappointed that the route didn't get this upgrade when TSW4 came out. If you had to redo the lighting system for TOD4 anyway, why not do it for the S2? The tracks and signals are all there. That said I'm going to stop complaining about DTG's decision because I'm sure they had their reasons. But I think that in addition to the S2, the release of the Maintalbahn and the 642 justifies this because of the slew of diesel services that would be added in addition to the S2 (all of these can be played as far as Dresden-Klotzsche): - S8 Dresden Hbf - Kamenz Hbf (formerly RB34) - RB33 Dresden-Neustadt - Königsbrück Hbf - RB60 Dresden Hbf - Görlitz - RB61 Dresden Hbf - Zittau These services would also populate the 2 platforms at Dresden-Neustadt that never see any services, transforming TSW's rendition of the station into a DMU-filled paradise! The route can become what it was originally planned to be, complete with diesel for the first time. #2 - The RB31 Friedrichstadt Line This one always left me a little bit confused. I never really understood why we have to start RB31 services at Coswig when they take another ~10km line via Friedrichstadt. We could have another, quieter way to get to Grossenhain. What leaves me scratching my head even more is that there's a giant marshalling yard between Dresden-Freiberger Strasse and Dresden-Mitte that in game just... isn't there. The addition of the Friedrichstadt marshalling yard and the line via Dresden-Cotta would provide numerous opportunities for both passenger and freight, and I imagine the shunting possibilities would be limitless to boot. For these reasons, I believe DTG should add this line in as well. #3 - The Zeithain Spur The last thing I want to talk about is a little station just outside Riesa called Zeithain. It is served by RB45 services running between Chemnitz and Elsterwerda. This one would be much easier to add as the station exists, all it needs is a little more scenery, OHLE, and the 15 roundtrip services between Riesa and Zeithain, playable with the DB BR 143 and Dosto. I hope you like my suggestions!
1. The lighting people don't create the track lol. Anyways, it's not just as simple as just add it in. It's a lot of dev time and other complexities as well. They might have not had the budget or the staff or time to build it. That's because 10km is still 10km. It's not just a number but rather everything in those 10km which uses a lot of dev time.
I know the lighting people don't do the track. The S2 track has been there for 3 years. I was suggesting they do the lighting. That said, this is just a suggestion. It's something I want to see--and something I hope others want to see, too.
