What is the possibility of the Dublin Commuter Network in Ireland? This route has been in Train Simulators before. Microsoft Train simulator covered it over 20 years ago and it was a popular DLC for them at the time. Here is some info in relation to the feasibility of such a route. Distance: From Drogheda (terminus of northern commuter services) to Dublin Connolly (Terminus of the Enterprise and one of the 3 main stations in Dublin City Centre) would give a route distance of 32 miles. Extending North from Drogheda to Dundalk to extend Enterprise Services (some commuter services also serve Dundalk) or Extending south of Connolly to Greystones to complete the Dart network both would bring the network up to roughly 50 miles. (Dundalk to Greystones would be a route distance of roughly 65 miles). The Microsoft offering 20 years ago was just the roughly 32 or so miles from Drogheda to Dublin Connolly Variety: The DART network from Bray/Greystones to Howth/Malahide has 3 EMU Classes Operating currently, Classes 8100 (German built 2 car sets) & 8500 and 8600 (Tokyu Company of Japan built 4 car sets). The Northern Commuter line from Pearse/Connolly to Drogheda/Dundalk has 1 DMU the 29000 class (built by CAF), The Enterprise (201 class loco and De Deitrich Favourvaire now Alstom coaching stock), 1 freight Diagram (Gypsum Ore) from Tara Mines to Alexandra Basin (Dublin Port Yard which branches of the main line north of Connolly Station) possibly operated by 2 different loco classes, The 201 class (EMD F59PHI regauged for the 5"3 Irish gauge, which is also effectively a UK Class 66 geared for mixed traffic instead of freight.) or 071 class (EMD SD40 regauged, both were made dual cab for the Irish network too) the Tara Mines Branch Joins the Northern Commuter system at the south end of Drogheda station. Along with DART services to Malahide. The Southern commuter system from Connolly/Pearse to Greystones and points south has 2 DMU's, class 29000 (CAF, Pearse/Connolly to Wexford/Gorey commuter services) and class 22000 ICR (Hyundai Rotem, Connolly to Roslare Intercity service). Along with DART services on this whole section. Possible special diagrams, - the Irish Rail weed spraying train (Similar to the current RHTT) And - 1 class 29000 DMU 4 car set hauling a 4 car or 2 2 car EMU sets dead in tow from Fairview Depot (just north of Connolly) to Drogheda train care depot for wheel turning. Both of the above are regular sights on Irish rails. In my opinion the motive power to use with the Suggested Route would be the Class 8500 EMU, Class 29000 and 201 Class loco. Class 8500 is the middle in term of age of the 3 currently operating EMU Classes. Class 29000 DMU has services available both North and South of Connolly. Class 201 Class loco can be used to haul both the Enterprise passenger service and Tara Mines Ore trains. Class 8100 and 8600 EMU'S could be brought in as DLC motive power in the future. Class 22000 ICR DMU's and 071 Class loco could be brought in with another Irish route which in turn could then add layers to the suggested route. Prominence: The section of todays DART line from Pearse to Dun Laoghaire along the Dublin Bay coast was the very 1st Suburban Rail line in the world. Then known as the Dublin and Kingstown Railway. The Coastal views around Bray Head between Greystones and Bray, the Coastal views around Killiney Hill between Killiney and Dalkey and the Malahide estuary are all well known coastal views, the sections of line between Dun Laoghaire and Booterstown & Malahide to Rush also offer amazing coastal views. Away from the coast, Drogheda to Dundalk stretch cuts through Ireland's famous green picturesque country side. In Dublin City Centre, from Grand Canal Dock to Connolly, you have views of historic well known landmarks such as Trinity College, Custom House, Bus Aras and the historic stations of Pearse and Connolly. Rail infrastructure of note would be tunnels 1 to 4 around Bray Head, The bridge across the River Liffey in Dublin City Centre, Malahide Viaduct crossing the Malahide Estuary and the Boyne Viaduct leaving Drogheda North Bound. The line between Landsdowne Road and Grand Canal Dock runs under the West Stand of the Avia Stadium, Home of the Irish International Football and Rugby teams. Between Connolly and Clontarf Road there is distant views of the 80,000 seat Croke Park, home of the GAA and Venue of Gealic Football and Hurling All Ireland Finals. Licensing: Presumably this would be possible given Microsoft has obtained this in the passed, also I am aware Irish Rail were very accommodating to Geoff Marshall when he filmed his all the stations series on the network. Irish Rail in general are usually extremely open to exposure. Other Points of Notes: The suggested network between Drogheda and Connolly would have 3 train depots (Drogheda Train Care Depot, Fairview EMU Depot and Connolly Maintenance shed). 1 freight yard (Alexandra Basin, off the main line just north of Connolly) and a 3 station branch line (The Howth branch). Extending North to Dundalk would add a small freight yard beside Dundalk Station, Extending south of Connolly would add Bray EMU Depot and Pearse Carriage Sidings. Signalling and safety systems on Irish Rails is very similar to UK systems, ATP (on Irish EMU's) is similar to DSD, and CAWS (on DMU'S and Loco's) is effectively AWS. Continuations: There are also some good continuations possible to continue the Irish theme which would each give different Driving scenarios, scenery and rolling stock whilst crossing over rolling stock of the Dublin Commuter system too should Dovetail or a 3rd party decide to invest in Irish licensing. These are, - Maynooth Commuter - Cork Main Line - Western Rail Corridor - Cork Commuter - Northern Ireland Railways Newry to Belfast Lanyon Place. To see the suggested route come to fruition I would happily assist in obtaining any photos, footage and sound recordings required.
Seconded, I never owned the Making-Tracks Enterprise add-ons for MSTS but they looked awesome (I did have their British routes, they were all fantastic). I would love to see Ireland in TSW!
I had the Enterprise add on, it was really good and extremely realistic. I lived with a DART Driver at the time and he had the southern add on too which allowed him to drive the full DART route and he loved how close the physics were to real world too. For having the 1st ever Suburban rail line in the world, Ireland has been missing from train sims for too long now!
Excellent idea and speaking of the Dundalk route that can go to Belfast for NIR Trains that are equipped for Cross Border runs to Dundalk/Drogheda remember that North of Dundalk to Belfast via Newry you are under UK AWS TPWS DSD Driver's Remainder Appliance Train Protection rules. Requires training centre to be Quad Track dual gauge to Accommodate Irish Gauge 1.6m inner pair belongs to Cape Gauge for Japanese and Australian trains from the states of Tasmania Queensland and Western Australia.
