Dutch Route: Ijssellijn (nijmegen-zutphen(-deventer))

Hi all,

So far there hasn't been a Dutch route published by DTG.
It's something that I would really love to see, as I live in the Netherlands.
I think this route would be an excellent choice as the first Dutch route for DTG and consumers of TSW2.

Route info:
In TSW2 the route would run from Nijmegen to Zutphen, possibly Deventer if hardware and development resources allow it. Intercity stops along the route are Arnhem, Dieren and Zutphen (and Deventer). The section from Arnhem to Nijmegen is very busy, as there are 6 intercity trains to Nijmegen, 4 sprinters to Nijmegen and 1 regional train to Tiel (which diverts at Elst, 2 an hour in rush periods). And this is only in one direction on 2 tracks.

Playable services:

• 3000: Intercity Nijmegen-Den Helder. In-game you would drive the service from Nijmegen to Arnhem Centraal, where it turns around to Ede-Wageningen and further destinations. Runs every 30 minutes, no stops in between. This service is run by VIRM sets.
• 3100: Intercity Nijmegen-Schiphol. In-game you would drive the service from Nijmegen to Arnhem Centraal, where it turns around to Ede-Wageningen and further destinations. Runs every 30 minutes except Sunday mornings, no stops in between. This service is run by VIRM sets.
• 3600: Intercity Roosendaal-Zwolle. In-game you would drive the service from Nijmegen to Zutphen (or Deventer). Runs every 30 minutes. Stops at Arnhem Centraal, Dieren, Zutphen (and Deventer). This service is run by DDZ and ICMm sets in real life, but as the base route it should be run by VIRM sets.
• 7600: Sprinter Wijchen-Zutphen. In-game you would drive the service from Nijmegen to Zutphen. Runs every 30 minutes. Stops at Nijmegen, Nijmegen Lent, Elst, Arnhem Zuid, Arnhem Centraal, Arnhem Velperpoort, Arnhem Presikhaaf, Velp, Rheden, Dieren, Brummen and Zutphen. This service is run by SGMm sets and FLIRT3 in real life.
  
• 6600: Sprinter Dordrecht-Arnhem. In-game you would drive the service from Nijmegen to Arnhem Centraal. Runs every 30 minutes, but doesn't operate after 20:00h. Stops at Nijmegen, Nijmegen Lent, Elst, Arnhem Zuid and Arnhem Centraal. This service is run by FLIRT3 sets in real life, but should be run by SGMm sets in the base route.
• Freight: I'm not too familiar with the freight service and I also can't find a lot of information about it, but there are options for freight services from Nijmegen to Zutphen. I am not exactly sure what stock could be used for this, maybe someone could collaborate.

I'm aware that there are other services in the area's of major stations, but I think they shouldn't be included:

1. Regional trains at Nijmegen, Arnhem and Zutphen are operated by Arriva, Connexxion and Keolis, which would require DTG additional licenses for non-playable services.
   
2. The trains are run on routes that are not part of the main line, except the regional train from Arnhem to Tiel, which only stops at Elst and then diverts towards Tiel. Not worth the hastle if you ask me.
3. The route already has a lot of services as it is, and we have think about available hardware resources.

Altho, maybe the ICE 3m could make her appearance at Arnhem Centraal every 2 hours, as we already have the stock from the base game. It runs in real life in the 100 series from Amsterdam to Frankfurt/Basel SBB.

Included stock:

• VIRM (base): for 3000, 3100 and 3600 services.
• SGMm (base): for 7600 and 6600 services.
• ICMm (dlc): replaces VIRM in the 3600 services.
• DDZ (dlc): replaces VIRM in the 3600 services.
• FLIRT3 (dlc): replaces SGMm in the 6600 services and some SGMm services in the 7600.

Why it would be good for consumers of TSW2:

1. Finally a Dutch route, yaay.
2. There are a lot of sprinter and intercity services.
3. Different types of stations, Arnhem is fairly new and Nijmegen is fairly old.
4. A different signalling system from what we are officially used to.
5. It would be a good route for long freeroam sessions, as there is a high frequency on the services.

Why it would be good for DTG:

1. It sets a base in the Netherlands, giving the opportunity to get familiar with our signalling system for possible future Dutch routes.
   
2. The VIRM is used on many intercity lines in the Netherlands, so stock assets can be re-used for possible future Dutch routes.
3. As mentioned in the included stock, there are 3 options as extra dlc to sell.
4. I don't think a lot of research trips would be required for building the route, as there are a few Dutch train drivers that record from the cab (4K Train Driver's POV Dutch Railways/Cabview Holland, meesterpaul2 and Train Driver Bart (formerly known as Eposis Brax)).

Sources used:
OV In Nederland Wiki: wiki.ovinnederland.nl
Somda Railwiki: railwiki.nl
IJssellijn Wikipedia article: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/IJssellijn

I hope I gave enough information.
If not, feel free to ask any questions.

Edit: if DTG will seriously consider building this route, I'd be happy to volunteer in gathering information.

 

I would love to see this happen. I was once in an ICMm between Utrecht and Amersfoort (also a nice route - where would this route go from there?) and I aboluteley loved it.

 

The ICMm is in my opinion the most comfortable unit in the Netherlands. There are a lot of ICMm services between Utrecht and Amersfoort in real life. It could've originated from either Den Haag or Rotterdam, and heading for Enschede, Groningen or Leeuwarden.

I'm glad you liked my post.

 

A Dutch route would be awesome. I'm not familiar with Nijmegen-Zutphen-Deventer myself though. There's been several Dutch route suggestions, inlcuding my own suggestion.

The ICM is one of the most iconic trains in our country, but the IRM and Mat64 have a pretty unique look to it too.

 

The mat'64 used to run in the 7600 series. It could be added as a nostalgia dlc on this route.

 

Completely agree that this is a good idea. While I live in the UK, I really want to expand out to other countries when driving. I have been having lots of fun getting to grips with German trains in TSW 2, so I'm sure I'd love the driving Netherlands stuff too. Also, another good thing for DTG is that it would expand their player base. Idk about other people, but I got involved in train sim driving trains from my own country. And since, have expanded out. So maybe seeing a Dutch route in TSW2 would make some Dutch people give it a try who maybe passed it over before. None of the less, a good suggestion and one that DTG should seriously consider doing.