Alright here goes with my first UK suggestion. So why the new ECML section suggestion and why his section? Well the current ECML section we have is underwhelming to say the least with only one set of new rolling stock, and only 3 intermediate stations. DTG that's pathetic. It also doesn't travel through any interesting scenery as a cherry on top. So that begs the question, what makes this section so much better than the current one we have? Well here's why: Firstly some info: Mainline-125mi 1:30hr max // 8 LNER stations North Berwick line-4.1mi Northumberland Line-9mi 36min Total-139.1mi Route map: The mainline is really special as it's a cross border route between England and Scotland. It is by far the most scenic section of the ECML as it travels up the Northumberland coast and southeast Scottish coast. basically traveling with the North Sea in the background is pretty cool. The mainline sees roughly 3 trains per hour of mainline services. This includes LNER, LUMO and Trans Pennine I believe(please correct me if I'm wrong). There are many more commuter services in-between Edinburgh and Newcastle. Yes this isn't the fastest section of the ECML however I personally dont mind that. 125mph is achieved mainly between Alnwick and Berwick Upon Tweed Now for the 2 branch lines. Firstly the North Berwick line. It runs roughly 4 miles off the ECML and is operated by ScotRail. Services are run roughly hourly between Edinburgh and North Berwick. Service by ScotRail also extend south to Dunbar. Secondly the Northumberland Line in Newcastle. It runs as a 19mi spur off the ECML. It is currently under construction and once open in 2024/2025 will be operated by Northern Trains. Because it's under construction there is no current schedule available. Having these 2 lines is vitally important as it will provide additional service variation and rolling stock. What would come standard with the route? Trans Pennine class 802 nova 1 Northern Trains class 156. This dmu runs in the Newcastle area to chathill and I presume will also be used on the Northumberland Line once opened. Now for the layers: Of course the LNER 801 has to layered over. Without it this route would be incomplete. The Scotrail 385 runs to North Berwick and Dunbar and is the primary rolling stock used to those towns so it would make sense to layer it over. Now my DLC choice: I've gone with the Cross Country class 220/221 Now the scenery, may main selling point of this route: The North Sea coast follows you along the entire route Edinburgh Waverley The Royal Border bridge in Berwick The quant North Berwick station with the North Sea in the background North Seaton Viaduct on the Northumberland Line Newcastle Station and soooo many more bridges and scenery to explore... In the end I believe this section of the ECML is faaar supiror to the section we have now for many reasons from the scenery, to the rolling stock, and service patterns it offers. Yes it's no the fastest and i may be a bit long but this would be so much better to our current ECML section we have. Once again thank you for reading by this time crappy British ted-talk.
I wouldn't say its better than what we've currently got, that's subjective. But seeing as we have two routes ending at Edinburgh Waverley, having this be the next one makes sense.
Think its another great route that could be implemented for the UK, It Surprises me in this day and age there isn't a simpler way to record these routes IRL and us AI or something similar to generate the route, Apologises is something like this does exist and I'm quoting old news though xD
Yes and please. Though I foresee Edinburgh through to Newcastle as a tad too long for TSW, but either Edinburgh to Berwick or Berwick to Newcastle not quite long enough.
I'd love to see this, I've been championing the inclusion of Newcastle in TSW on this forum for ages. Agree current ECML is a yawn fest.
Would love this, suggested it myself a while ago. It is imo the most scenic part of the ECML & the branch to North Berwick would give the variation in services too.
Good suggestion, very detailed description of the route and some landmarks on it I think 'ECML North' would look great on here, as you already have the Azuma so that's not a problem and you can have the 385 for North Berwick/Dunbar services
While I think it would be a nice addition, it’s far too long. The longest route done so far is 116 miles and this far out does it. And that route only includes 3 stations and this one has 8 and even more layers. I think there’d be potential for slimmed down version but something of this scale wouldn’t be done for a long time.
I do think Newcastle-York is a much more reasonable expectation to see before this. 75 miles or so, there's a good few stations (including one already ingame that they could update) with Chester le Street, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, and Thirsk along the way. You'd still get the Transpennine rolling stock alongside the LNER stuff. So it's a pretty solid win with a solid mix of express, all stops commuter, and freight services.
I’d agree with you on that. Would be a fine route and if DTG utilise layers properly, can get the likes of 170s, 158s, 800s, the lot on the route. Hopefully get some DLCs to add on to it
Yep, that'd be the smart move at DTG in terms of licensing and route planning. Getting a bunch of smaller branches with stuff that can nicely layer into major stations along more central routes, and then bringing those hubs as part of big flagship routes..
It's not easy picking a segment of a main line that wouldn't leave punters feeling a little short-changed but there are a few, like WCML "Over Shap", ECML South, Riviera Line and WCML Birmingham to London that would be great for a TSW DLC. Yes and yes again.
