With recent speculation that the upcoming UK route from Rivet Games could again be Scottish, I've taken the time to propose an idea for a route project encompassing a lesser known route in the country, one that may not be as iconic as something such as the West Highland Line, but nonetheless would be an excellent fit for the style of gameplay Train Sim World has to offer. The Route The Glasgow Southwestern Line is a collective name for a series of primarily diesel-only railway lines radiating out south west from the City of Glasgow to the towns and villages of Ayrshire and the Southern Uplands. This suggestion focuses on the busier northern segment, transitioning from rural to urban scenery as the line closes in on Glasgow. The route being suggested here would encompass the core Glasgow Central to Kilmarnock line, with an additional branch to East Kilbride. This provides a distance of 24 miles with an additional 8 miles for the branch, totalling approximately 32 miles. The short spur from Glasgow Central to Shields depot should also be featured, as with Cathcart Circle, for extra empty stock moves. The line itself is largely rural south of Barrhead, running single track between Barrhead and Dunlop, as well as between Stewarton and Kilmarnock. Upon arriving at Kilmarnock, there is a large maintenance facility to the north of the station which focuses on wagon repair and locomotive overhaul. North of Barrhead the line becomes more suburban, similar in nature to Cathcart Circle albeit mostly diesel, double track through to the Junctions on the approach into Glasgow Central. The East Kilbride branch is mostly double track, moving to single track south of Busby through to East Kilbride. Gameplay The timetable would feature two trains per hour between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock, running non-stop between Barrhead and Glasgow Central. Certain services continue southwards and westwards from Kilmarnock to Dumfries, Carlisle and Stranraer. These services would last for approximately 45 minutes. There is an additional one train per hour running between the bay platform at Barrhead and Glasgow Central, acting as a commuter service calling at all intermediate stops. The East Kilbride branch is also primarily a commuter line, hosting two trains per hour calling at all stops, both with a duration of approximately 30 minutes. All services operate with the Class 156 Diesel Multiple Unit, these being the oldest members of the Scotrail fleet, built in the mid 1980's as part of the Sprinter family to replace 1st generation DMUs. Both 2-car and 4-car services are frequently seen, painted in the standard Scotrail Saltire livery. Locale The route would be best set before 2020, to make use of a busier timetable and to allow realistic layering of the Class 314 in the Glasgow area from Cathcart Circle. The universal Class 66 can of course layer on for freight services along the line, such as with HTA coal workings between Glasgow and Kilmarnock. The Class 385 could appear at Glasgow Central also, set when replacing the Class 314 or in guise of 'on-test' units as they were delivered before entering regular service. Summary As Train Sim World currently lacks a broad range of modern UK diesel-focused routes, the Glasgow Southwestern Line in the scope proposed here would be an ideal fit. Featuring a mix of scenery and service patterns, a frequent timetable and a new train type (the Class 156), along with the benefit of utilising scenery already in-game of the area surrounding Glasgow Central from Cathcart Circle. Nowadays both the line to Barrhead and shortly the East Kilbride branch will be electrified, so now is a good chance to get this route represented in-game before modernisation takes a stronghold. Route Map Class 156 departing Glasgow Central Single platform terminus at East Kilbride Class 156 pair pausing in the bay platform at Barrhead Passenger and freight workings at Kilmarnock All thoughts and additional ideas welcome.
