I've seen it suggested a couple of times, but I wanted to do a more in-depth suggestion as someone who works on the route for Greater Anglia. I think the GEML (Great Eastern Mainline) would be a fantastic fit for a TSW game, because I feel that it encompasses a lot of the different gameplay types that people enjoy, whether it's fast expresses, regional commuters, or frequent stopping intracity commuter trains. In a similar aspect to WCML EUS-Milton Keynes, it has a massive mix of express, Semi-Fast and commuter style services originating from Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, heading down to London Liverpool Street. It also has potential for a lot of freight coverage, with high volumes of traffic joining up at Stratford headed for Felixstowe's ports running a mix of Freightliner Class 90s, and...... dare I say it, a CLASS 66. The route: (Norwich-London Liverpool St) Norwich Norwich Royal Dock (Sidings) Norwich Crown Point Depot (Stadler Depot) Norwich Victoria Sidings (Intercity Sidings) Diss Haughley Jn (for Bury St Edmunds & Ely) Stowmarket Needham Market East Suffolk Jn (for Lowestoft & Felixstowe) Ipswich Manningtree South Jn (for Harwich Int'l) Manningtree Colchester Colchester CSD (Major Depot - both tractions) Marks Tey Kelvedon Witham Hatfield Peverel Beaulieu Park Chelmsford Ingatestone Shenfield Brentwood (Elizabeth line only) Harold Wood (Elizabeth line only) Gidea Park (Elizabeth line only) Romford Chadwell Heath (Elizabeth line only) Goodmayes (Elizabeth line only) Seven Kings (Elizabeth line only) Ilford EMU.D (Major Alstom Depot) Ilford (Elizabeth line only) Manor Park (Elizabeth line only) Forest Gate (Elizabeth line only) Maryland (Elizabeth line only) Stratford London Liverpool Street Route hopping capabilities would be with the Central London terminals, Stratford Int'l (SEHS), and Stratford itself (Mildmay Line). Whilst incorporating the entire route may be an enormous undertaking, even having a decent chunk (as far as Ipswich, maybe Colchester at a minimum) would still allow for all styles of services to be ran, while still feeling complete (despite the Norwich Intercity's which would end at Ipswich) The time period gives you an interesting choice between old/new, or somewhere in the crossover. The GEML used to run the 90/91/DVTs, which are now in the game, with old slam door rolling stock, alongside the MIGHTY DUSTY BINS (321s - closely portable from the existing 323s). In terms of the new stock, the Alstom Aventra 720s dominate the commuter space, and would be a very easy design crossover from the existing 710s, as 5car EMUs, often running in 5x2 formations. Also similarly to the 710s are the Elizabeth Lines 345 Aventras, 9car EMUs, which could definitely be added as part of the route from Stratford to Shenfield. The big new traction would be the 745s & 755s STADLER FLIRT trains, operating the Norwich Intercity's (755s are the BMU 3-4car units which run in a formation of 3-4-4 on the GEML, we call it Triple Traction). Personally, I'd love a modern timeframe, with maybe further add-ons for the 321s or 90s with Mark 3s down the line, as I feel that (besides the new STADLERs) the ports from the existing 710s wouldn't make it overly complex. Introducing the FLIRT platform also would provide opportunities to add it into the Cardiff Commuter route (another opportunity for a paid add-on) as they have their own FLIRT platforms which are all but identical to ours. Licensing would be needed from Stadler and Greater Anglia. (This is assuming the Elizabeth Line is already licensed given its appearances in signage on the GWE Remaster, and Alstom already being licensed due to the 710 being in the game) Hopefully now we are nationalised the licenses might not be too bad! At least a man can hope. The GEML feels like it would probably be a title piece of a game, rather than a colossal add-on, so, roll on TSW7 I suppose? Overall, I think the GEML would cover almost all basis for people different playstyles, between express, Semi-Fast, High Frequency Commuter, and Freight. It would add a new part of the UK (East Anglia) an area previously untapped by the TSW franchise, and could open doors to some of the fantastic regional routes we have up here at Norwich, Wherry Lines especially! if you've read this far, thanks for taking the time!
I appreciate the effort put into this suggestion. As I'm from Australia and love UK routes, I find these detailed suggestions very informative. I'd love this route in my collection.
I think we would more likely to get The Street to Ipswich as a TSW route than all the way to Norwich. Still, a much requested route and would be very welcome but I do have to add any GE route that doesn’t have Stratford Silver roof 47’s on the expresses and 308’s (okay maybe 321’s at a pinch) on the stoppers would be sacrilege.
I don't think anyone in here will be expecting me to say anything other than "Yes please". My no. 1 route even though I worked for its rivals (LTS/C2C). I often think about the era and I genuinely can't decide because I'd love them all. I'm old enough to remember the Class 309 griddle car on my childhood trips to Clacton, the silver roofed Class 47s on the Norwich sets when there were still compartment/corridor coaches, the sluggish but characterful Class 308s, "Jaffa Cake" Class 309s covering for the usual loco traction from Norwich to Ipswich at 100mph, the sublime sight of a Class 86 set in turquoise Anglia livery, the superb refurb of the First Great Eastern Class 312s and the multiple liveries era under National Express right up to the modern era with the amazing Stadler units. What would sell? I've said here many times if there's a little creative licence over a specific date in a year either the period when Class 86s and 90s ran side-by-side at the same time that 170s were appearing and 312s were being replaced by 360s. Or a roughly 2022 mix of 66s and 90s on freight, 321 Renatus, 720s Aventras and 745 Stadlers would provide something of interest for most UK rail fans. Then we'll convince Incredible Trains to do an Essex and/or Norfolk branches pack with a matching Timetable. Sorted!
