Route Suggestion: Great Western Main Line – Reading to Bristol Temple Meads (1988) Proposed Developer: Just Trains With Just Trains increasingly focusing on the Western and Southwestern regions of the UK rail network—evident in their upcoming TFW Class 142 pack—the time is right to bring one of British Rail’s most iconic corridors to life in Train Sim World: the Great Western Main Line between Reading and Bristol Temple Meads, set during 1988 at the height of the sectorisation era. This proposal offers an exciting and historically rich mix of intercity, commuter, and freight operations across one of the country’s busiest and most scenic mainlines, supported by three operational branch lines and a compelling blend of classic BR Blue, Network SouthEast, Railfreight Grey, and InterCity Executive/Swallow branding. ️ Route Overview Mainline (69 miles): Reading → Didcot Parkway → Swindon → Chippenham → Bath Spa → Bristol Temple Meads Captures the Western Region’s busiest mixed-traffic corridor at the peak of BR’s transitional late-1980s operations. Multiple track layouts: Quad track between Reading–Didcot, dual lines beyond. Iconic scenery including White Horse Hill, Box Tunnel, and the Avon Valley Branch Lines (42 additional miles): Didcot to Oxford (10 mi): Vital NSE commuter corridor, ECS moves from Hinksey Yard and Oxford depot Bath to Westbury via Freshford (20 mi) Scenic local stopping line, full of operational interest with steep gradients and signal blocks Melksham single line (12 mi) Low-frequency but operationally rich, used by both freight and regional trains Enables unique services like freight diversions and fertiliser wagons (see below) Total Route Length: Approx. 111 miles when including branch lines — ideal for structured timetables, scenario design, and long-play sessions. Rolling Stock – A Carefully Curated Roster Each included train has been selected for its real-world historical relevance to this corridor in 1988, as well as its gameplay utility, variety, and potential for layering and substitution. Class 47/4 HI Unchanged from prior Just Trains packs New Network SouthEast livery included (in addition to recycled liveries from WCMLOS): For semi-fast services Reading ↔ Oxford Versatile traction: Used for passenger, parcels (future DLC), and freight operations High compatibility with existing and future Mk1/Mk2 stock, ideal for layering Class 31, 50 (future DLC) Why it’s essential: The 47 was the most widespread Type 4 loco of the period. It operated almost every kind of service seen on this route, from NSE semi-fast trains to Railfreight duties. Keeping it consistent with JT’s existing models reduces development time while still allowing for new livery variety. Class 47/3 (New sub-class for this pack) Dedicated freight variant, with a visually distinct interior from the 47/4 (no ETH equipment) Rail blue & Railfreight (grey/red stripe) to reflects real usage on UKF fertiliser and container diagrams Used across Didcot–Westbury and Bristol–Reading freight diagrams Why include it: Adds loco variety and differentiation in freight handling. The Class 47/3 hauled many heavy freight services through the West, and players benefit from a dedicated freight-specific loco model that expands gameplay options without redundancy. Class 08 For shunting and depot moves at Westbury Yard, Didcot TMD, Oxford Hinksey Also used for wagon reformation at Bristol Barton Hill & TM Gameplay benefit: Allows yard movements and AI depot interactions to feel alive. Offers more interaction with freight services and makes yards feel lived-in, a key point of immersion in TSW. Class 117 DMU (New Unit) Represents regional and suburban traffic across: Oxford ↔ Reading Swindon ↔ Westbury AI traffic at Reading Liveries included: BR Blue & Grey BR Blue & Grey with NSE branding Full NSE (Red/White/Blue) wrap Why it’s critical: The 117 was the staple suburban DMU across the Thames Valley and Western Region. These units defined NSE’s short-distance services. Bringing them to TSW opens up true branch line and semi-rural DMU gameplay, filling a huge gap in the diesel multiple unit catalog. Class 43 HST (Valenta) Reworked from GWE/MML with new and accurate Valenta engine altering sound and handling Liveries (power cars): InterCity Executive InterCity Swallow Coaches: Mk3s in InterCity and BR Blue liveries (similar to WCMLOS only without buffers) Formations would either consist of all wagons in identical livery (BLU or IC), or majority BLU with 1 or 2 IC on each end closest to the power car. This depicts the transitional period in when all power cars had been reliveried from the original Blue (and some had been given the newer “swallow” livery), but coaches were still in the process of renovation. Why it’s a must: The HST ruled the GWML in this era. The Valenta powered variant is often requested in the forums and would fill a long-standing player desire. TSW has yet to offer a full 1980s InterCity-125 experience. Additionally, this route allows the 43 to stretch its legs further than GWE or MML, with the longer run across this section of the GWML Additional Coaching Stock NSE liveried Mk1 TSO/BSO and Mk2a coaches for Class 47/4 hauled services Oxford ↔ Reading BR Blue Mk1 TSO/BSO for Bristol ↔ Westbury (representing Cardiff–Portsmouth semi-fast trains) Gameplay use: Allows flexible layering of loco-hauled services beyond DMUs. Creates passenger gameplay for layers if owned. Enhancing timetable richness and authenticity. Freight Rolling Stock ✅ Freightliner FSA/FTA Container Flats (Recycled from WCML Preston–Carlisle) Seen across Didcot, Bristol, and intermodal movements between the Western and Midland regions New diesel experience with these wagons, in comparison to JTs WCML Possibility for more licenced freight containers PWA Fertiliser Wagons New wagon, delivered in slightly weathered condition with UKF fertilisers livery Hauled by 47/3 with potential for multi-part working, in addition to full line runs. A service could potentially look like this: Begin in Didcot Yard/West Reading Traverse the mainline west to Bradford Junction Follow the Melksham single-track branch End at Westbury Yard where wagons are shunted for pickup Why these wagons matter: Fertiliser traffic was a hallmark of late-1980s freight through the West due to demand from the local agriculture industry. These wagons offer a unique, multi-leg operational challenge that includes: Speed control and signal adherence on single-line working Pathing against local stoppers Shunting operations at both ends They offer a break from the standard container loop and provide a fresh, branch-specific freight run with historical grounding. Their weathered appearance adds immersion and realism. Layering Compatibility While no Class 33, 50, or 56 is currently in-game, this route supports: Class 20 (RHTT or light freight) Class 31 (on NSE, parcels or light freight) Class 37 (heavy freight layers) Included stock from the route can also layer into other addons, such as: GWE Remaster (DLOGW): BR Blue Valenta HST WCL & TVL: IC HSTs AI at Darlington (TVL) and playable along Cornish mainline (WCL) SEHS/Freight routes: AI freight and secondary services from Didcot Additional Layer for Owners of Class 86 + Mk2f Coaches Unlocks CrossCountry services using: Mk2f Coaches Hauled by Class 47/4 or Class 50 (if released as future addon) Operate from: Oxford ↔ Reading Reading ↔ Bristol TML Bristol TM ↔ Oxford Gameplay Expansion: A perfect opportunity to give players with existing DLC more value while expanding timetable diversity and service density. Scenario Ideas “A Fix of Fertiliser” – Multi-leg fertiliser journey from Didcot to Melksham, halting to let a number of express services pass at Swindon “Oxford Express” – Haul an extra long NSE service racing semi-fast to Oxford from Reading only stopping at Didcott Parkway. At Oxford, the train will split with half the coaches continuing to Banbury, while you run around the loco in preparation for the return trip to Paddington “The Valenta Surge” – Push to make up time in this HST morning rush hour service after running on the slow lines as far as didcott due to a stopped service on the fast line. “Graveyard Shift” – Work the 08 through complex shunting duties at Westbury. Why This Route? This is the Western Region’s flagship corridor—a historical, scenic, and operationally diverse railway that balances express services, heavy freight, and rural commuter routes. It would: Revive the HST in with a long route to reach full potential, with valenta sounds to boot Offer a vast and rich gameplay experience in an area of the UK currently neglected by TSW Enable realistic layering from owned DLC Deepen player immersion with shunting, freight, and inter-regional operations Showcase Just Trains’ mapping and route-building strengths over a long, scenic corridor With 1988 sectorisation as the backdrop, this route would capture the true golden era of British Rail, rich with colour, sound, and layered complexity. I’d also love to see some concord action in the sky as was common in this area at the time.
I’m currently also working on a class 50 dlc suggestion for this route with a parcels GUV, which I will post when ready. Until then, here are some videos I used for inspiration and reference when creating this suggestion. They can give a glimpse into what you could expect if a route like this were to ever be made. https://youtu.be/UgGxqtRQRAk?si=uwE1mNWOE131CgGG https://youtu.be/jwXWuxRXYrY?si=mQqKWIokwddOKzAf https://youtu.be/wvytV2n-YHA?si=QPx4EqcT1EvhjM2Y https://youtu.be/yDSeGR2aj1k?si=lo2Woyhp-Eteuhsd https://youtu.be/ly-yba-h_wU?si=pv1nQinhL6qT3ZB5
