Today I am suggesting the line that runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester. All services I list in this suggestion will average a 1 hour run. Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester is around 32 miles between each other so this will be quite fair for DTG to create with a reasonable amount of miles. This route can bring the Western region another good run on TSW with beautiful scenery, interesting stations and obviously a part of the UK not covered so there is not a repeat in places. Moving onto the stations, they are as follows; -Bristol Temple Meads -Filton Abbey Wood -Bristol Parkway -Yate -Cam & Dursley -Gloucester On this route the stations that are skipped are; Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road Rolling stock: Class 800 GWR Class 158 GWR Class 220 Cross Country Voyager 1 new operator would come into the game, as you can see above, Cross Country. As for GWR they're are part of the GWE. 2 new trains would be added which will be the class 220 and class 800. For me, these 2 new trains would be a great addition to the game. With the class 158 already in game but I believe a different variant (EMT is a /8 and GWR one listed is a /7) just a few tweaks will probably be needed and obviously an interior and livery change is needed. With the class 220 Voyager I think this could be a brilliant train to add in general. The class 800, the sister of the class 395, a bi-mode multiple unit train with a pantagraph and a diesel generator. Once the AWS has been reset once setting up the train, it says "TPWS and AWS operational" just like the class 700 in game. I believe that the power and brake handle in the class 800 is also a smooth movement with the brake and power but it is listed in the cab in notches for the power just as a guide so it would be could be cool if like the 700 the amount of power/brake input would go up to 100 if added to TSW. I'm not good at explaining things but just as a reference photo: Layers: The only layer I think could go onto this route is the class 165 although I don't think this could work as the GWE 165 is a 165/2 and the 165 on this route is a /1. Just a tad more information to lay out on the table is the class 158 and class 800 both call at; Bristol Temple Meads, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway, Yate, Cam & Dursley and Gloucester. The class 220 services will only call at; Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway and Gloucester. The class 158 services, class 220 services and some class 800 services reverse at Gloucester to continue the rest of their route. But there are some class 800 services that terminate at Gloucester. That concludes this route please let me know what you think.
if your going to have Voyagers, just extend it to Cheltenham Spa (or in a ideal world, worcester or Birmingham) ,as makes it more realistic, as outside of works, Voyagers skip Gloucester and go to Cheltenham Spa instead. I do like the Idea though, maybe add a HST layer in as well, for the Castle Sets. If we ever got a Cross Country 170, that could also layer on for a bit for the 0624 From Bristol Temple Meads to stansted and Services between Gloucester and Cheltenham. A 165 would also work way better than a 158 as well, as they do the lines frequently, moreso than the IET, which does not do too many runs between Bristol and Gloucester, so i'd opt for a 165 over IET as well. Overall, its a good idea and a route i'd like to see, but i think and extension to Cheltenham at least (i mean if DTG were daring, Birmingham New Street + Camp Hill Line would be really nice, as the 323 from BCC and a Crosscountry 170 and HST as DLC would make it alot more alive). I mean it could also theorectically work as a BR route as well in the 1950s/1960s for some late steam/early diesel action, which would give it many more stations (+ thornbury branch could be a option)
I get all your points and agree to be honest, I barely have any knowledge of this route and did some research and wanted to add the IET's without another London terminus especially one we already have, but I just added what I found upon research and the route itself interested me but I do like the ideas you have provided there and I appreciate these comments since I can learn more about the route and it give people more of an idea. But with the HST's I was going to include them but I wouldn't think the community would've wanted another HST set unless they do! Also the extension idea I like is well.
Bristol to Cheltenham makes more sense as very few NE/SW Cross Country services are booked to call at Gloucester.
Knowing Arriva, they aren't looking to give us any of their licenses. So I doubt we would get CrossCountry for this route.
Another route possibly better set back in late BR days, 1989 into early 90's with an eclectic mix of old DMU's, Sprinters, HST's and loco hauled services.
Would be a fun route, I'd definitely pick it up with the 800 and 220. More use for the 158 would be more than welcome as well.
As a local to the route, I think it'd be highly beneficial for this route to be done all the way to Birmingham, considering they already have Bromsgrove to New Street done. The 800 isn't a bad suggestion, but it's service patterns would be very limited, since they run from Standish Junction, just north of Stonehouse, to Gloucester, before reversing and then either continuing to Cheltenham, or further to Worcester. So even with the route going further to BNS, there would still be very limited gameplay offered from the 800. The GWE 166 layers are a good idea, but I think this would be a great DLC to make updates to the 166, so including it instead of the 800 is probably the wiser choice here. While it doesn't need much, adding livery designer would be highly appreciated. On the other hand, the 166 could remain a layer, and they can make the 165 instead. The 158 would also be good to see, but considering that's Skyhook's train they made, we don't know if DTG would be allowed to use it (if this would be a DTG route that is). And the 220/221 would be great to see in game - I love them a lot, and to see them recreated in TSW would be great. That also leaves space for a loco DLC too in the form of the CrossCountry class 170 DLC, which would have services between BNS and Gloucester.
As I have said in a previous reply I have barely any knowledge of this route and constructed the suggestion basically on research and I appreciate these comments to help me understand better about my suggestion. I knew this suggestion wasn't good and wouldn't have done well but I would love to see the class 800 and 220 in game especially away from a London terminus, but what you have stated about continuing to BNS I do like the sound of that and is better than what I suggested. Plus having the 220 in game, it could definitely fill out the emptiness of BNS and other big stations in need of more stock. I also like the sound of a 170 DLC, I feel like the 170 is a perfect fit for TSW. But lesson learnt, research even further and harder next time haha
I wouldn't say it wasn't a good suggestion, and for having barely any knowledge of the route, you've done well. I just figured as I'm local to the line that I'd contribute with some of that local knowledge. And yeah, BNS really could do with something else running there instead of just 323s. It's just waaay too quiet at the moment. But yeah, having the XC 220 and 170 would allow them to layer in south of BNS too of course, so would add some extra variety when driving on BCC too. And as for the 800 and just IETs in general, I also really want them in the game. They'll never replace HSTs for me, but given how widespread they are on the network these days, they've got to make it into the game sooner or later hopefully...
I appreciate it, thank you. But I am glad to have a local spread some knowledge, I'm always up to learn and improve on stuff I do not know. And yes I agree 100% with what you said about the IET's, couldn't have said it better myself. HST's are a legendary part of the railway in my opinion, we all love them.
Why not go all the way to Bromsgrove from Bristol and when DTG merges routes for TSW3 you can do a Birmingham New Street to Bristol run by having this route and BCC.
