Contents Introduction Different pricing strategy General overview Düsseldorf-Duisburg Düsseldorf-Essen (S6) Bochum-Dortmund Included Stock BR 422 BR 425 BR 101 + IC coaches BR 146 + Dosto coaches Layered Stock New add-ons InterCity expansion pack (cab car and BordBistro) x-Wagen with S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr BR 143 Conclusion Introduction Hi all, as many of you know SEHS got extended and re-released for the upgrade to TSW3, with the route being extended, more stock being included as standard and the existing route being upgraded. This principle, in my opinion, could be applied to a few other routes in game aswell. Previously I suggested an expansion for Ruhr-Sieg Nord. This time however, we do not stray far, as I think Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr could very much use a similar treatment. This would enhance the existing route, which is overdue for some touch-ups, while extending the route into a more sensible length that spans the entire Rhein-Ruhr mainline, instead of just an awkward middle section. This means longer services along one of Europe's busiest passenger traffic axes. In addition to that a new timetable will transform this (already quite busy) route into a true network of S-bahn, Regional, InterCity and ICE traffic to all corners of Germany. Different pricing strategy The extension that I'm proposing woult total quite a length. SEHS extended was given for free to players that already owned it, but I'm proposing a slightly different strategy for this route in order to make up for the sizable extension that is bigger than some standalone routes. Players that do not own the route already would need to pay a full route price, or maybe even slightly more seen the length and complexity of the route. In addition to that I propose asking a lower price to those that already own the route, and an even lower one to those that own the route and the BR 101. This would mean that players that already own HRR (and possibily the BR 101) would need to pay twice for the same content, but only partially. As the route length more than doubles I find it acceptable to ask roughly 50% of the new route price to those that already own HRR, with another discount (say 5%) for those that also own the BR 101. Those numbers however are just to give an idea, and would probably need furhter specification and market research to be determined. General overview The current route stretches from Duisburg Hbf in the west to Bochum Hbf in the east. However, this proposal would lengthen it with 3 sections: (1) Düsseldorf Hbf - Duisburg Hbf, (2) Düsseldorf Hbf - Essen Hbf via the S6 line and (3) Bochum Hbf - Dortmund Hbf via both the S-bahn and through traffic lines. Each of these sections has a different character, and brings more variation to the route. The extended route The extended route would provide far longer IC and (new) ICE services, aswell as providing the full length of S1 from Düsseldorf to Dortmund along the main axis. In addition to that a nice little S-bahn branch would be provided in form of the S6 line from Düsseldorf to Essen. Together with a new timetable this could lead to a service layout close to the following image. (note that this image depicts only S, RB and RE services, and is based on the current timetable). Schematic depiction of all the stations and playable S-bahn, RB and RE services on the proposed extended route. Note that IC and ICE aswell as AI only services are not depicted. As you can see that is quite the service network, and that doesn't even include the many IC and ICE services between the big stations. The variation would be vast, with S-bahn services stopping at many stations, that often are on their own branches, whereas RB and RE services connect primary and secondary stations, often hourly or more, at higher speeds. Finally IC and ICE services only connect the most significant of the stations, making 6 or less stops along the entire route and keeping to speeds upwards of 140 to 200 km/h inbetween those stops. These speed and stopping pattern differences lead to conflicts, despite the many different tracks and seperation of lines. This means that even services with few stops will force you to constantly keep an eye on signals and your safety systems. On the other side the S-bahn might seem like its just trundling along. Nothing is less true however, as the tight schedule and large amount of trains force you to keep your schedule in mind and try to fight your way through the jungle of signals, switches and stations as quickly as humanly possible. This extended route with it's new timetable will be full of variation and challenges, with enough AI traffic around to look at. Oh and did I mention there's also some freight sprinkled in aswell? In addition to this some scenery upgrades could be made. For example the area around Essen Hbf feels like it's missing some highrise and recognisable buildings. Furthermore the new lighting system could be applied to the route, which I think would massively enhance it. Finally some long standing bugs could be fixed. Cab ride starting in Düsseldorf Hbf that goes to Dortmund Hbf and beyond via (mostly) the fast lines. Düsseldorf-Duisburg Düsseldorf Hbf, the start of this section and the new southwestern end point of the route. The first section of this extension takes from Düsseldorf Hbf in the southwest to Duisburg Hbf in the northwest, where it connects to the existing route. This corridor forms a crucial part in German long distance traffic, with 14 IC/ICE lines running along it. To accomodate this high speed traffic large sections of the line are equipped for speeds up to 200 km/h using LZB. This gives an entirely new gameplay element to HRR, which in it's current state only has lines equipped for apeeds up to 160 km/h and no LZB. In between Düsseldorf and Duisburg there are a number of stops, which are used for S-bahn traffic only, with the exception of Düsseldorf Flughafen, which also sees RE, IC and ICE traffic. An additional short branch for S11 into Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal is also provided, to provide players with the abitlity to play a short little service from Düsseldorf to Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal, where they can turn around again. On this section you'll thus be seeing fast expresses whizzing around, while S-bahn services carry commuters and travellers to one of the many stations along the S-bahn tracks. Düsseldorf-Essen (S6) The Baldeneysee, next to Essen-Hügel. The s-bahn line can be seen curving around the hill on the far left of the picture. To provide a break from the stresses of the hectic mainline life, the S6 line between Düsseldorf Hbf and Essen Hbf takes you along the more scenic parts of the Ruhr area. This slower S-bahn line takes you through forests and along a section of the Ruhr river, aswell as the area around Essen-Hügel, which was once the home of the industrial Krupp family that helped shape the Ruhr area into the heart of industry it is nowadays. With track speeds that reach up to 120 km/h, but rarely exceed the 100 km/h it forms a stark contrast to the main line and provides some nice variety to the route, both in gameplay and scenery. Services nowadays are mostly operated with the BR 422 that we already know, but used to be operated by the BR 143 with x-Wagen for a very long time, but more on that later... A video showcasing a couple of spots along the S6 route during the last days of the BR 143 and x-Wagen on those service. Bochum-Dortmund Dortmund Hbf To complete the eastern leg of the Rhein-Ruhr mainline a final extension from Bochum Hbf to Dortmund Hbf has to be created. This section is separated into a faster regional and express line to the north, and a slower S-bahn line to the south, much like the Essen to Bochum section, although the lines here are much closer together and run next to eachother for some moments aswell. In addition to that this section adds a few more large freight yards with oppertunities for shunting services that also form a more logical terminus for freight services. Shortly before Dortmund Hbf the lines separate onceagain before finally rejoining for good in the area just adjacent to Dortmund Hbf, where the route will have it's new eastern end-point. Dortmund Hbf also forms the eastern terminus of the S1 services that came from the direction of Düsseldorf. The station itself however, is no terminus. Regional and long distance traffic will fill the tracks of Dortmund Hbf, with some going onto the extended Haupstrecke Rhein-Ruhr, and others to different directions throughout the Ruhr and the whole of Germany as AI traffic. Included stock The original route of course came with it own trains. Much like what happened to SEHS I'm proposing to extend the selection of trains a bit to get more variety from the get go though. The following would be included: DB BR 422 in DB Regio livery (and possibily a new white/green S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr livery aswell) DB BR 425 in DB Regio livery DB BR 101 in traffic red livery with 1st and 2nd class IC coaches in long distance white with red stripe livery DB BR 146 in traffic red livery with 1st, 2nd and cab Dosto coaches in DB Regio livery As you can see this is not much new. The BR 101 already existed as an add-on for HRR, but much like the Class 465 on SEHS I decided to include it with the extended route as standard. The 146 is also new as a standard loco to the route, but already exists as a layer that pretty much everyone has. It just exists to make sure that every buyer of the route has RE services aswell. I did consider including the IC cab car aswell, but have decided to propose it as DLC instead. However I would of course not object if DTG decided to throw it in as standard. Layered stock Like any German route nowadays, the route will see plenty of layers. I've tried to make a comprehensive list below, but may have missed something, in which case you're free to let me know. Freight DB/Railion BR 185 [from MSB] DB BR 143 [From DCZ/DRA] DB BR 155 [From RSN] DB BR 182 [From RT] DB BR 187 [From SKA] MRCE BR 185 [From DRA/RRO] MRCE BR 182 [From HBK] Dispolok BR 182 [From KWG] Railpool BR 186 [From DCZ] PRESS BR 155 [From BRO] Shunting DBB BR 363 [From DRA/DCZ] DB BR 363 [From RSN] Vossloh G6 [From RRO] DB V100 [From MSB] Passenger DB BR 401 ICE 1 [From KWG] Operating ICE services along the whole route DB BR 403 ICE 3 [From KWG] Operating ICE services along the whole route DB BR 406 ICE 3M [From SKA] Operating ICE International (Amsterdam-Frankfurt(-Basel)) services between Duisburg and Düsseldorf DB BR 423 [From SKA] DB BR 143 [From DCZ/DRA] DB BR 112 [From HBK] DB BR 110 with n-Wagen [From BRO/LFR] (mostly running a museum service, PBZ service, or perhaps an RE replacement with either n-Wagen or perhaps a Dosto-sandwich) DB BR 103 with orient red IC coaches [LFR] (on a museum service, or perhaps a PBZ service. The BR 103 could also haul a single scheduled IC service with modern IC coaches from the BR 101 as some 103s did take over such services in real life from time to time, even after retirement) AI only DB BR 612 [from DCZ, could stand in as AI for the DMU's that operate into the stations along the route] As you can see, this would make HRR one of the most varied routes rolling stock-wise in the entire game, quite the opposite of the more monotone character it currently has. New add-ons The extension and new impulse of buyers will almost definetly free some room to add new DLC's to HRR. I'll list a number of in my opinion interesting options, but this isn't an all encompassing list by any means. InterCity expansion pack (cab car and BordBistro) After the release of the BR 101 a lot of commotion existed about the ommission of the cab coach, and some also complained about the lack a BordBistro coach. After this new extension is release the BR 101 would be a part of the base route, meaning an expansion pack for it would no longer mean DLC on DLC on DLC ocurring, which is one of the reasons cited for not doing it. This means that an expansion pack consisting of the cab car and a BordBistro coach could be made. I think that as long as quality is sufficient this pack could be sold for the regular loco add-on price, as the cab car is esentially a locomotive (build time wise) and is based on a different coach than the existing coaches, and the BordBistro coach is also based on a different coach than the current IC coaches. This is of course still a compromise to those that feel these coaches had to be included in the original BR 101 DLC, but it is the best compromise I can think of. x-Wagen with S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr BR 143 For a long time the so called x-Wagen were a common sight on the Rhein-Ruhr S-bahn network. These coaches intended for commuter (S-bahn) traffic around the big German cities are based on the LHB prototype coaches of the late '70s. They were built between 1978 and 1998 in 4 series and operated mostly around the Rhein-Ruhr area, Köln and Nürnberg. Nowadays they have mostly been replaced, but they were once ubiquitous in the S-bahn networks of these cities. One of the S-bahn lines where they held out longest was S6 of the S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr, which is included in this suggestion. Initially these coaches were designed for operation with the BR 111, but as these were needed on InterRegio services after the German unification, and the BR 143 had become available from the former DDR this loco became it's go to combination. To give a slightly fresh tint to the BR 143 I suggest including the S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr livery for it, which differs by having a grey roof that extends to the top of the windows and a S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr logo on the side with a smaller DB logo besides it, instead of just a large DB logo. As these engines were also repainted later than the 143's in game currently the paint also looked a bit fresher, as can be seen in the picture above. Due to train length these trains can't simply substitute for the BR 422, so a seperate timetable would need to be created which has these trains running S6 and possibily some replacement services. Scenario Suggestions As a first in my long list of suggestions, I've decided to add some potential scenario ideas in a seperate section of the suggestion. Hügel Holidays Take a BR 101 with IC coaches (or a BR 146 with some Dosto's) to Essen Hügel station from Duisburg Hbf on a holiday special. Pick up tourists on your way to the scenic recreational area around Essen Hügel and the Baldeneyesee on this warm summery day. Take care though as you'll be drivind this holiday special inbetween the S-bahn traffic on the S6 line. After you dropped of the tourists, continue empty to Kettwig, where you can park your train. Then run the loco around the coaches to prepare for the return trip. Dortmund Diversion Take a BR 146 on an express service between Düsseldorf and Dortmund. Due to line works on the mainline, you'll have to take the S-bahn lines between Bochum Hbf and Dortmund Hbf. Try to stick as closely to your schedule as possible in the busy chaos that is taking place on the overstressed S-bahn tracks Express Emergency Prepare your BR 101 for service by coupling up to the front of a failed BR 101 locomotive in Düsseldorf Hbf. Take this InterCity onwards to Duisburg, Essen, Bochum and Dortmund. You'll have to make an unscheduled stop in Essen-West however, to deal with a medical emergency on board. Conclusion Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr could really use an update and extension. I think that extending it like I proposed would add a whole other experience to the route, and make it feel more complete while doing that. It would cement HRR as one of the busiest, varied, and for those who want it, challenging routes in game. An extension would also provide a good platform for some interesting additions in the future. Perhaps one day we'll see this dream come true. What are your thoughts? Let me know below
A fantastic suggestion - I think this warrants an extension for all the reason you listed above. I always felt this route should have originally been Dusseldorf to Dortmund. Additionally, this rotue has a special place in my heart as I've actually been to Dusseldorf and Duisburg in real-life too (see pictures below) not long before COVID-19, so it's nice to have routes I'm familiar with. Some pictures of the route I took: Dusseldorf Hbf: Duisburg Hbf:
Bring it in and between Bochum Hbf Dortmund Hbf the fast line goes through Bochum Langendreer Junction therefore that branch can be prepared for phase II. Which is merging Hauptstrecke Rhein Ruhr Bahnstrecke Witten/Dortmund-Oberhausen/Duisburg with Rhein Ruhr Osten Wuppertal Steinbeck Hagen Hbf Ruhr Sieg Nord Hagen Finnentrop Siegen via Witten Bahnhof S5 S-Bahn Rhein Ruhr which is routed as Dortmund Hbf Witten-Annen Nord Witten Hagen Vorhalle Hagen Hbf. That option gives 363 204 & G6 a proper yard to work on Rbf Hagen Vorhalle. Rallion 185.2 is also from Kassel Würzburg with LZB. RE19 Düsseldorf Zevenaar Arnhem uses DB Baureihe 1429 tri voltage Speaking of this was seen on HRR due to Abellio NRW Bankruptcy 1 year ago More Recently Additionally, when combined with Bremen Oldenburg the 12:29 IC56 Norddeich Mole Leipzig Hbf trip ends up being the correct formation instead of what it has right now two DB Baureihe 101s. Phase III of expanded HRR is turning this into HDU/DO-UR That means Hollandstrecke Dusseldorf/Dortmund-Utrecht basically integrating your HRR expanded to an international route Germany to the Netherlands.
The best offer for today! I have been supporting this idea for a long time and dream of its implementation. Only my offer is a little longer - to Cologne (Cologne-Düsseldorf-Duisburg-Essen-Bochum-Dortmund). It would be an awesome route. In its current form, the Duisburg-Bochum route looks like an invalid or an abandoned development.
I love this! As a local (weekly) passenger of HRR I am always a bit disappointed to only be able to play less than half of the real thing when I get home. However, to bring a more modern touch to the route, I'd like to propose the implementation of the BR 462 for the RRX services (RE 1, 5, 6, 11) in their signature white/gray/orange livery. You can think of these as Dosto-EMUs that were first introduced to the route in December 2018. By now, they substitute traditional loco-driven Dostos completely (mostly double traction), mainly because of their higher passenger capacity and and faster acceleration, which allows for tighter scheduling. Also, they sound really nice. Even as a DLC, I think these trains would be mandatory.
Brilliant idea, Düsseldorf Hbf - Duisburg Hbf - Mülheim hbf - Essen Hbf - Düsseldorf Hbf: from the (Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr: Duisburg - Bochum) in my eyes with the right finishing it would be the best: most unique german route ever. Not to mention the bit where huge planes take off over these railways, an animation of it would be fantastic. I'm already hoping for a releases YouTube "Führerstandsmitfahrt Düsseldorf - Duisburg" In the opinion of being open all the time you don't achieve new experiences with some current "DLC" ones, Okay there are other locations that can be seen. but in the end you get the same thing: Driving through a forest on two tracks or the HSL in and out of tunnels. At that moment you simply drive from point A to B. I want to say that your suggestion could give a lot of hope. Fingers crossed that the makers of this game will look into this further.
I definetely did consider them, and would like to see them in-game. However the licensing si apperantly tricky for them, and HRR is set begore 2018 IIRC. I still could see them made work, and do think that would add a nice break from the red Dostos
How about Bahnstrecke Wuppertal Steinbeck Ennepetal Hagen Hbf Rhein Ruhr Osten RE4 Wupper Express they also run there too. Click on my suggestion Bochum/Dortmund-Hagen since the Baureihe 462 RRX uses Bochum Langendreer Junction seen here to reach Dortmund Hbf from RRO Hagen Hbf & Wuppertal Steinbeck where it Splits off from S5 S-Bahn Rhein Ruhr Hagen Hbf Witten-Annen Nord Dortmund Hbf from Witten.
I realy like this suggestion, especially the X-wagen. How much km would the exstensions bring to the route?
I think the proposal is big enough for three separate DLCs: the route to Dusseldorf, the route to Dortmund, and a loco expansion pack. It would be lovely to have it all in one DLC, but it's not likely to all fit.
"Dostos" All region train in Germany country looks so red time for is a another color Could it be that they also run on this existing route Cologne - Aachen ?
I do think that the expansions alone, exclusing the IC expansion and x-Wagen are the right size for one DLC personally, sold at a route price. The x-wagen and IC expansion pack would both be seperate add-ons
Since the two map extensions are not connected, they can't go into a single DLC, can they? And I think the total, while absolutely awesome in my opinion, would be too large for a single route, with an enormous timetable. This is not like saying a station or two, it's doubling the length and stations, and the timetable would be huge. I hope I'm wrong and they do it as proposed. I think I could play this for a year and never get bored.
By modern standards, this route is not so big. Düsseldorf-Duisburg-Dortmund just over 80km. Most of it has already been built.
The non-conectedness of the extensions is no issue as far as I know. The SEHS extensions are also not connected. The expension would consist of a route that has been completely rebuilt and baked from the editor, just while reusing the original route. Lengthwise there is also no significant issue. Of course route complexity and timetable complexety are partially unprecedented, but BML isn't far off. The issue would be to manny different train assets having to be loaded in, which is where some consideration needs to be made. The ICE3 for example consists of 8 unique vehicles, and might therefore be too much for older consoles. Basing on Brighton Main Line and SEHS it should not be undoable though. Another part is of course that this is quite some work, that would have to be compensated, but that is why I proposed a different pricing strategy that doesn't give the extended route for free for those that already own the original. In that way, with perhaps a slightly higher route price for those who buy the route in it's extended form for the first time (meaning without owning the original) which I think the community will gladly accept if the quality reflects it. That all is however speculative and mostly based on obervations I've made about different routes and community opinions.
I'm pretty sure it's not the kilometers that would be the problem, as much as the number of stations, junctions, sidings, signals, and so on. SKW is the longest route in the game, but probably one of the simplest from the dispatcher's point of view. Only LGV is simpler, I think.
I think this is a fantastic suggestion I think we will get an expansion for Hauptstrecke Rhein Ruhr at some point I think this fantastic suggestion would be a great addition for TSW3
That would be really great and a D1 purchase. Even if it would not be reduced for owners of the original HRR. Like the idea of the S6 line. Had also thought about it some time ago but with the second main line from Duisburg to Dortmund via Oberhausen and Gelsenkirchen with connecting line Essen - Gelsenkirchen and Bochum - Wanne-Eickel
Even better is connecting this to the Netherlands Amsterdam Centraal or Arnhem via Oberhausen Emmerich am Rhein by changing voltages at Emmerich am Rhein 15kv 16.7hz to 25kv 50hz Betuweroute Zevenaar 25kv 50hz to 1.5kvDC this is seen in game due to Mülheim an der Ruhr Styrum triangle junction being positioned towards Oberhausen Hbf
The current route ( Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr: Duisburg - Bochum Route ) was already so fantastic to drive into services, just a pity that Dusseldorf is not included. Making this completely to the new standard would really be a dream, especially since these routes can be busy. There are still some novelties and improvements that I would like to add to your suggestion for the BR 422 would it be nice if they got rid of those horrible noises and give them the same quality as the BR 425 and 423 new color's to Germany BR 146/1 Look to the BR 146/2, the locomotive that we already have in the game, only with this one you can be the difference with the windshield wipers and hear the engine sounds, if they had to be copied correctly. BR 146/2 the engine sounds could still be refined and improved on this one. I now have no idea whether this locomotive runs on the full routes only from YouTube video,s, it should also stop in Dortmund: BR 147. For more extension to Stadler trains the Flirt 3 which also run on these routes.
A lot of these would indeed be possibilities. The 146.1 doesn't add enough variety to be developed at this moment I think, the 146 we have in game, updated to the latest standards, will do here I think. The IC2 sets are possible, but with the BR 101 on IC services, I'd rather see a cab car DLC for that than a new IC 2, as the cab car would round out the route better IMO. The Stadler Flirt 3 does run on the S-bahn Rhein-Ruhr, but as far as I know not on any of the lines included in this suggestion, so they would be AI only, a bit of a shame for a train that would have to be developed from the ground up.
Precisely, plenty of trains that can be built; A recurring DLC theme such as that of the New York routes in TSW 1, for example the Cab car for the BR 101 together with the BR 111 locomotive at a worthy price. It would be nice for me if this route suggestion came out even before the BR 420 so that it can layer with the S Bahn timetable. Recently played the routes it was supposed to come out (ET420) it's seriously outdated in my opinion. Making a x-Wagen and the BR 143 with full account in form of the sounds, possible if the BR 462 would have a licensing problems or something. Really just 3 big rollingstock improvements that would be meant in these route and we could be blown away what Germany has to offer us. I want to continue to support you in this suggestion worthy route for an extra entry. YouTube link
I completely agree - I feel like this route could be up there with SEHS and Dresden-Riesa in terms of density. A first step would be a timetable change to take in all the stock we do have, but these additions would be great too, It's such a fascinating, varied, busy part of the railway, and feels a bit incomplete as is.
I think that might just be a little too ambitious. I did consider it, but when you move to Köln there is a whole lot more traffic to consider, aswell as scenery, intensive tracklaying and signalling. I would personally love to see it run all the way to Köln, but I didn't think that was realistic (as the current proposal is honestly already a stretch, with 3 new sections), so I kept it to the main Rhein-Ruhr axis, with the S6 (which shouldn't bee too intensive as it is mostly just two track running with the same endpoints that are already on the route) for some variation.
The route needs to be future-proofed to add in SNCF TGV Euroduplex PBKA version since it runs the whole route to & from Dortmund Hbf towards Paris Gare du Nord.
Tbh I think the Thalys is fairly low priority as a) it's not intrinsic to the route (most services don't go past Cologne) and b) I've never seen anyone get their license. Of course it'd be nice to see it, particularly on Koeln - Aachen.
What can be done with this route being if it was in the making is already paying a lot of attention to scenery, so that this pice of railway complements interestingly. If Düsseldorf is the only expansion, I would still pay full price for it as long as the entire line are improved. Not only does this give the railways extra attention, to new assets and clear recognisability. Although it is understandable why they cannot recreate everything everywhere and they have to supplement this with standard assets, they have placed little recognisability at the stations. In any case, a lot can still happen! Düsseldorf - Bochum HBF Train Sim World In real life
There is clear room for improvement, definetely conpared to recent releases. Perhaps it's a good candidate for a summer release like SEHS was. As DTG seems more inclined to make loco DLC for the three summer release routes (as more people tend to have them), that would also make it more likely that DLC like an IC cab car or the 143 + x-Wagen could come for this route.
For the first time, I've added a short section with some suggestions for scenarios to the main suggestion post. I've now also included some oppertunities for the BR 103 to be used, like a museum service, or even standing in for a single regular IC service (albeit with modern IC coaches), as in real life some BR 103s did still haul the occasional IC service from the south to the north of Germany (and vice versa), through the Ruhr area. This could make a fun little service where you have to use the BR 103 to try and stay on schedule in the busy ruhr. A BR 103 on such a service with modern IC coaches in München Hbf. And the video from which this picture is. It shows the BR 103 in active duty on IC services around München.
