A really feel that this route has the potential to be as good as Southeastern Highspeed or Dresden - Riesa, but a few changes would be needed, some more ambitious than others. It's by no means a new route in TSW terms, but is an excellent choice - it is one of the busiest and most important routes in Germany, with potential for huge variety in long-distance, regional and suburban traffic (there isn't so much freight, because the line is so busy that that is sent via a mostly paralell route). It's a decent route is, not not quite as immersive and replayable as it could be. Here's what could be done. 1) New timetable. The route was released without any IC or ICE trains, and indeed before any were in the game. The 101 + IC coaches are added as a layer, but the route is served by all types of ICE, most frequently ICE3s, and as is, the timetable is lacking without them. You could also layer in any of the new DB rolling stock, including as AI-only trains at Duisburg and Essen. 2) Extension to Dortmund The route is a little short, and Bochum is not a natural end point. All long distances at Bochum continue to Dortmund, where they either terminate or carry on towards Hamburg or Berlin. It's a similar story with Regional services, although they don't travel as far. The line to Dortmund is similar to the section between Bochum and Essen, with two semi-parallel routes, although in this case the S-Bahn has some sub-surface stations. Doirtmund Hbf is a major rail hub and there is also the S4 service which briefly runs parallel in the western suburbs of the city. 3) A repaint of the 422 Many of the 422 S-Bahn units have been repainted into a livery particular to the network (which allows them to be operator neutral), and it'd be nice to see these if DTG could get the licence. As many are still in red, this would make for excellent variety. 4) other extensions. The network in this area is so widespread that you could extend the route endlessly, so we'll try not to get carried away. A few options could be: 4a) The triangular route from Duisburg and Mulheim to Oberhausen. Oberhausen is another sizeable city and this would provide an extended S3 service, plus short runs from Duisburg 4b) The Essen to Hattingen branch. This is a short branch to an underground terminus that would add an extra, and different kind of service (the other end of S3). It also runs along the river for a spell. 4c) Duisburg to Dusseldorf (and the airport). This is more ambitious, but would allow for longer runs, and this line is even busier, with current HRR services being joined with trains heading north to Oberhausen and beyond (including to the Netherlands) 4d) Essen to Gelsenkirchen. A short spur that connects to Gelsenkircken, another big city on the parallel route, which runs closer to the freight line. This would add extra options for all types of service. 5) New rolling stock. We're quite well served for DB stock, but there's no harm in more. Other ICE variants would be nice, but for this route I'd suggest the X-Wagen, recently retired coaching sets designed specifically for S-Bahn services. These worked with 143s and formerly 111s 6) DB Intercity Cab car and Bistro Cafe I am begging you to make these. Now that classic Intercity trains are all but dead on the DB network, this is my only chance to pretend I'm on a proper IC train. 7) Future layering The route is so varied that almost any DB rolling stock would fit one way or another. Coaching stock from Austria and Switzerland has also been seen on the route, and will hopefully come soon to enhance the routes in those countries.
Excellent plan overall and speaking of this That can go further into the Netherlands via Emmerich am Rhein Zevenaar Arnhem Utrecht 156km turning HRR into HDDU Hollandstrecke Duisburg Dortmund Utrecht
While I strongly dislike all cab cars with the sole exception of the Karlsruher Kopf and maybe the Hasenkasten, DTG will need to consider if they want to provide the IC cab car in the somewhat near future. I’m starting to see more news of 101s being scrapped/stripped for parts or being sold off. We may not like it, but the days of the IC1 are definitely numbered now.
For my part, it was one of the best German routes there was at the time: a complete remaking + extension is very welcome. It might also seem nice to add another version of the BR 146, at first glance there are not too many differences in appearance. The difference is in the traction engine noises and the windshield wippers (BR 146/1)
…and the body shell, which was improved for crash protection. If anyone has difficulties spotting it, compare the area next to the buffer beams on the picture to TSW. Same thing with the 185. The 185.0 and .1 (not in TSW) sound different and have the earlier body shell. I’d love to have the 185.0/1 in TSW just because they sound so much nicer. But I believe this is too much work in DTGs’ eyes. If you’re going to have to create a new sound set anyways, might as well do a completely different loco.
Good thing is, that some routes are set in past times where the cab car was still active. And iirc, Matt once said that they actually do have the reference for the cab car. It's still another thing to build it. But it's not like they don't have any reference, according to Matt. So who knows? I still didn't give up the cab car.
A pack with that and the ARKimbz (which sadly retired last week) and maybe some of other coaches is one I'd buy immediately
Of course there are vintage routes; it was this that I was aiming at. Good thing if they already have references, but I don’t know whether they have audio recordings as well. Recording trips might no longer be a possibility soon with the nearing end of the IC1.
Let's hope they have audio as well. Or they can buy it from other developers like 3DZug or Virtual Railroads. In the later case, probably Maik Goltz has some recordings.
Given they are trailers, I could live with them re-using sounds if that's an obstacle to getting them in the sim. We really miss them
