I am to some extent repeating a request from several years ago, but I really think TSW (commercially as much as anything) is missing out by not having an Irish route. Why this route? You can faithfully replicate 90% of the timetable with one type of train, the Rotem Class 22000. It comes in various configurations for intercity and local work and is the only DMU used in and out of Heuston station. The flagship Dublin to Cork services are mostly operated by loco-hauled stock, seven Mark IV carriages and a DVT and motive power provided by a GM 201 class. They mostly run non-stop between Dublin and Portlaois, or even further afield, but do occasionally stop at Portarlington and Kildare. There’s a couple of major junctions on the way. Just after Kildare, the route to Waterford diverges and this is followed by another junction at Portarlington where the lines to the west and south split. Along the way is a series of newer stations on the outskirts of Dublin as trains race through the inner city and commuter belt before we reach the lush green fields and older stops full of character in County Kildare and County Laois. The huge Inchicore works, the main maintenance centre for all of Iaranród Éireann, is just a few km from Heuston and would provide lots of scenario and timetable mode opportunities. There’s also a bit of freight - not much just now, but still a daily container train in each direction between Dublin Port and Waterford. Players would be able to drive it between Kildare and the Phoenix Park Tunnel, just by Heuston. It’s hauled by a GM 071 class logo, another DLC option. The signalling is similar to the UK, with three and four aspect colour light signals. AWS and TPWS are not used (but some Irish trains have them fitted so that they can operate in Northern Ireland). Very basic in-cab signalling is used, it’s called CAWS and repeats the aspect shown on the next signal ahead inside the cab by translating signals transmitted via the rails and displaying this on the control panel. If the signal changes while the train is mid-section, the CAWS will reflect this. It’s essentially the same as having the next signal aspect HUD turned on. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I’d love to see it one day.
In terms of freight, there is actually Dublin - Waterford, Dublin - Balinna and Dublin to cork intermodal liners and also the waterford to balinna timber trains which come on to the main line off the waterford branch and run east in to the middle road at kildare, the loco then runs around the train before heading off west. I suggested the Dublin Commuter Network about awhile ago with a detailed break down of the possible route, this route suggested here is one of the further possible Irish routes i mentioned in that suggestion.
