The LTS has been posted many times, but this time I’m recommending the same thing except it’s backdated to the early 2000’s. I believe this has many advantages compared to modelling it to modern spec. The first reason why I think this would be better is because of the addition of more stock. It is to say that the class 357 electrostar, the class 310/312 and the class 317. This time period thus allows THREE generations of electric multiple units, ranging from slow and cumbersome first generation EMU’s with camshaft resistor drive, up to modern PWM (power wave frequency modulation) stock. The variety of drivable stock is incredible, bringing 2 almost completely unrepresented ac emu generations to TSW along with it. AI services would be easier to make involving the tube as from my research, the stock on the underground at the time is the same as what will be potentially included on the GWE remaster, thus making it easier to model as you won’t need to model a new tube stock train. Later add ons/future add ons to layer a later add on that could be added to the LTS would be a backdated timetable pack (1997-98), like diesel legends pack for GWE. This pack would include the br class 302 and 310 (if not included with the route itself), and would just be a backdated timetable with the stock in question (just like diesel legends). The pack would re use the class 310 (if included with the route itself), 312, and 317. Final notes id like to add that like statements from others and myself before, that the route should come in full, from Fenchurch street to Shoeburyness via grays and upminster, plus the single line from upminster to grays. When it comes to freight services, I haven’t done any research on it, so if anyone has an idea of what freight would have looked like back then, please wright them in a comment, the more info the merrier! To conclude, I wrote this just to bring attention that modern day may not be the best option for this route (if it’s made at all) and that there are other add ons that could enhance the experience even further in the future. (I’d like to apologize for any confusing wording or typos as English is not my first language)
The problem with setting this in the past, as I've said before, is that you'd lose the layering possibilities - no GOBLIN without adding period-correct stock there too, and the modern extension to Barking Riverside would need to be remodelled. I'd much prefer the modern route (which could still have faux-D78 Stock as a placeholder for S7 Stock) with 357s and 720s, and then the older EMUs as an extra DLC. Everybody wins then!
Either way is good for me, the only reason why I said to set in in the 2000’s is because there would be more suburban stock by default.
