The Tilbury and Southend Railway is a vital commuter and freight route running from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, primarily operated by c2c with its fleet of Class 357 "Electrostars". This railway is one of the busiest in the UK, known for its high-frequency services, rapid acceleration, and quick station stops, making it an essential transport link between London and the Essex coast. The route is unique in its blend of urban intensity, suburban stretches, and coastal scenery, offering a varied and dynamic driving experience. A defining feature of the route is its four-track section between Barking and Upminster, which allows express trains to overtake stopping services, adding an extra layer of operational complexity. The railway also splits at Pitsea, with one branch running from Fenchurch Street to Southend Central via Grays while the other follows the Tilbury Loop, serving industrial areas before rejoining the mainline. The Tilbury Loop is particularly significant due to its connection with Tilbury Docks, a major freight hub, ensuring a steady flow of Class 66-hauled freight services alongside the busy passenger operations. This combination of fast-paced commuter services and heavy freight movement makes the route highly interactive and engaging for drivers. The railway’s scenery constantly shifts, starting in the dense urban landscape of East London, transitioning into open countryside, and finally reaching the seaside stretch near Southend and Shoeburyness. The coastal section is particularly attractive, offering rare opportunities to operate modern commuter trains alongside scenic waterfront views. This variety enhances the realism and immersion of the route, making every journey feel distinct. Technology also plays a crucial role in the Tilbury and Southend Railway, as it has been selected for ETCS (European Train Control System) trials, marking it as one of the first UK commuter routes to test this modern signaling system. This integration of advanced railway technology adds another layer of realism, allowing players to experience the future of British rail operations. With its combination of high-speed commuter services, complex track layouts, busy freight operations, and stunning coastal scenery, the Tilbury and Southend Railway would bring a diverse and highly engaging experience to Train Sim World 5, making it a strong candidate for inclusion. Route Map Also includes the via Grays service/ extension to Shoeburyness or Grays service for the future Main stations on the route London Fenchurch Street West Ham Barking Southend Central Here's a list of the stations in the route starting from Fenchurch - Southend (with 2 services) Shoeburyness via Southend and Basildon Service: London Fenchurch Street Limehouse West Ham Barking Upminister West Horndon Laindon Basildon Pitsea Benfleet Leigh-on-sea Chalkwell Westcliff Southend Central Southend Central Via Grays service: London Fenchurch Street Limehouse West Ham Barking Upminister Ockendon Chafford Hundred Grays Tilbury Town East Tilbury Stanford-le-hope Pitsea Benfleet Leigh-on-sea Chalkwell Westcliff Southend Central Rolling Stock There are trains that run on the route that could/ can be put into the route, some trains can even be an AI layer, here's the rolling stock for the route Class 357 a modern electric multiple unit designed for high-speed commuter travel, kinda looks like the class 170 but an electric version of it. Class 66 a powerful diesel locomotive responsible for transporting goods to and from Tilbury Docks. With its high hauling capacity and robust performance AI Layers Suffergete Line Route Class 710 Southeastern Highspeed Class 395 Mildmay Line route Class 378 AI Traffic DLR B23 stock DLR B90 stock Also the class 357 can be an AI Layer at Stratford station It can also be as AI traffic at Dagenham Dock station (Between Stratford international and ebbsfleet international) in the southeastern highspeed route Why DTG should consider this route to come to TSW5 DTG should consider bringing the Tilbury and Southend Railway to Train Sim World 5 because it offers a unique blend of high-speed commuter operations, intricate track layouts, freight diversity, and stunning scenery, making it a highly engaging and realistic experience and it's also a requested route in tsw5, well just the c2c part. The combination of intensely busy passenger services and heavy freight traffic creates a dynamic and challenging environment for players. With express and stopping services running side by side on the four-track section between Barking and Upminster, the route allows for overtaking maneuvers and carefully timed operations, adding depth to the gameplay. The split at Pitsea, where services either continue directly to Southend or take the Tilbury Loop through industrial zones, brings a mix of station stops, fast running, and freight interaction, ensuring a varied and constantly changing experience. The freight element is a crucial part of what makes this route special, as the Tilbury Loop connects to Tilbury Docks, one of the UK’s busiest freight hubs. This means that heavy Class 66-hauled freight trains must navigate through the same infrastructure as passenger services, requiring skillful handling to balance speed, braking, and power management. Unlike purely passenger-focused routes, the presence of both types of rail traffic ensures a more immersive and unpredictable railway environment, where players must adapt to different train priorities and signaling constraints. Beyond operations, the scenery of the route provides a constantly evolving backdrop, shifting from dense urban landscapes in London to suburban areas, open countryside, and finally the coastal stretch near Southend and Shoeburyness. This constant visual variety keeps the journey fresh and engaging, while the seaside views add a rare and scenic driving experience that few other UK commuter routes can offer. The modern technology used on the line also adds to the realism, with ETCS trials bringing in next-generation signaling mechanics, allowing players to interact with a developing railway system. With its fast-paced commuter services, complex traffic patterns, freight integration, varied scenery, and modern railway technology, the Tilbury and Southend Railway has all the key elements that make for an exciting, immersive, and highly replayable route in Train Sim World 5. Its mix of speed, precision, and operational variety would offer both newcomers and experienced players a fresh challenge, making it a perfect addition to the game. Conclusion The Tilbury and Southend Railway would be a perfect addition to Train Sim World 5, offering a balance of fast commuter operations, freight complexity, and stunning scenery that makes every journey feel unique. The mix of high-speed services, intricate track layouts, and freight interactions creates an engaging and realistic experience, while the route’s evolving landscapes—from urban London to the open countryside and scenic coastline—keep the gameplay fresh. With the added depth of ETCS trials and modern railway technology, this route brings both present-day realism and a glimpse into the future of UK rail operations. Its variety, challenge, and visual appeal make it an ideal candidate for the game, providing players with a highly immersive and replayable railway experience. Let's bring the Tilbury and Southend Line to TSW5
I would love to see this route in-game, but if they did it, I’d expect the entire LTS line because it isn’t really the kind of line you can cut into separate sections without severely degrading the route experience, it isn’t exactly out of scope either, 58 miles and about an hour on full line runs.
Great idea, il be honest tho, id like the LTS in the mid to late 90's (1997) as old mk 1/2 derived stock was still in use (as in br classes 302, 305, 308, 310 and 312. Plus a few borrowed class 317 units where also in use). plus there is a wider variety of both freight services and we would finally get a few of the old slam door stock (and camshaft traction(also westinghouse EP and automatic brake)).
I would assume it would be present day, considering three parts of the route would already have been modelled in the current time period being the DLR, Barking, and the line alongside HS1.
Not sure why you're referring to this as the 'Tilbury and Southend' railway, it's always been the 'London, Tilbury and Southend'. And why would you cut the service short at Southend Central and not go the extra 3 stops to Shoeburyness? As for the "four-track section between Barking and Upminster, which allows express trains to overtake stopping services", that's just plain wrong. There are two tracks for c2c trains, the additional tracks are for the District line which starts at Upminster and completely separate (and go beyond Barking, obviously, for both District and Hammersmith & City line tube services). For a modern-day service (which, as noted elsewhere, makes sense with all the layering available), this should have the 720s as well as the 357s. Would love a loco pack of the older slam-door trains though. As I've said in every LTS/c2c thread for some time, I'd love this to appear in TSW. Has to be the full route, though, for a complete end-to-end service.
i agree that it should be the ful line, as it's already not a long route, and it ads more services overall
Yeah, I recognise a sentence about the scenery that's very similar to one I used in a previous c2c suggestion thread!
It stops at Southend Central because that's where the via Grays service ends at, also I did mention that an extension to shoeburyness would probably be in the future, the route is called the London, Tilbury & Southend Railway but it's also referred to the Tilbury and Southend Railway because it's a bit shorter so both of them mean the same thing and the class 710 is representing the class 720 and the class 345 Plus it is actually 4 track because although the district line is not included, yes but it is set as AI Traffic same for the class 710 at barking so it is AI traffic because the district line and the suffergete Line in the route is part of AI Traffic but kinda interactable But apart from all that thanks for the information and informing me the mistakes I made
And also it actually doesn't add more services if extended to shoeburyness since it's just operated by c2c
The rolling stock situation was pretty stable on the LTS until the late 80s when the NSE fleets of Class 317/2s and 319s triggered a big rolling stock cascade on the NSE AC lines usually with the oldest trains ending up on the LTS. In terms of variety perhaps 1996-1998 when 302s, 310s, 312s and 317s ran together, though personally I think an early 2000s version with 312, 317s and 357s would be best. 3 different generations of EMU, 2 of which have never been in TSC or TSW, all are very different to drive, on a line that's never been in a train simulator. It's a no-brainer of a DLC to me as I've said many times in here. Here's an example of the history of rolling stock in service on the first day of each year since 1986, prior to that it was basically all 302s and 308s since electrification in 1962.
I agree this dlc is a no brainer, I also like the idea of the time period you have thaught of. I still do think that an older mk1 stock like the class 302 is something that we are still missing tho.
When I worked in the HR office at East Ham Depot, I used to go and sit in a stabled unit to have my lunch (to get away from my constantly ringing phone). So I've had sarnies in 302s, 305s, 308s, 310s and 312s. If the weather was too bad to walk home along the track to Barking, I'd often get a cab ride on an ECS to Fenchurch and travel as a passenger back to Barking. So all of the above classes hold special memories for me. The 302s have a special place in my heart having been the BR trains I grew up with and I'd love them in TSW. Though aesthetically, the 305s and 308s with their more streamlined cab fronts looked better.
I think that your time period idea is better than mine, now that I think about it, because of the fact that like you said, 3 generations of electric multiple units would be included. The only thing that I’d add to your idea is maybe, kinda like the diesel legends, they add like a heritage add on were many states of the class 302 are included. It is to say there original condition with a head code box up to the 30 units kept with the Lts til 1998 with the head code box removed and Hi headlight added. Im saying this because this was the only route that the class 302 was ever used on, and for many years was the unit that represented the Lts. Hence why I’d would be strange to not have it in some way implemented in the route.
Thank you for your kind comments. I'm about to surprise you about Class 302s. They were intended for the LTS line, however, the Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness electrification was delayed until 1962. So they first entered service on the first section of AC 25kv line in the UK between Clacton and Colchester in 1959, around that time some also went up to Glasgow for OHL testing and driver training, a few went up to Manchester for the same purpose and it's rumoured they even ran in service up there. Delays to the introduction of Class 305s saw 24 Class 302 units reduced to 3 cars for West Anglia suburban lines and the rest of the fleet then covered for Class 306 and 307s while they were converted from DC to AC after which most of them finally made it to East Ham Depot so they could operate as intended on the LTS. However, Ilford Depot kept around 25 to bolster the fleet for Great Eastern services and there they stayed. Towards the end of their lives they made a return to the West Anglia line as a temporary measure until the Class 321s arrived. It was only from 1992 and after withdrawal of all of the unrefurbished units that the remaining 30 units were exclusively seen in passenger service on the LTS, well, apart from the 4 that were converted for parcels trains and painted bright red and were a regular sight on the Great Eastern in the early 90s.
Very interesting, I knew about the delays on electrification but I did not know that the class 302’s were found in that many other places (I did know about the parcel’s conversion). Thanks for the lovely info, I always enjoy learning things from fellow train enthusiasts.
Agree that an 80’s or 90’s setting with 302’s, 310’s and 312’s would be far more fulfilling than a modern day representation.
Absolutely, we don’t want another version of something like the Cathcart circle line where it come with one train and one train only. (As in electrostar only)
That’s not what I meant, I meant just electrostar would be included in with the LTS if it were modern day.
