Split from this thread here, these are my thoughts on the Midland Mainline route, as well its potential and possibilities for its future. The Midland Mainline is known as the Cinderella Line, both in real life and perhaps in Train Sim World. It has a lot of potential, but someone needs to give it time and love to allow for this to happen. Whether that be by Skyhook Games or another developer, it has the potential to be turned into something evenbetter. There are a number of things which can be done to the route, which I will list below: A timetable revamp, which will add various services missing from the current timetable, such as the missing EMT Regional services, as well as entirely new services. Add new CrossCountry services to the route - these consisting of Class 170 Turbostar services and Class 220 Voyager services. Add the missing EMT Regional services to the route - most noticeably around Nottingham and Derby, as there are a number of these services which have not been included in the base route. Introduce new freight services - these will be a mixture of AI/off route services, as well as drivable services. Route extension options: Include Toton and the surrounding area - this is a MASSIVE DB freight hub for the East Midlands, which will add a sensible start and end point for a number of freight services for the route. Finish off the scenery for Ratcliffe Power Station and make it player accessible. This is an iconic landmark for the route, which can offer a unique driving experience, as well as introduce new freight services. Add Derby Litchuch Lane - This provides unique rolling stock moves, for a variety of stock which is undergoing overhauls or is new build. Add Derby Chaddesden Sidings - primarily used for stabling of engineers trains, as well as use for Test Trains and light engine/rolling stock positioning moves. Extend the route to Matlock - a wonderfully scenic branch line, which will allow end to end services from Matlock to Nottingham. Extend the route to Sheffield - probably one of the biggest requests since this route was released. It will give the HST a 'proper' run from Leicester, as it feels quite short to and from Derby and Nottingham stations. It will also allow the Class 220 to be utilised from Derby to Sheffield and vice versa. Train add-on DLCs: East Midlands Trains Class 222 - Probably the most significant omission at the moment. A true powerhouse of the Midland Mainline - the route just doesn't feel right without it. East Midlands Trains Class 156 - Another (lesser known) workhorse for East Midlands Trains, working on various EMT Regional routes and will provide some much needed variety when it comes to regional workings. East Midlands Trains Class 153 - to complement both the Class 156 and 158, this will complete the EMT Regional fleet. These are just my opinions, based from someone who is local to the route and what I'd personally like to see.
So long as we get some decent Class 45 Railtours to emulate the classic era on the route, all for it. However the issue remains, who’s going to build it. Adam from Skyhook has reaffirmed it’s not on their agenda or likely to be and the other 3P”s are busy with their own ideas. JT would be the logical choice given their experience with the route in TSC, but they are still busy with their NW England resources and we don’t know what their route building capacity is, or if those who worked on the MML sections for TSC are willing to shift over to TSW.
I imagine an expansion of this scope would be more of a LIRR 2.0 remaster, than a GWE or ECW situation. Either way, I'd be all for this! MML needs more representation in TSW, it would give us a nice break from the WCML focus currently going on. The existing route has been much improved since launch, but when driving the HST, the service is over just as you're getting into it (an issue shared with GWE) - Extending the route would give the HST the long run it deserves! I'd also like to see St. Pancras - Bedford done in modern day with the Auroras and 222's, plus more to do for the criminally underused 700.
Totally agree with OP! This route should get those attentions it desperately needs In addition to technical/aesthetic revamping, would like to see it extended up to Sheffield! That's a pretty fast leg In addition to current stock, a 222/156 maybe? (finally a proper Super Sprinter )! Would be easier to introduce a 153, 170 or 220, though!
