Hi guys. I thought I’d make a new thread, solely for what us, as players, would like to see for the future in regards to the Midland Mainline thread. The suggestions in the other thread were getting a bit lost in the mix of all the updates and bug reports (which is great that the thread itself is so active) Skyhook Games have shown a lot of interest in this route, which is brilliant news for us players as it allows all sorts of potential for it in the future. So, let’s get into it. Here are my thoughts and what I would like to see: - Firstly, an extension of the line from Derby to Sheffield, including the Matlock branch (11 new stations altogether) These include Chesterfield and Sheffield being the two main ones, with Dronfield and Dore and Totley being the two smaller ones. On the Matlock branch, we have seven new stations. Most of these are relatively small, however rather picturesque to say the least. The route itself is also wonderfully scenic. - An addition of the Class 222, which make up a large proportion of the East Midlands Trains services. Particularly between Leicester and Sheffield (it was quite uncommon to get EMT HSTs on this section during the day) This will also give more variety to the Intercity services for both the Nottingham and Sheffield services. It’ll also allow you to stretch the legs of it between Leicester and Sheffield. Particularly the fast services. - An addition of the Class 156 which would be mixed and matched with the Class 158, which would be used on a variety of services. Again, adding more variety to the route. The 156 and 158 often inter work with each other on most EMT services, so you were never quite sure as to what would turn up! On the Nottingham to Liverpool services, it was quite common to see both a 156 and 158 coupled together, which made for quite an interesting sight. - This one is probably the least likely to happen but it would be really nice to see the Cross Country Voyager be developed for this route. It would be drivable between Derby and Sheffield. It can also be added to the Birmingham Cross City route as AI, which would make Birmingham New Street look and feel quite a bit busier. Let me know what you guys think of these suggestions and feel free to comment down your own below
Good suggestions! The class 222 and extension is my top pick for new MML DLC, it's a very unique train and would be cool to have
I think for extensions then Sheffield and Matlock would be the first choice for me followed by Lincoln, we can then complete the Leicester to Lincoln services. One of my few bugbears of this route is that there a very few services on the route where you work it in its entirety, there maybe one. Sheffield would give us a longer run in the lovely HST which currently it over too quickly for me. Stock wise a Merdidian class 222 as they were operating many if not the majority of services especially to Sheffield then secondly a class 156, maybe a 153 too. Another freight loco would be great, a class 60 would be my choice especially with the Brush works being on the route. A 56 maybe too.
Matlock and Sheffield would be an absolute must for any extension. The countryside around that end of Derbyshire is stunning, and the line to Sheffield would give the chance for the HST to stretch it's legs.
I'd like to see AI traffic at Leicester representing Cross Country services from Birmingham to Cambridge, I know the 170 isn't available yet but I personally would be happy to see it as 158s for now. Route extension wise, Yep North to Sheffield and south to Bedford as well, maybe even across to Nuneaton at some point in the future. Traction wise: A 56 and 60 would be great for freight with a 222 and 156 for passenger workings.
I like what you’ve suggested and would be happy to see any/all of it taken up and worked on by SHG. I’m not technically gifted, so I was wondering, in reality is it easier for devs to create a DLC for the new locos for the route or is an extension a quicker or easier project ? Personally, I like the 222 and an extension to Sheffield but having said that I’d also be happy with some Blue Diesels in the meantime. Thanks
For me Small Gameplay Pack - HST new measurement train. Loco DLC - Class 222 Route extension - North to Sheffield
1. Class 222 2. Southbound extension to Kettering and the Corby branch possibly, something completely different not seen in any Train Simulator?
Sheffield with a meridian would be nice but also south to Bedford would mean we can stretch the legs of the Nottingham services as well which would mostly be HST if I remember rightly. On a loco dlc basis I think it goes 222 first, then angel set mtu (buffered) HSTs, then 156, then 56, then 153 and then 60 with anything else being a big bonus.
This is something for the very distant future, but if an EMR license is at some point obtained, we could have an EMR livery pack and, if the route ever reaches south of Kettering that would give the opportunity of setting it a bit later with the completed electrification and 360s. Another point I want to get to is that the 158 is amazing, and, depending on the future routes coming from DTG or other third parties, I would very much love to see it again in another livery.
Class 222 and Sheffield is a must. Lots of people suggesting Bedford but I think that route extension would feel incomplete... If we're going south we might as well go all the way to London!
I'd really love to see MML South between St Pancras Intl (including the low-level platforms from the Thameslink Core) and Bedford. Why do you ask? Firstly, it seems very logical as the Class 700 arrives to TSW, which has been one of the most highly-requested trains for TSW. Secondly, with St Pancras now being very busy in SEHS (meaning not having another UK route with a large, empty terminus station) and even having the EMT HSTs already (which was added by Joe et al just for SEHS). Anyway, what would be great about MML South is having a nice mix of high-speed diesel and slower commuter EMU services. Finally, with the current MML route having all HST services go to St Pancras, it would feel more immersive to go from Nottingham/Derby to London etc.
Up until now I’ve been firmly of the view that Derby-Sheffield would be the best extension, but reading through the thread and thinking about it, I’m wobbling. Going South to St Pancras, even if it had to be in 2 steps, would create an opportunity to drive high speed trains for the full length of their journey (Nottingham - St Pancras) which has never been achieved before on a UK route on TSW. It would also create more variety by adding Bedford - St Pancras slow and semi-fast services, whereas going to Sheffield, although it adds route miles, doesn’t really add anything the route doesn’t have already. I wouldn’t be opposed to Sheffield (and I’d buy it!), but I think going South might be more interesting.
Having an "extension" for the MML route to Sheffield and Matlock would be nice to have, but I can't see this happening given we have no mechanic (yet) to seamlessly join routes and services together to form one big network. I can see building them as two separate routes without overlap would cause some upset. The southern portion of the MML from St Pancras to Bedford is also very appealing to me, especially now we have the HST, Class 700 and Class 66 to fill in the majority of services. This would provide the perfect opportunity for the Class 222 also, subsequently layering back onto Derby-Nottingham-Sheffield should Skyhook decide to update the route again to do so.
Next update skyhook should focus on class 222 loco dlc and a route extension south or north personally I would prefer to north to Sheffield
I’d personally be ok if the extensions were done as separate routes but as you reach the end of one you get a message on screen to offer to switch over to the other route to carry on that journey. Would obviously have to have timetables insync. No idea how easy that would be but would think it would be easier than extending?
Correct me if i'm wrong, but my understanding was that the barrier for extensions/expansions was financial more than technical. Paraphrasing DTG's logic, "DLC for a DLC sells comparatively poorly. A route extension is much more expensive from the dev side than a loco DLC. Therefore a route extension/expansion would be even less financially viable than a loco DLC. QED." While that is probably true generally speaking, there are a couple reasons it could work in the case of MML: SHG has already expressed a desire to do so- that's certainly a leg up! Being a 3rd party, SHG's financial situation may be more flexible compared to DTG, and not require such a fast release cadence. The community base may support this project more than a typical loco DLC, simply BECAUSE it's being designed for expansion- i don't want to put words in SHG's mouths, but post launch they were very enthusiastic about the project's future, which leads to more community excitement, and potentially higher sales because the community WANTS this level of developer dedication and follow-through. It's the opposite of "fire and forget" i guess that i find so appealing.
I think it makes more sense now to extend the route to Sheffield. It will be possible to pay attention to the south after DTG announces the construction of the London - Bedford route (I do not think that they will give it up to a third party). This route has a large number of assets developed by DTG, and this route will bring him large economic dividends. My view on the future of MML: 1. Extension to Sheffield (with a branch to Metlock would be great) 2. BR class 222 and 156, 56 (60) 3. Development of the railway hub in Derby and the creation of a large freight hub with a network of small branches to the industrial zones of the region. Revival of the depot Toton. 4. Prospective extension towards Lincoln (via Newark on Trent)
I would really like an extension to the route but wouldn't they have to rebuild the entire route for an extension imo it should of gone to Sheffield in the first place but I am enjoying the route at the moment and especially driving the 158
Not entirely but a large amount of work since the timetable would have to be remade to some extent and signaling that I can think of at the moment as well as the obvious (new track).
