Disclaimer: I'm not posting about the quality of the route, but the style - I understand there are concerns about CCN overall, and I share those concerns, but that isn't what I'm trying to discuss here. So I buckled and got Cardiff City as I have a lot of very happy memories from my university days, and I have to say that the network feel of the route is spot on. Loading into Central and jumping into the first train to find out which line I'll be driving along, or finishing up at Radyr and seeing which arm of the City loop the next train I'll be using to get back down is so much fun, and it's a very different feel to the majority of routes we've had so far. I usually cherry-pick what I want to drive off the timetable list, but this is the first route since Vorarlberg that I find myself always loading in on foot to grab whatever is nearest without looking. I really think there's a place for more of these kinds of routes in the game, such as South London or another Glasgow Suburban (UK off the top of my head, but I welcome suggestions from elsewhere!), where there is a much wider variety of possible destinations beyond the usual 2/3. I'd love to see more - I don't mind the era or location, but this style of route is a massive winner for me!
I agree! I'm very much a fan of networks and Cardiff City scratches that itch despite some rough edges. I think networks lend themselves a bit better to TSW's strengths than some other types of routes- like OP said, it's fun to just spawn on foot and drive, whereas on an A-B route that isn't quite as interesting. It's even better when the network contains full service patterns so you can continue to chain them together one after another- CCN has a few paths like this, but many end up going off the map, which i think is one of the most valid criticisms of the route. Not sure what OP thinks of LIRR2, but it's one of my favorite networks in the game now- very busy, safety systems are a nice challenge, and there's a big variety in service patterns and lengths.
As a player with 2 young kids and precious little free time, I’ve been appreciating the bite size runs on CCN.
Good point there. Spawning on foot, passing through the station and navigating to the next possible train adds many layers to the immersion of TSW. Something, like you say, that TSC or the A to B routes don’t quite get. I’d love to see this replicated again, perhaps on a grander scale - such as a Birmingham Cross City Extended, or a South West London Suburban!
Well length and quality issues aside there is a certain appeal to the network style route. Certainly something DTG need to continue with. Bristol is another location that could spawn a good network (GWR licensing permitting) and if steam traction ever got a reprieve then the whole Isle Of Wight steam network would be superb.
There is a much better network than Cardiff already in the game. Birmingham Cross City. We only know it is an A-B route form Lichfield to Bromsgrove but the Camp Hill line has already been laid but is hidden (meaning you could drive direct from Kings Norton to New Street via St Andrews......shortly to be reopened to passenger services too). In addition to this Soho depot has also already been laid so that could be included too. All you need is to remove the invisible walls, lay some scenery and you would have a cracking network. Even better connect Soho to Aston via Perry Bar and you would have a second circular route. Two circular routes, one linear, one branch line and a bit of the WCML all in one package. Sounds a winner to me.......and 80% of it is already there.
Same! And S Bahn Frankfurt will be the most networky route (if thats a word lol). it has two seperate good lenght mainlines that rejoin both ends, with multiple connections and branching loops for all kinds of traffic, not only S Bahn commuter. Lets hope itll be a massive step up in quality from Cardiff
Blimey, didn't realise they also put in all the trackwork from Lawley St Freightliner terminal all the way past Washwood as well. That's a lot of track which would be great to use. They've also put in all the correct signalling. I wonder what their initial plans were? Maybe one for TSW6?....
I don't normally do modern routes, but took the plunge and picked-up CCN last night.... class 142 is coming, so I caved. Secretly hoping that the route gets an extension to Barry when the class 142 DLC is released, but not holding my breath on that one. Overall, the route seems really good and am enjoying it so far. Whichever teams put this route together with DTG, you guys did a great job!
You know the Wolverhampton to Walsall line is being reopened with new stations, right? How about Birmingham to Walsall too, including Bescot TMD? So, Wolverhampton - Walsall - Birmingham New Street? Just a thought.
Never had Bescot in TSC suprisingly, would be nice to see it eventually in some form. What a network it would be with all the above. Could even add Tyseley depot for more moves....maybe one day.
Really appreciate network-style routes! Of course if done properly! CCN is pretty good, but it could be improved... I'd love to see an extension to Barry Island or Pontypridd in the future! I'm also open to other networks, UK and beyond!
BCC should really get Walsall plus Coventry and Wolverhampton. That would be quite a network. Then extend from Bromsgrove int Worcester then from Droitwich you could head off around to Snow Hill and if really ambitious onward to Leamington and Stratford.
