LENGTH: 22 Miles STATIONS: 18 This route suggestion is split into two different lines between Dartford and Lewisham The North Kent Line takes the more northerly route through Slade Green, Erith, Belvedere, Abbey Wood, Plumstead and Woolwich, before reaching Blackheath and Lewisham. The Bexleyheath Line provides a more central route between Dartford and London, running through Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, Welling, Falconwood, Eltham and Kidbrooke before rejoining near Blackheath. ROLLING STOCK: CLASS 465/0 and /9 SE (HITACHI AND METRO CAMMEL SOUNDS) Seen before in SEHS, The Class 465 Networker is a four-car electric multiple unit introduced by Network SouthEast in 1992 for suburban services across southeast London and Kent. Im suggesting for this route introducing two different subclasses of the Class 465, the Class 465/9 which uses rhe metro cammell motor sounds, and the Class 465/0 which uses the new Hitachi motors, which gives more variety in the 465s which run on this route. CLASS 376 SE (NEW) The Class 376 Electrostar is a five-car electric multiple unit built by Bombardier at Derby between 2004 and 2005. Designed specifically for busy London and Kent Metro services, it was built with high passenger capacity and fast boarding in mind. This would be the new EMU on this route, well, not exactly new. These EMUs have a striking resemblance to the Class 378 we've seen before on Mildmay Line. STATIONS: BEXLEYHEATH LINE: Dartford Barnehurst Bexleyheath Welling Falconwood Eltham Kidbrooke Blackheath And Lewisham NORTH KENT LINE: Dartford Slade Green Erith Belvedere Abbey Wood Plumstead Woolwich Arsenal Woolwich Dockyard Charlton Blackheath And Lewisham ROUTE HOPPING: Dartford: For SEHS Overall, a route like this has a lot of potential in TSW, it would be giving players a continuous circular service rather than simply travelling back and forth. It would feature a great mix of dense London suburbs, residential areas, industrial scenery, bridges and busy railway infrastructure, while the large number of stations would create frequent-stop gameplay. The Class 465 Networker and Class 376 Electrostar would also provide a good selection of Southeastern rolling stock, with their different driving characteristics and sounds. Junctions around Lewisham, Dartford and Slade Green could create interesting operations and plenty of AI traffic, especially during peak hours. Overall, the circular route would provide a busy, authentic and varied London commuter experience, making this a strong choice for Train Sim World.
I just suggested something very similar to this, though Lewisham would be a strange place to end it considering no services start or terminate there Route - Nkl/seml: Charing Cross And Cannon Street To Hayes, Dartford, Orpington And Bromley North (2022) | Dovetail Games Forums
I can't say I'd be a fan of a tiny route like this, when it would be much better integrated into a wider Southeast London suburban network. I think there would be a market for Charing Cross or Cannon Street (starting at Lewisham seems a bit odd) to Dartford via the three paths that are available. It'd be a great opportunity for an up-to-date 465! Though then again I would prefer the main line from London to Hastings which I think would give a bit more variety.
The reason ive ended this suggestion at Lewisham is because places like Charing Cross or London Bridge would simply be a pain in the neck to properly optimise, it would just flare up with blurry textures and become unplayable, not to mention London Bridges station model, which would also be a absolute pain to make. At least with Lewisham, its a major hub on the SE network. Future routes could easily benefit from it.
Fair enough on the blurry textures, that's definitely understandable. But in an ideal world where DTG are up to the task of optimising their game, the approach into London Bridge and Charing Cross would be one of the most immersive experiences possible, with lots of train "racing" and crawling round all those buildings.
