Portsmouth direct line Year 1990 Setting the route in 1990 transforms the journey from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour into a high-stakes balancing act. Unlike the modern era of automated systems, 1990 is the peak of the Network SouthEast identity. The Portsmouth Direct is famous for its grueling gradients. Climbing the 1-in-80 banks through the Surrey Hills requires genuine skill in power management. You start in the urban sprawl of London, weaving through the complex throat of Waterloo, before transitioning into the scenic, wooded hills of Haslemere and the coastal marshes of the South Coast. This creates a "rollercoaster" effect. You aren't just driving; you are constantly fighting the terrain. In a Class 411, you'll need to master the art of "coasting" into dips and applying power precisely before a climb to avoid stalling on the 1-in-80 banks. The line is powered by a 750V DC third-rail system. In 1990, voltage drops were common when multiple 8 or 12-car trains accelerated at once. TSW 5 players would have to be careful not to "overload" the power on steep climbs like Witley Bank, where moving a heavy train from a standstill requires precise throttle work to avoid tripping the circuit breakers. The "Gap" Challenge: Third-rail systems have gaps at points and crossings. If you stop a 4-car unit on a gap, you're "gapped" and stuck. Navigating the complex junctions at Havant or Guildford requires a driver to understand the length of their train and maintain enough momentum to coast over the dead sections of rail. Adhesion and the Surrey Hills: The route passes through heavily wooded areas. In the "autumn" settings of TSW 5, the "leaves on the line Managing wheel-slip on a Class 411 without modern electronic traction control is a true test of a "pro" driver. The Star: The British Rail Class 411 (4-CEP) The Class 411 isn't just a train; it’s a heavy-duty workhorse with a soul. For TSW 5 players, this EMU offers a visceral driving experience that modern "plastic" trains can't match. Why it’s a Great Choice: Mechanical Mastery: As a Mark 1-based unit, the 411 features DC notch-based power. You’ll have to manage the "click-clack" of the camshaft as you accelerate, feeling the raw power of the traction motors beneath the floor. The Soundscape: whine" of the motors to the heavy metallic clunk of the braking system and the rattling of the sliding compartment doors, it is an iconic time of rail enthusiasts. Versatility: In 1990, these units ran in 4, 8, or 12-car formations. Coupling and uncoupling at stations like Basingstoke or Woking adds layers of gameplay depth beyond just driving from A to B. information The Portsmouth Direct line is a railway route between Woking in Surrey and Portsmouth Harbour in Hampshire, England. It forms the principal route for passenger trains between London, Guildford and Portsmouth; connections are made to the ferry services which operate between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. The final section of line from Havant to Portsmouth is shared with other passenger routes. The line was opened in stages, in part by the Portsmouth Railway, independently of the established railway companies, the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBCSR), both of which had rather circuitous routes to Portsmouth. Both of those companies were antagonistic to the direct line, but in 1859 a through train service was operated in the face of obstructive tactics. The LBSCR controlled the route from Havant into Portsmouth, but eventually acquiesced in granting running powers, and making its line on Portsea Island, where the Portsmouth conurbation is situated, joint with the LSWR. The latter company took over the Portsmouth Railway in 1859. The gradients on the line made it difficult to operate in steam days, but it was electrified on the third rail system in 1937. There was heavy traffic connected with the Royal Navy at Portsmouth, and holiday traffic to Hayling Island, Southsea and the Isle of Wight. While the former dominance of this traffic has reduced, the amount of London commuters has greatly increased, and the line maintains a busy passenger service. Stations London Waterloo (Terminus) Woking Worplesdon Guildford Farncombe Godalming Milford Witley Haslemere Liphook Liss Petersfield Rowlands Castle Havant Bedhampton Cosham Hilsea Fratton Portsmouth & Southsea Portsmouth Harbour class 1411 Information BR Class 411 4-CEP 1599 at Westenhanger in Network SouthEast livery Formation power car + 2 trailer cars + power car Operators Network SouthEast Specifications Train length 265 ft 8+1⁄2 in (80.988 m) Width 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) Height 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) Maximum speed 90 mph (140 km/h) Weight Total - 159.4 t (156.9 long tons; 175.7 short tons) Traction motors Four Power output 4 x 250 hp (190 kW) total 1,000 hp (750 kW) Electric system(s) 750 V DC third rail Current collection Contact shoe Coupling system Drop-head buckeye[1] Track gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge exterior interior cab
