The Class 222 Meridian is a vital addition to the Midland Main Line: Leicester - Nottingham and Derby DLC. This modern diesel multiple unit (DMU) was a key part of East Midlands Trains’ fleet in 2019, handling intercity services across the route. Adding the Class 222 would bring both authenticity and variety to the gameplay, complementing the existing Class 43 HST and Class 158. Why the Class 222? Core to Route Realism: The Class 222 was a staple of East Midlands Trains’ operations, frequently running high-speed services alongside the HST. Its inclusion would make the route feel more alive and true to its real-world timetable. Diverse Gameplay: The Class 222’s high acceleration and top speed of 125 mph make it ideal for intercity services, especially limited-stop runs between Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby. These shorter, sharper services add variety to the gameplay, offering a different challenge compared to the slower regional Class 158 or the longer-distance HST. Why the Class 222 Now? The Midland Main Line is already a strong DLC, but the addition of the Class 222 would elevate it further. By bringing in this modern, fast, and iconic DMU, players would enjoy a more dynamic experience that reflects the diversity of operations on the route in 2019.
Yes please. Though maybe it'd be better if it came with a route first, then added as layer to the current one. Two birds with one stone.
I like to 222s so it'll be sad when they are replaced by the BR Class 810 IETs.. I would really like to see them come to TSW in either the EMT livery or the revised MML livery
Would love to see the Meridian come with either a London-Bedford route. Or a Sheffield to Derby route. I made a suggestion last week for a sheffield route featuring the 222 here: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/cross-country-sheffield-to-birmingham-new-street.88621/
So long as they pump up the cab audio. I find the similar Voyagers in TSC a tad disappointing in that respect. In the passenger saloon you get that lovely deep melodious engine sound but in the cab, barely audible. That might be realistic, but not very entertaining.
LucaZone could this be a suggestion to your list as I personally think this would suit midland mainline a lot and it will give it an even greater experience in addition to the hst?
Thanks for the suggestion. Currently we have no plans to develop a Class 222 Meridian for the Midland Mainline. It would be a nice addition to Train Sim World for sure, but the current MML offering would not be enough to justify its creation. As someone has already mentioned, it would be a better proposition to develop another MML based route and include it in that release. Or, with more than one MML based route, the availability of a stand alone Meridian DLC would be more appealing. The current MML timetable would not see an increase in services as the Meridian diagrams are already implemented using shorter formed HST sets. So a Meridian timetable would be a duplication with the short HSTs replaced with Class 222s. Why wasn't the Meridian included with the original release of MML? When MML was developed the usual 'template' for a route in TSW consisted of two trains (one new 'hero' and one updated 'support'). After much deliberation, it was simply decided that a Class 158 (new from scratch) and HST (significantly updated from the GWR version) would provide the best out of the box experience, with freight operations following at a later point.
If the 222 ever does come, perhaps we could also have an unbranded xc one masquerading as a 220/221 in order to give more services. Would prefer the actual train came of course, but increasingly seeming like a good stop gap seeing other unbranded subs on other routes
Best chance of seeing a 222, regardless of developer, would as Adam says another section of MML. St Pancras and Farringdon to Bedford probably favourite as the Class 700 already exists for local services, the Class 222 could be the new train with the SHG HST layering in for those who own it. Drawback of course is only a handful of the Inter City services stop at Bedford.
This is a obvious choice for a dlc. Amazed that it hasn't already happened. 2025 needs to be the year for a whole flurry of locomotive dlcs to fill the many gaps in existing timetables across various routes. Many of you know that I have listed most types required on multiple occasions. Hopefully the various devs will start to create them soon for much more intensive timetables.
A London-Bedford route set in modern day could come stand alone with the 360 and 700 FLU. (As that fits the format of 1 new “hero” and 1 adapted loco, as outlined by LucaZone) The 222 could be added as a separate dlc to accompany the route. Having the meridian as a dlc doesn’t only incentivise its development bc of the extra revenue (I mean look at the 390). But it would also allow them to make a 2024/5 timetable for the MML route. Replacing the HST’s entirely. While keeping the old timetable, similar to what happened with the 380 release on CCL.
I'm not sure the 222's stop at any stations between London and Bedford do they ? I went to the Great Central Railway gala on Saturday and had 2 Class 222's take me from St Pancras to Loughborough and back and the only stops they made on the way were at Market Harborough, Kettering and Leicester. Same for the other occasions I've done the same journey.
That would be ideal, and with the low level St. Pancras platforms too. It might be one of those dlc’s for a dlc type situation though, or the 700/701 would be the ‘add-on’ for this dlc. Although again, as others have said, the long distance EMT’s rarely called at Bedford. It may just be scenery!
They do on rare occasions at Luton, Luton airport and Bedford. Hence why I suggested the 360 as the base loco which more frequently stops at these stations. The other alternative of course is a Sheffield route
