Hi folks - I know this has been brought up several times before, but I wanted a 2025 revisit to the MML and the business case behind doing this given a few updates. (Chat GPT has been used to summarise) Overview The Midland Main Line between Blackfriars and Bedford is a 50-mile sweet spot of high-frequency Thameslink and EMR Connect services. It has: Iconic London starting point at Blackfriars, overlooking the Thames A spectacular run through central London into the open countryside Multiple busy commuter stops like St Pancras, St Albans, Luton & Bedford Terminus operations with sidings and depot moves at Bedford The newly confirmed Universal Studios UK resort being built right next to the line, complete with a future station at Wixams - A potential marketing avenue for DT Playable Services Thameslink (Class 700): 228 Playable services EMR Connect (Class 360) 74 Playable services EMR Intercity (Class 222 or 810) AI only? - The case could be made for a fictional stop in Bedford which occasionally happens. London Overground: AI movement only HS1 (SE High-Speed): AI only Station ambience only Key Gameplay Hooks Class 700 Desiro City: Already exists in-game. Dual-powered (DC ↔ AC). Authentic live power switch at Farringdon! True commuter density: Blackfriars - Bedford is one of the busiest lines in Europe. AI heaven at West Hampstead: Overground + Thameslink all within visual distance. Scenery variety: From river views in central London to open stretches beyond Luton. Perfect run length: All-stops is about an hour; fast runs under 40 mins. Just like WCML Birmingham–Crewe and Blackpool Branches. Full Route Overview (Northbound) 1 Blackfriars: Thames-side views, DC power 2 City Thameslink Tunnel section: southbound 700 power switch 3 Farringdon: AC ↔ DC live switch for Thameslink 4 St Pancras International (Low Level): Major interchange hub 5 Kentish Town: Urban density, 8-car limits 6 West Hampstead Thameslink: AI hotspot – Jubilee & Overground nearby 7 Cricklewood: Yards/depots nearby 8 Hendon: Suburban channel 9 Mill Hill Broadway: Frequent commuter ops 10 Elstree & Borehamwood: Film studio country 11 Radlett: Freight potential (aggregates terminal) 12 St Albans City: Busy 4-platform commuter stop 13 Harpenden: Key outer suburb 14 Luton Airport Parkway: Airport interchange 15 Luton: Overtakes and traffic complexity 16 Leagrave: Suburban commuter 17 Harlington: Rural transition point 18 Flitwick: Scenic visibility ahead 19 Bedford: Northern terminus, ECS and depot ops Total length: ~49–50 miles ⏱️ Perfect run time: 35–60 min, depending on stopping pattern. ⚡ Electrification: 25kV AC overhead (except DC section south of City Thameslink). The Universal Studios UK + Wixams Bonus There’s a new Universal Studios theme park being built right next to the MML near Bedford, and a confirmed new station — Wixams — has been announced to serve it. That station is expected to be a huge driver of ridership and interest for the line. This is a game dev’s dream marketing tie-in: Phase 1: release the Blackfriars → Bedford route Phase 2: free or paid update adds Wixams + full Universal wrap + hype Build it once, benefit twice. What DTG Would Need to Build ✅ Already Exists in TSW Class 700 Desiro City (Thameslink) London St Pancras assets (via SEHS if owned) Class 222? / Class 801 Azuma (for future intercity AI layering) Small Additions or Reworks Class 360 Desiro (EMR Connect) → One new EMU needed Class 800 / 810 “Aurora” (bi-mode EMR) → Could be a rework of the existing AT300 family (Class 801) with diesel mode, physics & visuals Live DC ↔ AC power switching mechanic for the cab at Farringdon (simple UI trigger + physics change) Familiar Build Scale Comparable to WCML Birmingham–Crewe (53mi), Blackpool Branches (48mi), Cathcart Circle (20mi), etc. Station count: 19 – in line with other high-density commuter routes 1 new train + 1 reworked = lightweight compared to routes needing 3–5 new builds Suggested Release Roadmap Base release: Blackfriars → Bedford (700 + 360) Update 1: Add power-switch tutorial & AI freight at Radlett Update 2: Add Wixams + Universal park backdrop + EMR Class 810 layer Why I Think This Should Fly This line ticks every box for compelling gameplay: busy, complex, visually rich, commuter-focused, minimal “new train” burden, and a marketing opportunity thanks to Universal. It’s not just another stretch of track. It’s the backbone of Thameslink, and soon, the railway gateway to one of the biggest theme parks in Europe. I’d love to hear what other players think — especially on the Class 360 and the future extension to Corby/Kettering!
I would really like to see this route in TSW in the future. Agreed it would tick a lot of boxes for variety.
DTG aren't going to build a whole new train (One that isn't even in passenger service irl yet) just for the sake of AI, plus a few occasional stops, because it's impractical for them. They only use AI from existing rolling stock they have produced. As for the south end of the route, I would suggest London Bridge instead of Blackfriars since the latter station holds little significance as an end point.
I think the Class 222 goes from St Pancras at the moment (stand to be corrected), which means a simple port over if they didn't want to go for the 810. Thinking about it, given they have the St Pancras asset, there's nothing to stop both the lower and upper platforms being there for an extra terminus
