Today I propose the 35 mile section of the South Western Main Line between Southampton Central and Bournemouth, including the Lymington Pier branch and St Denys for Northam Traincare Depot near Southampton Central. This route is essentially a copy of the version available for Train Simulator, however allowing for the introduction of Desiro family units into Train Sim World. The route scope could increase to Eastleigh or Weymouth if needed. The Fawley branch, based on a possible re-opening, could be included too. This would be opportunistic if released alongside the real branch reopening scheduled for sometime this decade. Gameplay would be somewhat similar to that of East Coastway, with a mix of countryside and coastal scenery between the suburbia of the cities it runs between. The addition of the scenic Lymington branch adds extra interest and gameplay, essentially being a shuttle service connecting with a ferry to the Isle of Wight. The timetable would be likewise busy with a mix of stopping, semi-fast and express services. Freight and shunting duties are another potential around Southampton docks. Service duration would be between 10 minutes and 1 hour. Included trains would be the Class 444 and 450 'Desiro' family electric multiple units, built in Germany by Siemens between 2002 and 2006. Both units share commonalities in cab design and propulsion, allowing for potentially two new train types to come with the route. The Class 444 being an express configured unit with 2+2 seating and first class, formed of 5-cars, typically running in pairs to form 10-car trains. The Class 450 being a more versatile unit intended for outer suburban and secondary route duties, configured with 2+3 seating and a small first class area. (The Class 450 also offers the possibility of modification into a Class 350 for any suitable WCML route should one be built in the future) A loco DLC could include the Class 220 or 221 Voyager units adding in Cross Country services, subject to licensing. Services would include*: London Waterloo to Weymouth Express (Class 444, 10-car) 1 train per hour in either direction. London Waterloo to Poole Semi-fast (Class 444 or 450, 5-car, 8-car or 10-car) 1 train per hour. Winchester to Bournemouth Stopping (Class 450, 4-car or 8-car) 1 train per hour. Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier Shuttle (Class 450, 4-car) 2 trains per hour. Manchester/Birmingham to Bournemouth Cross Country (Class 220 or 221, 4-car, 5-car, 8-car or 10-car). 1 train every 2 hours. *This is based on the current timetable, historical pre-covid timetables may include more services. Could also include container freight between Southampton Western docks and St Denys, using the GWE Class 66 with container wagons, plus a Class 08 for shunting at the docks. Layers could include GWR Class 166 services and Southern Class 377 services at Southampton (driveable to St Denys). In summary I feel this route would be a good fit for Train Sim World, having a mix of services and scenery, with two new train types. A near complete timetable including layering potential from existing DLCs will make this route feel busy and alive. The inclusion of the Lymington branch adds interest and provides somewhere unique to explore. Whilst passenger oriented, the route does provide some freight potential too. Lastly, an addition of a South Western route allows for bonus layers onto London Commuter and Great Western Express further complementing the appeal of those routes. Please feel free to share your opinions of this route idea below.
Excellent idea and you might as well make another train simulator 2022 arrive in TSW2 the Class 70 and ability to layer to Modern UK routes as freight if Aggregate wagons are added run engineering service Cathcart Circle
I would like a Class 70 at some point but given freight isn't the main focus of this particular segment (except for some shunting or a short hop to St Denys from the docks) I don't think a new loco needs to be made as it would have limited use. The Class 70 would be best for another route with longer freight drives (such as the WCML), then layering back onto this route.
Thank you for telling me about that and you might be thinking of WCML North Glascow Carlisle TSW 2version where Class 70 is a DLC locomotive for that route on TS22 version
