Suggested route: Metro Bilbao Line 1 – Etxebarri to Plentzia I would like to suggest Metro Bilbao Line 1 (L1) as a new route for Train Sim World. Metro Bilbao would bring something completely different to the game: a Spanish metro/suburban railway with a mixture of underground running, urban scenery, open-air sections, viaducts, tunnels and coastal scenery. The proposed route would run between Etxebarri and Plentzia, covering the Bilbao metropolitan area and continuing towards the coast. Proposed stations The proposed L1 route would include: Etxebarri Bolueta Santutxu Basarrate Zazpi Kaleak / Casco Viejo Abando Moyua / Eliptikoa Indautxu San Mamés Deustu Sarriko San Inazio Lutxana Erandio Astrabudua Leioa Lamiako Areeta / Las Arenas Gobela Neguri Aiboa Algorta Bidezabal Ibarbengoa Berango Larrabasterra Sopela Urduliz Plentzia 29 stations in total. Rolling Stock Metro Bilbao Series 500 The 500 Series would be one of the most important parts of the route. Metro Bilbao introduced its 500 Series when the network opened, and the operator still has 24 units of the series in its fleet. Reference image: Metro Bilbao 500 Series The distinctive silver body, orange stripe and black front would make the train immediately recognisable as Metro Bilbao. For TSW, I would love to see: Fully detailed cab Functional destination displays Working passenger doors Authentic door sounds Accurate traction and braking sounds Passenger announcements Interior lighting Working headlights and marker lights Authentic Metro Bilbao signage and safety equipment Real-world reference One thing I would strongly encourage Dovetail Games to do is collect extensive real-world reference material in Bilbao before developing the route. Reference photography If this route were ever developed, I would strongly recommend sending photographers and/or developers to Bilbao to photograph the real railway. This should include: Metro Bilbao trains Cab interiors Station interiors Platforms Station entrances Signs and station branding Signals Trackside equipment Tunnels Overhead equipment Depots Buildings and surrounding scenery Coastal scenery around Sopela, Urduliz and Plentzia Metro Bilbao has a very distinctive visual identity, so accurate reference photography would help make the route feel genuinely like Bilbao rather than a generic metro route. This is particularly worthwhile because Metro Bilbao itself describes its stations as having different architectural types and highlights the distinctive Fosterito entrances as an icon of Bilbao. Why Metro Bilbao? Metro Bilbao would offer a very different experience from the routes currently available in Train Sim World. The route would combine: ️ Dense urban Bilbao Underground sections Open-air railway Coastal scenery ⛰️ Basque landscape Distinctive architecture Frequent metro services And that's exactly where I think the proposal can become really strong. Secondary option At the end I'd add: Alternative: If Line 1 were not considered feasible, Metro Bilbao Line 2: Basauri – Kabiezes could also be considered as an alternative Spanish metro route. However, Line 1 Etxebarri – Plentzia would be my preferred option because of its greater variety of scenery and its distinctive coastal section.
