Its been a while since Essex made its appearance in a Train Sim Route, last time it was seen was in the Great Eastern Mainline Add-on for Train Sim Classic, so why not slap it out with a bang with both the Sunshine Coast Line running from Colchester to Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze, and adding on the Great Eastern Mainline between Colchester and London Liverpool Street (Excluding Ipswich because then it would be to long, leave a comment if you want it included). Moving onto the Sunshine Coast Line, It is an 18 Mile route with a total of 12 Stations, these being: Colchester Colchester Town Hythe (Colchester) Wivenhoe Arlesford Great Bentley Weeley Thorpe-Le-Soken Kirby Cross Frinton-on-Sea Walton-on-the-Naze Clacton-on-Sea Since it is one of the many branches that come of the GEML, I have been thinking about including the other branches coming off (not including a drivable Romford - Upminster, the route would be based after the take over). The branches coming off include the Sudbury Route (Marks Tey to Sudbury), and the Braintree Route (Witham to Braintree). Since the GEML Is a route that is over 100 Miles, I haven't included it all and only the section between London Liverpool Street and Colchester of that route, but since the two route would be merged, that would make this route quite long, but very enjoyable. The route for both the Sunshine Coast Line and the Great Eastern Mainline would be based in early 2023 (Between January & April) so that way we get the choice to drive the Class 321 on the mainline along side the Classes 720 & 745 which were still being phased in around the time. The GEML Section between Colchester and London Liverpool Street is a total length of 49 Miles with a total of 21 Stations, these being: Colchester Marks Tey Kelvedon Witham Hatfield Peverel Beaulieu Park (Wasn't open during 2023, but opens in October 2025) Chelmsford Ingatestone Shenfield Brentwood (EL) Harold Wood (EL) Gidea Park (EL) Romford Chadwell Heath (EL) Goodmayes (EL) Seven Kings (EL) Ilford (EL) Manor Park (EL) Forest Gate (EL) Maryland (EL) Stratford London Liverpool Street Now since this route is based in early 2023, the Elizabeth Line was fully open with 345s running, meaning we would finally get drivable Elizabeth Line Services between London Liverpool Street (High Level)/Stratford (Services from the Core) to Shenfield, along with freight services (yes the 66 does make another appearance), another note, since this is based in early 2023, we get to drive a mix of fleet around different operators, these being: Class 66 - Freightliner Class 82 DVT - Greater Anglia Class 90 - Freightliner & Greater Anglia Class 321 - Greater anglia Class 357 - C2C (Only between Liverpool Street & Stratford) Class 720 - Greater Anglia Class 745 - Greater Anglia Class 755 - Greater Anglia (Marks Tey - Sudbury Branch) So for the overall stats for the route, it would be: 67 Mile Route between London, Colchester, Clacton, & Walton A total of 41 Stations A wide selection of trains to chose from on the route
London - Ipswich would definitely be doable and would open up the opportunity for more branchlines.. as for your suggestion I also think it's a great idea, the main hub (Colchester) being my local, with the seaside express services sounds brilliant. But for the time period you discussed I think due to licensing issues, I believe any year before 2012 would be more realistic.
