Well, we're here. It's been a fantastic edition of the TSW World Cup this year with a few shocks, a number of dark horses and a number of really awkward and interesting draws which have produced unique results. 71 routes were in the competition at the beginning, now three remain. 8 countries (10 if you split the UK) were in play at the beginning; only one: the UK (specifically England) remains. In the Green corner... Riviera Line Debutant The newcomer from Devon is the Riviera Line: reviving the Great Western Railway brand in TSW and bringing railway modernity to the south-east region, Riviera Line has joined the illustrious company of Blackpool Branches and WCML Over Shap in being a route which has reached the final in the first TSWWC since it's release (anything TSW3 or before doesn't count for the 2023-24 edition). The 802 and 150 have been thrown into the player of the season debates and the Voyager has been nominated for the Train d'or, but can they see it over the line and take the crown? Road to the Final Group Stages: 2nd in Group A (22 votes) R2: Riviera Line 67 : 17 Cathcart Circle R3: Riviera Line 43 : 15 Midland ML QF: Riviera Line 52 : 21 Morristown Line SF: Riviera Line 58 : 23 Great Western Express Now, In the blue corner... WCML Over Shap 2024/25: Champion The reigning champion has made it to the final, coasting it's way towards a title defense bar a near-miss against Southeastern Highspeed. Improving since last year with the signing of the Class 86, this route shows few signs of stopping. Will it's rivals be able to knock it down and take the crown for themselves? Road to the Final Group Stage: Group E Winner (55 votes) R2: Over Shap 59 : 29 Blackpool Branches R3: Over Shap 33 : 29 Southeastern HS QF: Over Shap 53 : 24 Linke Rheinstrecke SF: Over Shap 50 : 35 Frankfurt S-Bahn And finally, in the Red corner... WCML South 2024/25: Quarter Final WCML South, having finished in the quarter finals last year, has rallied onto the final. It's not been easy for this dark horse - with many pundits going on record as saying it had little chance - but it's here. The 377, 350, 390 and 710 have become a close-knit squad under the management of the 1972 stock and they have worked together and never lost belief. Now they've got just one match to go until, they'll hope, the crown is theirs. Road to the Final Group Stage: Group C Winner (33 votes) R2: WCMLS 73 : 11 Cardiff CC R3: WCMLS 44 : 10 Manchester Airport QF: WCMLS 42 : 30 Frankfurt - Fulda SF: WCMLS 45 : 38 Mittenwaldbahn Rules You CANNOT change your vote, and you only get one. Choose wisely... And now, That's all that's left for me to do. Honourable mentions go to Frankfurt S-Bahn, Great Western Express and Mittenwaldbahn for their generational runs which got them as far as the Semi Finals. A huge thanks to everyone who has joined in with this competition it has, as ever, been very fun to do. Now... Let's find out our champion...
Vote cast for Shap, no surprises there. Thanks again to trainsimplayer for organising and hosting this.
