Between Halle and Leipzig are two routes: one via Schkeuditz (S3 and freight) and one via Flughafen Leipzig/Halle (S5, S5X and long-distance-trains). The route from Halle(Saale) Hbf to Leipzig Hbf has a lengh of around 25 kilometres. In Gröbers, the route connects with the SFS Erfurt - Leipzig. The route between Gröbers and Leipzig-Messe has a lengh of around 20 kilometres. In Halle is a big shunting station. There is also a siding is Leipzig-Lützschena. To use the siding in Leipzig-Mockau, you have to build the 7 kilometres long route from Leipzig-Wahren to Leipzig-Mockau (Güterumgehungsbahn). The S3 drives to Leipzig-Stötteritz, which is 2 kilometres away from Leipzig MDR. And this time, the above part of Leipzig Hbf is included. That is the map: The S3 drives every 30 Minutes from Halle Hbf via Schkeuditz and Leipzig-Stötteritz to Wurzen with stop at every station. This trains mostly drives with 4-car Talent 2 from the S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland. Every 60 Minutes, a train is starting in Halle-Trotha (6 kilometres since Halle Gbf). The S5/S5X drives every 30 Minutes from Halle Hbf via the Airport and Leipzig-Connewitz to Altenburg/Zwickau without stop at at every station. This line mostly drives with 2 3-car Talent 2 from the S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland. There are the IC 55 and IC 56, which drives together every 60 Minutes, the IC 55 stops at the Airport. This trains drives with the IC2 (BR 146.5 and 5 Dostos 5th. Generation). In the past, there was IC1 trains. There are a lot freight trains between Halle and Leipzig, they are driving via Schkeuditz. DLC includes: 55 kilometres new route between Halle Hbf and Leipzig Hbf (both lines, route Leipzig-Wahren to Mockau and route to Stötteritz) 12 kilometres route which is also included in Rapid Transit BR 1442 in 3-car and 4-car version BR 146.5 with IC2 Some freight Optional: 6 kilometres between Halle Hbf and Halle-Trotha Optional: Let the IC2 drives just every 2 houres on the IC 56 and drive the IC 55 with IC1 from the BR 101 (Sandwich-formation necessary for Leipzig Hbf) Pics: BR 1442: IC2: Halle Gbf:
Another really great suggestion. I think branched routes are great to make it feel like you are actually in a larger network instead of just a single line. The length on this example is good but still doable and it looks like it offers a great variety of both freight and passenger operations. I definitely support this idea.
I like the route but not the rolling stock, since it would add nothing new for the game: We have the Talent 2 already two times and the IC2 is actually nothing else than the Dostos with other interior and reskin. So for me that would not that interesting, but great suggestion though
Sadly that's the DTG standard these days. Hamburg - Lübeck is coming with only 2 reused locos and HMA didn't bring much new either. Well the IC2 dostos are kinda new. I'd also be fine with reusing the Talent 2 as it's quite well done on SKA and I enjoy driving it. With a new freight loco in the mix it would be good enough for me, maybe they'd even add some new freight wagons.