Stretching for just over fifty miles between Rugby and Stafford, the Trent Valley Line was carved out in 1847 by the London and North Western Railway as a straighter, flatter bypass to the earlier Coventry alignment. By following the gentle contours of the River Trent’s floodplain, maximum gradients are limited to around 1 in 200, and curve radii allow sustained running at speeds of up to 125 mph. Its four-track layout divides into separate fast and slow lines at Rugby, diverging again at Colwich and Norton Bridge to serve routes toward Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, and Crewe (not in the route), before rejoining at Stafford — the only intermediate station with regular passenger services apart from Rugby itself. Electrification at 25 kV AC arrived in the mid-1960s as part of the West Coast Main Line modernization, and today it supports a mix of Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolinos racing along the fast lines, London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiros calling at reinstated local stations, and a near-constant flow of intermodal, aggregate, and steel freight trains using the slow lines at speeds of up to 60 mph. Colour-light signalling, managed from the Rugby Rail Operating Centre and supported by AWS and TPWS, provides continuous and reliable control. The route features no tunnels but includes a wealth of long embankments, deep cuttings, and wide viaducts — especially where the line passes Shugborough Hall or crosses the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal — offering drivers an expansive, uninterrupted view of the line ahead. Passing through rural hamlets like Hopwas and the canal-side stretch near Clifton Cruisers, the alignment closely follows the towpath, framed by brick underbridges and classic stone arches. South of Colwich, the scenery opens out across the wetlands of Middleton Lakes, where wildlife is occasionally visible through the cab window as trains glide by. With up to four express services per hour in each direction and additional freight paths on the slows, the WCML Trent Valley Line delivers a high-intensity timetable that demands precision and timing. The result is a challenging, high-speed experience across one of the most vital and scenic corridors in the English Midlands. Route Map Rolling Stock Class 350 Class 390 Class 88 thou not a big possibility it would be nice if it come with the route if it came to TSW5, they still run on the route even though their presence is limited LNWR Class 730 (Seprate Add on) AI Layers Birmingham Cross City Class 323 East Coast Main Line ECML Diesel Railtour add on WCML South Class 66 DB Great Western Express Class 66 DB Fife Circle Line Class 170 redesigned in Cross Country livery WCML Preston - Carisle (railtours/ freight only) Intercity Class 87 Class 86 redesigned in Freightliner livery Scenarios 1: Pendolino Express Duration 40 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Trains Included Class 390 Overview Operate a non-stop northbound Avanti West Coast express from Rugby to Stafford, staying at full tilt and managing any signal checks caused by freight ahead 2: The 4-Track Shuffle Duration 50 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Trains Included Class 350 Overview Drive a semi-fast London Northwestern Railway service with stops at key stations. Signal restrictions and track crossovers add layers of challenge 3: Heavy Haul North Duration 60 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trains Included Class 88 Overview Haul a loaded intermodal train out of DIRFT on the slow lines, dealing with heavy traffic, speed limits, and managing energy between electric and diesel if needed ️ 4: Fog Over Shugborough Duration 35 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Trains Included Class 350 Overview Navigate a foggy morning run with reduced visibility, poor rail conditions, and heightened reliance on AWS and braking finesse ️ 5: Steel on the Slow Duration 55 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trains Included Class 88 Overview Drive a heavy steel consist through the slow lines, obeying freight speed limits and facing frequent signal checks for faster services passing on the fast lines ️ 6: Weather the Rush Duration 45 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Trains Included Class 390 Overview Handle a southbound Avanti service in bad weather conditions during evening peak. Slippery rails and signal congestion require focus and finesse 7: Late Night Return Duration 40 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Trains Included Class 350 Overview Operate a late night London Northwestern service calling at Stafford and Rugby. Reduced visibility and quiet tracks make for a peaceful but watchful journey 8: Frosted Freight Duration 65 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trains Included Class 88 Overview Move a heavy container load on a freezing winter morning. Watch for adhesion loss, frozen points, and reduced braking performance Timetable Mode Highlights Full-day service spread across Avanti West Coast (Class 390), LNWR (Class 350) and freight operations (Class 88) and LNWR Class 730 (seprate add on) Peak services include overtakes and pathing conflicts at Stafford, Colwich Junction, and Rugby Freight flows between DIRFT, Basford Hall, and Stafford loops, integrated with real-time passing AI Varying weather patterns through the day — foggy mornings, stormy afternoons, and clear sunsets Realistic run times and AI train interactions with down/up fast/slow line separation Class 730 Add-On Scenarios (Sold separately) ⚡ 9: Commuter Trials Duration 30 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Trains Included Class 730 Overview Run a Class 730 test service from Stafford toward Rugby to validate new EMU performance under service conditions 10: Rush Hour Red Duration 45 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Trains Included Class 730 Overview Operate an early morning commuter run with heavy congestion, signal checks, and dwell time precision 11: Sunset Sprint Duration 40 minutes Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Trains Included Class 730 Overview Speed through the evening timetable with time-sensitive station calls and a tight slot between fast Avanti and slow freight paths Mastery Rewards Tier 1 WCML Trent Valley Line Decals Tier 2 Derelict Class 56 Why DTG should consider this route to come to TSW5 Bringing the Rugby–Stafford stretch of the Trent Valley Line into Train Sim World 5 isn’t just about tracing fifty miles of track—it’s about delivering a microcosm of modern UK railroading that keeps you glued to the controls from first whistle to last signal. You’re at the helm of a Class 390 charging at 125 mph one moment, then swapping to a Class 350 as you thread regional stops under tight signalling (thou these trains are in the game already), and finally wrestling a Class 88 freight through slow-line slots carved out between passenger expresses. Each locomotive carries its own rhythm and challenge: the Pendolino’s relentless pace demands flawless timing, the Desiro’s passenger calls force you to nail dwell times, and the electro-diesel haulier tests your ability to juggle power modes and gradients (class 88). Licenses for Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway and Direct Rail Services cover every angle of play, and a later Class 730 add-on can expand commuter operations without bloating the initial package. This isn’t a long, sprawling mainline that only delivers empty vistas; it’s a corridor defined by split fast and slow lines, carefully engineered curves that reward momentum, and a signalling dance that keeps you on your toes. Freight paths must be earned, overtakes planned, and adhesion mastered in all weathers—every session feels like its own puzzle rather than a backdrop for sightseeing. At roughly fifty miles, it’s compact enough to build to perfection in a single DLC, yet deep enough to justify future expansions—introduce the Class 730 commuter EMU, or add night-time engineering challenges, all without ever asking for an unrealistic roster of new trains. In short, the Trent Valley Line (WCML) is the kind of route that feels fully alive the moment you hit “Start Scenario.” It aligns perfectly with DTG’s standards—great variety, operational complexity, and a clear, scalable roadmap—while offering players everything they crave: high-speed adrenaline, freight finesse, and signalling puzzles that demand attention. It’s concise, it’s focused, and it fills a gap in TSW’s modern UK lineup with the kind of gameplay that will keep both hardcore railroaders and newcomers coming back again and again.
The Stadler Class 88s are cool, and should be added to the game, along with the other Stadler-built modern British locos.
Great suggestion. This is something I've wanted to see for a while. It'll be a great way to make the 390 stretch it's legs
The route ends at Stafford, it wouldnt make sense if it terminated at Crewe, since its not on the map thats the route map --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Route /Loco Suggestions Route - Cp Portugal Northern Line (linha Do Norte) | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Tgv Reseau Duplex | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Budapest Metro M3 Line | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Central Coast & Newcastle Line | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Class 88 | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Warsaw Metro M1 Line | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Amtrak Alc-42 | Dovetail Games Forums Route - London Underground Northern Line | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Schnellfahrstrecke Bern - Rothrist | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Class 442 | Dovetail Games Forums Route - London Underground Jubilee Line | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Bahnstrecke Wuppertal - Dusseldorf | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Marc Camden Line | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Ns Dm90 | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Mml: London St Pancras - Bedford | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Et420 Plus | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Ringbahn Berlin Circle | Dovetail Games Forums Route - London Underground District Line For Tsw5 | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Chiltern Mainline | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Class 99 For Tsw5 | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Dart Commuter | Dovetail Games Forums Loco - Tpe Class 397 'civity' | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Wien S Bahn: Wien Hauptbahnhof - Wiener Neustadt | Dovetail Games Forums Route - Wcml Trent Valley | Dovetail Games Forums
This is the problem with any WCML portion, even going back to BR days the very much “skip stop” service pattern. You would get trains call at Rugby then fast to Crewe, or fast from Euston to Stafford. The odd call at Nuneaton. The only way to properly do the WCML is essentially London to Preston including Manchester and Liverpool including via New Street, which is not going to happen. That said, providing you can get a decent timetable going, with maybe a bit of artistic licence as regards calling points then Trent Valley is a relatively interesting section.
I might just be me but I'd prefer if DTG stepped back from the WCML for now, especially after one the most recent sneakpeaks was speculated to be Crewe to Preston.
The shorter length of section as it the Devs first route, nothing too big to panic over. But also WCML Sth kinda spoiled my view on anything WCML even tho JT released a Brilliant WCML route.
this is true.. TBH, Trent Valley is one of my local sections of the WCML so I would really like to see it happen
Would love to see this along with the 730's which could also be run on the Birmingham Cross City line using the WMR Livery. There is a hunger for more content for the midlands, a recent excellent timetable mod was released set in the year 2021 which adds a lot of services in to the BCC route. This suggestion along with an expansion pack for the BCC route to include aston to Rugely Trent Valley via Walsall (Chase Line) would be awesome!
