This is one of the most scenic routes in Scotland, and either this or the line from Inverness to Kyle-of-Lochalsh would be amazing to come to TSW. Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William is quite long at 106 miles, the same length as the WCML Trent Valley route ._. though I think this could be an amazing route if the right developer could make it. Motive power for this route would only need to be the Scotrail Class 156, which could also have an Ai only layer at Glasgow Central on Cathcart Circle. Or if a license for the Caledonian sleeper could be made, the CS Class 73/9 could be modelled with CS Mk5 coaches. That could also be driveable on Scotrail Express and Fife Circle. To get around the monumental distance, services could be split into multiple parts, and leave some in full length for people that would like a challenge. Timetable layers should be the Class 380, Class 385, Class 158, Class 43 HST, and whatever else is seen on Scotrail Express, as Ai only at Glasgow Queen Street. If you set the route in 2025 or earlier, a layer could be the Class 66 and PCA tankers from the Class 31 add-on for the North Blyth to Fort William 'alumina' trains. Fort William /\ You could do any of the 3 lines, I just focused on Fort William because I'm most familiar with it out of the three.
Oft requested, but from the interest point of view this route really needs to be set in the traditional loco hauled era - either Class 27 or the later Class 37 then 37/4. Driving such a scenic route from the letterbox view out of a Sprinter does not have any real appeal. Also a great deal more freight about then than now. The drawback of course is that DTG or a 3P may simply not see this as viable for a TSW style route where they want an intensive timetable etc. which is why we haven’t seen this or other remote lightly trafficked routes in TSW by now.
What about the Niddertalbahn, Maintalbahn, Mittenwaldbahn, upcoming Cumbrian coast, and Peak Forest. Those routes focus on the scenery over a busy railscene and timetable, but I do agree that this route could be set in the past. I'm not trying to make an arguement, I'm just having hope but I get what your saying
For what section of the route, I would rather Glasgow to Crianlarich it with all the suburban railways from GLQLL to the West at Milngavie, Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Central and Balloch Central.
All those routes generally have far more traffic than the West Highland, regardless of era. However, I firmly agree traffic levels alone should not dictate whether a route is made. The scenic appeal should also be considered.
Would love to see this route in TSW as well as more quieter routes such as the Derby - Crewe Line (which I suggested for TSW4: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw4-route-suggestion-derby-crewe-line.78435/)
Good idea In principle but is anyone actually capable besides just trains of pulling off the bug free RETB signalling system
