I started playing Train Sim World back when 3 was on gamespass and fell in love with the SEHS, I ended up buying TSW4 and really enjoyed modern day UK routes. I finally upgraded from the TSW5 free starter pack to standard edition in the Easter PS sales as it gave me the WCML for $30 rather than the $60 it normally costs, but it also gave me FTF and San Bernardino. I've tried FTF and I'm really, really pleasantly surprised - and hooked on the new thing - so knowing less than zero about the DB network and the layers, I was hoping someone could recommend a good next route. So far (roughly 9 services played) the 114 and 423 have been the clear winners. So if there is a route that has similar services to those?
There are quite a few German routes that are extremely good- Dresden-Riesa (Nahverkehr Dresden), Dresden-Chemnitz (Tharandter Rampe), Ruhr-Sieg Nord, Main-Spessart Bahn and Hamburg-Lubeck, or if you like vintage the outstanding TSG routes Niddertalbahn and Mittenwaldbahn, together with Linke Rheinstrecke. If you prefer to blast along at high speed, the long one is Kassel-Wurzburg, but the good one is the (newly upgraded) Koln-Aachen. Overall though I would still say for variety of traffic the champion is still Riesa-Dresden.
Köln-Aachen is pretty good but you do need a few offers German route and locos and the new journeys Expansion pack to have a very decent run. Even with out the new timetable there's a few service around
Nahverkehr Dresden. Depending on the layers you have, there is a plethora of ICE, IC, stopping, and freight services. Non-linear route, a bit resembling SEH Extended. My recommendation would be to get the 193 Vectron DLC so you have the VTG aggregate wagons. Please note that you will need other German DLCs for ICE and IC layers.
If you enjoy Frankfurt Fulda then the best go to will be Kassel to Würzburg for the ICE 1 being a top tier loco in Tsw. For cargo layers there are some problems because you need to own Rhein Ruhr Osten, Ruhr Sieg Nord, the Br 155 for the Falns wagons, the RSN 363 for Uacns wagons and all shunting layers, which can get expensive quickly. The main problem with FTF is the layer list is long, it literally needs everything from eveywhere which has the slightest connection to german railways. So the ÖBB 1116 for example. Regarding your named services then here is my top 5 of german content you need to own: 1. Dresden Riesa, head to head race with FTF for place one in german content. 2. Frankfurt Sbahn S1, S8 and S9, This one isnt out yet but if its done at least ok and does what it promises to be its worth it. 3. Hamburg to Lübeck, Enjoy the 114 then the 112 wont dissapoint you. And MRCE 182. 4. Kassel to Würzburg, route hopping to FTF and the glorious Br 401 ICE 1. 5. Bremen Oldenburg, yes its flat and rather short but the 425 is very good and you get coloured Laaers(car cargo) and a PRESS Br 155 with it. Honorable Mention: Dresden to Chemnitz Tharandter Rampe, extremely underrated route suffering from the old lighting system but gains from the tilting Br 612 DMU being extremely well done. And 143, 442 and shunting services too. All included. Plus Br 185.2 in Railpool livery.
