Class 380 108 awaits line clearance at Dunbar on a semi-fast service to Edinburgh whilst a Voyager races past on a service to Glasgow Central.
Brief
Edinburgh South Extension is a route proposed by myself to extend Thomson Interactive's well-loved Edinburgh to Glasgow route south of Edinburgh, around 40 miles of new track, to include lines to Newcraighall, North Berwick and Dunbar.
Above: The map of the current line from Edinburgh to Glasgow with the proposed extension in the yellow box.
Key Features
- - 5 Mile extension to Newcraighall with additional 2 miles to Millerhill Freight Yard
- - 28 Mile extension to Dunbar with additional 5 mile extension from Drem to North Berwick
- - Brunstane Station
- - Newcraighall Station
- - Musselburgh Station
- - Wallyford Station
- - Longniddry Station
- - Prestonpans Station
- - Drem Station
- - North Berwick Station
- - Dunbar Station
- - Craigentinny TMD
- - Millerhill Freight Yard
- - Upgraded Haymarket Station
- - Calton Tunnel
Why This Route?
I proposed this route because I think Thomson Interactive could build on their already popular Edinburgh to Glasgow route by providing greater opportunity for the community to use their trains as well as trains created by DTG. It would provide a greater opportunity for scenario makers to come up with and produce the quality scenarios we see on the steam workshop today. This route would also give a more accurate version and competition to Just Trains' version, which was made with old Kuju assets from Rail Simulator and Railworks.
Rolling Stock and DLC
There are over 11 different trains which run on this route on a regular basis. All of which have already been produced by both DTG and third party sites. The most common trains seen on this route are:
Class 380 Desiro
The Class 380 was built by Desiro UK between 2009-2011 at Krefeld, Germany for use on Glasgow Inverclyde Lines and Edinburgh-North Berwick/Dunbar lines. All 38 Class 380 units have a top speed of 100mph (161km). The train was built into 2 sub classes: 380/0 (3 Car) and 380/1 (4 Car). Both 3/4 car units can be seen working Inverclyde services whilst 4 car units work solo on Edinburgh-North Berwick/Dunbar services.
Thomson Interactive already produced the Class 380 for Train Simulator 2015.
![]()
A shunted 380 007 sits at Polmadie Depot after a test run.
![]()
Thomson's version of Class 380 available for TS15.
Class 91
The Class 91 (also known as 225) is an electric High-Speed locomotive built between 1988-1991 by BREL, GEC Alsthom and Metro Cammell. The Class 91 runs on the ECML between London Kings Cross-Leeds/Edinburgh/Glasgow Central/Skipton/Bradford FS. With a top speed of 140mph (225km/h hence the nickname) the train boasts a horsepower of 6300 (4.7 MW). There are 38 trains which consist of both Class 91s and DVT units.
Dovetail Games have already produced the Class 91 for Train Simulator 2015 to run on their London-Peterborough route.
Class 91 unit departs Newcastle Central for Edinburgh.
Dovetail Games' version of the Class 91 available for TS15.
Class 220/221 Voyager
The Class 220/221 Voyagers are Diesel-Electric High Speed trains built by Bombardier in Bruges, Belgium for use on Cross Country services throughout the UK, including the longest train service in the country: Aberdeen to Penzance, which takes over 13 hours. Unlike the Class 220, the Class 221 has a tilting mechanism beneath its carriages, to allow the train to operate at faster speeds round corners. However, this is only used on Virgin Trains West Coast services, and not operational on Cross Country services. Both Voyagers have a top speed of 125mph (200km).
Both Dovetail Games and Just Trains have produced both types of Voyagers for Train Simulator 2015.
Class 221 121 diverted via Perth on a XC service.
Dovetail Games' version of Class 220 available for TS15.
Class 158 Express Sprinter
The Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel train train built by BREL at Derby Works between 1989-1992, for use on medium distance express services throughout the UK. The Class 158 has a top speed of 90mph and has configurations of either 2-3 car formations. There were a total of 182 sets built with 30 of them being converted into Class 159 units.
For the proposed route, the Class 158 runs on the Edinburgh-Newcraighall service and occasionally on the Edinburgh-Dunbar Semi-Fast.
Dovetail games have already produced and released the Class 158 for Train Simulator 2015.
Class 158 870 sits at sidings at Polmadie Depot.
Dovetail Games' version of Class 158 available for TS15.
- Other trains which use the route frequently are:
- - Class 43 HST
- - Class 170 Turbostar
- - Class 156 Super Sprinter
- - Class 37
- - Class 57
- - Class 60
- - Class 66
- - Class 67
- *All of these trains are available for Train Simulator 2015 as of July 2015*
- Overall I think this extension to an already popular route would simply provide a far better opportunity for the Train Simulator community to use already produced add-ons on their designated lines. It would give scenario producers more opportunities to be creative to produce the best scenarios possible, and it would allow Dovetail Games to compete head on with Just Trains in a battle in which I think Dovetail Games and Thomson Interactive would win when it comes to this particular route (no disrespect for Just Trains intended).