Modern commuting doesn’t get any better than this, experience the state-of-the-art Desiro City on some of the UK’s busiest rail services with the Thameslink BR Class 700 for Train Simulator!
The Thameslink Programme, a phrase that London commuters have been familiar with for over a decade, was the radical transformation of commuter travel through the centre of London. The plan? Upgrade and expand the Thameslink network with better cross-city connections, as well as longer and more frequent trains made up of a brand new fleet of rolling stock.
The hunt for new trains started back in 2008, bidders needed to offer trains with a high standard of specifications, and provide new maintenance and storage facilities for the vast new fleet. Ultimately Siemens was chosen, with their Desiro City platform, a development of the Desiro UK range which already existed in the form of the Class 350, 360, 380, 450 and 444.
With the first delivered in 2015, and the growing fleet entering service in 2016, the new Class 700 is a revolutionary EMU. 115 were ordered in a mix of 8 and 12-car formations, doubling the size of the old Thameslink fleet. Each unit is lighter, more efficient, has better performance, and can soak up commuters by their thousands. A new bogie design reduced energy consumption and wear on the track compared to older trains. Each coach is connected with a wide gangway, allowing for better movement inside, a spacious accessible area features in the middle of every unit, the passenger doors are wider and open faster. Air-con in the summer is second to none, and they are fitted with the latest design of passenger information systems which in real-time offer onward travel information and passenger load per coach. It’s safe to say that the Class 700 was the biggest step-change in London commuter rail travel since the introduction of EMUs themselves.
Capable of dual-voltage, 100 mph operation, the Class 700 Desiro City is able to serve a variety of routes both north and south of the Thames, and as such is suitable on a plethora of Train Simulator routes:
- Chatham Main Line: London Victoria & Blackfriars - Dover & Ramsgate
- London to Brighton
- South London Network
- East Coast Main Line London-Peterborough
- Midland Main Line London-Bedford
- And more!
A revolution in every right, 2018 winner of Train of the Year, and serving London, Kent, Sussex, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire frequently day-by-day, the Class 700 has become a staple of London commuting in recent years, with a bright future on the horizon, and it can now be experienced in Train Simulator!
Included Scenarios
A trio of authentic Career scenarios are included for the Chatham Main Line: London Victoria & Blackfriars - Dover & Ramsgate route:
- 9Y11 0746 London Blackfriars to Sevenoaks (Swanley)
- 9K86 1833 Orpington to London Blackfriars
- 9P87 0600 Bedford to Rainham (Kent)
More scenarios are available on the Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!
Key Features
- BR Class 700 EMU in Thameslink livery
- 8-car 700/0 “RLU” and 12-car 700/1 “FLU” variants
- Authentic cab and features
- Detailed passenger view
- 3 Career scenarios for Chatham Main Line: London Victoria & Blackfriars - Dover & Ramsgate
- Quick Drive compatible
- Download size: 165.8mb
