Cross Lothian Commuter (2004) - Edinburgh to North Berwick & Newcraighall to Bathgate This route is around 56mi~ in length and includes the following lines: Newcraighall to Bathgate via Edinburgh, Edinburgh to North Berwick, The Leith South Docks branch, The Powderhall branch, Newcraighall to Monktonhall Junction, Millerhill Marshalling Yard & Millerhill Turnback Siding and the Edinburgh South Suburban line. There are 14 stations along the route, starting with the Bathgate to Newcraighall line, these are: Bathgate The station was opened 1986 with the reopening of the Edinburgh to Bathgate, however it closed in 2010 due to the reopening of the Bathgate to Airdrie line and was replaced by a station around 300 yards to the East. Livingston North Built as a 1 platform station in 1986 for the Edinburgh to Bathgate line reopening, another platform was built for the 2010 Bathgate to Airdrie line reopening. Uphall Much like Livingston North, the station originally had 1 platform and the same reopening date and a second platform was added in 2010, however it is one of few ScotRail managed station not to have a Gaelic translation on station signs. Edinburgh Park Some 11 miles later we arrive at Edinburgh Park, the longest distance between 2 station on this route. It is a 2 platform station, opened just shortly before this route is set in December, 2003. It's the first station after Newbridge (Bathgate) Junction. Haymarket (Edinburgh) Haymarket is Edinburgh's 2nd biggest station in terms of usage and platforms with 5, numbered 0-4 it is one of a few stations to use the number 0. It was opened in 1842 as the original eastern terminus of the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway. Edinburgh Waverley The crown jewel of Edinburgh's train network originally built in 1846, the now 20 platform station is Edinburgh's biggest, however due to the time period only 18 platforms can be seen, with platforms 19 and 20 being built in 2006. The station serves every passenger service entering the station including as of late 2004, First Caledonian Sleeper, Virgin Trains West Coast, Virgin Cross Country and First ScotRail (who had just picked up the franchise.) Brunstane This station was opened in 2002, it has 1 platform, but 2 bi-directional running lines for trains on the Edinburgh South Suburban line. It partially serves the Portobello area of Edinburgh. Newcraighall It is the current terminus for all Edinburgh Crossrail services (Newcraighall to Bathgate/Dunblane), again much like Brunstane, the station was opened on the same day in 2002 and has 1 platform but 2 bi-directional running lines for the freight services on the South Sub, there is a double cross over just before the station for any traffic from the South Sub to the ECML at Monktonhall Junction. Passenger trains do not switch ends at this station, instead they proceed to Millerhill Turnback Siding where trains wait to complete their return service. To be continued... Due to the image limit, a picture of Newcraighall and most of the remaining info will be in the next message. Any likes? Please leave them on this message in the thread.
Now for the North Berwick line, starting from... Musselburgh This station has 2 platforms and was opened in 1988, however their was an earlier station serving the town in a different location. The station now serves the Queen Margaret University, but this wasn't opened till 2007 and so not visible on this route. Wallyford Wallyford is a 2 platform station built in 1994 serving the village of the same name. The station has a Park and Ride facility for journeys on or off the railway. Prestonpans Another 2 platform station, however it was opened in 1846, just after the station the line branches of to the left to serve Cockenzie power station. Longniddry Also a 2 platform station, it was originally a junction station opened in 1846, however by 2004 these branches are long gone. Drem It's a 2 platform junction station opened in 1846, it serves the small village of Drem and other small surrounding villages. North Berwick The terminus of the North Berwick line, the station has 1 platform and was opened 1850, the station is rather unique, in the fact that the speed limit into the single track terminus is 5mph. Now for the Rolling Stock on the route. (NEW!)The Class 90 The BR Class 90 is an Electric Locomotive built by British Rail between 1987 and 1990. They have a top speed of 110mph and use Air Brakes and Rheostatic Brakes. They operated North Berwick and Dunbar services for National Express ScotRail and First ScotRail between May 2004 and September 2005, they could be seen in multiple liveries such as Virgin black & red or EWS with mark 3 coaches. The Class 158 The Class 158 is a train already featured in TSW, however the livery changes, in the case the Class 158 is reliveried into ex-National Express SR or First ScotRail. The Class 170 The Class 170 is a train already featured in TSW, however the livery changes, in the case the Class 158 is reliveried into ex-National Express SR or First ScotRail. The Class 66 Old blighty seen hauling bin liner services to Powderhall Refuse, or in general use. Also as obviously known previously featured in TSW. (NEW!)The Class 60 The Class 60's were built between 1989 and 1993 by Brush Traction, they have top speed of ironically 60mph and use Air Brakes. Also seen hauling bin liner services, as well as subbing for the 66 on the coal shuttles between Leith South Docks and Cockenzie. Adding a new freight train helps to improve variety on the route. (NEW!) Future DLC ScotRail Class 150 Also already seen in TSW, however will require relivery, and possible can remodeling. A fair price being £9.99 On to Depots now of which their are 2 Haymarket TMD, which stabled the largest number of diesel units at the time, keeping Class 150's, 156's, 158's, and Class 170's on track. And Craigentinny TMD which at the time had a large allocation of HST sets.
And finally on to the Freight places of interest. The Edinburgh South Suburban This part of the route is freight only, it is used a diversion around Edinburgh Waverley, meaning sometimes the line sees the odd passenger train. It's is the longest freight only line on the route. It links Haymarket Junction to Niddry Junction between Brunstane and Newcraighall, There's also small chord to Slateford leaving the South Sub at what I believe is called Gorgie Junction on the line towards Haymarket. The Powderhall branch This branch left the ECML westbound at Piershill Junction. The line then is dead straight passing Meadowbank Stadium and the ex-station, then passing the old Abbeyhill Junction which has been long lifted but appears to be safeguarded. The line then snakes through the old Easter Road station and into the Powderhall Refuse Siding and passing through the Powderhall loop. Here the Bin Liner trains would turn around and head back out. The Leith South Docks Line This branch leaves the ECML at Portobello West Junction and then passes under King's Road before snaking under Seafield Road and then arriving at Seafield Road LC and then curving to the right and entering the Dock Yard through a gate. Millerhill line The Millerhill line leaves the ECML at Monktonhall Junction, curves round to the right passing the villages of Millerhill & Craigmillar and continues through Millerhill Marshalling Yard where the line meets up at Newcraighall. The Cockenzie Power Station branch This branch leaves the ECML Southbound just after Prestonpans, it's short branch, curving to the right and then continuing on for half a mile before entering a Yard. And lastly Services. Now I'm no expert but I believe services when a bit like this: Newcraighall<>Bathgate Every 30 mins (day), Every 60 mins (evening and weekend.) Newcraighall<>Dunblane Every 30 mins (Day), Every 60 mins (Evening), Edinburgh<>Newcraighall (No service Weekends) Edinburgh<>North Berwick Every 30 mins (Mor & Eve Peaks, Sat Day) +1 morning express (mon-fri), Every 60 mins (Sun & off-peak.) Got these from the ScotRail 2004 timetable on timetable world. https://timetableworld.com/ttw-viewer.php?token=898d3ec5-0306-4ca0-ac32-4dde70cee4ed Lastly my reason for this suggestion and how it meet LAMPOIL. My reason for this suggestion is it is my local route and I would love to see back when the line to Bathgate was single track. The complete end to end runs on passenger, and freight services with reasonable completion times also a reason. And how this route meets LAMPOIL L: Licensing for Logos and Access on trains (158 and 170) would come from FirstGroup or National Express, the Class 90 could remain unbranded in it's virgin black & red colour scheme with no logos. I believe DTG have the EWS & DB licenses so this shouldn't be an issue for the freight trains (66 and 60). A: Certain player feedback indicates another Scottish route would be welcome, especially a backdated Scottish route which is yet to be seen. With every route that's released there's always a certain level of anticipation that comes with it, and I think a route like this would conjure interest. M: Whilst by the time the route is developed the ATS Class 90 will be released the number of Loco's included helps to slightly offset the reuse of Loco's, however a new freight loco (the Class 60) being included will draw in more customers, possibly selling it as a separate DLC could raise sales? P: Again a backdated Scottish route would invoke large interest, being the first of it's kind in the game. Another freight loco for UK layers (a highly requested DLC). And of course the usual chatter and speculation with every route tease. The idea of another Scottish Network route with decent length for full end to end services (25 mins+). End to end freight services as well as the chance to drive rails passenger rarely see. O: Unique advantages to developing such a route, include developing skills to create large network routes, experience through services at Edinburgh Waverley (which no longer exist.) Gives the opportunity to test the Market for backdated Scottish routes going forwards, and possibly licensing with new partners in National Express Group. I: Reference images are available through RailScot and backdated OS maps should aid in the development process, backdated lidar data should also be available. The old Bathgate Railway Station, whilst filled in, with permission from the local council should be able to enter the half preserved site and take pictures. L: DTG seem to have previously struggled with creating big network routes in the past although most of the scenery on the route is in the country and should help to mitigate any densely 'sceneried' areas. Due to the route being set 20+ years ago, the Devs may struggled with a completely accurate 1:1 map, although some allowance should be allowed due to the year the route is set. Thanks for Reading!
Honestly I’m a mix of both, like would love modern scotrail stuff but at the same time I want the Caledonian railway in its prime https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonian_Railway (as much as I love the Heritage railway I think the original would be better) and the west highlands line in the 1980s
Even for any new Scottish route, I'm glad to see there is at least some turn-out. Maybe this is your sign to create another Scottish route suggestion?
