Wcml Preston To Crewe Discussion

Discussion in 'TSW General Discussion' started by MrSouthernDriver, Aug 26, 2025.

  1. eldomtom2

    eldomtom2 Well-Known Member

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    It's the large amount of unique assets that make JT's routes feel so real.
     
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  2. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

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    What is the holdup on release?
     
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  3. JAY28

    JAY28 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure, but I’d rather it be of top standard like Preston - Carlisle and Blackpool branches. Lots of products have been released lately in such a poor state, I’m sure JT have completed significant QA on this
     
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  4. theorganist

    theorganist Well-Known Member

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    Presumably it's not ready yet.
     
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  5. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

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    It just feels like it's been coming soon for ages, hence the question.
     
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  6. pauliesc

    pauliesc Well-Known Member

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    It's the timetable going off some Discord posts, apparently the most complex timetable they've done (and possibly in the whole game) due to all the shunt moves and freight stuff and has taken them a lot lot longer than expected. Last post I saw was that the timetable was now in testing.
     
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  7. MadduckUK

    MadduckUK Active Member

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    What do we think is currently the most complex timetable? WCMLoS? Is this another victory lap?
     
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  8. FredElliott

    FredElliott Well-Known Member

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    And thus stujoy never wore trousers again
     
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  9. randomshunter

    randomshunter Well-Known Member

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    WCML South has 5 or 6 different timetables now.

    If you want confusion, start there.
     
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  10. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

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    It needs another one, retro! :D
     
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  11. randomshunter

    randomshunter Well-Known Member

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    If somebody wants to complete Crewe - London Euston in 1986, I'd throw money at them.
     
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  12. lcyrrjp

    lcyrrjp Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, but it's 158 miles and very complex in places. I can't see it happening. If the southern end of the WCML is ever built in the BR blue era I think they'll split it somewhere - probably Rugby. It's a bit of a shame because lots of trains don't call at Rugby, and TSW routes can't be merged it seems, so it limits the number of trains which would be drivable, but it's difficult to see a way round it.

    Mind you, a lot of Anglo-Scottish expresses didn't call at Crewe either, so I'll be interested to see how that's dealt with on Preston-Crewe.
     
  13. ---DMY---

    ---DMY--- Well-Known Member

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    It seems it's now possible.
    But performance wise I think it would be better to have portals, for example at Milton Keynes. You run on it, loading screen, and then you spawn "on the other side".
    Automatic train route hopping. :D
     
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  14. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe they'll factor in a crew(e) change so you have to stop! ;)

    I'll get my coat...
     
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  15. opswintercourse

    opswintercourse Active Member

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    One feature of MSTS that I do miss was the ability to have a rolling start, where you picked up the activity at the start of the route already doing an appropriate speed, showing Crewe post resignalling with the 80mph through lines and not having anything go through at speed does seem a bit of a waste.
     
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  16. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

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    I loved that on MSTS and also the fact I could place a marker beyond the station where the activity would end and you only had to reach it, not stop.
    It was handy on the route I built as it had so many spur lines and I could make activities for them.
     
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  17. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    Well to be honest, it has. It was in the 0-3 month box in the August 2025 roadmap!

    I'm just hoping the delay's are due to polishing and a thorough QA so we don't have to wait several months for DTG to authorise the patches...

    I have said elsewhere (not sure which thread now as I'm getting old and confused) but it should be possible to have the non-stop services start/stop on the mainline at the bottom of Basford Hall yard, not exactly a massive stretch but at least you'd get a decent run up to go through the centre roads :) Likewise you could start getting signal checked and then pegged at south-BH where the run ends. I'd like to think it is much more logical than just having everything starting/stopping at Crewe for crew changes.
     
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  18. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    So a new month is upon us, I presume the May Roadmap will be next week rather than this week, do we reckon they will announce the route's release this month?

    My thoughts as to NO would be that TSTV hasn't been doing videos showcasing parts of the route yet like they did with the previous two JT routes (which they were also involved in), unless those previews start coming in a week or so I'd say it's still further down the line.

    My thoughts as to YES are that I am on leave in the middle of this month, returning on the 17th so can easily see JT releasing it on 19th for s*#*ts and giggles, well less that and just how whenever they've released something for TSW it's always come the day after I return from leave...

    Either way I am sure we will get some more screenshots to look at next week :)
     
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  19. star#5823

    star#5823 Well-Known Member

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    Roadmap is on the 5th
     
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  20. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    Really? That's good, I was expecting it be a week later given the bank holiday weekend :)
     
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  21. star#5823

    star#5823 Well-Known Member

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    Yep IMG_8300.png
     
  22. coursetim

    coursetim Well-Known Member

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    I find it interesting JD is back on stream for this one! Does that mean there is some big admin/corporate stuff going on with all of the things over the last few weeks? Fingers crossed for a few leaks! :D
     
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  23. BrightontoPortsmouth

    BrightontoPortsmouth New Member

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    Thinking of buying this route or Midland Main Line, which one should I buy?
     
  24. 85hertz

    85hertz Well-Known Member

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    Personally I'd wait for Preston - Crewe as that floats my boat and seems to have quite a lot packed in, but if you prefer more modern routes MML may be the way forward.
     
  25. BrightontoPortsmouth

    BrightontoPortsmouth New Member

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    Thanks for your advice! Probably going to buy Preston - Crewe but gonna sleep on it.
     
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  26. JAY28

    JAY28 Well-Known Member

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    Midland is a good route, but lacks the extra detail JT have provided in their last two routes. Also depends on which era you prefer of course!.
     
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  27. dal#7945

    dal#7945 Well-Known Member

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    How long is this route thanks.
     
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  28. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    MML is showing its age (a bit) and is really quite short plus a few rough edges with the scenery. Preston to Crewe won't be as long as Shap of course but still a fairly substantial run. However, MML does have one bonus in the VP185 engine HST which, while not the grail of a Valenta, sounds a helluva lot nicer than the muffled MTU HST's. Probably worth it in a sale but not full price.
     
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  29. Agent Qracle RUS

    Agent Qracle RUS Well-Known Member

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    Between Preston and Crewe stations - 48-51 miles, about the rest of the lines - I don't know)
     
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  30. 85hertz

    85hertz Well-Known Member

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    To be honest I am hoping it's JT who cover the Valenta HST (if it were to ever appear in the game). I'm sure they would source some great audio from AP and rework the physics to be much more realistic like in the new Valenta/MTU/VPEP pack. Would assume all in BR Blue/Intercity as well, one can hope!!!
     
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  31. MP600

    MP600 Well-Known Member

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    Just sharing here from what I posted in another thread.

    I would speculate that we are getting very close to it now seeing as the number of development updates has approached the same as the other two JT routes before they released. For reference Blackpool Branches and WCML Shap both had 7 before release, and Preston - Crewe is currently sitting on 6. If the pattern is to be followed then that would imply one more update coinciding as usual with the next roadmap on Tuesday, followed by release somewhere in the following month.

    And since I've got those resources up despite the removal of the BPO development page (thank you Wayback Machine), and since it's late at night and I'm a little bored and looking for something to do, here's a reminder of what each article in those pages was:

    Blackpool Branches:
    1 - 22/08/23: Initial intro
    2 - 04/09/23: Stations
    3 - 19/09/23: Timetable
    4 - 03/10/23: Landmarks
    5 - 17/10/23: Signalboxes & trackside details
    6 - 31/10/23: Class 08 + 47 & Coaches + Wagons updates
    7 - 07/11/23: Class 142
    Released 14/11/23

    WCML Over Shap:
    1 - 21/08/24: Initial intro
    2 - 11/09/24: Stations
    3 - 25/09/24: Timetable
    4 - 17/10/24: The Morecambe branch
    5 - 23/10/24: Carlisle & Surrounding industry
    6 - 06/11/24: Class 08 + 47 + 101 & Coaches + Wagons updates
    7 - 13/11/24: Class 87 & MK3s
    Released 26/11/24

    WCML Crewe - Preston:
    1 - 28/08/25: Initial intro
    2 - 28/10/25: Class 47/3
    3 - 10/02/26: Freight & MGR operations
    4 - 09/03/26: Class 20
    5 - 27/03/26: Crewe
    6 - 07/04/26: Warrington
    7 - 05/05/26?: I assume it will be the 86/4 & MK2D coaches

    Can't help but also notice how it looks as though Crewe - Preston was about to start on the exact same timings as the last two routes, then came to a sudden delay before picking up regular pacing from February onwards. I wonder what happened there? Split development with early work on Cumbrian Coast maybe?
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2026 at 12:19 PM
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  32. star#5823

    star#5823 Well-Known Member

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    Over sharp technically had 8 since the last update was a 5 day delay due to a bug, not sure if they only posted in on the roadmap or if they did both
     
  33. MP600

    MP600 Well-Known Member

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    That would be probably one that was only on DTG's pages, I was going on the ones listed on Just Trains' own website.
     
  34. Mark Moreton

    Mark Moreton Well-Known Member

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    Hope we get the official route map soon, fascinated to know exactly what is included. Really hope the Deepdale branch is included (think it’s been mentioned) or at least Preston docks.
     
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  35. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    One thing missing from those lists is the actual release date after the last reveal! :)
     
  36. phil#160

    phil#160 Active Member

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    95% certain that the deepdale branch was included from some of the earlier road maps but no preston docks
     
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  37. MP600

    MP600 Well-Known Member

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    This I shall certainly fix!
    BPO was released exactly a week after the final article, and Shap was released just under two weeks after.
     
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  38. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    My recollection is that Deepdale is included, it had a fairly regular flow from there to Warrington, from memory it was like Speedlink with a couple of cement tanks and a few other bits, the regular main traffic was to Healy Mills (which went via Bamber Bridge so would only be in-sim as far as Farrington Curve Jn).

    The Preston Docks traffic would only be in-sim as far as Farrington Curve Jn as it would route via Blackburn/Copy Pit so wouldn't really give much bang-for-buck, I'm guessing that is why it wasn't included. Pity of course as that gradient up to the station is pretty challenging.
     
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  39. star#5823

    star#5823 Well-Known Member

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    Ah my mistake, I always forget about if they post both or not
     
  40. raptorgb#8593

    raptorgb#8593 Well-Known Member

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    I remember walking that with my mate once when we bunked off school for the afternoon, almost got caught but made our escape through the Royal Mail depot LOL
     
  41. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    Probably being a bit whimsical here, but having just fired up the Class 86 for my periodic route refresh from Preston to Carlisle, part of me hopes any delay is due to them looking to see how the two routes can be combined into one for those who already own Shap. That would be magnificent!
     
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  42. dal#7945

    dal#7945 Well-Known Member

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    That would so good but the fry my xbox is think lol.
     
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  43. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    It will be a PC exclusive.
     
  44. opswintercourse

    opswintercourse Active Member

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    Come on JT the suspense is killing us!
     
  45. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    Hooray for the PC Master Race :D
     
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  46. 85hertz

    85hertz Well-Known Member

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    Maybe would be nice to see the 86/0 chucked in the route as well. New subclasses are always welcome!!!!! :D
     
  47. ---DMY---

    ---DMY--- Well-Known Member

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    A merge à la TSC would.
    A simple pop-up asking you whether you want to continue on to the next route (then a loading screen) wouldn't. ;)
     
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  48. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    A mustache is a symbol of reliability. You watch a video and see an engineer with a mustache. You immediately know he'll do everything right. A man with a mustache can be trusted.
     
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  49. redrev1917

    redrev1917 Well-Known Member

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    Errrrr? History is not on your side with this train of thought
     
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  50. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

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    I'm talking about a real, respectable moustache, not some cut-down version.
    upload_2026-5-4_12-22-20.jpeg
     
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