Wcml Preston To Crewe Discussion

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

  1. barryr21

    barryr21 Well-Known Member

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    Haydock Branch?? Surely that's the line that runs through past the racecourse just south of Ashton in Makerfield?
     
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  2. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, until around 1983 it was still in use for petrochemicals though by 86 was cut back to the Lowton Metals scrap yard behind Ashton, a "new" flow of bitumen began though and ran until 2005. It's been cut back further since but the "Kelbits" aggregate branch is still in use (requires a double reversal to get in/out now though instead of just running across from St Helens).

    Bitumen traffic 1991
    https://flic.kr/p/2iKUXJ9

    Bitumen traffic 1994
    https://flic.kr/p/2pD16gM

    The funny thing with the Bitumen, which would make for an interesting working in the game is that they couldn't run-round, instead they would have to propel the train back to Springs Branch, being waved on by the guard in a brake van. By the 90s though they'd just propel it back onto the WCML and head south to Parkside and across Chat Moss as the route had changed.
     
  3. JT Benedict

    JT Benedict Well-Known Member

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    Yeah it is, we've included it as there's a few trains which use the branch.
     

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