Wcml Preston To Crewe Discussion

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Fantastic! Thanks

 

Great photos!

Funnily enough I was watching the train reverse from the nearby Driving Range a few weeks ago. (You'll have to zoom in to see)

I used to live a stone throws from Haydock Park as did my grandparents and other family members. I'm made up with this!

 

As i've just mentioned I used to live near Haydock Park, just the other side of Ashton Heath! I love that the line has been included!! I used to play on the old Haydock Park station bridge!

 

JT confirm a branch is included and railmaponline.com goes down, coincidence?

Edit: is railmaponline.com actually dead?!

 

That's exactly why I appreciate you. Playing your routes, I know that this little nook off the main line will definitely be used. A short or not so short trip there, off the main highway, to where some buildings are visible behind the trees - I will definitely go there and it will be a little adventure. I love your approach to building routes and timetables. On other routes, I'd deliver empty cars and pick up the same empty cars from another service, but with you, everything is alive. Cars and locomotives don't just appear out of nowhere and disappear into nowhere. Everything has a purpose.

 

It's completely down. Shame too as it's a great resource.

 

Found an update from yesterday on bluesky

"Website is down. The site has been attacked, so the hosting company has disabled it. Hope to find a solution soon."