Blackpool Branches New Timetable

We’ll be able to compare the timetables once Crewe-Preston is released. It might be that all the services are still there but with different locos, the new 47 and 20 from that route. Perhaps the other locos will be able to sub back in once they are there with the new locos as standard or perhaps not if Dr. Optimisation has prevented it.

 

I had done some modifications to make subbing more suitable for the Class 31, 45 and 37 as I felt the substitution values were way too high on them but as the patch included an absolute ton of higher priority things they got lost in the shuffle.

 

The 31's and 45's would have appeared. I'm surprised they have been left out, especially the class 31

 

T

Thank you, hopefully we see them back soon.

 

I hope so too as it really adds to the variety.

 

Quick someone get DTG on speed dial /j

 

Great to hear.

 

so will the 20 from the new route replace the tees 20 in this new timetable?

 

Feedback so far is I'm loving seeing the 86 and 87 on this route at last and I'm so happy they decided to add in loco swaps, giving me chance to use this locos on short loco swaps. Nice that when I'm bouncing into Preston on a Pacer, there's some AC traction.

Definitely missing the 31 and 45... not so fussed about the 40 not being there!

And that leads me on to the only negative. I was doing some loco swaps at Preston and I saw a fair few AI trains, but every single one of them - bar a solitary pacer - were 47 hauled. I know they were everywhere back then, but it felt a little overkill. Didn't even see an 86 or 87 in that timespan.

Thanks for the new timetable and keeping it separate from the original. Happy to be playing this route again.

 

It does on the Railtour

 

Can't wait to try it tonight and again after purchasing the Crewe route tomorrow. I'm actually almost as excited about this timetable as the new route. Blackpool is a route I keep going back too and it will be an even better experience with a more representative timetable.

I do love what JT are doing, bring on Cumbrian coast.

 

I love seeing the Electrics as AI at Preston now when coming off the branchlines. Great immersion.

Hope to see the other Classes of diesels back soon though.

 

JT, will the 45 and 31 be added later by you in a later patch or will that be on DTG (but honestly I don’t think removing the 40 would be a bad idea since it would be unrealistic to have them in 1986)

Btw can not wait for the Crewe Preston tomorrow it’s gonna be a blast

 

I loved seeing and hearing the occasional 40 despite the slight anachronism. Maybe it could be possible to make it selectable for those who don't want it.

 

Shame the new timetable is light on locos towards Blackpool. The whole point is to get some 86s and 87s on the current timetable to make it more realistic

 

It was in selectable on the original Blackpool timetable. But on Shap you have to remove the entire heavy freight layer and therefore some services disappeared. For me it just appears too much on Shap. If it was likely to appear once at the most I wouldn't mind but seeing it three times was too much, although that only happened on a couple of occasions.

 

I'd be quite happy if it took the place of all the 47s to be honest.

 

What’s everyone’s favourite loco to play on BPO?
31 for me

 

Probably the 101 or if strictly a loco then the 47 with the suspension. It would be the 31 if it had suspension.

 

One further comment to add. Love that there's station announcements but they shouldn't sound automated. Wrong era.

 

Yes being a railway Telecomms engineer of 37 years and still going I can confirm that automated PA systems didn’t come into use till the early to mid 90s. (Both the old and new PA systems were maintained and faulted by us guys) And even once installed at large stations they were only run alongside the human announcers rather than fully replacing them.

 

Reminds me I'll have to get back to and used to the Class 101 driving style and gear changing in anticipation of the much wanted Class 108, so will be doing some practice runs on the new diverse timetable! Also will be so nice to see BPO upto modern standards with the timetable.

Personally before I go back to BPO I'll buy Preston to Crewe tomorrow and then let the stock from that also layer on so I get diversity I need. At the moment I'm not fussed about the 31/45 as I'm sure they'll make a appearance in a future update (and obviously on a reduced scale).

But I'll be enjoying the AC electrics at Preston as AI, and the coffin style Mk2s making an appearance on BPO.

So excited for both! Phenomenal times for BR enthusiasts and this is without the summer announcements yet... Possibly more stuff that can layer on? Maybe the 31 or 45 will be updated to modern standards with a future route hence the hold back... Who knows? (Speculation obviously).

As I've said previously I'm just as excited for this timetable as I am for Crewe to Preston being released tomorrow.

 

We tried to get it sounding less automated but when sounds are done in segments on the announcement system it's very difficult to do.

 

I'll gladly offer my services as an announcer, I can do my posh airline voice (sadly no-longer used except on runs to Nice) or my rougher easyJet one which gets a daily workout

I must admit though, I was gutted that Crewe didn't get someone in to sound like "the Crewe guy" aka - Donald Pleasance with a cold...

 

Just to report I've had an issue with service 2P54 encountering a conflict logjam at the sidings before entering Blackpool.

 

31 as well but do enjoy a 40/45 service but the lot are really showing their age

 

More feedback.
Had the 012345 numbering on a Pacer service from Blackpool South to Preston.

Also, when running at 70mph, there's a drone-like noise when using an exterior camera. Is that meant to be the case? Sounds odd to me.

Also, just passed a road near railway line. I counted 8 vehicles, all of them were buses! This is out in the country near Kirkham and Wesham.

Route does feel a little quieter, but still enjoying it.

 

Are the Mk2As suppose to be in the new timetable? They are gone from all services even the secondary saturday only ones. I only saw Mk2A FK on some services probably as stand in for Mk2D FKs. This also happened on WCML Preston - Carlisle when the MK2Fs were released. I was hoping for see more variety on the rolling stock like we saw on motive power on the original timetable. Instead it feels like the old timetable but instead of the Mk2As ruling everything, its the Mk2Fs

 

Yeah, I've seen a handful of them, but only when I was do loco swaps at Preston.

 

I stand to be corrected, but the over use of the Mk2As was a bit of an issue with old BR TSW routes. I think in 1986 the coffin style Mk2s were more common on InterCity services of the period in this area... Where as the Mk2As would appear on holiday/weekend services although were far less common on the WCML in that period of time (although I stand to be corrected).

 

Which one is the new timetable

 

I decided to stay on my Blackpool - Manchester service after it ended at Preston and saw this track misalingment.
Technically it's just outside the playing area but thought I'd mention it anyway.

 

The one that says updated. Let it scroll for a few seconds.

 

Most of the holiday and weekend extra services, Merrymakers etc. would have been Mark Ones of various vintage. We certainly shouldn't be seeing Mark 2 coffins on other than the front line Inter City services. If they are now appearing on everything, then JT need to take a serious look at the timetable setup. Even if we can't have Mark Ones, the Mk2 pressure vents are the next best substitute.

 

Maybe we might get some well needed Mk1s with any of their post Whitehaven routes... One can hope. They'd certainly fill in a huge gap. But I suppose the Mk2As will be a substitution for now.

 

I really want Mk1s in TSW, but refuse to get that pack that came out a while back. It's just... bad.

My last 2 trips to Blackpool - in that era - were specials for Blackpool illuminations, although we were there to ride the trams. The previous year we'd gone it was Mk1s. But the last one was mostly later-edition Mk2s, I'm guessing D or E as Vern points out, the Fs were too precious for excursions.

If we can JT to build some Mk1s to the same quality as their RMB and RBRs, then we'd be on to a good thing. Sprinkle the Mk1s in with some early Mk2s, and the new 2D/2E carriages coming with Crewe-Preston, and I'll be content.

But for now, I'm ok with the 2Fs, I'll just pretend they are older coaches!

 

A new batch of Mk1s would most certainly be needed for use on a 1980s North Wales Coast route

 

As long as no Class 40s were involved...

 

Had a great run from Workington to Llandudno behind 40058 … one of the £5 mystery trips… admittedly that was 1980 or 81

 

Just did a run with the 47 out of Blackpool north and had great fun watching the trains fly past but for some reason what really stood out is what I think to be new cars and buses etc, it looks really good when you over take all the road vehicles. Also I like how you don’t get that red signal at Kirkham and Wesham because of the go via. Good job JT .

 

What’s your problem with the 40s?

 

I don't like them!

 

For a little Easter Egg - which you'll get if you've been following the Crewe-Preston development - do 0P06, 08 shunting at Preston and look out for a certain AI service...

 

Did my first run with the new timetable and yes, the route refresh is very nice but there is no way a Sheffield to Blackpool Saturday only service would be formed of Mark 2F stock. Passed a similar Up working which was also all aircon stock. This really needs sorting out as does bringing back the greater traction variety.

 

Yes I found the same, it has gone from one extreme to another.

 

Did the service and I found it. You’re right that is a nice Easter egg . Can’t wait to actually drive it tomorrow! It might end up being one of my favourites…

 

Found it totally by chance! Glad they included it for some continuity.

 

I have a fair amount of knowledge of the BR era in general, but my speciality and favourite area lays with the BR Southern Region & accompanying EMUs so I can never say with 100% certainty on other regions...

But what should the passenger stock comprise of and what mixture (outside of the BR Mk1s which we don't have at the moment)? As far as I'm aware coffins style Mk2 & MK3As were certainly not strangers to Blackpool in the mid to late 1980s and JT are certainly not amateurs in terms of the amount studying that goes on with any part of their work. So what would need correcting, whilst maintaining the newly added coaching stock, and what services would need changing to older stock? Correct me if I'm wrong but the Euston to Blackpool, or longer distance services would be Mk3s or Mk2 coffins, where as the more regional trains would be Mk2as? (or Mk1s if the appropriate ones every come available) If I've understood correctly?. I have a genuine curiosity as to what needs altering in the constructive feedback (and also for my anorak railway interest in real life!).

I'm not old enough to have had real life experience with the route in this era, but I'm always happy to learn.

 

After about three hours playing the new timetable, it's just dawned on me that I have yet to see a single 31, 40, 86 or 87 despite all layers being enabled.

Here's what Preston looks like. Anyone else seeing this?

 

Will have a look at that, should be still quite a few Mk1's.