Hello all, and, at long last, I'm getting to doing something off the back of this thread: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/scotland-lets-see-some-more.47870/ And that will be the Ayrshire Coast Line. (Taken from above mentioned thread): The Ayrshire Coast Line - somewhat well known for the scenes of waves splashing over the lines around Saltcoats, onto the wires and trains passing by. With the Mainline to Ayr, and the Branch to Ardrossan Harbour, with the branch to Largs branching off from the branch to Ardrossan, which branches off at Kilwinning. Yes, I said "branch" (or variations) five times and it made sense. Says a lot about this route. This route would have the Class 380 as it's standard loco - being the primary unit at present, with the 314 coming over from Cathcart. The route runs for ~58 miles, with 26 stations. But those will come in due course. Without taking too much time with the introduction, let's begin! Contents The Route Stations Landmarks Rolling Stock BR Class 380 Layers Layers On Layers Off Services Scenarios Other Features Collectables Mastery Decals Scenery Tile Ships Conclusion The Route Glasgow Central Platforms: 15 (17 with LL) Connections: Cathcart Circle, WCML, Argyle Line, Inverclyde Line, Edinburgh - Glasgow via Carstairs, Glasgow Southwestern Line, Paisley Canal Line Glasgow Central, located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow's City Centre, is Glasgow's, and Scotland's, busiest station. The station opened in 1879, originally an extension from Glasgow Bridge Street station, located on the south side of the river, which no longer exists. Shields Road Depot Glasgow Shields Road Depot maintains and is the home of ScotRail's suburban/electric fleet. Today, it is responsible for the Classes 318, 320, 380, 385, and formerly the Class 314. The Depot is located to the left of the line, from Glasgow, and is already in game, on the Cathcart Circle. Cardonald Platforms: 2 Connections: Inverclyde Line Cardonald serves the Cardonald suburb of Glasgow. As a station, it is very much a minor one, with Ayrshire Coast Line services virtually all skipping, and Fast Inverclyde services pass without stopping. Hillington East Platforms: 2 Connections: Inverclyde Line Hillington East is one of two (along with Hillington West) Hillington stations on the line. Similar to Cardonald, Fast services often pass this station. Hillington West Platforms: 2 Connections: Inverclyde Line Hillington West is the second Hillington station on this line, and is the 3rd station with a fast line for passing trains. Paisley Gilmour Street Platforms: 4 Connections: Inverclyde Line Paisley Gilmour Street is Paisley's main station, ahead of Paisley Canal (Paisley Canal Line) and Paisley Saint James (Inverclyde Line), The station goes back to 1840, when it only had 2 platforms, expanding to Four in 1880. Today it sees around 4 million passengers a year, with direct bus connections to Glasgow Airport. The station also has a set of BR-era Platform Signs, for every platform, alongside the ScotRail ones. Johnstone Platforms: 2 Johnstone serves the town of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, and one of the original station of the former Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway, who built the line. In the 1960s the station was in the location of a car loading facility, taking cars from a local Car Plant. Today, the station is entirely passenger, with over 1.2 million passengers a year. Milliken Park Platforms: 2 Milliken Park serves the West end of Johnstone, and the village of Kilbarchan, both in Renfrewshire. This station is the second of this name, with the original opening in 1840 as Cochrane Mill (renamed to Milliken Park in 1853), closing in 1966. The modern station opened on May 15th, 1989. This station is, however, a very minor station, although it does see 2 trains an hour to/from Glasgow and Ayr, at off-peak. Howwood Platforms: 2 Howwood serves the village of the same name, and was another one of the original stations, opening on 21 July, 1840... ...And closing on August 11th. Then in 1876 they opened it again, and closed it again in 1955. In 2001, the current station opened. Today it sees just less than 100,000 passengers a year. Lochwinnoch Platforms: 2 Lochwinnoch serves the village of the same name, which also is located near the wonderful Castle Semple Loch. This station was another 1840 station, opening as Lochwinnoch, renamed to Lochside in 1905. This station also closed in 1955, and reopened 11 years later. It was renamed back to Lochwinnoch in 1985. Glengarnock Platforms: 2 Glengarnock is a bit busier, and a bit more interesting, instead of just ''open, close, open, close, open", and serves the village of Glengarnock, and the towns of Beith and Kilbirnie. The station opened on July 21st, 1840 as Glengarnock and Kilbirnie. It was renamed to Glengarnock on 1 June, 1905 to coincide with the opening of a dedicated Kilbirnie Station, which closed in 1966. It wasn't renamed back, however. Dalry Platforms: 2 Dalry serves the town of Dalry, Ayrshire (yes, we are finally in Ayrshire.) and was yet another July 21, 1840 station. The station formerly had 4 platforms to accommodate traffic on the Dalry and North Johnstone Line, with 2 island platforms. These platforms were removed in the 1980s, when the station took it's modern form. Kilwinning Platforms: 4 Kilwinning is Ayrshire's busiest station in terms of services, being the first/last station where Ayr, Largs and Ardrossan Harbour services are all together. Only one train (1K49 17:47 Glasgow Central - Ayr) skips this station. This station dates back to March 1840, and has Four Platforms, with 2 platforms curving off for Ardrossan and Largs, and 2 heading south for Ayr. As of the 2018 timetable, this station had around 12tph, on a weekday. --------------------------------------------- Largs/Ardrossan Branch Stevenston Platforms: 2 Opened on 27 July, 1840 by the Ardrossan Railway, and has remained open since. There was formerly a curve towards Irvine, Ayr and Kilmarnock here, however the Beeching Axes made this freight-only. Saltcoats Platforms: 2 Opened on the same date, by the same railway, as Stevenson, Saltcoats has a very different past. In 1858 the station was relocated west, and in 1882, a new site - between the original and the Second stations - was used. This is the modern site. And between 1952 and 1965 the station was known as Saltcoats Central. Just beyond the station is that famous seawall where the waves crash over the line. Saltcoats Station: Saltcoats' Seawall: Ardrossan South Beach Platforms: 1 Dating back to 1883, Ardrossan South Beach serves the South Beach area of the town. Despite being a junction for the Largs and Ardrossan Branches, it only has one platform, so all trains use the Westbound line. The eastbound is used by freight trains to the Hunterston Terminal, for the power plant, which is located near Fairlie. --------------------------------------------- (To Ardrossan Harbour) Ardrossan Town Platforms: 1 Opened in 1831 as Ardrossan (renamed to Ardrossan Town), this station is located right in the middle of Ardrossan's Town Centre, with a level crossing across on of the main streets of the town. The station did close in 1968, and reopened in 1987. Ardrossan Harbour Platforms: 1 The Terminus of the Ardrossan branch, Ardrossan Harbour is the newest of the three Ardrossan stations, having opened in 1987 to replace Ardrossan Winton Pier station. The primary purpose of the station is to connect to CalMac ferries to Brodick (Isle of Arran) and the summer-only Kintyre ferry to Campbeltown (started 2013). Train services are often scheduled to meet these. This is a similar trait to Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Largs. --------------------------------------------- (To Largs) West Kilbride Platforms: 1 West Kilbride station serves the village of the same name, and has 1 platform, and 2 tracks, with the old southbound platform being removed in 1985. The southbound track is used by freight trains today, and isn't electrified. Hunterston Terminal (Freight Track) Fairlie Platforms: 1 Serving the village of Fairlie, this station is similar to West Kilbride, with a removed platform on the southbound. This is to the north of the spur to Hunterston, and directly south of the 1,004yd (918m) Fairlie Tunnel. Largs Platforms: 2 Opened in 1885, Largs is the only station in the town, serving the town centre, and in walking distance to the ferry terminal. This serves as a terminus for the Largs Branch, seeing services to/from Glasgow Central. The station formerly had 4 platforms, but the 1987 electrification programme took this down to two. In 1995, a BR Class 318 EMU failed to stop, and crashed through the buffers, wiping out two shops and severely damaging the station building. Nobody died, however. In 2001, a small ticket office was put in to replace these, and in 2005 upgrades were made, which included a new station building. --------------------------------------------- Ayr Branch Irvine Platforms: 2 Located in the town of Irvine, and about 30mi from Glasgow Central, the station is one of the most modernised on the line, being upgraded when BR electrified and modernised the line. Barassie Platforms: 2 This station was opened in 1839, and used to have four operational platforms - two are noW disused. These platforms sent trains on a curve of track towards Kilmarnock, but British Rail pulled services from that curve. Troon Platforms: 2 Opened in 1892 and serving the town of Troon, the station here is the only station in the town, and a major station on the line, as this is where the Glasgow Southwestern Line meets the Ayrshire Coast Line. The station is about 0.8mi away from Troon's port, which has ferries to Larne, Northern Ireland. This station also suffered a damaging fire earlier this year. Prestwick International Airport Platforms: 2 Prestwick International Airport serves Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and is about 37 miles from Glasgow Central. This station is the only station in Scotland not operated by ScotRail or Network Rail (Lockerbie, despite not being served by ScotRail, is operated by them), instead operated by the airport (who are owned by the Scottish Government, who own Transport Scotland, who own Scotrail, so... Yeah.) It's also the only station in Scotland with direct connections to an airport. Prestwick Town Platforms: 2 Serving the town of Prestwick, Scotland, this station dates back to 1839, making it one of the oldest in the line. The station sees about 8tph (4 each way), so is very well served (a trait that numerous stations on this line), and also has limited Glasgow Southwestern Line services to/from Glasgow Central and Stranraer (sometimes ending at Ayr) Newton-on-Ayr Platforms: 2 This station has near enough nothing to talk about, sorry. Ayr Platforms: 4 (2 Bay Platforms) The Terminus of the Ayrshire Coast Line (the branch to Ayr), and a major station in the Stranraer branch of the Glasgow Southwestern Line, Ayr sees over 1.4 million passengers a year. (In a normal year) The station dates back to 1886, and has 4 Platforms (2 Bay Platforms - Ayrshire Coast Line, and 2 Through Platforms - Glasgow Southwestern Line), with the grand Station Hotel overlooking the station, although it is falling into disrepair. Rolling Stock Setting this in the Modern Day (probably 2019, early 2020), there would be one loco, that would be the BR Class 380. Also, the Class 314 could be brought on from Cathcart for some peak services, and also for the Inverclyde Line. Class 380 The Class 380 'Desiro' is the primary unit on the Ayrshire Coast and Inverclyde Lines, and can be found as far east as North Berwick, running services there. Originally built for the cancelled Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL), these units were put to good use, now being the exclusive (in usual times) loco on the Ayrshire Coast Line, and the main one in Inverclyde. This also has a (as far as I'm aware) unique feature for the UK Network - an angled Gangway on the front. There are 38 Trainsets, with 22 Three-Car 380/0 units, and 16 Four-Car 380/1 units. The introduction of these units reshaped the suburban network around Glasgow and Edinburgh, with the Class 334 being sent to the North Clyde Line, The Class 318 being sent to the Argyle line, and the Class 322 being sent to Northern Rail. The Entire Class 380 fleet is located at Shields Road Depot - which is alongside this line - and - for the game - would operate Inverclyde Line, Paisley Canal (AI), Ayrshire Coast Line services, as well as services out from Glasgow towards the WCML. Layers (On) Class 314 Spt livery made by me The Class 314 comes from Cathcart, and, as well as having ECS to/from Shields Depot be Driveable, would also have AI to both the Cathcart and Paisley Canal Line, as well as drivable Inverclyde Line (ends at Paisley) and Ayrshire Coast Line (peak only + rare) services. It would also be good to have the SPT Livery added, both for this and Cathcart, if such is possible. Class 66 The Class 66 - being the only modern freight loco we have at this time - could operate some Freight - although limited - up and down the Coast Line, which leaves the line around Shields Depot. Some AI (if possible) around the Cardonald area, for Deanside Intermodal, a freight area. (No point making it (the yard), however, as the train leaves the line very quickly. Railtours A limited service using Railtour layers (Glasgow - Ayr (for Stranraer), perhaps?) would also add to the route, considering it's about 40 miles from Glasgow Central to Ayr, it would make a good opportunity for a Railtour to stretch it's legs. Down The Line... If any other rolling stock - mainly the 156, for Troon - Ayr - that is appropriate could layer here for AI or Driveable services. Layers (Off) Cathcart Circle The Class 380 could see a layer onto Cathcart Circle, mostly for AI services, but also for peak services on the Circle, and on the branches, and would also be able to free up some 314s for 6-Car services. Services The Ayrshire Coast Line runs alongside the Inverclyde Line between Glasgow and Paisley, the Glasgow South-Western Line (which is diesel-operated) between Troon and Ayr, and others at Glasgow Central. This helps create a diverse timetable, here it is: Inverclyde Line 2tph • Glasgow Central - Gourock (Paisley Gilmour Street) Calls At: Paisley only (On map) Class 314 • Class 380 2tph • Glasgow Central - Gourock (Paisley Gilmour Street) Calls At: All Stops Class 314 • Class 380 1tph • Glasgow Central - Wemyss Bay (Paisley Gilmour Street) Calls At: Paisley only (On Map) Class 314 • Class 380 Ayrshire Coast Line Note: 314 subs on very limited amounts of Peak-time services. 2tph • Glasgow Central - Ayr Calls At: Kilwinning, Irvine, Barassie (1tph), Troon, Prestwick Int. Airport, Prestwick Town, Newton-On-Ayr (1tph), Ayr. Class 380 2tph • Glasgow Central - Ayr Calls At: All Stops (Except Cardonald, Hillington East, Hillington West) Class 380 1tph • Glasgow Central - Ardrossan Harbour Calls At: Paisley Gil. St, Johnstone, Dalry, Kilwinning, Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan South Beach, Ardrossan Town*, Ardrossan Harbour *Some evening services terminate at Ardrossan Town Class 380 1tph • Glasgow Central - Largs Calls At: Paisley Gil. St, Johnstone, Glengarnock, Kilwinning, Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan South Beach, West Kilbride, Fairlie, Largs. Class 380 I've excluded the Glasgow Southwestern Line's services, just due to a lack of stock, and AI from Glasgow - you can imagine how that goes. Scenarios Ayr Races Today is Ayr's Racing day, and ScotRail have assigned for some special services to take spectators to the event. Your task is to take this Special down to Ayr, Calling at Paisley Gilmour Street, Kilwinning, Irvine, Troon and Ayr. Expect Adverse Signals, as the line is busier than normal today. • Glasgow Central > Ayr • Class 380/0 + Class 380/1 (7 Cars) • Overcast | Summer Diverted Due to an Incident on the Inverclyde Line at Bishopton, some services have been diverted to Largs, for passengers to catch replacement buses north. You'll be going to and from Largs, calling at Cardonald, Hillington East, Hillington West, Paisley Gilmour Street, Kilwinning, and Ardrossan South Beach, where you'll wait for an oncoming diverted service as well. • Class 380/0 (3 Cars) • Glasgow Central > Largs • Light Snow | Winter To the Harbour! Hello Driver, on this beautiful Summer's day, you've been tasked to take this Service down to Ardrossan Harbour and back, calling at all regular stops. If you're delayed, however, those passengers will miss their ferry over to Arran. So don't be. • Glasgow Central > Ardrossan Harbour • Class 380/1 (4 Cars) • Clear | Summer Dreich Desiros Typical. Raining in Scotland. However, that doesn't stop you from taking these passengers down to Largs. Why do they want to go there? Who knows. Oh, you're also doing the Return. And the waves will most likely be coming over the Seawall at you at Saltcoats. • Glasgow Central > Largs > Glasgow Central • Class 380/0 (3 Cars) • Raining | Autumn Straight to the Sea It's a nice day today, and that's why you're operating this all stops service to Ayr. We've had reports of a Broken Down train on the Ardrossan/Largs branch, so you may be held up around Kilwinning due to a reversing service. • Glasgow Central > Ayr • Class 380/1 (4 Cars) • Clear (transitions to Light Rain) | Spring Other Features This route - like any other - would have it's Collectables and Mastery. What do I think these could be? Let's see. Collectables: Route Maps (30) - 1 At all stations - 1 extra at Ayr, Kilwinning, Paisley Gilmour St. and Glasgow Central. Posters (25) - Variety of the 'Nessie' posters from Cathcart, and one advocating for people to 'Visit the Clyde Coast' - 1 at all stations except Cardonald Newspapers (25) Restock Newspaper Stands. - 1 at every station except West Kilbride Replant 'Choo Choo' Flowerpot (20) Replant flowers and repair the woodwork on ScotRail's Choo Choo flowerpots. - 1 at every station except Hillington East, Lochwinnoch, West Kilbride, Paisley Gilmour Street, Newton-On-Ayr and Ardrossan Town. Mastery Decals could be representative of the Coastal towns, with things such as seagulls, palm trees and small ships. The Scenery Tile could be the P.S. Waverley - the last Ocean-Going Paddle Steamer, and could be located at Largs' Ferry Terminal (just a minute down from the station). The ability to walk down to the ferry terminal would also be a nice addition, as it would allow you to see the nice view across the Clyde to Cumbrae. Waves The line near Saltcoats is famous for Waves splashing over the Seawall and over the wires and trains. This would probably have to be included for either - when adverse conditions are chosen, or just for a Scenario. Either way, this does feel needed. Ferries Largs and Ardrossan Harbour are both located in close proximity - with Ardrossan Harbour being right next to the Ferries, which is huge here, so it's unavoidable - to Ferry terminals. So the ferries would be good additions. Also, Ardrossan Harbour station is surrounded by small private vessels, so they probably should be included. MV Caledonian Isles - Ardrossan (Harbour) - Brodick MV Loch Shira - Largs - Cumbrae Slip Conclusion In conclusion, I think this route is probably one of the best routes for Scotland, especially with a 380. It has a good variety of branches, fast services, slow services, and plenty of short services to/from the Inverclyde Line. I think this would be a good route for TSW, but that's just me. What do you think? Vote in the poll and leave a comment. Thanks for Reading.
Great suggestion with loads of detail as always. What would be the better route, Ayrshire Coast or the Inverclyde line?
Well, it depends on what you like. As an Inverclyder (I have done 0 checking to see if that's a term ) i'd say that it's the Inverclyde Line, however the Ayrshire Coast Line has it's positives. To compare them: Ayrshire Coast Line: + Variety of Services to Ayr, Ardrossan and Largs + About 58 Miles in total + Plenty of stations + Nice Countryside-ish scenery, with the Firth of Clyde coming into play at the coastal sections. - Scenery is lesser than the Inverclyde Line +/- Near enough just the 380 (that can be a good thing, but variety is always welcome) - Doesn't have a Wemyss Bay. Inverclyde Line: + Variety of Services with Fast and Slow, Wemyss Bay and Gourock +/- About 36 Miles (about 22 less than Ayr.) +/- 22 Stations (4 less than Ayr.) + Wonderful rural scenery, with the line running near cliffsides, the River Clyde, with excellent views over to Dunbartonshire and Argyll, with parts of the Highlands showing. + Scenery is probably better than Ayrshire. + Depending on when exactly it's set, this route could either have the 380, 318, 320 and either the 314 or 385 + Has a Wemyss Bay So I'd probably just about tip Inverclyde over Ayrshire, although there is a hint of bias in there. I think I said all there is to say
I would lean on the side of the Inverclyde line just because it seems a slightly more manageable size and has more rolling stock variety, but they're probably very close in 'feel' to each other that it could go either way. I've actually been to Largs in real life (albeit not by train) and the scenery is stunning. I've got a photo of MV Loch Shira somewhere too
Excellent idea and during 2019-2020 there should be class 385s running on this route. Entry date for them as 3 July 2018- 24 July 2018 and can be sold as a standard downloadable content for the route.
Thanks for telling me about this and besides Class 380 what other EMU can run The Ayrshire Coast Line?
Today- none. (Unless you count the Inverclyde Line between Paisley Gilmour Street and Glasgow) I'll give you a massive hint. See that original post up at the top? Yeah. There's your awnser... (This suggestion is set in ~2019)
Besides the 380s, the 156 goes between ayr and troon, turning off just before barassie, and freight services, before 2010 we had 318s and 334s before the 380 replaced them,
What an amazing suggestion. My favourite and my local route. I really hope this gets made and thank you for suggesting it