Route: Rugby to Manchester Piccadilly (West Coast Main Line) The Rugby to Manchester Piccadilly route is a prominent railway line that forms part of the West Coast Main Line (WCML) in England. It covers a distance of approximately 108 miles (174 kilometers) and offers a diverse and exciting experience for train enthusiasts. Here's a brief overview of the route's history, key features, and some trivia that would make it an interesting addition to the Train Sim World 3. History: The West Coast Main Line has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The section between Rugby and Manchester Piccadilly was opened in stages, with the final link being completed in 1842. The line played a vital role in connecting the industrial heartlands of the Midlands and the North with London and has since become one of the busiest and most important railway routes in the UK. Key Features: Scenic Landscapes: The route offers a diverse range of landscapes, starting with the picturesque countryside around Rugby and gradually transitioning into more urban environments as it approaches Manchester Piccadilly. Iconic Stations: Along the way, the route passes through several significant stations, including Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, and Stockport. Each station has its unique architectural style and historical importance. Challenging Terrain: The route features varying gradients and curves, especially in the hilly regions near the Peak District. This provides an exciting challenge for players to navigate and manage their trains efficiently. High-Speed Sections: The WCML is renowned for its high-speed capabilities, and this route offers sections where trains can reach their maximum speeds. This allows players to experience the thrill of operating high-speed trains and maintaining precise schedules. Trivia: The Rugby to Manchester Piccadilly route was electrified in the early 1960s as part of the modernization efforts on the WCML. This allowed for faster and more efficient train operations. The route passes through the Trent Valley, an area known for its beautiful countryside and the River Trent. Players can enjoy the scenic views as they traverse this picturesque landscape. Manchester Piccadilly is one of the busiest railway stations in the UK, serving as a major transport hub for both local and long-distance trains. Its bustling atmosphere and unique architectural design make it an interesting destination on the route. The WCML has witnessed various locomotive types over the years, from steam engines to modern electric and diesel trains. Players can explore this historical evolution by operating different locomotives on the route. Incorporating the Rugby to Manchester Piccadilly route into Train Sim World 3 would provide players with an immersive experience encompassing both historical significance and contemporary rail operations. The diverse landscapes, challenging terrain, and iconic stations make it an excellent choice for those seeking an engaging and realistic train simulation. Stations on the line include (Rugby-Stafford have been covered in previous suggestions linked here - https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/trent-valley-line.69317/) Stone Stone Station is a railway station located in the town of Stone, Staffordshire, England. It is situated on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent Stoke on Trent Stoke-on-Trent Station, also known as Stoke Station, is a significant railway station located in the city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England. It serves as a vital transport hub connecting Stoke-on-Trent with various destinations across the country. Here's some information about Stoke-on-Trent Station: History: Stoke-on-Trent Station has a rich history dating back to its opening in 1848 as part of the North Staffordshire Railway. Over the years, the station has undergone renovations and improvements to accommodate the increasing demand for rail travel. Today, it stands as an important landmark in the city, serving both local commuters and long-distance travelers. Location and Features: Stoke-on-Trent Station is centrally located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. It is situated on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and provides regular train services to destinations such as London Euston, Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street, and many others. The station has multiple platforms to handle the high volume of train traffic passing through. Facilities and Amenities: Stoke-on-Trent Station offers a range of facilities and amenities to enhance the passenger experience. These may include ticketing facilities, waiting areas, restrooms, shops, cafes, and accessibility features such as ramps and lifts for passengers with reduced mobility. The station's facilities cater to the needs of both local commuters and travelers passing through Stoke-on-Trent. Significance: Stoke-on-Trent Station holds significance as a major transport gateway for Stoke-on-Trent, a city renowned for its pottery and industrial heritage. The station plays a vital role in facilitating both business and leisure travel, connecting residents to other cities and offering visitors convenient access to Stoke-on-Trent's cultural and historical attractions. Surrounding Area: Stoke-on-Trent boasts a rich cultural heritage and is often referred to as the "Potteries." Visitors to the city can explore various pottery museums and galleries, including the famous Wedgwood Museum and the Gladstone Pottery Museum. Stoke-on-Trent is also known for its creative arts scene, with numerous artists and designers based in the area. The city is surrounded by picturesque Staffordshire countryside, offering opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and canal boat trips along the Trent and Mersey Canal. Visitors can also enjoy the serene beauty of Trentham Gardens, a stunning landscaped garden and parkland. Train Sim World 3: Including Stoke-on-Trent Station in Train Sim World 3 would provide players with the chance to experience the bustling atmosphere and operations of this important railway hub. The station's location on the West Coast Main Line would offer diverse scenarios and routes, allowing players to explore both local and long-distance services. Longport Longport is a railway station located in Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Situated on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). Kidsgrove Kidsgrove Station is situated in the town of Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. It is located on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and provides rail services for both commuters and leisure travelers. The station has multiple platforms, allowing for trains traveling in different directions to stop and pick up passengers. Congleton Congleton Station is situated in the town of Congleton, Cheshire. It is located on the Stafford to Manchester branch of the West Coast Main Line (WCML). Macclesfield This is the first calling point after stafford for most avanti west coast services and cross country services that serve here. it’s located in the county of Cheshire. It is located on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and offers regular train services to destinations such as Manchester Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, and London Euston as well as cross country services to the midlands and south west Pretbury Pretbury is a small village located in Cheshire, near the town of Macclesfield. It has its own railway station and is served by northern on the WCML between Stafford and Manchester Adlington: Adlington is a village situated in Lancashire, near the border with Cheshire. The primary railway station serving Adlington is Adlington (Lancs) Station, which is located on the Manchester to Preston Line. It offers regular train services to destinations such as Manchester Piccadilly, Bolton, and Preston Poynton: Poynton is a town located in Cheshire, situated between Stockport and Macclesfield. The town is served by Poynton Station, which is on the Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent Line. Poynton Station provides train services to Manchester Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, and other local destinations. Bramhall: Bramhall is a suburb located in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The area is served by Bramhall Station, which is on the West Coast Main Line. Bramhall Station offers regular train services to destinations such as Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, and Crewe. It is a convenient transport link for both commuters and leisure travelers in the area. Cheadle Hulme Cheadle Hulme Station is situated in the heart of Cheadle Hulme, a thriving suburb located approximately 8 miles south of Manchester city center. The station is on the West Coast Main Line and offers regular train services to destinations such as Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, Crewe, and London Euston. Stockport Stockport Station is situated in the heart of Stockport, approximately 7 miles southeast of Manchester city center. The station is on the West Coast Main Line and provides rail services to destinations such as Manchester Piccadilly, London Euston, Birmingham New Street, and beyond. It has multiple platforms and is equipped with modern facilities to cater to the needs of passengers. Levenshulme: Levenshulme is a diverse and vibrant suburb situated approximately 4 miles southeast of Manchester city center. Levenshulme Station is located on the Manchester to Stockport Line, offering regular train services to Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, and other local destinations. The Heaton Chapel Heaton Chapel is a residential suburb situated approximately 4 miles east of Manchester city center. Heaton Chapel Station is located on the Stockport to Manchester Line, offering regular train services to Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, and other local destinations. Manchester Piccadilly Manchester Piccadilly is the main railway station in Manchester, England. It is located in the city center and serves as a major transportation hub for the region. The station is operated by Network Rail and is one of the busiest railway stations in the United Kingdom outside of London. Manchester Piccadilly offers a wide range of train services, including both long-distance and local routes. It connects Manchester to various destinations across the country, including London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, and many others. The station is served by several train operators, including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern, TransPennine Express, and East Midlands Railway. Trains Class 390 Pendolino Class 350 Class 323 Class 220
DLC Class 730 & 805/807 (WCML Modern Loco Pack) DLC 2 (Wcml heritage) : Class 87, Class 90, Class 86 and APT
And anything more than a 30 or 40 mile section probably outside DTG's current route building capacity.
and the 319 and it would be so so so cool, but anyways amazing suggestion, i will definitely buy this in tsw3 if it was made
Well no cuz accoring to my past sources they can go up to about 250 miles (on the map) until they no longer can. Which basically means we could get London - Exeter at some point or something.
What is technically feasible and what they are prepared to do cost vs revenue wise is two different things. Kassel to Wurzburg only came about because most of it is in tunnel or passes through empty countryside, with only three stations. London to Brighton is the longest UK route and we haven’t seen anything like it since. Peak Forest is not even 40 miles and doesn’t go even to Derby. The forthcoming Manchester to Glossop route is less than 20 miles. So much as I would like to see it, anyone who thinks we would get a large section of the WCML or any other UK main line is living in cloud cuckoo land.
Would love to see some of the WCML but wouldn't Rugby be an odd place start as a lot of trains don't stop there?
Well that didn’t stop them using Ambergate as the end point on PFR, taking the simple expedient of terminating or starting any trains not booked to call there at Matlock!
Well true, my tongue was in my cheek when I typed it. Certainly the southern end of the WCML is tricky for them unless they make it a 100 mile route. Milton Keynes whilst I suppose being a fairly major stop isn't really that far out of London.
would suggest it to london, but that’s totally unrealistic, would work in a New York - Trenton style where most acelas don’t stop at trenton but because that’s the limit everything would stop at rugby until a possible future extension
the southern end of the wcml (London - Rugby) which is 80 miles, 30 stations (excluding the northampton loop)
you aren’t really wrong, was kind of expecting a few more 70+ mile uk routes but we haven’t gotten that yet
Bring it on and for the APT WCML Midlands retro dlc pack it needs to have C-APT enabled for 155 mph ops.
I don't see the excitement with the APT personally. I'd prefer them spend the time creating stock which was a regular part of the WCML at the time not something which was a flash in the pan. Certainly as an extra DLC it would be nice but I wouldn't want it as part of a base package.
