Route Tsw 4 Route Suggestion: Airedale And Wharfedale Lines (west Yorkshire)

Hello and welcome to my TSW 4 route suggestion, the Airedale and Wharfedale lines. While this route has been suggested before, as a local to the line I thought I'd try and reinforce the idea of this route and the gameplay it would have to offer to the player.

The Airedale and Wharfedale lines constitute a vital commuter network in West Yorkshire, standing out as one of the few electrified Northern lines in the region (the other being the Leeds to Doncaster line). Boasting numerous services, this route accelerates to a top speed of 90mph, ensuring swift and efficient transportation. Spanning a length of 43 miles, inclusive of the Neville Hill Depot, thisroute promises a blend of convenience and scenic beauty. In my suggestion, I will be talking about three main points: The route itself, traction/diversity in the timetable, and why it could be an incredibly easy route for DTG to implement.

The Route:


The route map, shown above, gives a good idea of the Airedale line. The main bit going from Leeds to Skipton and a few spur offs going to Bradford and Ilkley. This would be ideal for a busy commuter feel, as we have already seen with the "Rush Hour" routes introduced a few years ago. This line does get very busy around the rush hours so it would offer a fun timetable for the player with very little "hanging around time", often experienced on a lot of other routes such as NTP.
The lines going to Ilkley and Bradford offer a wealth of services, not just a single Leeds to Skipton route that the player could get bored of easily. There are also two depots on the line, Leeds Neville hill and Skipton Broughton road C.S.. Neville Hill being the major one and Broughton Road (not a depot as such) just for storing trains.
The preserved Keighley and Worth Valley Railway also joins in at Keighley, I'm not suggesting this must be included, as I think that would be asking for a bit too much, however layered services (utilising steam locos such as the Jubilee and 4F) could be good to see even if they are just running round at Keighley.

Traction and Timetable:
As this route would ideally be created in modern day (owing to DTG already creating a route with Northern branding), the Northern Class 333s and 331s would be good to see, as well as it would probably be easier for DTG to go out and collect data from the route in the present day, rather than relying on photos from possibly around 20 years ago - anyway, traction:

Class 333:

The Class 333 mainly operates the Leeds - Skipton, Bradford and Ilkley services and has done so for around the past 20 years, a kind of "Work Horse" for this line and were built specifically for the Airedale.

Class 331:

The Class 331, relatively new to this line, also works the same services as the class 333 as well as working services to Doncaster. Both the Class 331 and 333 would have to be new models as there currently isn't either of them in the sim which could be layered over. Two brand new EMUs for a route could be a big ask, however the route could be set a few years ago before 331s came into service.

Class 158:

On the Airedale, the Class 158 works services mainly to Morecambe, Lancaster and Carlisle, not so much on the Skipton, Ilkley and Bradford services, due to those lines being fully electrified. As we already have this unit, it could be layered in from the MML mainly only needing a repaint.

Class 66:

The Class 66 is used by two operators on the Airedale line: GBRf and DB Schenker (which we already have in TSW 4). DB Working the gypsum trains up to Kirkby Thore and GBRf working the stone trains to Ribblehead, Arcow Quarry and Rylstone Tilcon (only a few miles up from Skipton which could be easy to add into the route for some industrial fun). Again, the 66 could easily be layered in along with the JHA wagons from SEHS.

LNER Class 800 IET:

LNER operate 12 services on the Airedale network, (Skipton - Kings X and back, Bradford to Kings X and back) along with Neville Hill ECS' to both Skipton and Bradford, morning and night. We already have the LNER 800 included with ECML Doncaster - Peterborough so could be layered in easily.

Seasonal railtours for Timetable mode and ECS moves:

Railtours:
The Airedale line sees three main railtours throughout the summer months operated by WCRC: The Scarborough Spa express, The Dalesman & The Waverley all three operating on the Leeds to Skipton section. Already having two locos that operate railtours on this line in the sim (Flying Scotsman and Jubilee Leander) it would make perfect sense to include these locomotives for a more diverse experience, not just EMU commuter 'Stop/Start' nonsense.

ECS moves and light loco moves
The Airedale line being in the firing zone of WCRC Carnforth, as well as railtours, diesel ECS' are also operated on the Skipton to Leeds section being a haven for loco hauled action as well as light loco moves heading to York NRM. Not to be forgotten is the KWVR sometimes having visiting loco motives that require movement by rail, either from Carnforth or York with crews often having to be 'on their toes' as they navigate this busy network.

Why I think the Airedale and Wharfedale network should be in TSW 4:
Having spotted, photted and commuted on this route all throughout my life, I have always seen potential for the line to be in some form of simulator. However often with TS Classic it was a 'chicken and the egg' case (no one wanting to build a Class 333 as there was no route and vice versa). On the other hand, with TSW 4 looking ever more promising than other Train Sim World's and DTG having already built an EMU commuter route with a completely new unit and operator (Glossop line, Birmingham Cross City and the Class 323), I don't see why this route couldn't be implemented.
The player is offered a range of services from; realisitc Railtours, freight, express trains (LNER Azumas), and busy commuter.
As I think it was said on the other post regarding the Airedale for TSW 3, OP said how they are "pretty sure DTG already have a liscence for Northern" (and so am I!)

Anyway, thank you for reading and let me know what you think about this route in the comments below:
Cheers!

 

Great suggestion mate, this would be a lovely network to get into TSW.

 

Yes please
Fishbowls are goated

Then we'd have to have a thrashy 321 or 322 which I would still love

 

Sorry, you what?

 

I really must ask the wife to get me an urban slang thesaurus for Xmas!

But yes good suggestion, something different though as always I would prefer a slightly earlier era.

 

333s are the best

 

Yes, I may get my mrs onto that one too! Even google just showed me a picture of an animal when I searched for it this time.

Thanks, though what on earth does that have to do with goats?

 

goat just stands for greatest of all time now

 

I've lived on this line for my whole life and will do, I'm planning to work on these trains for northern aswell in the future. I'd adore to see this route be added I wouldn't be away from my xbox and controller for months! Also gives me a chance to see what to do for it! I'd very much reccomend adding it. For the KWVR it's quite short from Keighley to Oxenhope. I'd love it as an add on running in a 144 on that little line. DTG PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING THIS ROUTE PLEASE!!

 

This would be a nice network-style route in TSW, similar in a way to routes like Cathcart Circle or Glossop Line before them, Northern needs represented more in game, and this route would be a perfect way to do so!

 

This is a superb, well-thought-out suggestion that makes the most of the TSW style. Critically, it makes use of several stopping patterns and locos, and networked routes are generally more interesting anyway.

If it had to be a choice, I would rather see the Class 331 over the 333 as it would be easier to make more use of the 331 in future routes, including potentially adapting it into a 195 for future Northern diesel routes. The CAF units will soon be staples of the Northern network so we should get them in-game ASAP. If this were the case, I'd still like to see the 333 as follow-up DLC that can sub in for the 331.

If it were at all feasible to include the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, it's not only a totally different mini sub-route that would never get built by itself, but also an interesting potential destination for a railtour. It could make good use of the Jubilee, 8F, 4F and indeed the 101 DMU and Class 08, so no need to introduce any new rolling stock for it. The gameplay value added to the route would be far beyond the few miles of track and scenery alone.

I believe this could be a proper flagship route for TSW4 if done correctly, and currently stands as one of the best suggestions I've seen in some time.

 

Would absolutely love to see a 91 on here too, ai leaving Leeds going off the map, but also playable ecs moves to Neville Hill.

Just having a look at the diagrams - seems they also sometimes run 91s to Skipton. Could be another playable option

 

Yep they do run 91s down from skipton and Leeds. It's very rare though.. I remembering one pass down by bingley a month ago or smth..

 

No I wouldn't choose the 331 over the 333. The class 333 has been the main trains on this route for year. The 331s only do runs because there's on 16 units of the class 333. It's mostly class 333s running but both should be added.

 

As I said the class 333 only has 16 units but has been the main trains since they were released by northern (2001). Both trains should be included but the class 333 will do most the runs.

 

AGREED!

 

Given this is the home route of the 333s, it has to include them.

The 331s can come with another route.

 

Also agree it should include the Class 333. Although limited in reuse, it's the train most associated with this route and is very distinctive looking, which to me at least, gives it a special appeal that the Class 331 does not.

The Class 158 should be featured as a second train instead of just layering on, ideally with the addition of the intermediate non-driving car to make the 3-car configuration operated by Northern. Should be achievable given they already have a Class 158 with the correct engine type from Midland Main Line to work from.

 

Also saying the class 333s are an add on show you clearly don't know the history of the route.

 

The class 333s can clearly be told as an older version and we'll know because of this iconic livery

 

I loved that livery so much

 

its actually fairly common, you can see probably 3 or 4 225s working london to bradford forster square or skipton over a week

 

It's not as much as normal services tho.

 

Ikr amazing. The livery was iconic and the best northern had

 

If only they kept it as that but bc of the rebrand they couldn't

 

OMG THE 322S WERE AMAZING YES! WE NEED THAT. THIS ROUTE NEEDS BACK DATING!

 

This line is beautiful, I would take it immediately without thinking

 

Yes.. Absolutely. I would get it straight away. Its my local line. I've always wanted it on tsw

 

Excellent idea overall speaking of the Northern Rail 158 the game sees it as the same as MML 158. I wonder if Northern Rail run 150/2s if Yes then Northern Rail 150/2 counts for Cornish Main Line achievement version and combine with 158 Northern Rail. Class 800 needs to have the working diesel engine although you have a sluggish acceleration like an 801 in diesel

 

Northern do run 150/2s. They form the stopping service on my local route.

 

150/2s don't run on the airedale/wharfedale line.

 

Not on the line we're talking about. There's only 158s doing sprinter services

 

Ok then and speaking of the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines this can merge with a requested TSC Route that must appear in TSW 4 the Settle to Carlisle Railway line. If merged the Leeds to Carlisle Line via Airedale Valley.

 

That's what I've been thinking but it might be too long

 

Wow this suggestion has gone dead lol

 

I will revive
I have an airedale and wharfedale lines suggestion too lol

 

We all need to make one to keep it alive lol

 

yupp

 

with regards to 225 workings on the airedale, none go to bradford fsq any more, it's only one set on a weekday morning on the skipton to KGX working, as can be viewed here:

 

I checked realtime trains to see the LNER allocations at bradford fs and there was no 225s in the past week so yes that must be the case.

 

This route is my local line! I'm wanting the 333 (my favourite train for sure!) It's very possible now tsw4 is out and honestly I will be very excited if it happens! DTG I do reccomend doing this. Worth every penny!

 

WOW! Triple 3 . I love this route, even though I've never had the chance to see it Irl. 333 and 158 would be perfect!
I think it's time to bring more Northern content. DTG, you have the license, what are you waiting for?

 

EXACTLY

 

This would be a great network I would like to see in the game. Have used the 333s a few times and they are lovely things so would love to be able to drive them.

 

Really like this suggestion. Plenty of variation on the route in the form of traction and services. As a long shot, would be cool to include the line to Harrogate and build a commuter network out of Leeds to some key destinations such as detailed above.

 

The 333 can also be used for 332s for GWE.. They may do nothing but would still be good.

 

But yes, I dont know how many times I've probally said this but it's the perfect line for TSW4.

 

NOW THATS THE ATITUDE I WANT!

 

This route I tell you is perfect, I've been saying loads, I want DTG to get attention of it to do it. That's why I'm trying to keep it at top. It is a good amount of miles, amazing trains, amazing places such as keighley and around bingley and crossflatts for the five rise locks. I want dtg to consider exploring this route more and actually doing it!

 

We could also backdate it to around 2019 just about when the pacers were a point of retirement, we could have scenario For the 142 on its Final run from Leeds to Skipton.
Also if we backdate it not only we get a new model of the 142 we also get the 322. This could make more routes in the future way better and having the 322 will be better in this. It also comes with the old serco and abellio livery. All trains will be in it.