Uk Freight Route: Yorkshire And Nottinghamshire

Hey!

So here is a suggestion for something a little different, maybe a little obscure, but something that is unlike any other DLC we've ever had, and while a long shot this is a route that could add something very unique, rather different and overall a really enjoyable and new driving experience.

The Route:

Harworth Colliery - Maltby Colliery - Shireoaks - Worksop - Retford - Cottam Power Station - West Burton Power Station - Gainsborough Lea Road




The Services:

Freight:

Multiple services per day, in both directions, between:

Harworth Colliery - Cottam Power Station
Harworth Colliery - West Burton Power Station
Maltby Colliery - Cottam Power Station
Maltby Colliery - West Burton Power Station

Passenger:

Minimum of one train per hour, in both directions, between:

Shireoaks - Gainsborough Lea Road (calling at: Worksop & Retford)


Landmarks:

Harworth Colliery:




Maltby Colliery:




West Burton & Cottam Power Stations:






Worksop Station:



Retford Low Level Station:



Retford Low Level Station (with the ECML line at Retford above):


Gainsborough Lea Road:


Brookhouse Viaduct:




Trains Included:

Class 66 (in either EWS livery, Freightliner livery, or both - for all freight services)

Class 66 seen here on the Harworth Colliery Branch leaving Harworth Colliery:


ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING: Class 170, Class 158, Class 150, Class 142 (in Northern Rail livery - for driveable passenger services)
Class 158 (in current East Midlands livery - for AI services at Worksop)
Class 801 (in current LNER livery - for AI services at Retford High Level Station)


Video of trains at Maltby (with LOTS OF VARIETY!):





Cab ride view of the single line:




Freight Train passing Retford Low Level from Maltby Colliery to West Burton Power Station:




Freight Train on the hilly single line section of the South Yorkshire Joint Line at Brookhouse Viaduct:





So overall, this would be the first ever DLC for the game that has a primary focus on UK freight operations, with passenger services added too as secondary.

The main aim of the route is to deliver coal from Harworth and Maltby Collieries, to the Power Stations at West Burton and Cottam, and driving those trains back empty again.

The passenger services would me made up of Sheffield to Lincoln Northern Rail services (playable here between Shireoaks and Gainsborough Lea Road), and there would be hourly AI services at Worksop (Class 158 EMR) and a complete AI set of services on the ECML at Retford (in the same way there is ECML AI present on the Suffragette line)


Why this route? Well on the surface it may seem a little niche, but it actually not only has something for everyone, but actually diversifies the game by creating the very first UK route that has a primary focus on freight.

There are single line and double line operatons, quiet scenic countryside and busy mainline running where the route is shared between freight and passenger operations.

The route would be set in the recent history (2000's to late 2010's), and although there is a slight time difference between this route at it's 21st century peak and the Class 801 Azuma's being in play, i see no harm in combining the two to create a busier route.

Both Maltby Colliery and Harworth Colliery are now closed (the line remains open at Maltby for through freight services to this day, whereas the Harworth branch is now completely ripped up)

Cottam Power station closed a few years ago (the tracks are still present but it is quickly being reclaimed by nature!) and West Burton closed relatively recenty

However before then, this route was a major player in coal freight in the region, and seeing it represented in TSW in its former glory could be a really welcome addition to the game.

Whilst this route being created is a total long shot, maybe just maybe it could one day become a reality! DTG JD DTG Harry DTG Alex LucaZone JT Benedict

Katia

 

This might be the perfect route to introduce a Class 60, 69, or 70 to the game.

 

Or a 56!

 

i'd definitely be happy with this route being set in a slightly older era to accomodate these new traction types, for me this route is such a unique opportunity to really focus on UK freight (with passenger services still present of course) that it would work really well with these older style freight locos.

also by setting it in that era, the passenger services between Shireoaks and Gainsborough Lea Road can be operated by the Class 142 pacer, which obviously we already have in game thanks to BPO and would be a good excuse to involve the pacer in a new route!