The "London Extention" (as the GCR was known as in 1899) was an Extention to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. Large Sections were closed in 1966 and the last stretch was between Nottingham and Rugby in 1969. The preserved Mainline (in Leicestershire) is 8 miles long and runs between Loughborough and Leicester. This Heritage railway is one of the only places to see Heritage traction pass eachother at speed. The Leicestershire GCR is home to 4 stations Loughborough Quorn & Woodhouse Rothley Leicester North Mountsorrel Branch The GCR is the only UK Heritage railway to have a Branchline. This branch line runs at 10 MPH and stops at: Nunckley Station Mountsorrel Leicester North Leicester North is the GCR's Terminus Station and the bits of the old station (Belgrave and Birstall) can still be seen e.g. the old walkway down to the platform but filled in. As you leave Rothley, the Double-Track railway ends and the continuation to Leicester North is Single-Track Rothley Rothley is another Terminus for the railway, for branchline trains, freight trains or Loco Exchanges. The Carriage and Wagon works is situated here and so is 2 Cafés (1 on the platform and 1 in the Carpark) also with a model railway and Parcles Office (I think). Swithland Sidings Swithland Sidings is a busy hive for the railway. The Mountsorrel Branch connects here, Swithland Reservoir is Adjacent to it and a place for slower trains to let faster trains pass. Nunckley Hill Nunckley Hill is an old Quarry turned into a Museum/Visitor Centre. This Also includes a narrow gauge loop. Mountsorrel This is the Terminus for the Mountsorrel Branch. Quorn & Woodhouse Quorn & Woodhouse is the busiest station on the GCR. Many demonstrations happen here and most events during galas are situated at this station. Loughborough Loughborough is the other Terminus to the GCR, the engine sheds are held here, with shops and Cafés and even a museum. Dining Services GCR Dining Services are vast in variety, with 10 (i think) dining Services: The Midlander The Rothley Rose The Master Cutler The Carolean Charnwood Forester The Elizabethan Murder Mystery Festive Service Sparkling Brunch Afternoon Tea The South Yorkshireman Most, if not all, of these services consist of the GCR Cromwell Pullman Coaches. TPO (Travelling Post Office) The TPO is one the GCR's most thrilling trains, as this is permitted to travel 45 MPH, this is the only Heritage Railway permitted a higher speed (then 25 MPH) in the UK (this is also useful for high speed testing e.g. Tornado), the demonstration consists of a collection and drop off of post at Quorn & Woodhouse at 45 MPH. Locomotives Choosing Locos for this route was sort of different. This was because of the year I suggest it would be set between 2014-2019. BR Standard 7 70013 The BR Standard 7, the first class of BR Standards and only 2 are preserved. Allegedly capable of 100 MPH. LMS 3F Jinty 47406 These could reach speeds of 60 MPH. Used for passenger and freight work in their later years but used for Freight only in their early years. I think these 2 would give a unique and diverse experience. I also think the BR Class 101 could be beneficial to the route. I think some other Locos that our iconic to the railway that could come as DLC are BR Standard 9 92214 BR Standard 2 78018 78019 I think the 8F would also layer onto the route as 48305 or 48624 Timetable I think the best timetable to work with this route is the Railways At Work Gala, where you can re-live the past with steam and diesel traction End Note I think that this could revive steam and act as a starter route for new players wanting to get into steam
Good shout but even better IMHO would be a crack at the Great Central in the late 50’s. Maybe Woodford Halse to Annesley which could feature the iconic Catesby Tunnel and the crack Windcutter express freight runs. 9F absolutely mandatory.
I agree, we need GCR in 50s in TSW, but in my opinion, I think a Preserved GCR should also be included in TSW. The preserved railway is unique and has its own quirks like the WSR. But a GCR in the 50s would probably serve better for a route, and maybe something more then a 9F because we only have 1 LNER locomotive (in preserved condition), don't get me wrong a 9F should 110% come with a GCR in the 50s but I also think maybe Peppercorn's A1 or Thompson's B1, I also think Robinson's 8k would come to TSW if we had a route in the 50s, and layers like Stainer's 8F. I'd honestly be shocked if DTG or any Third party developer hasn't considered the GCR (preserved or not) to be implemented into TSW, its such an iconic line, places like the Woodhead Line and Catesby Tunnel, same goes for Settle-Carlisle.
