Hello everyone. It's me Peter again and this time. I would like to propose some 1980's Locomotive Packs that would be compatible with the 1980's British Rail era routes that Just Trains have released as well as upcoming released routes. Such as the Preston to Blackpool, Preston to Carlisle and the upcoming Crewe to Preston routes that have been made publicly known. We have the follow locomotives already in the TSW game that are the Class 37, Class 20, Class 31, Class 47, Class 45, Class 87 and the Class 08 and these fit bang right into 1986 that these routes are mainly based around that year. However I cannot help to notice there is a lack of other passenger trains and freight locomotives missing that would fit right into 1986 in the heart of the BR era of the 1980's. Here I am going to propose the following Locomotive and Train Packs and here is my reasons why Just Trains should strongly consider adding these. Class 50, The Class 50's were used on the Cross Country services in the 1980's but could also be spotted on freights from time to time as well. A Class 50 with Mk2e's would be a viable asset to add into the timetable workings and would fit all three routes from 1986 either drivable or as AI traffic layers. Class 56, Built between 1976 to 1982, The Class 56 was at the time, British Rail's most powerful freight locomotive long before the Class 60's were even thought of. They would have typically been seen dominating coal MGR trains, Tankers, Intermodal Container Trains and most bulk freight trains. The Class 56 from BR Blue to BR Railfreight including red stripe livery would also make for a viable locomotive add-on pack that would be compatible with the timetables for freight workings on the WCML. Class 43 Valenta HST passenger train pack. Now hear me out on this before yelling at me that the HST already exists for TSW, yes I am aware of this but only the Class 43 HST with the newer MTU and the VP185 power units currently exist in the game and there is currently NO Paxman Valenta Class 43 HST pack available for TSW 6 and this would have been present in the 1986 timetable in the original BR Blue/Grey and the then new Intercity Executive livery Phase 1 (1984-1986) and Phase 2 (1985-1987) livery that would have worked by 2=7 Cross-Country Intercity HST's at the time. Such as the Birmingham New Street to Blackpool North and the Penzance to Aberdeen services in 1986. In light of this and as the HST is a popular passenger train that served the mainlines in the UK for over 40 years. This one should be definitely be considered for these 1986 routes. Class 150/1, The Class 150/1 that was built new in 1985 would have been the newest second-gen DMU built for British Rail and some were in use in these areas in 1986 although a bulk of them were used mainly in the midlands. Some Class 150/1's would have been used on the Blackpool North to Manchester via Preston and Wigan North Western that would make this one another viable pack for these routes. The Class 150/2's would have been too new for these routes as they were built in 1986/1987. I would have also proposed the Class 58 as they were built in a batch of 50 between 1983 and 1986 but I am not clear of if they would have operated on this part of the WCML in 1986 although I have been photos of the Class 58's working on non-MGR trains like tankers and intermodals in the late 1980's onwards at times but they were regulars on the MGR HAA/HEA hopper wagons. These packs would complete the missing pieces of the 1986 timetable for those three routes produced by Just Trains and maybe for the Class 50 and the Class 56 packs, maybe a charity pack could also be considered where some of the funds could go to the preservation groups to keep those preserved examples working. It would be a win-win situation for all. As for the Valenta Class 43 HST, I am sure the 125Group would be able to assist with the sounds and photos for the Valenta HST pack Just my thoughts.
A few of us have suggested something like this, could be done with steam too as there is quite a bit missing that people regularly ask for
The Class 50 "Hoovers", Class 56s, and Class 58 "Bones" would be my three choices. More British freight locos are needed, and the Class 50 would be a great loco for modern railtour as several have been preserved.
Also a Sulzer Type 2. Class 25 would be at home on several classic routes though personally I would love to see a Class 26 and get its own route.
Just as an update to my original post. Now we are getting WCML Trent Valley as well as WCML Crewe to Preston and I assume the Trent Valley route will also be set in the 1980's. Now there is next to no excuse for a Class 50, Class 56 and a Class 43 Valenta HST pack for JustTrains to consider adding these as either in the latter route or as standalone locomotive/train packs with layers to the timetables to add to the experiences. As for the Class 25's, would they have worked on those parts of the WCML in 1986? I cannot remember ever seeing them as a 6 year old in that year unlike the Class 20's, Peaks, Class 47's and Class 37's etc. I know 1986 was 40 years ago now but I know the Class 50's often stray from their beaten path at Laira and would be seen on the Cross Country intercity services alongside Class 47's and HST's. Either way, I am excited to see what happens next for the WCML route portions as well as these train packs. As for sounds, I am sure Just Trains and Armstrong Powerhouse could collaborate together if the conditions are viable. Should DTG have other commitments with other eras, routes, countries and other trains.
Trent Valley sadly is built by AABS not JT so modern(ish) day, same era as their Birmingham to Crewe. So Desiro, Pendolino and AT300 hell for those of us who wanted to rag an AC 81 - 87 or a Class 304/310 along there.
I don’t think class 50s ever ran on the WCML past the mid 70s once electrification made it to Scotland. And 43s only made short trips where the cross country route merged. For those two a GWML route would be more fitting, stick it in 88’ and you’d get some nice NSE colours too. https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/gwml-reading-to-bristol-tm-1988.92794/#post-1022737 My personal roster list for the current JT wcml action would be a 25, an updated blue 37, 58s for the coal action, a 304 for the EMUs around crewe and finally some mk3 sleeper wagons.
