Dovetail Games West Coast Main Line: Crewe - Preston - Out 18th June!

Discussion in 'Dovetail Live Article Discussion' started by DTG Jamie, Jun 11, 2026 at 2:12 PM.

  1. DTG Jamie

    DTG Jamie Community Manager Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2020
    Messages:
    2,190
    Likes Received:
    7,248


    Get ready to transport yourself back to the bustling 1980s railway scene with Just Trains' latest add-on for Train Sim World 6 - West Coast Main Line: Crewe - Preston. Coming 18th June!

    [​IMG]

    Developed by Just Trains
    Following on from West Coast Main Line: Preston - Carlisle and Blackpool Branches: Preston - Blackpool & Ormskirk add-ons, Just Trains' West Coast Main Line: Crewe - Preston promises to be another cracker. With period accurate 1980s signage and stations and the option to drive both the electric and non-electrified you can sink your teeth into a route that is well over 60 miles in length!

    [​IMG]

    Just Trains also have a in-depth development update on their own website that you can find here as well as a rather cool timelapse video showing off the timetable included in the route! You can check that out here:



    The Route
    WCML CP Release Map JT.jpg

    Set in 1986, the Crewe-Preston add-on covers one of the UK's busiest rail corridors. Starting at Crewe, furnished with yards, depots, carriage sidings, and the famous Crewe Works, the road heads north through Warrington and Wigan to Preston. Beyond the main line, dedicated freight branches serve Haaydock Park, Fiddler's Ferry power station, Bickershaw Colliery, and Deepdale, each adding some truly amazing and distinct operations variety.

    [​IMG]

    The route is jam picked to the gills with period-accurate detail: four-track running on key sections, busy TMDs at Crewe and Wigan Springs Branch, freight loops and marshalling yards throughout, and a timetable full of light engine movement, MGR coal trains, Speedlink freight, and high-speed expresses. Cool points of interest include Dutton Viaduct, the Acton Grange girder bridge spanning the Manchester Ship Canal, and Crewe's 1985 remodelled station allowed trains to exit at up to 60 mph!

    The Rolling Stock
    BR Class 86/4
    [​IMG]

    Born out of the mid-1960s drive to electrify Britain's most important main line, the Class 86 was no prototype experiment. BREL built a hundred of them, making it British Rail's first serious commitment to electric traction at scale. For decades these machines were the backbone of the West Coast Main Line, hauling everything from crack expresses to heavy freight beneath the wires.

    BR Class 47/3
    [​IMG]

    If one locomotive defined the diesel age on British railways, it's the Class 47. Brush Traction's Falcon Works and Crewe turned out 512 of the things, enough to make it the most numerous main line diesel Britain ever saw. Versatile, dependable, and seemingly indestructible, the "Brush Type 4" has hauled passenger expresses, freight, and parcels trains for over six decades, and a stubborn number refuse to die, still turning up on the main line, heritage railways, and even reborn as Class 57s from 1998 onwards.

    BR Class 20
    [​IMG]

    Stubby, purposeful, and unlike anything else on the network, the Class 20 has always looked like it meant business. With its cab perched at one end and its nose riding heavy, it cut an immediately recognisable silhouette from the earliest days of dieselisation. It was never the biggest or the fastest, but it proved phenomenally tough, outlasting countless more modern designs and still appearing on the main line and heritage railways today, decades beyond any reasonable expectation.

    BR Class 08
    [​IMG]

    The Class 08 shunter was the unsung workhorse of the BR network for generations. Introduced in 1952 as the standard-issue yard dog, they pottered around goods yards, station sidings, and depots the length and breadth of the country. The decline of traditional shunting has thinned their numbers on the national network, but the Class 08 refuses to vanish entirely, still earning its keep in industrial sidings and on heritage lines.

    Timetable and Service Layers
    [​IMG]

    *Tees Valley Line: Darlington – Saltburn-by-the-Sea Route Add-On (for the Class 37 ‘Tractor’ diesel locomotive) *West Cornwall Local: Penzance - St Austell & St Ives Route Add-On (for the Seacow and Turbot wagons) *Spirit of Steam: Liverpool Lime Street - Crewe Route Add-On (for the 16t mineral wagon and 20t brake van) *BR Heavy Freight Pack Loco Add-On (for the Class 40 diesel locomotive and 12t van) *BR Class 20 ‘Chopper’ Loco Add-On (for the PGA wagon) *BR Class 31 Loco Add-On (for the Class 31 diesel locomotive and PCA-V cement tank wagon) *Blackpool Branches: Preston - Blackpool & Ormskirk (for the Class 142 ‘Pacer’ Diesel Multiple Unit and TEA wagon) *Northern Trans-Pennine: Manchester - Leeds Route Add-On (for the Class 45 ‘Peak’ diesel locomotive) *West Coast Main Line: Preston – Carlisle (for the Class 87 electric locomotive, Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit, Class 47/4 diesel locomotive, BBA wagon, Mk3a coaches, Mk2a coaches and Mk1 BG coaches) *BR Class 86/2 & Mk2F Coaches (for the Class 86/2 electric locomotive, Mk2F coaches and Mk1 RMB coach) *Peak Forest Railway: Ambergate - Chinley & Buxton Route Add-On (for the ICI hopper wagon) *Cargo Line Vol. 5 - Nuclear (for the FNA wagon)

    Scenarios, Collectibles and Mastery Challenges will also be available, as per most Train Sim World route Add-ons.

    [​IMG]

    Fancy a Sneaky Peek?



    Just Trains' are running a Crewe - Preston preview livestream at 20:00 tonight! Check it out here:
    Train Sim World 6: West Coast Main Line Crewe - Preston will release 18th June for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for £29.99 / €35.99 / $39.99.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2026 at 2:25 PM
    • Like Like x 16
  2. marcsharp2

    marcsharp2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2019
    Messages:
    3,354
    Likes Received:
    6,607
    Blimey, you wait months for a Crewe and then two turn up in a week.

    My bank account is going to hate me lol
     
    • Like Like x 10
  3. Gianluca

    Gianluca Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2022
    Messages:
    1,032
    Likes Received:
    920
    I'll wait 30/40% off since i'm not a big fan for old era
     
    • Like Like x 2
  4. FallenAngel00me

    FallenAngel00me Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Messages:
    894
    Likes Received:
    1,069
    Will the class 86 from this route layer onto Preston to Carlisle?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Scorpion71

    Scorpion71 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
    Messages:
    1,280
    Likes Received:
    2,945
    Posted elsewhere, Day One and will be purchasing from their own website to increase their royalties.

    One little moan I do have from the layers, I wish they'd of used the 37 from WCL and not TVL as it's the wrong type of 37 for this era, so will have to disable that particular layer
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. simontreanor81

    simontreanor81 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Messages:
    1,400
    Likes Received:
    3,275
    Really looking forward to this, it's going to be the best JT route to date, so much to do and see.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  7. stujoy

    stujoy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2019
    Messages:
    7,439
    Likes Received:
    20,136
    The Class 37 from WCL has multiple issues while the TVL one works well.
     
    • Like Like x 6
    • Helpful Helpful x 1
  8. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2024
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    1,352
    The only complaint should be, "not the 40 again, it's era inaccurate!" :D
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Scorpion71

    Scorpion71 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
    Messages:
    1,280
    Likes Received:
    2,945
    I reckon there would be more complaints if it wasn't included, especially by me :D I know they'd gone by then but I can put up with a bit of artistic license and with it being included, you do have the option to turn it off, just like I will turn the TVL 37 layer off
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. flirt745

    flirt745 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Messages:
    192
    Likes Received:
    319
    This route looks superb. Really looking forward to it. Looks like plenty to see and do. :)
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2024
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    1,352
    Do you like the Class 40s? If only there was a clue... :D
     
    • Like Like x 2
  12. MarkCovz4761

    MarkCovz4761 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2021
    Messages:
    1,068
    Likes Received:
    1,466
    Just Trains never disappoint this will be just as good as the others it looks fantastic
     
    • Like Like x 2
  13. barryr21

    barryr21 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2021
    Messages:
    240
    Likes Received:
    318
    Had many a pint in the "Goose and Tracks" haha! Really looking forward to this!
     
    • Like Like x 2
  14. FifeFlyer75

    FifeFlyer75 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2024
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    323
    Been a really good stream by JT tonight.

    This is going to be a day 1 purchase.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  15. ben#1349

    ben#1349 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2023
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    937
    wow, price tag is positively surprising
     
  16. Phil47569

    Phil47569 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2024
    Messages:
    564
    Likes Received:
    1,142
    I think, and keyword is "think" based on comments during tonight's livestream, the 40 layers in at Crewe Works for the scrap line and that is it. It certainly didn't show up on the workable services screen, nor did the Peak.
     
  17. Yerolo

    Yerolo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2018
    Messages:
    1,321
    Likes Received:
    2,610
    Looking forward to this :)

    I'm a little confused about the route length though. The article states it's over 60 miles in length, however, from my google efforts it seems to be around 47 miles.

    Does the time period the route is set account for this extra mileage or is this with the freight branches added in?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. operator#7940

    operator#7940 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2024
    Messages:
    3,241
    Likes Received:
    2,956
    They include side branches and sidings, not just the mainline. It's the same for every route.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Helpful Helpful x 1
  19. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2025
    Messages:
    951
    Likes Received:
    957
    I wonder if the new locomotive versions will be used as replacements on the Preston-Carlisle route. I'd like to try a Class 86 freight train.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  20. jesper2805

    jesper2805 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2025
    Messages:
    1,283
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Why there are missing arrival times?! In the preview they are missing on every station.... Thats a small but frustrating bug....
     
    • Like Like x 1
  21. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Messages:
    23,410
    Likes Received:
    49,552
    Good point! One for the Q&A on the official DTG stream of the product.

    As regards earlier comments about the Class 40, well I’m one who is quite happy to take a bit of artistic licence (or liberty) to get more interesting motive power in there. My only gripe about the 40 is that the sounds really need a makeover. You don’t get the field divert transition and they lack that full blooded roar at maximum power.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  22. theorganist

    theorganist Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2018
    Messages:
    7,534
    Likes Received:
    18,030
    Unfortunately if you turn it off on Shap it removes a complete layer and several services. I haven't seen the preview stream yet so I am not sure if it is set up the same way.

    I wouldn't mind it appearing once but not three times in a run, one of those times hauling a rake of aircon marks 2's.
     
  23. maccagee#4924

    maccagee#4924 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2024
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    1,352
    This is where an ancient simulator like MSTS was better than TSW. Place locos in the withdrawn line, they won't have their engines running as per the stream last night. MSTS had static placement, which would also save on memory.
    It's always bugged me in TSW seeing locos sitting there, never going anywhere but the engines are running.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  24. Strat-tastic

    Strat-tastic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2024
    Messages:
    733
    Likes Received:
    679
    Yes. But he did the 47 start up so it can be spawned engine off. Hmm... :|
    But it's definitely not right to have a line of withdrawn locos ticking over. There's something poignant about a scrap yard, the silence of it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2026 at 3:30 PM
    • Like Like x 2
  25. ApollonJustice

    ApollonJustice Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2022
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    441
    Although I am not quite a fan of setting routes so far in the past, I'll get it for the sake of completeness (addition to Blackpool branches and Preston - Carlisle).
     
    • Like Like x 3

Share This Page