Wcml Preston To Crewe Discussion

Appreciate the help, and others trying it especially.

very bizarre tho as despite trying all of the above it’s not budging. It edges forward for a few revolutions and then jolts back. I’m right at the end too, on arpley shunt neck, 0.6 mile from Warrington msc.

the brakes are definitely being given ample time to release as I’ve been speeding the game up with god mode to assist with that to no avail

EDIT : Again, thank you to those especially who ran the service. I started again and was able to complete it with no issues. Was more diligent this time. I noticed last time that the brakes were still on as I pulled away from Wilderspool (rugby ground for those who aren’t from the area. Love that this is in the game!).

previously, I crawled all the way to the point I got stuck and I’m gonna assume it’s because I didn’t initially wait. This time I waited and ensured the brake was on full service as I coupled.


I know the forum has rightfully been given a bad rap from the powers that be recently but things like this would be missed massively. I love trains and I play this game (and frequent this forum) primarily so I can learn more about them. Train Simulator Driver on YouTube often says that TSW isn’t as buggy as some make out, it’s just that a lot of its user base don’t know enough about how trains actually work. I’m not for one minute denying that there are huge underlying problems with the game but I do agree with him on that. I learn so much from this forum. It really would be a shame if it was restricted because a few grown adults can’t moderate their own behaviour

 

Oh man do I need to read the manual? OK. I swear this has never ever been a thing though.

 

One little thing with the 20, might be worth looking next to the door (right hand side / nose end) and using the vacuum chamber release, depends on the circumstances obviously but I had a random moment the other day where having been running the train around in various shunts to get it out of Deepdale the brakes suddenly found themselves glued on. VCR to the rescue

Also randomly had to do that a few times on the Class 50 IRL when the bogie brakes start to come on of their own volition

 

Thanks, I got that when accidentally switching to Vacuum Goods before switching back to Air Goods and had to end the run, I'll give that a go next time.

 

So any improvement with the patch?

 

Now the Series X version is playable, can confirm this - route is god tier. Drenched in atmosphere and the Merry Go Round scenario is the one of the best scenarios I’ve played (right up there with that epic freight one on Peak Forest).

 

Thanks Mark.
What's the full timetable like, performance-wise?

 

I’ve been sticking to the reduced timetable but performance on that is now excellent with no blurry textures that I’ve come across.

 

Having seen this photo recently of an actual class 47/3 cab....... I've started playing with a fan blowing from behind the monitor till we get typical BR days masking tape draught exclusion fitted to the cabs in game.

 

I remember watching a video sometime ago where the driver had his feet wrapped in tin foil and other insulation because of the draught!.

 

how does this perform on xbox now? i’ve heard that its better on ps so i'm hoping xbox has similarly improved

 

Its way better then what it was however it still needs a patch to sort out the braking cause its bad.

 

I play on XSX and it’s night and day to how it launched. No longer getting any blurry textures and performance has been decent. Touch wood, not had any crashes to desktop since the updates too - previously I couldn’t get anywhere near Crewe without a crash.

 

There's a video on YouTube from a Channel 4 documentary about the IC225's introduction and at one part of it they have to drag one of the sets with a 47 and the old boy in the chair climbs into a bin-bag on camera and tells the cameraman that it's not hyperbole, it really will be freezing (it was snowing outside).

Although you have given me an idea, for extra authenticity on the 1980s routes, one should have a small pot of old oil sat nearby to get that lovely smell of oil slick coated sleepers and ballast, if they're particularly rich maybe have a separate pot of diesel nearby too
oh how I love that smell

 

Burnt diesel also for exhausts and brake block small after braking. All smells long gone.

I remember seeing that on TV with the bin bagged covered driver. It was an early series 47/4 'generator as they were known. Very long in the tooth and hanging on to drag the mk4 sets to Bradford and Harrogate usually, not all the way to London. BR had by the 90s cut spare resource to the bone as many can attest to. Things haven't changed for the better when we now have trains failing and the rescue loco comes hundreds of miles to assist.

 

We were lucky to experience the simple pleasure of turbocharged heavy diesel fumes wafting back into an open carriage or door window, unlike today’s hermetically sealed over bright coffins, with ramrod hard ironing board seats.

As regards the loco situation, even when I started in the WR Control in 1989 it was much more challenging to deal with failures or replace defective locomotives. Sectorisation played a large part as did much tighter diagramming and utilisation of resource. Managers did not want locos sat around “spare” costing money but not earning revenue (the same mindset that killed off relief trains or Saturday overnights to the West Country). So quite often when something failed and you needed to clear the line, you had to recess something else to requisition the loco as a Thunderbird. And I’m sure I’ve regaled the forum before with my tales of “Nick a DCWA” (Western Engineers Class 50 pool) to replace a Class 50 on the Exeter to Waterloo services as the incoming loco had kindly been marked by Waterloo Control as one journey for brake blocks.

 

That doesn't sound nice at all.

 

it can get bad on a shunter or any loco with the exhaust on the front at the same Height as the cab window. its ok having a waft, but for prolonged shunting it can get too much.

 

Oh it was quite wonderful and we are still here to tell the tale! Probably more at risk from actually leaning out the window too far and getting your head knocked off! Probably healthier than smoking or vaping.

 

You can still experience the fumes at a diesel gala near you. Perhaps not the hot brake smell though.

 

I can remember back in the 90s, travelling on Cross Country services hauled by a 47, traveling into New Street, head out carriage door window through the tunnels, the sounds of the brakes echoing of the tunnel walls and the smell of the brakes as well. Incredible.

 

In the documentary, the 47 takes the mk4s all the way to Kings Cross. It was when the 91s were temporarily removed from service as snow was getting in the vents and causing electrical shorts. They pulled the entire fleet and had to step up older locomotives to do the service.

 

Do any services between Preston and Crewe (or vice versa) actually stop anywhere except the usual Wigan and Warrington? I had one yesterday that said it stopped at Wigan, Warrington and Hertford but as soon as it loaded up the timetable only had it stopping at Wigan and Warrington.


Just wanting something with a bit more variety at times.

 

No only wigan and Warrington and occasionally Hartford and thats it. Kinda disappointed it didn't come with the train that stops at all stops.

 

Hartford would be good enough.... Only one i've found says it does in description but then timetable has it as not calling there.

 

I have done a job that stopped at Hartford.

 

Winsford, Hartford and Acton Bridge were served by the Liverpool "Stoppers" working from either Crewe or Birmingham, however the electric units that worked those are not available yet and subbing in the 101 in their place would most probably be less desirable. There are a couple of express services which stop at Hartford, I couldn't tell you which offhand though.

 

Patiently waiting for a modern timetable mod for this route for many reasons including that potentially. If I had the time to learn how to do it myself I would but sadly I don’t

 

I wonder if the 108 is what will fill in on those turns once the Cumbrian Coast route comes out.

304s were the staple with some 303s and in the early 90s 31s subbed for a few weeks and in 93 a 37 worked Crewe Liverpool and back in the morning to swap North Wales Coast stock.

I just dont see JT doing a 304 although would be great if they did. Along with the early AC locos 81 to 85 I just dont see it coming.

My worry is the negative feedback from this route will lead them to only do low hanging fruit type stuff or worse go modern day. I still think Preston to Crewe is by far the best DLC ever made for TSW but my opinion is only mine I guess.

 

Do the OOM issues still plague this route if starting from Crewe, that were reported in release... on XBOX/X.

Regards

 

Ones coming for PC ..Im nearly finished both Crewe - Preston and Preston - Carlisle.. Based on PAX services from May 20th/21st 2026 (with some subs due to rolling stock yet available) and the rest based on many movements throughout the year... With the Overshap Modernisation mod to go with this from another Modder the 1986 scenery isnt as noticeable, same cant be said for C2P but if you can look past that then you should hopefully enjoy it!

 

incredible work my friend, can’t tell you how pleased I am with that!

 

Now that we have sounds for an 85 it seems in a freeware TSC loco, perhaps the chances of at least that are increased? I seem to recall sounds were the main hurdle should JT wish to bring any of the earlier AC locos to TSW.

Slam door AC stock is something I'd love to see, not even TSC really has any earlier AC EMUs other than the sliding door 303s. Personally, I'd be willing to give some leeway on sounds given nobody has really heard one running for 20 years or more now. Perhaps 3rd rail AC slammers might provide a useful substitute, seeing as AP had some decent sounds for the 4CEP?

 

Sadly yes.

 

That's a downer, thanks for the reply.
Regards

 

I’ve had no OOM crashes on the reduced timetable (which only really removes static stock) on XSX since the last update.

 

Just FYI, Its now available over at the trainsim community site

 

Thanks!!

 

Fantastic news as I enter day 1 of nearly two weeks off! Looking forward to getting stuck in later

 

When do you expect an update to include Preston-Crewe? I’m just about to start a run North from Preston! Without all these talented modders this game would have failed a long time ago! Shame at DTG doesn’t recognise their talent and works with them to make this game what it should be for everyone!

 

Ah, that harsh blue paper. We used that everywhere at the depot. I think I may have taken a few home for household cleaning jobs. But it looks more at home covered in grease on the dash of a 47.

 

I've just had a first run on the new 2026 TT Mod for the route and there is something very noticeable...... Passing through Warrington and Arpley the yards are still absolutely full of stock but instead of mostly HAA and HEA rakes they are now full of the HKA & HOA hoppers along with FCA/FKA, BBA and MFA wagons..... As I say both yards pretty much full and my FPS stayed at 55-60fps throughout.

Is it the HAA/HEA stock that is requiring some optimisation more than anything? This would tie in with all the instances I have of dramatic and sometimes terminal drops in frame rates down to the 20fps mark just after an AI MGR train or two appear from somewhere.

 

Having never heard of them before the route was released I figured I now had to give them a try so made a purchase off Amazon yesterday.

Not too bad if I’m honest. Similar to some Yorkshire versions. (I’m diabetic so not sure how they compare to the normal full sugar version).

 

Never heard of them? Sacrilege! The sugar free version is still pretty good still but the full sugar ones are awesome. Just a lovely sweet!

 

Too bad this route and Oversharp was set in 1986 as there no DVT for 86 87 and 90s both ATS and Just did not do as DVT did not come unit 1989 and HST did not came to WCML unit like early or mid 1990s long with 47's and MK2 and to do oddest route been Blackpool to Portsmouth and 158/150 came later and still waiting for some to do DVT and a 156 dlc

 

Having had a few of them now I can say they are just a Lancashire version of the Black Bullets mint sweets we have here in Sheffield.

Still nice mind.

 

Expects a hog roast gets a sugar free boiled sweet.

 

Personally I much prefer it without the DVT. Always prefer pure loco haul over push-pull. Plus 1986 gives us the BR blue/InterCity livery crossover

 

For those that are using my Modded 2026 TT across this and Overshap V1.1 is available with some updates and a few new services over at TSC

 

Oooh - my picture! 47 301 at Worksop Yard, June 1981.