Today I’m suggesting two routes as I’m pretty sure everyone would like either (we definitely won’t get the two in one route) so I’ll cover both. Carlisle - Glasgow Central Via Dumfries: Carlisle Gretna Green Annan Dumfries Sanquhar Kirkconnel New Cumnock Auchinleck Kilmarnock Kilmaurs Stewarton Dunlop Barrhead Nitshill Priesthill & Darnley Kennishead Pollokshaws West Crossmyloof Glasgow Central That is 90-ish Miles (so a big project) with 19 Stations There would be two timetables, Summer 2021 and Summer 2026. (Pre & Post Electrification to Barrhead) Scotrail Class 156 would be the new unit for this route! Layers: Class 158 NT & Scotrail (AI around Glasgow & Carlisle rarely driven on this route although there may be a service or 2 on the timetables) Class 170 (AI around Glasgow) Class 314 (AI in 2021 around Glasgow) Class 350 (LNR as TPE around Glasgow & Carlisle) Class 380 (AI in 2021 & Drivable from GC to Barrhead in 2026) Class 385 (AI in both timetables) Class 390 (AI around Glasgow & Carlisle) Carlisle to Glasgow Via Motherwell (Lanark Branch included) Carlisle Lockerbie Carstairs Carluke Shieldmuir Motherwell Belshill (Lanark Services ONLY) Uddingston Cambuslang Glasgow Central Roughly 85-90 Miles with 10 Stations Transpennine Express Class 397 (Best looking CAF train built in my opinion) Bad quality photo I found but looking fierce at speed! (no hate to who took it probably just the device I’m using) Class 318 ( Will not let me upload an image so check my Glasgow network thread for that) Driveable Layers: Class 380 Class 385 Class 390 Pendolino Reason for GC - Carlisle Via Dumfries: That route is a stunning long diesel stretch through ‘the middle of nowhere’ into the bustling commute of Glasgow its variety in one route. It is a whopping length but we can’t help that for a good route! Reason for GC - Carlisle Via Motherwell. This is an amazing route on a busy mainline crossing borders and it would make TSW7! Long route coming into regional commuter saltire heaven! I love both routes and would value either but I personally like Via Motherwell we get an Intercity train alongside a commuter train on an amazing route! Thanks so so so much for reading !
Average speed for the Dumfries Line is 70-ish, Average Speed for the West Coast Mainline is 110 - 125
Personally I feel this should be done in the same era as the JT routes. That would open up the opportunity for a Class 26 to enter the game if going via Dumfries and the GSW, as these were still regular performers on the “local” services well into the 80’s. I remember a particularly cold January morning in 1985, after alighting from the overnight Plymouth to Scotland service at 04 something o’clock and festering, the sight of a Class 26 and 5 Mark Ones with steam heat boiler going like the clappers, running in at around 0605 for the 0615 to Glasgow was very welcome! Even if the route only went to Kilmarnock it would be something, though all the way to Glasgow would be preferred.
I would’ve suggested in JT era but they stated somewhere they are not planning on going to Glasgow so I don’t know what else to say
