History The majority of the current Robin Hood Line re-uses the former Midland Railway (MR) route from Nottingham to Worksop. On a branch line (branching off between Shirebrook and Langwith whaly thorns) now known as the high marham test track took almost all the freight operations of the robin hood line. Before 2015 coal trains mainly consisting of the class 66 (gbrf or freightliner) would travel this branch going as far as thorsby colliery sidings in Edwinstowe. This i believe would be a nice element for freight. These trains were bound for a power plant along the midland main line passenger services all passenger operations as of 2020 are operated by the newly formed Eastmidlands railway but if freight was to be added it would be operated by east Midlands trains owned by stagecoach. The service starts off at Nottingham with trains leaving next to the midland main line. After branching off it then follows Nottinghams tram network up to Hucknall where it goes off into the countryside shortly after the trains stop at a single platform station called Newstead. The trains then go through Newstead tunnel heading to Kirkby in Ashfield where the line is back to having 2 tracks. Trains then travel to Sutton parkway another 2 platform station. Mansfield is the next stop with the station being above the town below on the Mansfield viaduct. The next stop is Mansfield woodhouse a 3 platform station where trains from Norwich terminate after following the robin hood line. Trains then go through Shirebrook, Langwith whaly thorns, Cresswell Whitehall and worksop the trains that run passenger services are the class 156 The 158 And the 153 that is normally seen connected to a 156 to make a 3 car during rush hour Overall I think this would be an interesting and diverse route and something different to what we have in the works for the uk. Please let me know what your opinions are as I'm interested to know what people think and what they would add or change Update the line now also runs 170s that would be a nice add on
Its something different really its rural but modern we haven't really had that in the uk routes we get for tsw
Pictures of stations from Nottingham to Worksop order Nottingham platform 1a Bulwell Hucknall Newstead Kirkby in Ashfield
We have already had lots of 1980s based stuff for the uk and tbh you still see older locos cus of the high marham test track
Well said I for one am 110% in support of your ideas as nothing in the Midlands at all for a train sim world game and no sprinters either so is a fantastic idea
This would be a fun addition, lots if different train options depending on the era however I agree a more modern setting would be nice. With the length of the route they could definitely add the freight spur towards the high Marham test track. And worksop used to be a big siding for the ews hoppers. They could also if possible add an option for a triple running class 153, it's very rare but a fun to see. I dont know if they would have room with the Robin hood line and the spur to edwinstow, they could possibly add the branch from kirkby to toton for freight services. Being set in 2000 could be interesting because then it would be operated by central trains and they would run class 170 on the route from time to time. Overall a great proposal and lots of information shared by the original poster. +1 for the work put in by OP
There is a few interesting services in the timetable for this line also, theres on a weekday a 7.27am departure from Mansfield woodhouse that after reaching Nottingham goes onward to Norwich and perform those services Another interesting thing is that off peak services only serve either Bulwell or Newstead, with the half hourly timetable. There's the hourly service to Worksop and also the half hour between to Mansfield woodhouse, they turn back at Mansfield woodhouse due to the terminus platform 3 for Mansfield. I really hope for a East Midlands trains service run by stagecoach rather than the newer East Midlands railway as the class 158 looks super in the stagecoach white livery.
Yep definitely that’s the interesting point when privatisation first came in 1997 the turbostars 1st came to the then central trains franchise and turbostars originally operated the Robin Hood line and now turbostars currently being cascaded from cross country and others back to the Eastmidlands through EMR to replace the sprinters
Tbh I am going to miss the sprinters I personally love the sounds and the older look of the 156 especially Also some of the seats have chicken leg on them
Thank you for your opinion. Honestly I think the high marham to Edwinstowe should be possible they have done lewes to Seaford on east coastway.
Definitely agree if they did the route they could add the branch to edwinstow. I also personally like the look of the sprinters and would love to see them in the game
Yep that’s one of things I’ve longed for the most in tsw a sprinter of some class or another and a turbostar as these would all be 1sts in a train sim world game
I think that would be popular with people I agree. I would love to Sprinters in the game still though
Yep and that’s one thing that sets shirebrook apart from rest of stations aside from Worksop power signal box Shirebrook has the only working signal box on the Robin Hood line with Derby signalling centre controlling Nottingham to shirebrook then shirebrook controlling Absolute block to Worksop psb which then takes over control
I very much doubt it as Eastmidlands trains ie stagecoach are no longer running it so don’t think that’s possible as would require EMR license as they the current operators
True same a virgin trains you can't get the license cus of it being gone Also have you seen the class 158 in an emr livery they look amazing
That's true about the EMT, definitely never going to get the stagecoach livery on them true. Unfortunately I disagree on the EMR livery, they look dull plain and that brown, I cant like it. Since stagecoach lost the franchise and with me being a luxury traveller I have only been on the train 5 times (also other reason with this year). I saw one of the new painted 222 other day and I actually wanted to cry with them no longer looking sleek and beautiful. Now they look old and tired
How is this possible would that not be a infringement on intellectual property of stagecoach group who owned East Midlands trains also wouldn’t that be impossible for DTG a license for something which technically doesn’t exist as EMR have rebranded there trains
It would depend on emr letting them use it as they now have ownership of the livery just with their name on it
Excellent idea and for the Class 158 it can receive GWR reskin since GWR operates them for Portsmouth Bristol Cardiff. Provided DTG makes South Wales Coastal Great Western Services
Don't forget all of the coal freight moved from Shirebrook and Sherwood coal mines. As kids we'd spent hours on the bridge at the top of my street, watching them pass. I'm old enough to remember steam trains hauling too, as we'd hang over the bridge, for a delicious face full of smoke and soot - although diesels took over by the time we were around 8 years old. So, I'd gladly buy this DLC.
this is such a perfect suggestion! a really interesting route and traction, and it would be nice to see a UK diesel branch line added to the game.. this route would have so much variety, with the option of passenger and freight.. could even utilise the upcoming traction from the Derby/Leicester/Nott'm route would 100% love to see Nottingham to Worksop added!