This suggestion is inspired by the ancient SIAM Traffic Control game, Aire Valley '95, which is centred on Knottingley and the power stations at Eggborough and Drax. These are fed an almost constant supply of MGR coal trains operated from various collieries in the Yorkshire coalfield, sadly all now pretty much history. There is a local passenger service which mainly operates between Leeds and Knottingley, with occasional services across to Goole. There are also spoil/flyash trains out of both power stations to locations further afield. The core of the route would therefore be Leeds to Goole which would encompass that and also the collieries at Prince Of Wales and Glasshoughton. Kellingly Colliery is within the core area opposite the sidings at Sudforth Lane and loads several trains a day for Eggborough, Drax and also Ferrybridge. the latter is just beyond Knottingley on the direct route from Sheffield to York via Pontefract Baghill. Milford Sidings and Selby Drift Mine are a little to the north. In 1995 local passenger services were operated by Class 141 and Class 142 Pacer units. Coal trains are handled by a mixture of Class 56 and Class 60 traction, based at Knottingley. Other freights through the area can produce Class 37, 47 and 58 so a rich variety of locomotive power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontefract_line https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drax_Power_Station#Coal_supply_and_transport https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggborough_power_station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellingley_Colliery
Was going to suggest this line, I grew up near Eggborough power station so constantly saw coal traffic. There's not much of it left anymore, Kellingly is gone, Eggborough and Ferrybridge are being dismantled and Knottingley TMD went last year too. It's still strange driving past Ferrybridge with only 3 cooling towers.
I guess that could present a problem getting reference material although there is a (sort of) representation of the area in the MSTS Mid-East Plus route.
When I was looking into this I was surprised with some of the info that’s out there, especially around the power stations. I’ll have to dig it out when I get some time.
