Midland Main Line This route consists of the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras International to Leicester, with a branch to Corby. The TOCs that run on this line are East Midlands Railway and Thameslink. The line from St Pancras to Leicester is 99 miles, and the Branch from Kettering to Corby is 7.5 miles. This would give a total mileage of around 106.5 miles, which we now know is possible with TSW3's longer routes. This line is electrified from St Pancras to Market Harborough and Corby, so the section from Market Harborough to Leicester can only be used by diesel trains (although no electric trains run between Kettering and Market Harborough). The speed limit on this route can reach 125mph in many places, so could be considered a second 'high speed' route for the UK. It could also be the first modern-day diesel trains we see in TSW. This route includes a variety of services to drive, with non-stop high-speed services between St Pancras and Leicester, and stopping services from St Albans to St Pancras. Rolling Stock Class 222 DEMU These trains are formed of 5 or 7 cars, and are capable of 125mph. Class 360 EMU These trains are formed of 4 cars and IRL can be seen in both ex-Greater Anglia and EMR liveries. When they were transferred to EMR, they were upgraded to be able to do 110mph. Class 700 EMU These trains come in 8 car (RLU) and 12 car (FLU) units, and run on all Thameslink Services. These trains have a maximum speed of 100mph. Layers The class 395 from SEHS will be seen at St Pancras operating services to Faversham, Ramsgate, Margate and Dover Priory. The class 700s could also be layered onto other routes such as L2B, where they would run between East Croydon and Brighton. They would also allow you to finally drive a train at stations like Earlswood, Salfords, Horley and Balcombe, which aren't served by Southern. They could also layer onto SEHS, where they would run between Dartford and Rainham. The class 66 could also be used running freight services from Bedford to Hendon (where they would continue onto the Dudding Hill line), or West Hampstead Thameslink (where they would continue onto the Gospel Oak to Barking Line). Stations This line has 33 stations: London St Pancras International, Kentish Town, West Hampstead Thameslink, Cricklewood, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway, Elstree & Borehamwood, Radlett, St Albans City, Harpenden, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Leagrave, Harlington, Flitwick, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harbrough, Leicester and Corby. Services East Midlands Railway operate the entire length of the route, from St Pancras (high level) to Leicester and Corby, whilst Thameslink only operate from St Pancras (low level) as far as Bedford. Thameslink sometimes use St Pancras high level during engineering works. Stations in brackets are where the service would continue to beyond the end of the route. The rolling stock is indicated in red. The frequency, in trains per hour (tph) is shown in blue. The regular calling pattern of these services is also shown. East Midlands Railway: London St Pancras to Corby 360/222 2tph Calling at Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby. London St Pancras to Leicester (Nottingham) 222 2tph Calling at Kettering, Market Harborough and Leicester London St Pancras to Leicester (Sheffield) 222 2tph Calling at Leicester 2 trains per day to Corby are run by 222s, which extend to Melton Mowbray. Thameslink: Bedford to London St Pancras (Brighton) 700 2tph Calling at Flitwick, Harlington, Leagrave, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans City, West Hampstead Thameslink and London St Pancras Bedford to London St Pancras (Gatwick Airport) 700 2tph Calling at Flitwick, Harlington, Leagrave, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans City and London St Pancras Luton to London St Pancras (Rainham) 700 2tph Calling at Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans City, Radlett, Elstree & Borehamwood, Mill Hill Broadway, West Hampstead Thameslink and London St Pancras St Albans City to London St Pancras (Sutton) 700 4tph Calling at Radlett, Elstree & Borehamwood, Mill Hill Broadway, Hendon, Cricklewood, West Hampstead Thameslink, Kentish Town and London St Pancras There are also some additional peak Thameslink services on this route that go towards East Grinstead and Littlehampton. There are additional services that run on this line that I have excluded because of their short length, such as Kentish Town to Orpington, which would only go as far as London St Pancras International on this route. These would be included as AI, but would not be driveable. There will also be services using Cauldwell Depot (near Bedford) and Cricklewood Sidings. I think that this route provides a good variety of services, with express, non-stop services from St Pancras to Leicester, and stopping Thameslink services from St Albans City to St Pancras. Map This map shows the stations included in the route. The above map shows EMR services. The below map shows Thameslink services.
MML sorely needs to come to TSW. Haven’t had a British diesel high speed route for ages. Plus, Leicester is where I’m from!
Bring it to TSW 3. For Class 700 it needs the AP Sounds because DTG made it for TSC using AC Class 395 sounds Class 444 DC Sounds that is the problem that must be avoided for TSW 3 Class 700 MML South or Rush Hour Train Pack BML.
Very good suggestion overall. I am sure some will disagree but I would personally have it set when the vp185 hst sets were bombing up and down the mml where you could still have the thamelink and 222s running for those who prefer modern traction. Or even better do it in the days of 1st gen dmus, peaks and valentas.
