Introduction The Inverclyde Line is a ~36-mile line in the West of Scotland. Running from the City of Glasgow, out west to the Ports of Inverclyde. The route, per this suggestion, would be set to fit with the BR Class 314 from Cathcart, allowing for a setting of 2019. The route is a very scenic route, running alongside the River Clyde, with views over to Argyle & The Lower Highlands. The Route The route has 22 Stations. These are: Glasgow Central (GLC) Platforms: 15 (17 with LL) Connections: Cathcart Circle, WCML, Argyle Line, Ayrshire Coast Line, Edinburgh - Glasgow via Carstairs, Glasgow Southwestern Line, Paisley Canal Line Glasgow Central, located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow's City Centre, is Glasgow's, and Scotland's, busiest station. The station opened in 1879, originally an extension from Glasgow Bridge Street station, located on the south side of the river, which no longer exists. (Featured in TSW2's: Glasgow Cathcart Circle) Shields Road Depot Glasgow Shields Road Depot maintains ScotRail's suburban/electric fleet. Responsible for the Classes 318, 320, 380, 385, and formerly the Class 314. The Depot is located to the left of the line, from Glasgow, and is already in game, on Glasgow Cathcart Circle. Cardonald Platforms: 2 Connections: Ayrshire Coast Line Cardonald serves the Cardonald area of Glasgow. Cardonald is often skipped by Fast services to Inverclyde or Ayrshire. Hillington East Platforms: 2 Connections: Ayrshire Coast Line Hillington East is one of two (along with Hillington West) Hillington stations on the line. Similar to Cardonald, Fast services often pass this station. Hillington West Platforms: 2 Connections: Ayrshire Coast Line Hillington West is the second Hillington station on this line, and is the 3rd station with a fast line for passing trains. Paisley Gilmour Street Platforms: 4 Connections: Ayrshire Coast Line Paisley Gilmour Street is Paisley's main station. Serving as the Junction between the Inverclyde Line & the Ayrshire Coast Line, Paisley Gilmour Street is Paisley's primary station. The station also has a unique (for this line anyway) set of BR-era Platform Signs. Paisley St James Platforms: 2 Paisley St James is a small station at the West edges of Paisley. The station is located just along the road from St. Mirren Park (St Mirren FC) one of 3 visible SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) stadiums on this route, along with Cappielow Park (Cartsdyke Station) and Ibrox Stadium (Distant Scenery near Glasgow) Bishopton Platforms: 2 Bishopton is a semi-major (fast services stop here) station serving Bishopton. Located outside the town centre, the line overlooks the town on approach to the station. Shortly beyond the station (towards Paisley) there is also the former site of a WW2 Munitions site. Nothing there, just was an interesting note. Bishopton - Langbank Scenery The scenery between Bishopton and Langbank is probably the best. Looking across the Sandbanks of the Clyde, the mountains of Dunbartonshire and Argyle come to show. In the foreground, however, Dumbarton Rock (a volcanic rock that was literally launched) is a standout feature of the scenery. The scenery is truly wonderful. Image: Looking across the Clyde from Langbank. Taken from Google Maps Langbank Platforms: 2 Langbank serves the Village of the same name. With beautiful views across the Clyde, this station, and the village, are truly a wonderful place if you enjoy a good view. The station is also the last before entering Inverclyde-proper. Woodhall Platforms: 2 Located in the Woodhall area of Port Glasgow, the line passes the Woodhall Business/Industrial Park, and Parklea Football Fields when coming in from Langbank. The station is also located at a gap in scenery, allowing for a great view across the river. Port Glasgow Platforms: 2 Port Glasgow station is the main station serving Port Glasgow's Town Centre. As the junction between the Wemyss Bay Branch and the Line to Gourock, Port Glasgow is called at by all trains serving the line. Whinhill, Drumfrochar and Branchton 1 Platform each Whinhill, Drumfrochar & Branchton stations serve the upper areas of Greenock, with Whinhill serving Strone Farm (not a farm) and Whinhill (somewhat), Drumfrochar serving Broomhill & Whinhill, and Branchton serving Larkfield & Branchton. The line between the stations, has absoluetly wonderful views over Greenock, over the Clyde towards Helensburgh. Image: Google Maps, from just behind the Line, slightly up-hill: Whinhill: IBM Halt 1 Platform IBM Halt served the Valley which once had the Valleypark Estate, including an IBM Plant. Today, it no longer sees service, but in this suggestion, it is set far back enough for it to be open. Inverkip 1 Platform Inverkip Station serves the village of the same name, Inverkip. The last station before Wemyss Bay, the station is located in Upper Inverkip, serving the housing areas. Wemyss Bay Platforms: 2 Wemyss. Bay. Station. Need I say more? Also, it would be nice to see the CalMac ferries here & at Gourock. Similar to East Coastway (Newhaven Hbr) in concept. Bogston Platforms: 2 Bogston is a minor station, located nearly exactly on the boundary of Greenock & Port Glasgow. Serving some industrial areas and the old Inchgreen Dry Dock, the station doesn't see much footfall. The Wemyss Bay line runs on an Embankment towering over the station here. Cartsdyke Platforms: 2 Cartsdyke is the second station with an SPFL Stadium. The line also passes directly behind it. Cappielow Park (Greenock Morton FC) is located here, a short walk away. Other than that, the station serves the Housing Areas near, and is another minor station. Greenock Central Platforms: 3 (1 Abandoned) Greenock Central was the historic terminus of the line, prior to extension to Gourock. Located in Greenock's town centre on Cathcart Street (hence it's former name; Greenock Cathcart St). (Just to tie everything back together) the station seen services from none other than Bridge Street! That place I mentioned earlier! The 3rd Bay Platform is now abandoned & overgrown, but after the Gourock Extension, it kept terminating services going. Wellpark Tunnel - Greenock West (Gnk W.) Platforms: 2 Greenock West is fully trenched, located at the far (from Greenock Central/Glasgow Central) end of the Wellpark Tunnel(s). The station is served by all trains to Gourock, a trait all stations after Greenock Central share. The area around the station shares the name: Greenock West/West Station. Fort Matilda Platforms: 2 Fort Matilda is a small station serving the area of the same name. The station building is home to a small model railway society, who occasionally hold open days. Greenock's Battery Park is also close. Gourock Platforms: 3 Gourock (Pierhead) is Gourock's primary and only station. The main transport interchange for the town - with Buses to Dunoon, Glasgow, Largs, Greenock, Port Glasgow, IRH (Inverclyde Royal Hospital) and around the area, Ferries (CalMac operated) to Kilcreggan & Dunoon, and of course Trains to Glasgow. The scenery of the station is absoluetly stunning, however. (Overlooking Gourock from Lyle Hill, Greenock. The area sticking out at the far side of the bay is the site of the station) Rolling Stock Included Class 380 Class 314 (Saltire Livery) (Cream & Carmine Livery) Potential DLCs Class 320 + Class 318 The Classes 320 & 318 (both BR MK3 Derived EMUs) Adds: - Class 318 in SPT Livery - Class 318 in Saltire Livery - Class 320 in Saltire Livery - Scenarios - Subs in on Services Timetables The route's timetable and scenarios would be set in Late 2018/Early 2019, with the 314s on the way out, and the 385s coming in. (Due to lack of reference, I'm putting service patterns the same, with the rolling stock being different) 2019 - 314, 380, 318, 320 Inverclyde Line: Class 380 & 314 are predominant, 320/318 (DLCs) sub in. 2tph • Glasgow - Gourock (All Stops) 2tph • Glasgow - Gourock (Calling at Paisley, Bishopton, Port Glasgow, Greenock Central and all stations after here) 1tph Glasgow - Wemyss Bay (Calling at Paisley, Bishopton, Port Glasgow and all stations after) (After 8pm services call ALL stations) Ayrshire Coast Line: All services Class 380 2tph • Glasgow - Ayr (Paisley Only) 1tph • Glasgow - Largs (Paisley Only) 1tph • Glasgow - Ardrossan (Paisley Only) (AI ONLY) 2tph Glasgow - Ayr (skips Paisley) Paisley Canal Line: Class 314 (AI ONLY) 2tph • Glasgow - Paisley Canal (No represented Stations, Visible between Glasgow & Shields Rd) Argyle Line: Class 318/320 (DLC Only) (AI ONLY) 2tph • Glasgow - Lanark (No represented Stations, visible around Glasgow) Cathcart Circle: Class 314, 320, 318, 314 (note! this is 2019, not 2014/17 when the Cathcart route is set!) 2tph • Glasgow - Neilston 2tph • Glasgow - Newton (1 each direction) 2tph • Glasgow - Cathcart (1 each direction) Edinburgh - Glasgow Via Carstairs: (AI ONLY) 2tph • Glasgow - Edinburgh (380) (Depot runs are available, with all stock) Scenarios The route would have 6 Scenarios, per this suggestion: - Derby Day I - Operate this service from Glasgow to Gourock on this cloudy autumn evening, expect large crowds at Paisley St James, as fans travel to Cartsdyke for the match. - Class 380 (Glasgow Central - Gourock) - Derby Day II - Continuing on your shift, you'll now operate a later service back to Glasgow from Gourock. Taking the fans home. - Class 380 (Gourock - Glasgow) - Clyde Commuters - Operate this service on this fine summer's day from Glasgow Central to Gourock. - Class 314 (Glasgow Central - Gourock) - Bay and Back - Going from Glasgow, go to Wemyss Bay and back up to Glasgow, on this driech (rainy) morning. - Class 314 (Glasgow Central - Wemyss Bay - Glasgow Central) - Shields Sprint - Take this Class 380 in to service on this calm Spring Morning. - Class 380 (Shields Road Depot - Glasgow Central) - Clyde Closures - On this snowy winters day, Closures for works on the Wemyss Bay Branch have forced services to turn back at Whinhill, take a service down from Glasgow, turn at Whinhill and back up. - Class 314 (Glasgow Central - Whinhill - Glasgow Central) With Class 318/320 DLC: - Evening Exit Take this Class 320 out of service to Shields Depot after a long day on the Argyle Line. You will have to await it's arrival from Lanark, however. - Class 320 (Glasgow Central - Shields Road Depot) - Ship Situation Drive this Class 318 from Glasgow to Wemyss Bay, with some track works around Paisley, pay close attention to signs, try to keep to schedule, as this service is supposed to meet with the next Ferry! - Class 318 (Glasgow Central - Wemyss Bay) - Port Passengers Bring this Class 320 service from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow Central, coupling up to a Class 318 waiting for you at Port Glasgow Remember to contact the signaller for permission to enter the platform. - Class 320, then 318 (Wemyss Bay - Glasgow Central) Railtour Scenario: - Heritage Day - The Inverclyde Line is today playing host to a collection of Railtour Stock, on this Sunny Sunday. You'll be operating a non-stop service between Glasgow Central & Gourock in this BR Class 47 unit. (Requires NTP) (Note: Class 380 appear here too) Layers: (In) - The Class 314 (minus the SPT (Debranded) livery) would be a case of transferring it from Cathcart Circle. But it would be included with the route. - Railtour Stock from NTP for Railtour Scenarios (From other potential routes) - All rolling stock that appears at Glasgow in real life could layer in if/when it shows up in TSW. (Out) (Potential Additions, anyway.) - Class 380: • Subs on a few (maybe 5 or so) Peak-time services on Glasgow Cathcart Circle • AI Inverclyde, Ayrshire, Paisley Canal & Edinburgh services on GCC - Class 318/320 (DLC): • Subs onto limited Peak Services on Cathcart Circle, similar to the 380. • AI Argyle Line services on Glasgow Cathcart Circle (at Glasgow & at Newton) - Class 314 • Subs Carmine & Cream Livery in for Saltire on appropriate units (Cathcart Circle). Other Features Collectibles/Tasks could include: Route Maps (25) Posters (25) Variating between the Nessie poster on GCC, A poster promoting the Highlands and Islands, with the Gourock views being visible, a poster advertising Inverclyde, focused on the Memorial to Free France/Monument of the Cross of Lorraine Collect Tickets (up to 30) Collect Tickets lying on the ground Plant Flowers (Choo Choo) (Where Appropriate. Not everywhere) Think GCC The Route Maps and Posters would duplicate at certain stations. Route maps would duplicate at; - Glasgow Central (2) - Same Locations as Cathcart. - Paisley Gilmour Street (2) - One on Inverclyde Platforms, One on Ayrshire Platforms - Port Glasgow (2) - One at the entrance to the town centre, one at platform level (Gourock-Bound) Posters would Duplicate at; - Wemyss Bay (2) - In Concourse Area. One being the Inverclyde Poster, the other being the Highlands & Islands one. - Greenock West (2) - One in the Ticket Hall, and one at the bottom of the staircases on the Glasgow-Bound platform. - Inverclyde + Highlands & Islands. - Port Glasgow (2) - Similar locations to the maps - Inverclyde & Nessie Posters - Paisley Gilmour Street (2) - One on Platforms 2/3, one in the Underpass. - Nessie + Highland & Islands Posters - Glasgow Central (2) - One at the PIS Boards (for upper platforms), one at the wall facing onto platform 8. - Nessie + Highlands & Islands Note: IBM Halt and Bogston wouldn't have any posters. Most Stations's posters would be at the entrances, in a shelter or similar places. Mastery: Decals could be a little Clyde Ferries Pack: - Silhouette of the MV Argyle/Bute (Ferries that leave from Wemyss Bay, they are identical) - Silhouette of the MV Argyll Flyer & MV Ali Cat (Ferries that leave from Gourock, they are different) - Silhouette of the MV Chieftain (Leaves Gourock for Killcreggan) (All ferries are operated by CalMac (Caledonian Macbrayne) a Scottish Government-Owned ferry company who operate services (often lifelines) to the Islands of the Clyde and Hebrides.) Tile P.S. Waverley The Main Mastery Tile could be the PS Waverley. The PS Waverley is the world's last seagoing passenger-carrying Paddle Steamer in the world. She Spends her summers on Sailings along the Clyde, and usually heads down towards London when the weather begins to sour up here (otherwise known as normalising ) She could appear at Gourock, or Wemyss Bay as a distant tile. In Conclusion, I think (not just because it happens to be my local line, but you can see for yourself in the images it truly is stunning. Finally, the Pink-ish Ballast and the Grey outlines on PIS would be good additions for the true ScotRail feel. Thanks for Reading. Like the suggestion? Want to see this made? Like the post and vote in the poll. Don't agree? Let us know why. Any Feedback? Please, let me know. Nothing is more valuable in these suggestions than feedback.
Excellent idea all of these trains can run on Cathcart Circle and making that linked route realistic as possible because of this route linking to Catcher Depot. Your suggestion can be combined with Cathcart Circle as the Glasgow commuter pack
For more info on the locos, click these images. They should direct you over to the respective Wikipedia pages.
I would love this! Anything with a class 380 and I'm in! If it gets made it would be an instant purchase for me!
Great suggestion! I would also include the Paisley Canal Line, a 7,5 mile suburban line that uses 318s, 320s, and 380s. It would have 6 more stops: Dumbreck (partially in CCL past the border), Corkerhill, Mosspark, Crookston, Hawkhead, and Paisley Canal. It would run half hourly and I think it should bundle with your suggestion since it is too small to be its own route.
this suggestion (with both branch lines) would be absolutely perfect, loads of really interesting gameplay options, would really live this to become a reality
