Just wondering if there's a resource somewhere of the freight workings of these two huge yard areas, or if anyone has brief rundown of what goes on here. Basically I'm looking to do some realistic (what can be done within the confines of the sim) workings in free roam timetable mode using these any of these two areas. It looks as if GBRf has a presence at Peterborough, that could be a starting point for some runs. I've been looking at realtime trains website data and the sectional appendix to get a feel of the areas, but they do seem to be pretty complex! It is kind of hard to see on the map the particular sidings, I hope one day we can have siding names etc.
There is Freightmaster, but it's not cheap. https://freightmaster.net/ There is a timetable for Doncaster dated 2016 in the sample section.
There is a large amount of freight through both stations. Probably the most numerous is the intermodal container trains. These are hauled from Peterborough to Doncaster via the old Midland and Great Northern Joint line via Lincoln but do occasionally run on the main ECML is quieter periods e.g. early morning or late evening. The second is aggregate. A lot turns off on the midland line towards Stamford but some will follow the same route as the intermodals, occasionally using the main line too. There is a RHTT depot at Peterborough immediately north of the station where numerous workings start and finish. Doncaster works receives lots of old trains via the ECML from Peterborough. Quite often these have originated from storage sidings in London or East Anglia. The 37 with the 465’s in tow is very applicable here or even GWR HST’s travelling to Doncaster works for sliding doors to be fitted or onwards shipment to Scotland. Doncaster itself is awash with freight. There is a intermodal depot alongside the ECML with many stone trains stacked up in sidings. There are lots more sidings to the West of Doncaster via the triangle but i guess these aren’t in game? GBRF and DB have a big presence in both Peterborough and Doncaster yards with most DB locomotives still in EWS livery. Freightliner has a Doncaster outpost too.
Cheers, many thanks guys. Just running a light 66 into Eastfield from March, then coupling up some wagons and running up north stopping at Grantham loop. This alone took me a couple of hours! So easy to lose track of time in this free roam mode. The signalling seems to be perfect, getting appropriate calling on and shunt signals into these yards, waiting for paths. Even some old semaphores at Peterborough, all working great. But do remember to call the signaller at the stop boards, they do apply and you will be thrown out if you don't! The playability aspect has gone through the roof with this mode.
Just looking more into this with the detailed Realtime train and sectional appendix - there's an interesting intermodal which arrives from the Lincoln route which runs around at Roberts Road GBRf (St James Jn), then shunts back across the looping line over a bridge on the main lines via St Catherines Jn and Lower Ellers curve, into Doncaster iPort. Unfortuantely Roberts Rd is unaccesible (only just) and Lower Ellers curve is there but they just didn't go far enough for the crossover to reverse into the iPort. Shame, as just a few more meters of track would have enabled this. Never mind, I'll have to go north of the station and shunt back across the main lines to get into the yard and cause chaos!
