Introducing the west coast mainline over shap, a route connecting the stations of carlisle, and preston via the scenic lake districts and the town of lancaster. The route: Starting in preston, which is already in game, we would go north through Lancaster, Carnforth, then to the scenic lake districts which take us through Oxenholme, and penrith before finishing at carlisle. As well as this, we would be able to drive the short 1 mile run to carlisle N.Y yard with freight services. The route would be set in the mid 1980s, as to allow layers to and from blackpool branches. Services: Services would include express services from london to glasgow, edinburgh, stranraer harbour and more, as well as stopping services from carnforth to preston, and more. Stations: Carlisle +0mi Carlisle is a large station on the far north of england, seeing plenty of intercity, regional, and freight. Penrith +17mi Penrith is a 2 platform station in the north lakes, it was renamed to penrith north lakes in 2003, and is also the last station where mail was collected from a moving train. Oxenholme lake district +49mi Located only a mile from kendal castle, it is a popular station with tourists, and the 3rd station on our route. Carnforth +63mi Located in a small village north of lancaster, Carnforth is a small 2 platform station served only by stopping regional trains, with WCML services being withdrawn just over a decade prior to our setting. Lancaster +69mi A 5 platform station, and our last stop before preston, lancaster is a large station in the town of the same name, it has a disused 6th platform with no tracks Preston +90mi Already existing on Blackpool branches, it needs little introduction here, however it is the southern terminus point of our route (1/2)
Rolling stock Normally the main selling point of a route, this would be no different, as it would populate blackpool branches with even more services. Class 370 "APT-P" The original high speed tilting train, although its life on mainline runs was short, it still operated mainline services for 6 years before its early retirement. Top speed: 125mph Services: Glasgow central to london euston, occasionally edinburgh to london euston. Layers: Blackpool branches, AI Class 87 (IC and BR blue) The most common electric locomotive on the WCML at the time, the class 87 would be the primary loco, operating most services. Top speed: 110mph Services operated: Glasgow central/edinburgh to london euston, to london euston/Manchester/birmingham + more. Layers: Blackpool branches, AI British rail MK2 (swallow) A swallow livery for the existing MK2 coaches, and added onto most BR era routes Layers: Class 47 The class 47 layers from blackpool branches as an extra locomotive for express services. Class 142 pacer The class 142 layers as AI at preston, lancaster and carlisle and driveable services between carnforth and preston. Class 101 The class 101 would have similar layers to the pacer, although also layers on the northern terminus platforms at carlisle on services bound for scotland. Class 20 Would operate driveable mainline freight Class 37 Same as the class 20, with a handful of passenger runs as well. Class 31/40/45/52 Occasional substitute for the 47 Class 150/2 Could occasionally appear as AI on test runs. LMS jubilee Would operate a few railtours. Overall: As the WCML is one of the most requested routes, i feel as if this may be the best section to add, in my opinion it is the most feasable with only a few stations, an achievable length and still having the stunning scenery of a rural route.
Considering I actually suggested the 87 and that's what they used I think they might've at least looked at my suggestion lol
