Well it’s been a while since I’ve suggested something Introduction: Hello, I am TomTrainBoi and I’m suggesting the Wessex Mainline set in 1985 to be added to TSW The Wessex Main Line is the railway line from Bristol Temple Meads. to Southampton Central Diverging from this route is the Heart of Wessex Line from Westbury to Weymouth (possible route in its own with route hopping.) The Wessex Main Line intersects the Reading - Taunton Line at Westbury and the West of England Mainline at Salisbury. Landmarks include the possible sighting of the Westbury White Horse and Salisbury Cathedral. STOCK: CLASS 33 The British Rail class 33 was seen alot in 1985 at Westbury, often running the Cardiff - Portsmouth Runs where 165/1’s, 166’s, and 158/7’s run today. Having this Diesel locomotive in BR Condition would be great (even greater if it was Livery Designer Compatible). Personally, I am okay with them using the original sounds on the 33 on the WSR. Being built between 1960 and 1962, the Cromptons would be perfect for engineering and passenger trains along the line. CLASS 205 Being built between 1957 and 1962, these DEMUs of the unofficial ‘Thumper’ set of DMUs, mainly the nicknamed Berkshire Series, were seen working on Trains from Reading to Salisbury, Occasionally through Westbury. Although they would only run between Westbury and Salisbury, these Thumpers would be pretty good for this route CLASS 56 The Grids were built between 1976 and 1984. These thrash beasts were mainly seen on aggregate duties around the Westbury Area, mainly coming from the quarries of Merehead and Whatley (an extension to those quarries would be wanted most likely) Most were used from Engineering and other jobs aswell. POTENTIAL DLC 37/4 The 37’s were also used for local passenger duties during their time. Mainly hauling MK2’s in NSE colours, the /4’s were mainly used on the Cardiff to Portsmouth trains aswell as the 33’s. Upgraded sounds would seem nice, maybe it could come with the NSE Mk2 coaches. ROUTE: The Wessex Mainline starts at the bustling city of Bristol, Temple Meads to be exact. You would start your Salisbury journey by heading down to Bath Spa calling at Keynsham and Oldfield Park. Bath Spa was first opened in 1840, as just ‘Bath’. It would gain the Bath Spa name until 1949! Following this, you would next head down to Westbury, passing the closed Limpley Stoke station and calling at Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford-On-Avon and Trowbridge before pulling into the freight hub of Westbury. First opened in September of 1848, it has only had 2 accidents nearby as of 2025 (technically only 1 during the routes timeframe) with one In 1873 and one in 2011. Afterwards, you depart bound to Salisbury, passing Westbury’s DMU sidings and massive yard. Only stops on the line are Dilton Marsh (on request) and Warminster before approaching into the city of Salisbury. Salisbury is famous for its Cathedral (which may or may not be seen from the station). Its station opened in 1859 by the LSWR, and it gained a new station building in 1902. STATIONS Bristol Temple Meads Keynsham Oldfield Park Bath Spa Freshford Avoncliff Bradford-On-Avon Trowbridge Westbury Dilton Marsh Warminster Salisbury Services Cardiff - Portsmouth Harbour: ~4tph Reading - Salisbury ~1tph (I think)
POTENTIAL SCENARIOS (BASE STOCK) An Aggregating Storm: Take a 56 to marshal a train with loaded hoppers at Whatley before taking them onto Westbury Yard during a snowstorm Difficulty: 4 Estimated Length of Scenario: 1 hour 20 minutes. To Bristol and Back: Take a Crompton-hauled local train from Salisbury to Bristol, Run around your train and head back to Salisbury as a semi-fast Difficulty: 2 Estimated Length of Scenario: 1 hour 40 minutes Thumping to the Market: Drive a special charter 205 train from Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads. Difficulty: 1 Estimated Length of Scenario: 40 minutes Thrashing Rescue: Take a 56 and rescue a failed 205 at Warminster, before taking it to Westbury and shunt it into the sidings for a later time for it to head to be fixed. Difficulty: 2 ELOS: 50 Minutes Empty Express: After finishing a days work of passenger duties, take the 33 and its coaches from Bristol to Westbury as the sun begins to set, Shunt the coaches into the sidings before they are taken to Salisbury East Yard. Difficulty: 1 ELOS: 45 minutes
Brilliant route but to have cromptons which it absolutely should it would need to be in between 1981 and 1988.
Bear in mind the 33’s and Mark One 5 coach rakes were displaced by the Machiavellian 155’s in 1988 so to represent this route at its finest, would need to be set prior to that date.
