With a class 350104 livery released, I would like to create some scenarios using this unit. I am unable to retrieve any time tables for recreating these in TSC. I have tried realtimetrains.co.uk but they don't archive old timetables. If anyone can kindly share their knowledge on making TSC scenarios using older train times, this will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Working Timetables for the whole UK are publicly available from Network Rail's archive back to 2002: https://history.networkrail.co.uk/uncategorized/SO_4b13306b-816a-4d77-89ec-630d6beb2680/ Use this link to find timetables from Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack, which covers 1994-2002: https://history.networkrail.co.uk/uncategorized/SO_506bb63b-dadf-497e-901d-1673556bcffd/. Each timetable covers roughly six months. They are each split into many sections, each of which has a two letter code. Section CB covers passenger and postal services from Euston to just past Crewe, and Section CE covers Crewe to Liverpool and Manchester, plus all the local lines. CY and CZ cover the corresponding freight services. A few of the timetables are missing freight sections. For scenario creation, I just tend to use the corresponding section from the next or previous year, unless there was a major change at the time - it may not be 100% correct, but it will be close. Sections have a map of what they cover, and it tells you which section to refer to next when you reach the edge of the map. There's enough detail to reconstruct each service, and it gives you a clue as to the right stock to use. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you figure it out, it's easy. For example, "E385" means an electric loco trailing 385 tonnes. This would be a Virgin service with a Class 87 or 90 (sometimes an 86 would sub in) with 9 Mk3 coaches and a Mk3 DVT at the London end. D245 would be a Virgin XC service with (usually) a class 47 and 7 Mk2s. Units are usually easier to identify. Use advanced search on Flickr with the right date range and you can get an idea of what locos, units and coaches had what livery, and what freight consists might have looked like. If it's public timetables you're after, DP Simulation has a large collection freely available:https://www.dpsimulation.org.uk/timetables.html. I've bought a couple from here that I was interested in (around £10 a go): https://timetableworld.com/.
Ah think you mentioned this on another thread I created regarding old timetables. If it's basically the same process for modern timetables, I will follow this when using class 350s Many thanks!!
Ah, that was your thread - didn't realise. But yes, the Network Rail Archive is the first place to look for any UK timetables for the last 30-odd years. It's great for hobbyists that there is so much info in the public domain in the UK - as far as rail goes we seem to have it better than most of the other countries represented in TSC. The RMWeb and RailUK forums are a good source of information as well - they're aimed at modellers and enthusiasts, and are open to anyone to join.
Thank you for your your advice, I will check out the sites too. Oh I have been using Flickr, never been on there before but there are loads of pictures from different years. While looking on the site I found out that 158s went to Euston. Was totally mind blown that was a thing. Many thanks
