Introduction: This is an older look at one of scotland's busiest routes, the 50 mile Ayrshire coastline, with the 8 mile branch to Kilmarnock, and short freight branch to ayr harbour. The route: Set in the era of british rail, as of 1986, the newly electrified ayrshire coastline was one of the busiest routes in scotland. Cutting journey times from glasgow to ayr to just under an hour. The full route runs from glasgow central to ayr, with branches to largs, ardrossan harbour, kilmarnock, and the freight branch at Ayr harbour. Stations and Landmarks Black underlined: Major/terminus Stations Black: Stations Orange: Depots/yards Red: Landmarks/Points of interest Glasgow central: Glaschu Mheadhain +0mi The largest station on our route, Glasgow central is the main terminus station within glasgow, and sees services from all across the country, including london, edinburgh, manchester, and ayrshire. Shield's depot: +1mi Today the main depot for Glasgow's EMUs, at the time it would've been rules by MK1 DMUs, locomotives, and the first of the modern multiple units. Cardonald: Cair Dhòmhnaill +4mi Cardonald is a 2 platform station just a short distance from glasgow, this station, along with the next 2, is very rarely served by Ayr trains, and is only usually served by trains towards gourock. Hillington east Hillington an Ear +4mi The first station in Hillington, it was originally known as Hillington. Hillington west Hillington an Iar +4mi Located in the western side of hillington, not much to say about this station. Paisley Gilmour street Sràid GhilleMhoire Phàislig +7mi The largest and busiest station in paisley, It serves both the Ayrshire coastline, and Inverclyde lines. It has 2 platforms, of which platforms 1 and 2 serve the Inverclyde line, while 3 and 4 serve the ayrshire coastline. Johnstone Baile Iain +10mi Located just outside of paisley, Johnstone is a busy 2 platform station serving the ayrshire coastline. It is served By 2TPH towards Ayr, one being a stopping service and one being limited stop, Some of these services continue down to girvan, and stranraer. Milliken park Pàirc Mhaolagain 11mi Although not opened until 1989, the current station would appear still under construction. Lochwinnoch Loch Uinneach +15mi Lochwinnoch is a 2 platform station within the village of the same name, it was renamed a year prior to our route's era from lochside. Glengarnock Gleann Gairneag +19mi Serving the town of beith, kilbirnie, and being located in the town of the same name, Glengarnock is a 2 platform station, being served by trains towards glasgow, ayr, ardrossan, and largs. Dalry Dail Fhraoich +21mi Originally the junction station between the Ayrshire coastline and the G&SWR line towards kilmarnock, 2 of its 4 platforms were closed in 1966, and eventually removed in the 1980s. Kilwinning Cill D'Fhinnein +26mi A large 4 platform station, it is also where trains to largs and ardrossan harbour separate from services to Ayr. (To ayr) Irvine Irbhinn +30mi Irvine train station is located only a short walk from the town's shopping district, and shopping center, making it one of the busiest stations after kilwinning. Barassie Bàrr Fhasaidh +32mi Barassie is a 2 platform station within the town of troon, and is where the branch towards Kilmarnock from Ayr splits from the mainline. Barassie yard +32mi A small freight yard used by trains running via Kilmarnock, at the time it would frequently see locomotives shunting wagons, and departing down the mainline. Kilmarnock Cill Mheàrnaig +40mi Although not on the Ayrshire coastline, adding the branch to Kilmarnock would allow players to complete full runs from Ayr to Kilmarnock, or partial runs from Kilmarnock to girvan/stranraer. Kilmarnock has 4 platforms and is part of the glasgow southwestern line. Troon An Truthail +33mi Troon is a station within the town of the same name, and is served by almost all trains towards Ayr, as well as trains from Kilmarnock. Prestwick airport +36mi Although the train station for the airport never opened until 1994, the railway itself still ran alongside the airport, giving views into the terminal, and running right under the flight path for runway 12 arrivals, and runway 30 departures. Prestwick Preastabhaig +36mi Before being renamed to Prestwick town in 1991, this station was named only Prestwick, it serves the main town center for Prestwick, and sees several trains per hour to and from glasgow. Falkland yard and ayr harbour +38mi Although rarely used today, in the 1980s Falkland yard was a busy yard used by coal trains from tees yard, and other major yards across the UK. Ayr harbour was a short branch line close to Falkland, it was used often by coal trains until 2013. Newton-on-ayr Baile Ùr na h-Aibhne +38mi A small 2 platform station, and our last stop before Ayr, it frequently seen a variety of freight, DMUs, and EMUs passing, and was a very used section. Ayr Inbhir Air +41mi Our main terminus from glasgow, it is very busy with glasgow bound EMUs, Stranraer and Kilmarnock bound DMUs and loco-hauled services, and occasionally freight. Platform 1 and 2, and occasionally 3 and 4 are used for trains to terminate. To largs, and ardrossan Stevenston Baile Steaphain +29mi Stevenston is a 2 platform station in the town of the same name, and our first station on the largs branch, not much else to say about this station. Saltcoats seawall +30mi Famous for being flooded by large waves in bad weather, the ardrossan seawall is a section of track that runs alongside the beach, and is just after the sandals holiday park. There would be plenty of opportunity for scenarios and services showing off just how high waves can get at this section. Saltcoats Baile an t-Salainn +30mi A 2 platform station serving the town of saltcoats, it sees half hourly services to and from glasgow, and serves the town of saltcoats, there is also a taxi rank just outside of platform 1. Ardrossan (south beach) Tràigh a Deas Àird Rosain +31mi Our first single track station, it is a very quiet station with very few passengers boarding each train. Ardrossan (town) Baile Àird Rosain +31mi Being one of the oldest stations in Ayrshire, it was originally opened in 1831, known as ardrossan, before being renamed to ardrossan town in 1953. At the time our route is set the station was closed to passengers, however it was reopened in 1987. Ardrossan (harbour) Caladh Àird Rosain +32mi The smallest terminus on our route, it is only formed of a single platform, it is used as the main ferry link to arran. West kilbride Cille Bhrìghde an Iar +35mi A small station on the largs branch, not much to say about this station. Fairlie Fairlidh +39mi Originally a 2 platform station, its second platform was removed during the electrical of the Ayrshire coastline, it is served by hourly trains to largs and glasgow central Largs An Leargaidh +42mi Largs was a 4 platform terminus station on the Ayrshire coastline, and is the last station on our route, the station was reduced to 2 platforms after a crash in 1995. (1/2)
Rolling stock: The routes most unique part, this is one of the few times and places where you could have vintage diesel loco-hauled services, DMUs, and modern quiet EMU services all in 1 route, here is an example of the variety that could be on this route. Included on release: Class 318 The class 318 is a 3 car electric multiple unit, and at the time it was the newest train on the network. Top speed: 90mph Services ran: Glasgow central to Ayr, Glasgow central to largs, Glasgow central to ardrossan harbour, Glasgow central to Shields depot. Layers: N/A Class 107 The class 107 is a 3 car MK1 DMU, that at the time was just ending its life on the GSW. Top speed: 70mph Services ran: Kilmarnock to Ayr/Girvan, Glasgow central to girvan (via kilwinning) Layers: N/A Future additions: Class 156 "Super sprinter" The class 156 is a 2 car diesel multiple unit, at the time it was just beginning to enter service. Top speed: 75mph Services ran: Glasgow central to girvan, Kilmarnock to girvan/stranraer/ayr. Layers: Blackpool-preston, TVL (provincial livery only) Class 303 "Blue train" The class 303 is a 3 car MK1 electric multiple unit Top speed: 75mph Services operated: Glasgow central to Ayr (peak only) Glasgow central to largs (peak only) Glasgow central to ardrossan (peak only) Glasgow central to shields depot, glasgow central to paisley gilmour street (for wemyss bay/gourock) Layers: Class 47+MK2 coaches The class 47 would operate services from glasgow central and kilmarnock bound for Stranraer harbour. Class 101 The class 101 would operate similar services to the class 107 Class 150/2 The class 150 would appear as AI around glasgow central, and operate very rare services towards girvan and stranraer. Class 37 The class 37 would sometimes substitute for the class 47, as well as operating coal and tanker trains to Falkland/Ayr harbour, Prestwick airport, and barassie yard Class 20 The class 20 would operate coal trains around falkland yard. Class 08 The class 08 would operate shunting duties around falkland and ayr harbour. Class 40/45 These locos would operate occasionally substitutes for the class 47, and freight around the route. LMS jubilee The jubilee would operate a few railtours around the network. Overall: Personally, i feel this would be the best era to set this route in, as the variety in freight and passenger services would give for a lot of replayability, and the network layout provides plenty of options to choose from in services.
What a suggestion! I didn't think of a backdated ACL, the amount of services is surreal and would make this route really good and there are plenty of layers from other BR-era routes as well
Absolutley smashing suggestion, the Ayrshire coast lines are way overdue to come into TSW. Although I'd personally set the route in the early 2000's to allow the 334 to run on the lines just purely because of how under represented the 334s are in the world of TS. Great suggestion either way, the black and orange Strathclyde era of Scottish railways is one I welcome.
Great suggestion, would it be worth also getting the line down to Stanraer Harbour? Would bring some rather interesting freight routes especially for the time era
I was originally thinking of just the stranraer-glasgow central line but that comes to around 100 miles, so it would probably have to be either that or the branches, would be nice to see it one day though as it is my local route
Excellent Idea overall and remember the Class 156 can combine with the Class 150/2 thanks to their BSI coupler. Same thing if this route was owned with Ormskirk to Blackpool via Preston Pacer Class 142 combine with Class 156. Here's a Class 156 2022 Scotrail splitting off from the Class 153
For that you'd need rivet to tweak the coupler. All sprinters irl can be coupled but in game you basically need them all made by the same Dev for that to work In reality tho, scotrail never used class 150's or class 142's as far as I know. Think your mixed up with northern there mate.
They could possibly couple to 142s on Blackpool as well if they layered, and 158s in free roam (if skyhook and just trains allow it to couple)
My gosh, I really underestimated the size of that. Looking on a map I really just thought it was about the same length as probably London Euston to Watford Junction
So, would it be possible for DTG to add all mentioned branches from Glasgow to Ayr? If there ever is a Preston to Glasgow / Carstairs I do think that the Dumfries Branch up to Kilmarnock should be added so you can have Carlisle - Stanraer trains
I don't think there is any direct service from Carlisle to Stranraer modern day. Currently you'd have to change at Kilmarnock to go from Carlisle to Stranraer. Dovetail could definitely do ayshire coast and potentially Inverclyde line with all branches. But the fact the route is in Scotland and isn't a massive mainline makes it unlikely to be chosen to be made sadly.
I live in ayr and have been trying for years ever since the first train sims were about. Ive tried everyting from letters to emails to see if any developer would be up for making the Ayr to Glasgow line. I have loads of photos and arial shoits of the line all the way up too glasgow but no Dev seems to want to take it on. Such a shame really as the Ayr - Glasgow line is just the right route length and time that DTG like to make there routes and Glasgow Central is already moddled. We can only wish have been since i was a kid lol. Nearly a old my now lol.
I think someone is working on making the ACL and inverclyde lines in ts classic, not sure on the progress as of now though
Paisley - Ayr is available on ATS, listed for free. Just a ton of requirements... It also includes trackwork for Ardrossan & Largs but no scenery. This was uploaded in 2021, and there doesn't seem to be anything else since then; https://alanthomsonsim.com/downloads/ayrshire-and-inverclyde-lines/
Oh sorry, I meant Carlisle - Stanraer trains in the 1980s as FREIGHT. Playing on simsig I find it quite interesting with the amount of trains being sent on the Dumfries branch clogging up the single section line around Gretna. I think that DTG can easily source timetables from Carlisle simsig.
