Blackpool Lines & East Lancashire Line

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by NorthRail1, Apr 12, 2018.

?
  1. Yes, with a future extension to Colne

    19 vote(s)
    76.0%
  2. Yes, but no future extension to Colne

    3 vote(s)
    12.0%
  3. No, I would rather have a different route

    3 vote(s)
    12.0%
  1. NorthRail1

    NorthRail1 Well-Known Member

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    Blackpool Lines for Train Sim World
    In TS1, the North of England was hardly ever featured, something which needs to change for Train Sim World. Whilst there have been many proposals for routes in the northeast of England, there have been few proposals for Northern Rail routes in the North West of England, so here is my proposal: the Blackpool Lines. Blackpool is a major seaside resort and the largest town in the county of Lancashire. It has two rail connections to the city of Preston, also in Lancashire. The two lines follow the same route from Preston station to Kirkham & Wesham. At Kirkham & Wesham, the northern double track route, heads via Poulton-le-Fylde to Blackpool North station, the main station in Blackpool. The southern single track route heads from Kirkham & Wesham via Lytham St Annes and Blackpool Pleasure Beach to Blackpool South station.
    Services
    Blackpool North Line
    The Blackpool North Line was recently re-opened following the electrification of the route, allowing electric trains operated by Virgin Trains to operate to Blackpool North from London. These services stop at Preston, Kirkham & Wesham and Poulton-le-Fylde. Northern Rail also operates services from Blackpool North to Leeds, Liverpool & Manchester.
    Blackpool South Line
    There are considerably fewer services on the un-electrified south line, with only an hourly service to and from Colne in Eastern Lancashire via Preston.
    Locomotives
    Virgin Trains Class 390 'Pendolino'
    390001_Crewe_(8921371746).jpg

    Virgin Trains operates the Class 390 'Pendolino' on its service from London Euston to Blackpool North. As Dovetail Games now has a license with Virgin Trains, it will be possible to bring this train to Train Sim World to haul express services on this route.
    Northern Class 158 'Express Sprinter'
    Northern_158904_and_158752_at_Leeds,_March_2017.jpg

    The Class 158 is used by Northern Rail on its services from Blackpool North to Leeds via the Caldervale Line. They are commonly used throughout the UK, so by adding this train, DTG will be able to reuse it on later routes.
    Northern Class 142 'Pacer'
    1280px-Hugh_llewelyn_142_084_(6285580355).jpg

    The 'Pacer' as they are commonly known operates the hourly service between Blackpool South and Colne. These trains will be removed from service next year and need to be added to Train Sim World before they disappear from the network forever.
    Conclusion
    As this route is quite short, it will be possible for Dovetail Games to make in the near future and has a good variety of locomotives operating on it, providing the variety which is missing from dlc such as Rapid Transit and NEC: New York.
    Extension Potential
    As many of the services on the Blackpool lines operate eastward from Preston, there is potential for a future extension to Colne in East Lancashire via Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley. The service from Blackpool North to Leeds operates along this route from Preston as far as Rose Grove, where the Caldervale Line diverges to Burnley Manchester Road. Services from Blackpool South continue via Burnley Central to the end of the line at Colne.​
     
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  2. NorthRail1

    NorthRail1 Well-Known Member

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    Some images of the Blackpool lines:
    Preston_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1527969.jpg
    A Pendolino at Preston Station.
    1280px-Kirkham_&_Wesham_railway_station_240-25.jpg
    The station at Kirkham & Wesham, where the two lines diverge.
    Blackpool_North_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1576759.jpg
    Blackpool North station prior to electrification. The Blackpool Tower can be seen in the background.
    1280px-Lytham_railway_station_05C420.jpg
    Lytham station on the South line.
    04.04.12_Blackpool_South_142.048_(7046197891).jpg
    A class 142 'Pacer' at Blackpool South station.​
     
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  3. NorthRail1

    NorthRail1 Well-Known Member

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    Images of the East Lancashire Line from Preston to Colne.
    1280px-Blackburn_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1730378.jpg
    Blackburn Station, junction with the Ribble Valley Line to Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe.
    Rail_Line_to_Blackburn_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1216581.jpg
    Accrington Station.
    Rose_Grove_railway_station_in_1985.jpg
    Rose Grove in 1985, the junction between the lines to Colne and Leeds.
    Burnley_Manchester_Road_2015.jpg
    Burnley Manchester Road station on the line to Leeds.
    Burnley_Central_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1471272.jpg
    Burnley Central station on the line to Colne.​
     
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  4. NorthRail1

    NorthRail1 Well-Known Member

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    Nelson_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1291383.jpg
    Nelson station, the last stop before Colne.
    Colne_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1214913.jpg
    The end of the line at Colne station.​
     
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  5. Corvan

    Corvan Well-Known Member

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    I'm all for it. The Pendolino would look particularly nice in TSW and it would be interesting to get the physics behind the tilting working.
     
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  6. Mr Fad

    Mr Fad Member

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    Would love to see this route added especially if the route started at or before Hebden bridge as it would pass my house as it passed through cornholme :)

    Some stunning scenery on this route!
     
  7. somebloke#5785

    somebloke#5785 New Member

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    As someone who lives on this line this is something I would love to see, in TS1 and TSW, going all the way to Colne and Blackpool
     
  8. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Excellent idea but the problem is this posts that are 3 years and 8 months shouldn't be replied again because it's necroposting. Developers can you please lock this post
     
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