The Conwy Valley line runs for around 27 miles from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog. This route would be a proper test of a dev's scenery detail, and would bring a much needed second Welsh route to TSW. Variation in this route includes the coastal running between Llandudno and Llandudno Junction, the North Wales Coast line traffic between Glan Conwy and Llandudno Junction, the spectacular mountain terrain between Glan Conwy and Blaenau Ffestiniog and the connection to the Ffestiniog narrow gauge railway at the southern end of the line. Stations: Probably the most unique station on this route is Betws-y-Coed featuring 3 railway lines of all 3 gauges (standard, narrow and miniature) The standard gauge line is obviously the Conwy Valley line, the miniature gauge line on the middle right is a small loop of track with a small miniature train running round, and the narrow gauge line I'm not sure what it's for. I got the train from there to Ffestiniog recently and the narrow gauge track ran into a hedge, so I get the hint it's not used anymore. Another unique station is Blaenau Ffestiniog (the southern terminus of the route), it's an interchange with the famous Ffestiniog Railway which runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and Porthmadog is an interchange for the Welsh Highland Railway, another narrow gauge line that runs to Caernarfon, which is known for Caernarfon Castle, which in 2020, was the location for I'm a Celebrity. Motive Power: This route should include both variants of the TFW Class 197, the 2car 197/0 and 3car 197/1 The 2car variant would be used on the full Llandudno to Ffestiniog service and the Llandudno to Llandudno Jn shuttle. The 3car variant would be used on the Liverpool to Llandudno service and services to/from Holyhead through Llandudno Jn. Timetable layers: The Class 805 can have an Ai only layer through Llandudno Jn and Glan Conwy for the Euston to Holyhead services. The TFW Class 150 and 153 could substitute in on all the services the 197 would operate. The Class 66 and wagons from either ECW, SEHS, or Cargo Line Vol. 2 could have an Ai only layer through Llandudno Jn for some quarry trains. (Not compulsory, a sub-suggestion): If you own JT's TFW Class 142, you could get a 2019 timetable with a few more services. The 142, and reskinned 150 and 153 could be on all services on the Conwy Valley line and North Wales Coast line. A 2019 timetable could be an addition because in August of that year, 8f No. 48151 operated a railtour from Chester to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The stock from either Spirit of Steam or Peak Forest could be used to represent this tour. [ \/ 48151 passing through Betws-y-Coed ] 2019 was also the last year of nuclear flask trains running from the Valley nuclear power station near Holyhead, so the stock from Cargo Line Vol. 5 could have an Ai only layer through Llandudno Jn. [ Again, this 2019 timetable wouldn't be compulsory, just a suggestion inside a suggestion ] Mastery rewards: There are two options I can think of for mastery awards on this route: - There's a disconnected stretch of track at Betws-y-Coed with some disused coaching and parcel stock, that could be present when mastery challenges are done - There's also a small loop of miniature track that's often used throughout the day and could have an Ai only miniature train running round. - An Ai only representation of the Ffestiniog railway services could be present at Blaenau Ffestiniog when challenges are done.
Would prefer in the 1980’s with Class 103 or 108 DMU’s, Class 25’s on the nuclear flask trains and Class 40’s on the occasional Railtour.
