Crewe To Derby (north Staffs Route)

Discussion in 'Route Suggestions & Proposals' started by class66fan1, Jan 26, 2020.

  1. class66fan1

    class66fan1 Member

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    The Crewe-Derby line runs for 50 miles between these two key rail interchanges.
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    The line runs through towns, built-up areas and lovely countryside.

    Run through of the route:

    Derby Station
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    The East end of the line is Derby, with its recent re-modelling adding an extra platform for more capacity. Much freight passes through the station, namely Test Trains from the nearby Rail Technical Centre (R.T.C.) and engineering/spoil trains from Chaddesden just north of the station. East Midlands Railway and Cross Country mainly serve the station with infrequent Northern Rail services. I believe the aforementioned depots could be included for extra scenario potential along with Litchurch Lane works. In addition there is Etches Park where many EMR trains are serviced and worked on.
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    The line then passes the rather empty station of Peartree, which rarely sees any stopping trains.
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    The line then heads down to Stenson and North Staffs Junctions, key trainspotting points.
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    The line then veers off at North Staffs Jn as the main route continues to Burton on Trent and Birmingham.

    Following this, the line is now into mostly semaphore signals and blissful countryside.

    Tutbury and Hatton station follows, with a lovely preserved signal box and segregated platforms.
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    Uttoxeter station is next, which serves the nearby town and racecourse.
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    Blythe Bridge and Longton stations follow.
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    At Stoke Jn, the line joins with the route from Norton Bridge/Colwich, being branches off the West Coast Main Line carrying Intercity services to London/Manchester, Cross Country services between Manchester and the south and vice versa as well as London Northwestern Railway services running between Crewe and London and vice versa.

    Shortly after this is is Stoke-on-Trent, where yet more services can be seen as Northern run 323 units between Manchester and here.
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    Following this is Longport, which also has a locomotive maintenance depot where currently some Class 56s are being converted into Class 69s.
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    Next is Kidsgrove where the line to Manchester continues on while the Crewe line veers off.
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    Alsager station is next as the line goes into a short section of single track before Crewe.
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    The line then reaches Crewe, with its many yards and depots. This is where the line meets the West Coast Main Line and the official North Staffs route finishes.
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    Route connections:

    This line would connect with a few currently existing routes for TS that would allow for some services to be driven across the different routes, with examples being Just Trains Sheffield-Derby and the North Wales Coastal Crewe-Holyhead.

    Rolling Stock:

    Rolling stock that could be included for the route:
    East Midlands Railway Class 153
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    These run the services mainly between Derby and Crewe. This could provide an opportunity for an updated 153 with current specs and features as seen in recent TS addons.

    With freight, not a lot uses this line apart from Test Trains. A test train could be included, such as a 31/37/67 with some Mk1s/Mk2s and a driveable DBSO.
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    Or, this could be a chance to include more unique stock as once used out of Derby RTC such as the converted DMUs and the inspection saloon Caroline.
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    The many other trains seen at points along this route such as 170s/222s at Derby, Voyagers, 350s and 390s around Stoke and Crewe are already in TS but could have basic versions included as AI to make included scenarios more interesting.

    There is also much potential for users to create their own scenarios with existing stock, such as with that listed above, as this route features two key rail locations with one at each end.

    Overall
    The route is a decent length with a variety of signalling, scenery and stations.
    It gives the chance of an updated 153 and some more unique Network Rail stock.
    Much scenario potential with a large variety of different rolling stock operating on different sections of the route.
    Connections with existing routes while covering an area that hasn't seen much attention in TS.

    What do you think? Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated!
     
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  2. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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  3. sophieclarke1983

    sophieclarke1983 Well-Known Member

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    I’d buy it definitely as long as it’s made available for consoles which given east coastway is don’t see any problems with length so yea I’d happily shake your hand and buy it not only is it a nice area but worth buying from heritage POV as lovely semaphores and signals boxes a lovely touch of nostalgia
     
  4. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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  5. budtheweiser

    budtheweiser Active Member

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    this route would do well on Train simulator 2020 then train sim world ts 2020 would get more players
     

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