In Train Sim World currently, I feel like we need more modern Diesel commuter services/ routes. Currently, we have the new wales route which I am looking forward to, to see what that brings. a route suggestion which I would love to see is Preston to Colne on the East Lancashire linen with Northern rail. I believe the route is around 30-31 miles and the landscape around would look nice in my opinion with TOD 4 Lighting. Overall, a different experience and easy run for players that are looking for a route on the slightly smaller size and less hastle! Rolling Stock: Being a line that’s run by Northern Rail, the Primary DMUS that currently run on this line are Class 195’s, Class 156’s, Class 150/1’s & 150/2’s. 158’s also run on this line but I am not sure if they do run to Colne or branch off at Burnley towards Manchester Victoria. There is freight on this route (passes my house almost everyday), with Colas Rail class 70’s and 56’s carrying timber from Carlisle, Through Blackburn on the east lancs line towards Preston and onto the WCML. Class 66’s are also seen carrying Cement wagons, oil wagons, aggregates and empty wagons/flatbeds (forgot what they are called ) all of the class 66 services can be seen passing through Blackburn, From hellifield, Towards Preston onto the WCML. (Also seen coming towards Blackburn before they turn off at Daiseyfield junction after Blackburn Station towards Hellifield and up North.) Railtours: Both Steam and Diesel railtours are seen on this route but not often, with class 47’s stopping at Blackburn before heading towards Preston. (Below image is a steam engine with a 47 at Blackburn Train Station Sidings) Depot: The 156’s, 150’s, 158’s & 195’s can be seen at Blackburn King Street Depot sidings where they are maintained for cleaning and shut off overnight, before rolling out at around 5-6 AM. Not much else to add! Feel free to ask any questions or suggestions and I will try my best to answer them!
More diesel routes get my vote. Also makes sense to utilise the Northern license they presumably still have, its wasted currently with Glossop Line.
Blackburn Train station is more of a junction station, where it serves different lines/branches. From Blackburn, you can head south towards Bolton & Manchester Victoria. West will take you to Preston and WCML, East then North will take you towards Clitheroe (which I also wouldn’t mind seeing on this route) and directly east will take you towards Burnley where you could branch off towards MCV (Victoria) via Tomorden and Rochdale. This is a image of the different lines coming in and out of Blackburn!
I’m not a fan of old old routes personally, and I already feel like we have enough old routes for now, with Blackpool branches, Shap summit coming, Tees valley etc. this route would make sense as they do have a northern license and it can allow them to not only potentially bring in new Trains, such as the 156 & 150/1, but will allow them to fix Rivets 150/2 which has been neglected. Also going back to my original post, I do feel like we need more diesel passenger routes like the new welsh route coming.
On balance, I think we are overwhelmingly covered on the modern front when compared to content from bygone eras. However, each to their own I guess.
Modern diesels? Definitely not. MML and GWE are the only modern diesel routes we have I believe. Also looking at the routes that are coming soon or have already come out recently, Shap summit, GWE remaster and BB branches not long ago, I don’t think we need more old vintage diesel routes set back in old times. It’s about time we get a change of content and something new, considering Northern rail only have 1 route in the game currently, with the potential to easily expand into something like this, in which people have already agreed. but that’s my opinion
