Route Overview: The Doncaster to Skipton and Bradford Forster Square route is a scenic and diverse route that stretches across approximately 55 miles from Doncaster to Skipton and 42 miles from Doncaster to Bradford Forster Square of the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. The journey begins at Doncaster, a major railway hub in South Yorkshire, and continues through various towns and cities, including Wakefield, Leeds, and Keighley, before reaching Skipton and Bradford Forster Square. History: The history of this route dates back to the 19th century when the railway network in Yorkshire was rapidly expanding. The section between Doncaster and Bradford was originally part of the Great Northern Railway's main line to Bradford. The line was later extended to Skipton to provide connections to the Yorkshire Dales and Lancashire. It was electrified as part of the ECML electrification programme of the early 90s Stations and Landmarks: Doncaster: The starting point of the route, Doncaster is a historic town known for its rich railway heritage and the iconic Doncaster Racecourse. Bentley: This small station serves the Bentley area of Doncaster and provides a convenient stop for local commuters. Adwick: Located in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, Adwick is a suburb with easy access to the Trans Pennine Trail, a popular walking and cycling path. South Elmsall: A former mining community, South Elmsall is now a bustling town with excellent rail connections. Fitzwilliam: This station serves the village of Fitzwilliam and the surrounding area, providing access to local attractions such as Nostell Priory and Hemsworth Water Park. Sandal and Agbrigg: Situated near Wakefield, this station serves the suburban areas of Sandal and Agbrigg and offers connections to Wakefield city center. Wakefield Westgate: A major railway station in West Yorkshire, Wakefield Westgate provides access to both local and long-distance services. The station is known for its impressive Victorian architecture. Leeds: One of the busiest stations in the north of England, Leeds is a vibrant city with a rich industrial and cultural history. The station itself is a grand Victorian structure and serves as a major transport hub. Kirkstall Forge: This newly opened station provides access to the Kirkstall Forge development area, including offices, residential properties, and the nearby Kirkstall Abbey. Apperley Bridge: Situated in the Apperley Bridge area of Bradford, this station provides excellent connections for commuters and serves the surrounding residential neighborhoods. It offers convenient access to the Leeds and Bradford city centers, as well as other destinations along the route. Shipley: Located in the Aire Valley, Shipley is a charming town with beautiful Victorian buildings and access to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire. Saltaire: Saltaire station is situated in the village of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The station serves as a gateway to explore the historic village and its surrounding attractions. Saltaire is renowned for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and was built by Sir Titus Salt, a prominent industrialist, in the 19th century. Bingley: Bingley station is situated in the town of Bingley, which lies in the Aire Valley between Bradford and Keighley. The station serves as a key transportation hub for the local community and provides connections to various destinations along the route. Crossflatts: Crossflatts station is situated in the village of Crossflatts, located after Saltaire and Bingley. The station serves as a convenient stop for the local community and offers connections for passengers traveling along the route. Keighley: Famous for its preserved heritage railway, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, this station allows you to experience a mix of modern and traditional rail travel. Steeton and Silsden: This station serves the villages of Steeton and Silsden. It provides access to the surrounding rural areas and offers convenient transportation options for local residents. Cononley: Cononley station is located in the village of Cononley, which is situated between Steeton and Skipton. The station serves the local community and provides convenient transportation options for residents and visitors traveling along the route. Skipton: The final destination of the route, Skipton is a market town nestled on the edge of the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is known for its historic castle, canal, and vibrant high street. Frizinghall: Frizinghall station is situated in the Frizinghall area of Bradford. It serves the local community and provides convenient transportation options for residents and commuters traveling along the route. Bradford Forster Square: Bradford Forster Square station is a major railway station situated in the heart of Bradford, West Yorkshire. It serves as a significant transportation hub and provides connections to various destinations along the route. Rolling Stock: The Doncaster to Skipton and Bradford Forster Square route features a range of rolling stock, including diesel multiple units (DMUs) commonly used for regional services, as well as EMUs used for inner city commuters and Intercity Trains from London Kings Cross. You can expect to see popular models such as the Class 158, Class 170, and Class 333, as well s the class 801s and 91 locomotives. These trains are known for their reliability and comfort, offering an immersive experience as you traverse the picturesque landscapes of Yorkshire. Class 158 Class 170 Class 333 Class 800/801 Class 91
Doncaster to Leeds would most likely be its own separate route, split into two with Leeds to Bradford/Skipton as the Airedale Lines. The Class 333 would be a unique addition, although it would have limited use elsewhere (except maybe for a Class 332 on Heathrow Express services for GWE - but that's unlikely). The Class 170 would more commonly be seen on the Harrogate Loop Line, they rarely run towards Skipton as far as I know. Instead the new Class 195/331 CAF 'Civity' multiple units would be a good alternative choice, along with the Class 800/801. That's probably asking too much so if it were the Airedale lines then it should be the Class 333 with a Class 800 layered from a modern ECML route at the minimum, or with Doncaster to Leeds the Class 331 and the Class 801 with the Class 91/Mk4 sets as an alternative choice/later DLC.
This is a great idea for tsw, both routes I would like. But the 170 isn't used on any of the lines included, it's used on the harrogate loop also would be better as seperate routes as airbournealex said. The airedale line should also get the wharfedale lines included for many more services (goes up to ilkley) which'll have the 331 (the 331 could possibly be a layer from leeds to doncaster since the majority of the airedale/wharfedale lines are done by the 333s) too, on these lines the 801 and IC225 will both have 4 services on those lines every day (ecs to and from skipton/forster square and a service in the morning and evening to and from them). The DMUs on the airedale line are 158s which do morecambe, lancaster and carlisle services every so often. If a northern 170 route comes out they can do ai services at leeds turning right from the airedale lines. But overall I would love this route in tsw, I've always wanted these routes ever since I started playing tsw.
Great suggestion mate, though it would be a lot of rolling stock needed as this is a busy route, particularly between Doncaster and Leeds.
love the suggestion been on northern trains for a long time and we don't have the 331 announced for any route
that would be a great route, my ideal route would be leeds to nottingham going through sheffield featuring the northern class 331,158 and if possible trains from emr aswell.
would make more sense to split it into Doncaster-Leeds and Leeds-Bradford Forster Square, Skipton and Ilkley that way you don't get empty routes
