The line from Gloucester nowadays is fairly busy, with half hourly Cross Country services from the south west to the north, hourly Cross Country services from Cardiff to Nottingham as well as the occasional freight trains and 2 hourly GWR services to Worcester. This route would be set in the early 1980's / late 1970's, with 47's, HST's and 45's in charge of the Cross Country services, 116s on local services from Redditch and the shuttle from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove in addition to Redditch still being served by freight trains, more often than not being hauled by pairs of Class 25's. The route would be as follows. Gloucester to Birmingham New Street (West Suburban Line) Abbotswood Junction to Worcester Foregate Street Barnt Green to Redditch (Cross City services had been extended to Redditch in 1980) Kings Norton to Saltley Depot (Camp Hill Line) Birmingham New Street to Duddeston (for Carriage shed) Curzon Street Parcels Terminal Birmingham New Street to Soho TMD (Some DMU's were maintained there) Stoke Works Junction to Worcester Shrub Hill/Foregate Street (for Curzon Street to Worcester parcels run) Birmingham New Street to Tyseley LMD Proposed Rolling Stock Locos & Multiple Units Class 116 in BR Blue livery Operated passenger services from Redditch. Class 25 'Rat' in BR Blue livery Hauled freight trains to Redditch in pairs, although 47s would occasionally stand in. Also worked parcel trains out of Curzon Street occasionally Class 43 'HST' in BR Blue livery Worked InterCity services from the north to the south west. Operated in 2+7 sets at the time, and had Valenta engines fitted (don't use the old kuju sounds I beg) Class 50 'Hoover' in BR Blue livery Worked Cross Country services during the summer, as well as appearing around Worcester on services to and from London Paddington. Wagons TEA Tanker wagons Used on freight services out of Bromsgrove Oil Terminal. BR 16t Mineral wagons Used on freight services to and from Redditch. BR GUV Parcel Carriages in BR Blue livery Was used on parcels services out of Curzon Street to a wide variety of places. BR Mk2e in BR Blue/Grey livery with 'Inter-city' sticker Now there's probably a few people thinking 'We've already got a Mk2, why do you want a brand new one?'. As I'm sure you can see, these Mk2's were of a later design, and as such have air conditioning and different window design. Possible DLC Class 117 in BR Blue/Grey livery Operated services from Birmingham New Street to Great Malvern (via Kidderminster) as well as local services out of Birmingham Moor Street. Could also be seen around Worcester on services to Hereford. Class 121 in BR Blue/Grey livery Would replace the Class 116 on the Bromsgrove-Barnt Green shuttle if owned. As far as I'm aware, this is the only services they worked in the area covered by the route. Class 310 EMU in BR Blue/Grey livery Based at Soho Depot. Operated most of the EMU services around the Midlands up until 1993 with the introduction of Class 323's. Class 37/0 in BR Blue livery (Split Headcode and Central Headcode Variants) Operated a significant portion of freight up the Lickey incline, as well as being bankers Stock layering in from other DLC's Class 31: Would be utilised on parcels services out of Curzon Street as well as occasionally working services to London Paddington Northern Trans-Pennine: Class 45's and 47's would be regular sights on Cross Country workings, especially on additionals during the summer. Heavy Freight Pack: Class 40's occasionally made an appearance on parcel duties in the last 2 years of service, including D200. Tees Valley: BBA Wagons for steel workings hauled by the Class 37's.
This would make a superb route, although my preference would be for the Sectorisation era. You'd also get banking turns at Lickey incline.
Excellent Idea and for TEA wagons these can come standard or layered from NTP with Heavy Freight DLC purchase since it has TEA wagons too
