The Hope Valley Line is a scenic mainline which runs from Manchester to Sheffield through the Peak District, in this suggestion I will include 3 different lines 2 commuter and 1 express. STATIONS: Starting with the mainline we have Manchester Piccadilly, Levenshulme, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazel Grove, Chinley, Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage, Grindleford, Dore and Totley and Finally Sheffield. This part of the line is roughly 32 miles and is operated by East Midlands Trains or now East Midlands Railway (we only have the license for EMT and I prefer that anyway) on their Liverpool Lime Street - Norwich services and Transpennine Express on their Liverpool Lime Street - Cleethorpes services. Next We Have the Romiley Line which Northern use for their stopping services down the Hope Valley Line there is Manchester Piccadilly, Ardwick, Ashburys, Belle Vue, Ryder Brow, Reddish North, Brinnington, Bredbury, Romiley, Marple, Strines and New Mills Central before the line then joins on with the mainline just before Chinley. This branch is about 14 miles (14 miles of new track Piccadilly to Ashburys will be a part of the upcoming Glossop line and Chinley to Sheffield has already been mentioned) and is operated by Northern for their Manchester Piccadilly - New Mills Central and Sheffield services. Lastly we have the 3rd line which isn't 100% necessary but adds a bit more variety this route, it goes further up the line towards Glossop and Hadfield before branching after Guide Bridge the stations are: Manchester Piccadilly, Ardwick, Ashburys, Gorton, Fairfield, Guide Bridge, Hyde North, Hyde Central, Woodley, Romiley and Rose Hill Marple. This route is 6 miles (6 miles of new track from Guide Bridge to Rose Hill Marple I know that means Romiley is also added to this length but it makes a negligible difference) and is used by Northern on their Manchester Piccadilly - Rose Hill Marple services. ROLLING STOCK: Class 185 Desiro (At Dore and Totley): This absolute beast of a DMU was built by siemens in Germany as a part of the Desiro family (the 185 being the only diesel train in that family) it has a top speed of 100mph however it will only reach a maximum of 75 mph because these are very heavy trains especially compared to that of the 158. This train runs express services down this route. It would also be seen running as far as Guide Bridge on the Manchester Piccadilly to Huddersfield services. Class 195 Civity (At New Mills Central): The class 195 diesel multiple units were built by CAF as a part of their new Civity family of trains (which include: the class 195, 196, 197, 331 and 397 trains) in Irun (Spain) and Newport (Wales) to replace the class 142 and 144 pacer units between 2017 and 2020 and entered service in 2019 (the 195/1s are the 3 car 195s where as the 195/0s are 2 cars and 35 of the 58 that were built are 195/1s) they have a top speed of 100 mph (but like the 185 will only reach 75 mph) and run a lot of Northern's services. This train runs stopping services down this route. LAYERS: Class 158 Express Sprinter: We already have this train in the correct livery so if you want more details watch some videos. This Train runs express services down this route. Class 150/2 Sprinter (At Manchester Piccadilly): This train would need a heavy re-work including brand new sounds, PIS screens e.t.c, these trains and Pacers used to run the services to Sheffield before being replaced by the 195 but they still run on the line to Rose Hill Marple. Class 323 (at Stockport) The class 323 EMU built by Hunslet TPL is a fairly new addition to the game releasing with the Birmingham Cross City Line from Dovetail Games In order to work with this new release it would require a new livery both externally and internally and possibly some new sounds for acceleration and deceleration because although the sounds are amazing compared to the TS Classic version in it isn't better in terms of movement, because there is no high speed track noise (you should hear a noise similar to that of when the 387 is at speed or really any electric or loco powered train, you won't hear it on a DMU because of the engines blocking the noise out) but it sounds synthetic, the TS Classic version was pretty much raw sounds hence why it cut out so much but that was the one thing they got right with that 323 what you cold hear was spot on. Anyway enough of the rant, I'll give credit where its due every other sound is great and I understand that it is hard to replicate the noise of the 323. (en-route these will be playable as far as Guide Bridge for Glossop and Hadfield services and Stockport for Stoke-On-Trent services) POTENTIAL DLC: Class 319 (at Stockport): The class 319 EMU was built by BREL York at Holgate road works York between 1987 and 1988 and then the second batch in 1990, as 4 car units to run services for Thameslink, they have a top speed of 100mph and were moved to NORTHERN in 2015 where they will stay until we get the 323s from West Midlands Railway. This Train runs short services from Manchester Piccadilly - Hazel Grove. I would also like to see all this rolling stock layer onto the Glossop line. POI's: Hazel Grove Junction: This junction just after Hazel Grove will be an interesting sight to players as they head to the left on their Express services towards Sheffield up that really steep gradient, Straight on leads you towards Buxton and the line that bridges over it comes from Altrincham. Marple Station: It is said that Agatha Christie's Marple was inspired by this station when she got off the train here, it will be very interesting for players to see this plaque at the station. Marple Auqeduct: This beautiful Aqueduct runs just next to the railway line at Marple and its just quite pretty to look at, not much else to it. Buxworth Station: This disused station is located shortly before Chinley and all that remains are this old station house and the Platform it sits on, this again is kind of just something that has to be added. Totley Tunnel: Totley Tunnel is the longest tunnel on this route and runs from Grindleford Station to just before Dore and Totley its a pretty tunnel and is a main point of interest on this route. Stockport Viaduct: This Viaduct is one of the most impressive yet underrated I have ever seen especially for one in a City and being electrified. ROUTE LENGTH: The full route length is 52 miles. CONCLUSION: As one of the quieter Mainlines the Hope Valley Line definitley offers a lot including, helping to Populate Piccadilly, a variety of express and stopping traffic, amazing scenery, regional trains running at high speeds rather than all high speed trains, populates the Glossop line and brings a new highly requested operator to the game in the form of Transpennine Express, lots of layer potential and more.
I went on it recently but on a bad day because EMR and TPE services were cancelled due to works on the line and all Northern services were only going as far as Hope so I had to get a rail replacement bus from Hope to Sheffield and it took forever
agreed couldn't walk after I got out was afraid we'd smash into a bridge and tbh we almost did the driver had to use wheelchair suspension to get underneath which you can't do on buses newer than the Gemini 2 it seems.
Excellent idea overall furthermore this is a train simulator classic route that needs to be in game. Either Present Day or 1980's-1990s like TSC Just Trains
I love this suggestion. With the licence for EMT the route would have to be pre-modern with the old Dore and Totley station, possibly with the 68 and MK 5a's if you wanted to take some artistic licence. It would be great to have the 185 in-game as it is a traction I sign in real life, and it has plenty of other uses on other routes we have with the new MIA route it could be used for the occasional LIV-MIA shuttles, MIA-RCC, and as a stand in for the 397 and 802 on the Anglo-Scotts route. Not to mention AI on the Glossop route and at Doncaster. Depending on the year the pre-380 Cathcart Circle is set, they could also be used in Glasgow Central.
dont know any of these places but trains look cool and from the pics it looks like another nice and chill route akin to Fife lets say
Firstly your suggestion is a absolutely fantastic idea this is a very beautiful route which during my healthy years I travelled on myself and would definitely be day 1 purchase of this route made secondly I would like to commend your impeccable detailed description plus all the fantastic accompanying photography that adds depth and dimension to your explanations this is how every route suggestion should be full of details with the evidence to back it up fantastic job well done
