Running for roughly 83 miles, the line from Inverness to Kyle of Localsh is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the UK, although it doesn't have the most frequent of services even to this day. This route would be set in around 1985, with the Class 26s still dominating the majority of services, although the 37/4s were beginning to take over on both this line as well as the Far North Line, which services run on part of the Kyle Line between Inverness and Dingwall. Proposed Rolling Stock Class 26 in BR Blue 47 of these little Sulzers were built between 1958 and 1959, with them spending almost all of their time up in Scotland, with them only making ventures further south in their twilight years in service. All of the examples of the fleet were withdrawn by the mid 1990s, with 13 locos being preserved. They had a top speed of 80mph, with 1160 horsepower, dual braking systems and also only able to provide steam heat. Class 37/4 in Large Logo livery 31 of these locos were converted from normal Class 37s in the mid 1980s at Crewe, with them being fitted with Electric Train Heating equipment, as well as a Brush Alternator replacing the English Electric ones and fitting of CP7 bogies. 25 of the fleet were allocated to depots in Scotland, including the one at Inverness, with the remaining 6 of the subclass plying their trade on the North Wales Line, where some of the Scottish locos would join them after their replacement in 1989.
Sign me up on Day 1 though length wise probably pushing it and of course there would not be much of a timetable with three trains a day in each direction plus the odd excursion and the Far North traffic between Inverness and Dingwall.
I quite enjoy BR Blue locos. Any chance this particular route would offer some interesting layers and substitution to further utilize our current collection of BR Blue trains?
The Kyle line was laid to Route Availability "5" so it was limited to light axle locos, which is why the Class 24, 25 and 26 Type 2's were the mainstay of the route traction wise. The 37's came along later in the early 80's and while the odd Class 40 and Class 47 made it on railtours, these were exceptional workings. Class 20's worked up to Inverness from the south occasionally but rarely strayed north thereof, Class 31's and Class 45's never worked to Inverness. The 08 of course would find a home at Inverness either shunting Milburn Yard or as a pilot loco for ECS moves between the station and sidings. They also worked the Harbour Branch trip freights.
Bring it on and for the Class 37/4 achievements for it do count for TVL and WCL versions. Since the game will treat it as a version of those two. Look at Bremen oldenburg 155 counting for RSN 1550 power surge achievement Power Up Reach level 10 155 Riesa-Dresden 146.2 counts to Main Spessart Bahn 146.2 achievements.
