This lovely little route would be set in the LMS era, around 1923-26. The NSR line ran from Leek to Waterhouses, where it met the 2ft 6in gauge Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway. The L&MVR ran for 8.25 miles from Waterhouses to Hulme End, winding it’s way through the wonderfully scenic Manifold Valley. The railway operated using two 2-6-4T locos (the first locos of this wheel arrangement to run in the UK) and primarily transported milk from Ecton Creamery to the mainline, also running a passenger service and transporting other local goods. Rather forward-thinkingly, the railway used flatbed converter wagons to carry standard gauge wagons along the 2ft 6in gauge line, with standard gauge sidings positioned at some stations along the line. From Waterhouses to Leek the line ran over Ipstones summit before descending into the market town. Services on this part of the route would be a few passenger and goods trains, using the NSR new L class. The shunting gameplay that could be offered at Waterhouses station with the transfer of wagons between standard and narrow gauges is something that can’t be simulated anywhere else in the UK, as the transporter wagons used were unique to the L&MVR. This, the fantastic scenery of the Manifold valley and the tough climb over Ipstones summit would make this an interesting route with some diverse steam loco gameplay, and while I doubt this will drum up much support on the forums due to it being quite a niche route I still think it would be a fun and interesting route to drive in it’s LMS heyday. Route: Leek-Waterhouses-Hulme End Trains: NSR New L Class, L&MVR 2-6-4T Total length: 17.6mi (28.4km)
