I would love to see this route before the Interchange station was built with the class 504's. Also extend it as far as Rawtenstall to oprate services up to there. Maybe the 1960's or 70's before the Rawtenstall line was closed. Depending on how far back you go also include some of the branch lines north of Bury. I believe mostly multiple units worked these services so wouldn't need steam trains. Currently sat at Bury Bolton Street while I type this having a nice pint.
Would love to see this as a DLC for NTP. A unique 1200v dc side contact third rail system, some of which is already in place in game. Class 504 in Blue/Grey livery Class 504 in Manchester PTE livery
Definitely would love to see this. Plenty of stops and only 25 minutes each way. That's why I said use Bolton Street and add on the East Lancs line as well from before it closed. The bridge over the motorway at Besses would be good as well as going through Heaton Park.
I agree, this would be a great line to see. You could have it as a DLC for NTP set in 1983 with just the line to Bury Interchange with the class 504s. If set in the early 60s you could have the line all the way to Bacup which is about 25 miles from Manchester Victoria. This would include the 504s to Bury Bolton Street which I think ran every 15 mins (more frequent during peak hours) and it'd have first gen DMUs running between Bury and Bacup at least every half hour (every 15 mins at peak times) so it'd be quite a busy line with lots of services to do.
Putting it in with the NTP would be good but the 1960's option you mentioned would be brilliant. More variety on routes which is what I look for instead running the same route all the time.
