Perfect the peaks in the class 156 and class 158 DMUs with Train Sim World 3 Midland Mainline Extension 1 Derby - Matlock. This is the first of many extensions/dlc suggestions for the midland mainline. Recently Skyhook Games Jane posted a thread basicaly saying that Skyhook have plenty of further things that they have on their lists to add to the route and are asking for the communities wishlist for the future. i am suggesting in part one of many that the first Midland Mainline extension will be Derby - Matlock aka the Derwent Valley Line featuring the class 156. Master the Peak District in iconic British DMU's, cruise through small towns and villages in the BR class 156 EMT and BR class 158 EMT From the railway city of Derby through to the historic and picturesque town of Matlock in Train Sim World 3 - Midland Mainline Extension 1 - Derby - Matlock. History of the line: The section from Derby to Ambergate was built by the North Midland Railway (which ran between Derby and Leeds) and was opened in 1839. Ambergate quickly became busy with tourists alighting for Matlock Bath who would travel onwards by coach. The Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway also operated excursions from Birmingham completing the journey by way of the Cromford Canal. In 1849 the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway opened from Ambergate and ran as far as Rowsley. Lack of finance prevented it from proceeding any further, but Matlock Bath capitalised on its reputation as a tourist town with the appellation Little Switzerland. The line was leased jointly by the Midland Railway and the LNWR and, in spite of determined opposition from the latter, the Midland succeeded in reaching Manchester in 1867. The Midland, and later the LMS, regarded it as one of their premier lines, linking Manchester with the East Midlands and London. Indeed, it could be regarded as the original "Midland Main Line" carrying such prestige expresses as The Palatine and the Peaks. In the twentieth century, it also carried The Midland Pullman. Initially, there was a great deal of parcel traffic, particularly textiles from the various mills, and the line was also immensely important for coal traffic from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to Manchester and, southwards, for limestone from the Peak District. A large motive power depot was provided at Rowsley to split trains and provide banking engines for the long haul up to Peak Forest. With the end of water power for the mills, and the introduction of road transport, the parcel traffic disappeared, but minerals remained important until the mid-20th century. In 1968, however, the route from Matlock to Buxton was closed during the Beeching Axe. The line between the quarry north of Matlock and Ambergate remained as a single track carrying a small amount of limestone, with a passenger service continuing from Matlock (strongly supported by Derby railway employees with their free passes). During the period from 1976 to 1993 trains would run through Derby from the Derwent Valley line to Sinfin. This ceased when the Sinfin branch line was first replaced with a taxi, then closed in 1998. The service later returned as a train as far as Peartree as a single train per day until 2001. While the railway workers have largely disappeared, at the beginning of the 21st century, there is renewed public interest in rail, and Derbyshire County Council, among others, is keen to reduce traffic congestion on the A6 and in the Peak National Park. The route between Matlock and Rowsley was taken over by the Peak Rail preservation group, who are campaigning for the link to be restored to Buxton. The County Council carried out a study in 2004, which concluded that it was not economically feasible, but that the track bed would be protected from development. It was designated by the Department for Transport as a community rail service in July 2006 and fully designated as a community rail line in September 2006. Meanwhile, the interest shown by the local councils, and public groups such as the Derwent Valley Rural Transport Partnership and the Friends of the Derwent Valley, has encouraged the interest of railway companies. In particular, it follows the course of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage corridor. Former operator Central Trains heavily promoted the line's tourist potential with a specially liveried train. Another former operator, Midland Mainline, extended some of its London–Derby services to Matlock, though these ceased with the introduction of the Class 222 Meridians which were too heavy for several bridges north of Whatstandwell which are in a poor state of repair. However Network Rail has announced its intention[citation needed] to overhaul the line completely in 2008, reinforcing or replacing the defective bridges.[needs update] Passengers using the line have increased steadily at many stations on the line. 94% more passengers used its stations in 2010/11 than in 2007/08; journeys from Ambergate, Belper, Duffield and Matlock Bath have doubled in the same period.[2] On 2 July 2011 Peak Rail extended their services from Matlock Riverside station into Matlock (Network Rail) station to provide easy interchange between services. Featured Rolling Stock Class 156 EMT The British Rail Class 156 Super Sprinter is a diesel multiple unit passenger train. A total of 114 sets were built between 1987 and 1989 for British Rail by Metro-Cammell's Washwood Heath works. They were built to replace elderly first-generation DMUs and locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Class 158 EMT The Class 158 was constructed between 1989 and 1992 by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works. The majority were built as two-car sets, some three-car sets were also produced. During September 1990 Stations: Derby, Already in the original Midland Mainline Route. First opened in 1839 as part of the first section of the Midland Mainline. At one time it was seen as one of the largest railway stations in the country, and was unusual for being shared than more then one company. Duffield, The original station was opened in 1841 just 1 year after the line opened by the North Midland Railway. The current station sits just a few yards south from the original. The station serves the small village with the same name. it is also a junction with the former branch line to Wirksworth which is now a heritage railway named the Ecclesbourne Valley Heritage Railway. On weekdays the station is served by 1tph (train per hour) in each direction between Matlock and Derby with around half the services originating or ending at Nottingham. Saturdays also have a hourly service but all the train originate and end at Derby. On Sundays, there is only a 2 hourly service between Matlock and Nottingham in the morning, with services increasing to hourly from mid-afternoon onwards. Belper, The station opened in 1878 within the cutting, at the town centre, next to King Street. All services at Belper are operated by East Midlands Railway (formerly East Midlands Trains). Belper receives the same amount of services as the previous station from the exception of the class 222 which only stops here on weekdays on a service between Sheffield and London St Pancras International. Ambergate, This station is the first station on the Derwent Valley Line after the Midland Mainline splitting before the station. The current station opened in 1876 after relocating many times since the original station. The station used to be a triangle with an amazing 6 platforms. it was a one of a kind. As for the service numbers they only have 1tph in each direction during weekdays. On Sundays there is a 2 hourly service but the service increase to 1tph from mid-afternoon onwards. The service paterns will stay like this now until the end of the route. The heritage Ambergate - Pie Bridge Line can be found here. Whatstandwell, The station opened in 1849. The station only has 1 platform which is a common theme on the Derwent Valley Line. During the 2021/22 season the station saw a total of around 21,000 passengers. Whatstandwell is also the home of the National Tramway Museum. Cromford, After following the River Derwent, we reach the pretty station of Cromford. The station opened in 1849, this is our first stop in the Derbyshire Dales. The disused stationmasters house on the disused platform famously featured in the song group Oasis's Some Might Say. Just beyond the station is Willersley Tunnel. Matlock Bath, The station was originally opened in 1849 but then closed in 1967. However, on the 27th of May 1972 the station reopened. This is one of the busiest stations on the route. During the 2022/23 season 61,000 passengers travelled to and from this station. You can alight here for the Heights of Abraham. Matlock, The terminus of the Derwent Valley Line. The station opened in 1849 and is the bussiest station on the line seeing 150,000 passengers during 2021/22. Between Matlock Bath and Matlock there is a series of High Tor Tunnels. A line used to go beyond Matlock, im sure many of you know what it is. Its the Peak Forrest Railway which ran to Buxton via Bakewell and Millers Dale. The last year of operation was in 1968 however it has now been preserved as a heritage railway. Scenarios Diesel Do Diesel Don't: Drive a class 156 bound for Matlock from Derby, a fault occurs at Ambergate meaning you have to take the train out of service and run it down ECS to Etches Park for Repairs. What! Stand Well clear from the edge: Drive an early morning class 156 ECS move from Derby Etches Park - Matlock in preperation for a service. Easy Does It: operate a class 158 from Matlock - Nottingham Manic Midlands: operate a class 158 on a stormy day from Nottingham - Matlock. Be careful for signals. Layers 4 Freight Services 1 Class 45 Railtour ROG 37 Hauling 156 - Loughborough Works Future DLC Class 170 EMT Ecclesbourne Valley Railway with class 122, Ferrybridge No.3 steam loco Thank you for taking your time to read this and if you want skyhook games to make this make you to like the post to see how much support it has.
that's nice but way too short an extension so it would have to be priced around £10 good suggestion though I'm surprised it didn't come with the original MML route
Skyhook's own comments on how difficult working with a route (in the example they game - to extend it) that's already been 'baked' suggests that extensions are a literal no-go. As a standalone (and, as said in the reply above - cheaper) route, however. Sure. Why not.
Merging is not really possible in tsw yet and is more challenging than extensions. It's better to "remake" this route with an extension rather than create the extension as a separate route and than do additional work on top of that. They will have to readjust the timetable anyway as seen with sehs extended so better to work on it from the start
