Everyone likes branches, right? Sure you do, it means you can choose between a straight run from A to B or go from A to C or D. Well, the North Clyde Line (and Argyle Line, suggestion is coming soon) have plenty. The main stretch included in this suggestion, Airdrie - Helensburgh Central, makes up 34 Miles and 5 Chains (via Yoker), and the branches included, to Balloch, Milngavie, Springburn, and the 2nd line via Singer, make up an extra 15mi 74ch, for a total of 49 miles, and 79 chains. These lines combined would have a total of 43 Stations, including the Low Level of Glasgow Queen Street. Also included could be the Maryhill Line, between Anniesland (on the Milngavie branch) and Glasgow Queen Street High Level, this runs for 5 Miles and 36 Chains, with 7 stations (discounting Anniesland). Anyway, let's get into it: Contents The Route/Stations Rolling Stock Services Features Conclusion The Route I'm going to end up hating myself for trying this, aren't I... Ok, I'm going to split this up into the different sections, these will be: Mainline: Helensburgh - Dalreoch Branch: Balloch - Dalreoch Mainline: Dalreoch - Dalmuir Mainline A: Dalmuir - Hyndland (Via Yoker) Mainline B: Dalmuir - Hyndland (Via Singer) Branch: Milngavie - Westerton Maryhill Line: Anniesland - GQS Mainline: Hyndland - Bellgrove Branch: Springburn - Bellgrove Mainline: Bellgrove - Airdrie See why this is going to be a painful suggestion to write? Yeah, me too. Helensburgh - Dalreoch (Includes Helensburgh Upper) Helensburgh Upper Located in the Upper areas of Helensburgh - hence the name - Helensburgh Upper is the first true West Highland Line station, and is subsequently here for that purpose, to give WHL services a purpose. Helensburgh Central The North Clyde Line's Western terminus, Helensburgh Central is the primary station in the town, located in it's town centre. Opening in 1868 as Helensburgh, this station hasn't really changed much over time, with one platform gone, a total rebuilding of the station in 1897, and of course some modernisation. It's always been a terminal station, however. Craigendoran Having run Single Track from Helensburgh Central, this station is a small one, with one platform. It is located directly beside the West Highland Line, with services passing over an embankment which overlooks the platform. Cardross Following Craigendoran, the line opens up to be Two Tracks - following the West Highland Line joining it, and Cardross is the first Station after this. Located near Cardross Bay, with the station near enough at the coast. In low tides, the Sandbank between it and the Inverclyde Coast - which is a defining feature in the History of the Clyde, and it's Shipping - is also visible. The Section between Craigendoran and Dalreoch is also visible from Inverclyde, and the Inverclyde Line, so the BR Class 314 (from Cathcart) could be used over these for some passing trains, because - I can confirm from real experience (on both sides) - you can see the other line's services on a clear day. Not sure if TSW's viewing distance allows for this, though... Balloch Branch Balloch Balloch is the Terminus of the Balloch Branch, and is within the centre of the town, in close proximity to the River Leven. Located within Walking distance of both the Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre, which features a Shopping Complex a SeaLife Aquarium, and some other things, as well as the Loch itself, the station can get incredibly busy during the Summer, with tourists coming up for a day out from Glasgow and such. Alexandra Serving the town of Alexandra, this station is located in the outer side of the town, close to Bonhill, located on the opposite bank of the River. Just north of the station, the line briefly runs directly alongside the river, before the latter bends away, again. Renton Despite being the southernmost station on the branch (excluding Dalreoch), Renton is roughly in the geographical middle. Serving the town of the same name, this station is a smaller one, reflecting the town. Dalreoch - Dalmuir Dalreoch To it's west, it's a matter of yards before the junction between the line to Helensburgh, and to Balloch. To it's East, it's instantly over the River Leven. Very quickly after that, it's Dumbarton Central, which is 660 Yards (603.5m) away. Due to it's location on the River, however, it does make Dumbarton Central feel further away than it is. Dumbarton Central Dumbarton's primary station, Central, Is located on the town's Station Road, and is an elevated station, with 3 Platforms. The station is served by ScotRail services, to Balloch, Helensburgh and Fort William, and the Caledonian Sleeper calls here. Dumbarton East Unlike most stations on this line, Dumbarton East is an Island Platform, going against it's original railway's designs. The station is also located relatively close to Dumbarton Rock/Castle, a major attraction in the town. Bowling No, seriously Located directly along side the River Clyde and Bowling Harbour, Bowling is one of the stations that - despite serving a small village, and only seeing 50,000 passengers (in a normal year), it truly is a wonderful little one. Kilpatrick Kilpatrick serves the village of Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire (quick note, Dumbarton - the town - is spelt with an 'M', Dunbartonshire - the region, has an 'N'), and runs underneath the A898 (Erskine Bridge) road, which crosses the River over the marvelous Erskine Bridge, to the M8 Motorway, for quicker routes into Glasgow. Sadly, this station has suffered two horrible events. In 1989, the station was held up in an armed robbery, which today is why the station remains unmanned, and in 2011, someone was killed after being struck by a train... Dalmuir Dalmuir is the Western Terminus of the Argyle Line, as well as being the location where the North Clyde Line splits (between the Singer and Yoker routes), and is an interchange between both routes and the West Highland Line. The station has 5 platforms, these are: 1 - From Singer towards Helensburgh 2 - From Helensburgh towards Singer 3 - From Yoker towards Helensburgh 4 - From Helensburgh towards Yoker 5 - Bay Platform to/from Yoker This is also the West Highland Line's Last stop towards Glasgow. Dalmuir - Hyndland (via Yoker) Clydebank Serving the former shipbuilding hub - a title shared with Greenock - of Clydebank, this station is bang in the middle, overlooking the town. That's pretty much it. Yoker Yoker, the station from which this section of the line takes it's name, is a medium sized station in the town. The town's railway infrastructure is extensive, however, with Yoker TMD located to the East, which, for the record, could be a good possibility for some use as ECS or Scenarios - ignoring the fact that most 334/318/320 units are based at Shields Road (the one on Cathcart), but that doesn't actually connect to this line, without the argyle line being added. Also, Yoker has a signalling centre in the town. Garscadden Serving the Garscadden district of Glasgow, this station is a smaller through station, with limited services terminating/starting here, with the stock coming from Yoker TMD. Scotstounhill Scotstounhill station serves the area of the same name, and - like the rest of the Yoker line stations - has both Argyle and North Clyde Line services. Jordanhill Jordanhill serves the area of the same name, and is the final station on the Yoker line. Located near the University of Strathclyde's Jordanhill Campus, and direct east of the junction where the Singer and Milngavie lines meet again, the station is a small yet somehow important station. Dalmuir - Hyndland (via Singer) Singer Instead of Clydebank, this station serves Clydebank's town centre, however, it was named for the Singer sewing machine factory, which was behind the station, this station is also one of the (along with Yoker) via points on the route. The station once boasted 6 Bay Platforms (as well as the two through platforms) to take in Workers' trains, however, after the factory closed, so did these platforms. Drumry Serves the Drumry area of Clydebank. Drumchapel Serves Drumchapel, Blairdardie and Old Drumpchapel Westerton Serving Westerton, an area of Bearsden, Westerton is located very close to the boundary between the East Dunbartonshire and City of Glasgow Council areas, and close to the Forth & Clyde Canal. Anniesland Anniesland has 3 platforms, the Two through platforms for the Milngavie and Singer lines Milngavie Branch Milngavie Milngavie station serves the town of Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire. Located near the southernmost point of the West Highland Way, a 156mi (96km) walking trail, between Milngavie and Fort William, later following the West Highland Line. The station, however, is primarily a commuter station, and is Category B listed - roughly equivalent to England's Grade II listing. Hillfoot Hillfoot station, in Bearsden, is a double-tracked station on the Milngavie branch. Having opened in 1900, the station has just been there... It was part of the shooting of a BBC Comedy show called Burnistoun, however. Bearsden Opened in 1863, Bearsden is located on the Milngavie branch of the North Clyde line. interestingly, when the station opened, the town was called New Kilpatrick, later taking it's name from the station, the opposite from the norm. (Joins Singer branch west of Westerton) Maryhill Line: Anniesland - GQS Anniesland [See above] Kelvindale Opened in 2005 by MSPs and local Councillors, this station has consistently low passenger numbers. Despite this, however, it maintains a consistent service to/from Glasgow Central, and has step-free ramp access. Maryhill Sharing it's name with the line, Maryhill station's current form opened in 1993, and until 2005 was the terminus for services to/from Glasgow Queen Street, before extending to Kelvindale and Anniesland. Summerston Again dating back to 1993, Summerston is another small station on this line, serving the area of the same name. Gilshochill Once again going back to 1993, this station opened as Lambhill, renaming 5 years later. Possilpark and Parkhouse Take a guess... Ashfield Located to the west of Cowlairs Junction, where all the lines into Queen Street meet, this station is the final station unique to the Maryhill Line, and has 2 platforms. You guessed it, by the way, it's from 1993! Glasgow Queen Street High Level Glasgow's Historic Queen Street terminus isn't one to miss the fun, with services to Edinburgh, Stirling, Inverness, Helensburgh, Fort William and more. And this line is no exception. Serving as Glasgow's second terminus, following Central, Glasgow Queen Street is a truly wonderful station. Located in the City Centre, facing onto George Square, the station, with it's magnificent arched roof and excellent new Concourse and Façade, is truly an icon of the historic influence railways have had on Glasgow's wealth and power, historically. In terms of the North Clyde Line, Queen Street HL is the terminus of both West Highland and Maryhill Line services, and is connected to the Low Level. More on that shortly. Hyndland - Bellgrove Hyndland Hyndland, serving the area of Hyndland, was opened in 1960 by British Rail as part of the Electrifcation project for the line, and has an island platform. Primarily serving the areas around it, it is also within walking distance of the local Gartnavel General Hospital, Royal Hospital, and such. Partick Partick has been one of those stations that has moved a lot. However, it's modern form is almost perfect. Located in the Partick area, overlooking the River Clyde to the South, the station is a 3-form interchange, with Rail, the Glasgow Subway and Buses. The railway itself has this as an interchange, as this is where the North Clyde and Argyle lines meet/split. The station was also one of the first to recieve bilingual signage with Gaelic and English, due to Partick's significant Gaelic-speaking community. Charing Cross (Glasgow) Opening on 15th March, 1886, Charing Cross was Scotland's first Underground station (alongside Queen Street LL). Today, it continues to serve the area on the North Clyde line, with the name now including "(Glasgow)" to seperate from London Charing Cross. Glasgow Queen Street Low Level Platforms 8 and 9 at Glasgow Queen Street are the Low Level platforms, and see through services from Helensburgh and Milngavie to Airdrie and Edinburgh - among others. Opened in 1886 (far later than the High Level, which opened in 1842), these platforms have near enough always served this purpose. High Street Opened in 1866 as Campus (to reflect the nearby Strathclyde University), the station is located bang in the middle of the City, with Bellgrove Located in Glasgow's East End, around a mile from Celtic Park Stadium. Located shortly before the Springburn branch diverges, and is another island platform station. Springburn Branch Duke Street Located in Dennistoun, Glasgow, this station is a relatively small one, being on the curve up towards Springburn. Alexandra Palace "Hey, wasn't there already an Alexandra, you can't pitch twice!" Yeah, our Second Alexandra station. Located in Glasgow Cross, and opened in 1919 (reopened). Barnhill Opened in 1883, as part of the City of Glasgow Union Railway, and 4 years later had services to Springburn. Springburn The Terminus for Springburn branch services, but first out from Queen Street on the Cumbernauld Line, this station is somewhat stuck in the middle, with 4 platforms, 2 through, 2 bay. (The Curve of track between Springburn and Glasgow Queen Street could be added, mostly for scenarios) Bellgrove - Airdrie Carntyne Rolling Stock Included Class 334 'Juniper' EMU Class 156 'Super Sprinter' DMU Class 318 EMU (Ignore the SPT LIvery) Potential Inclusion or Later Layer/DLC Class 320 Layers Class 314 Services West Highland Line 3tpd - Glasgow Queen Street - Oban (Hel. Upper) Calling At; Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper Class 156 DMU (2 Cars on this service) 4tpd - Glasgow Queen Street - Oban & Fort William (then Mallaig) (Hel. Upper) Calling At; Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper Class 156 DMU (4 Cars on this service) North Clyde Line 2tph - Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh (Airdrie) Calling at; Craigendoran, Cardross, Dalreoch, Dumbarton Central, Dumbarton East, Dalmuir, Hyndland, Partick, Charing Cross, Glasgow Queen Street, High Street, Garrowhill, Easterhouse, Blairhill, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Coatdyke, Airdrie Class 334 EMU (3 or 6 Cars) 2tph - Milngavie - Edinburgh (Airdrie) Calling at; Hillfoot, Bearsden, Westerton, Anniesland, Hyndland, Partick, Charing Cross, Glasgow Queen Street, High Street, Bellgrove, Carntyne, Shettleston, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Airdrie Class 334 EMU (3 or 6 Cars) 2tph - Balloch - Airdrie Calling at; Alexandria, Renton, Dalreoch, Dumbarton Central, Bowling, Kilpatrick, Dumbarton East, Dalmuir, Singer, Drumry, Drumchapel, Westerton, Anniesland, Hyndland, Partick, Charing Cross, Glasgow Queen Street, High Street, Bellgrove, Carntyne, Shettleston, Garrowhill, Easterhouse, Blairhill, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Coatdyke and Airdrie Class 334 EMU or Class 318/320 EMUs (3 or 6 cars) 2tph - Milngavie - Springburn Calling at; Hillfoot, Bearsden, Westerton, Anniesland, Hyndland, Partick, Charing Cross, Glasgow Queen Street, High Street, Bellgrove, Duke Street, Alexandra Parade, Barnhill and Springburn Class 334 EMU or Class 318/320 EMUs (3 or 6 cars) Argyle Line 2tph - Milngavie - Motherwell (Partick) Calling at; Hillfoot, Bearsden, Westerton, Anniesland, Hyndland, Partick Class 334 EMU or Class 318/320 EMUs (3 or 6 cars) 2tph - Dalmuir - Larkhall Calling at; Singer, Drumry, Drumchapel, Westerton, Anniesland, Hyndland, Partick Class 334 EMU or Class 318/320 EMUs (3 or 6 cars) 2tph - Dalmuir - Whifflet Calling at; Clydebank, Yoker, Garscadden, Scotstounhill, Jordanhill, Hyndland, Partick Class 334 EMU or Class 318/320 EMUs (3 or 6 cars) Maryhill Line 2tph - Glasgow QS - Anniesland Calling at; Ashfield, Possilpark & Parkhouse, Gilshochill, Summerston, Maryhill, Kelvindale and Anniesland Class 156 DMU (If ever available for layers: Class 170 and 158) Cumbernauld Line (AI) The Rolling Stock here depends on the year, if it's early 2018/2019 these services are Diesel, so could use the 156 and any future 158/170 units, from future routes, if it's later 2019- it's electrics, and would need a 385 layer. Anyway, 2tph - Glasgow QS - Edinburgh via Cumbernauld (Springburn) Calling at; Springburn Features: As usual, i think it's worth noting a few features: - Red-ish Ballast - Grey Border on PIS Screens - CL334's PIS Display moves up, rather than left or right. - Inverclyde Line is visible from Western areas. Conclusion. Why, oh why did i spend half a day writing this, so much so, it's not even done... Anyway, The North Clyde line is like Cathcart, but crazier. Stops are rapid, and the line is relatively long. Unlike Cathcart - limited by the year it's set in - this line plays host to numerous traction types, including Diesel Multiple Units. However, all has been said, and i'd hope to see this made one day. Thanks for Reading. Word Count (As of first posting) - 2,761. Update: I've put the completion of this thread on hold for the while. I have a priority to get newer ones done over the festive season. In the meantime, I recommend checking out the Wikipedia article for this route. Just search up "North Clyde Line" on the site and that should be helpful, in the mean time. Apologies.
It's in Scotland so a definite yes from me. As always an amazing suggestion which is putting the standards for a suggestion even higher than before
Very good suggestion. And as I just posted in another thread, unlike the TS version with its paltry six scenarios/services to run, would offer the full complex timetable.
It's a great route but for those of us who play TS as well, we only recently got this route so something totally new might be a bit more appealing at the moment. Also I would slightly prefer a route with a different 'feel' first, such as an intercity or regional route before another Glasgow area commuter route. (I would still purchase this route in a heartbeat if it were ever released though- good suggestion as always).
