Route The Preston-Manchester line branches off the WCML from Preston, and makes its way into the heart of Manchester. Trains along this route are usually bound for Manchester Airport, all using a stretch of track in Manchester called "Castlefield Corridor", which can become highly congested. For sake of performance, the timetables could have a reduced option for less powerful devices. There could also be a scenario where you have to deal with these delays. In the case of this route, services would end at Manchester Piccadilly's Platform 13. It was fully electrified around 10 years ago, so is primarily used by EMUs operated by Northern and TransPennine Express. I'll get more onto the rolling stock later on. The length of the route is roughly 38 miles, including two small branches into Manchester Victoria, diverging at Salford Cresent and Deansgate. The longest completable journey would be just under 1 hour. Why this route? This route features some natural scenery, alongside 3 urban zones; Preston, Bolton and Manchester. It also features a Bi Mode Multi Unit, which hasn't been seen in TSW before. This pack would heavily compliment the new Manchester Airport Commuter. Rolling Stock There are a number of trains that could be used on this route: Class 15x, Class 185, Class 195, Class 323, Class 331, Class 397, Class 769, Class 802 Obviously this is too many for just one route, so I will explain my choices below: Class 331 The Class 331 is a fairly new EMU built by CAF which operates services from Blackpool North - Manchester Airport. It has an incredibly high acceleration, I think the second best in the UK. It has a top speed of 100mph, but the track would limit it to 90mph. It operates stopping services which stop at most stations, totalling to about an hour of journey time. This could layer into the Manchester Airport Commuter perfectly as a lot of services are operated by the 331 around Manchester. Class 397 Also built by CAF, the Class 397 is a high speed EMU operated by TransPennine Express, whom we are yet to see in TSW. It has a top speed of 125mph, but like the Class 331 it will be limited to 90mph. It also boasts an impressive acceleration, not as high as the Class 331 but equal to that of the Hitachi 80x series of trains. It operates intercity services along the WCML from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Manchester Airport (also operates to Liverpool, but this wouldn't be seen in this route). It operates express services, calling at Bolton, Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Piccadilly, totalling to around 40 minutes of journey time. It could also layer into Manchester Airport Commuter, operating towards the airport. Class 769 Don't quote me on this, but I think this would be the first bi-mode train in TSW. They were originally Class 319 EMUs, but when they were retired, some were converted to these bi mode Class 769 trains by Brush Traction. They are operated by Northern and run from Southport to Stalybridge/Manchester Oxford Road. On this route, you could operate from Bolton to Manchester Victoria or Manchester Oxford Road, with a maximum journey length of 25 minutes. These are some of the few services that stop at intermediate stations between Bolton and Salford, like Moses Gate, Farnworth, Kearsley and Clifton. You could utilise the Bi-mode feature at Bolton, where you'd switch to Diesel for the stretch to Wigan and Southport. Therefore, the final thing (or first thing, if your starting from Bolton) you'd do to finish the journey would be to switch the power from diesel to electric. I think this would add an experience unseen before in TSW. Layers Class 323 Operates services the same as the Class 331. Class 390 Operates a few ECS movements from Longsight Depot in Manchester to Preston or Lancaster, alongside diversions if the WCML is shut or busy. Class 802 It operates one or two services per day between Manchester and Edinburgh/Glasgow. It is not currently in the game, but if it was added in the future (for example if the ECML York-Newcastle was released), it could be layered in. It is another Bi-mode multi unit. Further Additions Realistically, no more new trains could be added to this route alone, so an expansion pack could be an option, which would be called something along the lines of Manchester's diesels. It would include: Class 156 Really any sprinter variant would be fine, but the 156 is one which isn't yet included in TSW. It would operate the same services as the 769 would, and I think it operates more trains per hour than the 769. It could also be layered into Manchester Airport Commuter. Class 185 Operates one or two services from Oxenholme to Manchester Airport per day, alongside 1 train per hour from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Victoria via the newly built Ordsall Chord. Could also be layered in Manchester Airport Commuter. It is also highly requested by the community. Class 195 Diesel version of the Class 331 built by CAF, it runs from Barrow to Manchester Airport. It calls at a few of the stations: Chorley, Bolton, Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly. Again, this could be layered into Manchester Airport Commuter. Stations Preston, Leyland, Buckshaw Parkway, Chorley, Adlington (Lancs), Blackrod, Horwich Parkway, Lostock, Bolton, Moses Gate, Farnworth, Kearsley, Clifton, Salford Cresent, Salford Central, Manchester Victoria, Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly
I believe the 769s are tri-mode. As well as diesel and electric, I think they also run on battery power.
Include the east Lancashire line from Preston to Blackburn and take my money! I’m a TPO at Blackburn Depot and have always said would love a northern route in TSW. I’ve previously suggested Preston - Colne with a class 156, class 195 and a class 150/1 (units I work with every night lol)! We need more Northern rail stock in the game!
