I would like to propose another route, this time being the Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton route. The route is approximately 20 miles, with 15 stations, and it takes around an hour to complete a service. This route operates approximately half hourly, and allows end to end running. The timetable The timetable would be set based on the current timetable. Services departing Buxton at approximately XX16 call at all stations except Dove Holes & Middlewood, while trains departing Buxton at approximately XX45 call at all stations. From Manchester Piccadilly, trains departing at approximately XX50 call at all stations except Dove Holes, and services departing at approximately XX20 call at all stations except Middlewood & Dove Holes. The route This route will offer stunning scenery around the Derbyshire Peaks around Buxton, before travelling into the more urban area of Manchester. The traction Typically today, the route operates with a mixture of 2 & 4 car formations, and in the traction of the Class 150/1, Class 150/2 or Class 156 Sprinter DMUs. This offers a variety of possible formations, as 2 x Class 156s could be paired together, 1 x Class 150/1 (or /2) could be paired with a Class 156, or either combination of 2 x Class 150 units being paired together. Layers & Other Services There are a variety of layers and additional services that could be included, both for existing and potential future rolling stock. The East Midlands Trains Class 158 from Skyhook’s Midland Mainline route operates hourly as 2 & 4 coach formations (As seen as AI on ECML & Glossop Line.) This could be driven as a player service between Manchester and Stockport, where the AI will take control and follow the line towards Buxton until Hazel Grove, where it will divert and continue off-world to Sheffield. The Northern services to Alderley Edge & Stoke-on-Trent could also be driven between Manchester & Stockport. The Stoke services are operated by the Class 323, which is already currently available, and the Alderley Edge services are operated by the Class 331, a possible new addition to the simulator, or could be substituted for the Class 323. The Class 66 Railhead Treatment Train could also layer in, alongside a handful of freight services. (This isn’t particularly a “Freight-Heavy route) Diesel / Steam Locomotives from relevant addons could provide railtour services. Layers for possible future rolling stock Should we see a Class 220/221 Voyager in CrossCountry in the future, these could be operated between Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly. If a Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ is developed, this could also be operational between Stockport and Manchester. The Class 150 (/1 or /2) would provide an additional hourly all-stop service between Manchester and Hazel Grove. The more modern TfW Class 197 would provide another additional hourly service between Manchester and Stockport. The Transpennine Class 185 Desiro, a highly requested unit among the forums, could also be player operated between Manchester and Stockport, before continuing down to Hazel Grove and beyond as AI. I know I have suggested a LOT of possible stock. I do not expect all to be added should this route or any of the rolling stock be developed. They are merely possibilities!
