I would like to propose the Robin Hood Line for Train Sim World. I am aware I have already proposed this route. However it was 2 years ago, and admittedly is was frankly rushed with not a lot of detail. The Basics: The Robin Hood Line is a 32-mile branch line connecting the City of Nottingham to the town of Worksop in Bassetlaw (Nottinghamshire) running via Mansfield. There are 13 stations along the route, and it takes just over an hour to complete a run from end to end. The line between Newstead and Bulwell is primarily single track. It is currently operated by East Midlands Railway, and was previously operated by East Midlands Trains from 2007 - 2019, and Central Trains prior to this. For a short distance, the railway line runs parallel to the Nottingham Tram line. Including this with operating AI-only trams is an absolute must in my opinion, to add to the experience of the route. The Era: Ideally this route would be set during the East Midlands Trains period, around 2016 - 2018. This is because it makes use of the current licensing already available, as seen in the Skyhook Games' Midland Mainline release. The Stock: Passenger services on the line during the proposed period were operated by Class 15X Sprinter units. These being: Class 153 Class 156 Class 158 The possibility of having these three units substituting each-other, particularly randomly in service mode, makes it interesting as you never quite know which of the three will turn up! Typically services on this route are formed of 2 coaches, which is standard formation for the class 156 and 158s. However the class 153, being a single carriage unit, would couple up to another 153. During busier times, it wasn't completely unheard of for East Midlands Trains to strengthen capacity on morning / evening services. This was typically achieved by coupling a single 153 unit to a class 156 unit, or in exceptional circumstances coupling 3 x 153 units together. The Class 153 / 156 would be an excellent addition to Train Sim World, not only as a part of this route, but also for the Midland Mainline route. Core Route Services (Without layering previous content) During the proposed period, throughout the day trains left Nottingham every 30 minutes towards Mansfield and Worksop. The typical service pattern throughout the day is as follows: XX26 Nottingham to Worksop - Doesn't call at Bulwell, but calls at Newstead. XX37 Mansfield Woodhouse to Nottingham - calls at Newstead, but not Bulwell XX38 Worksop to Nottingham - Doesn't call at Newstead, but calls at Bulwell XX55 Nottingham to Mansfield Woodhouse - Calls at Bulwell but not Newstead With exception to the following services which call at every station: 05:40 Nottingham to Worksop 05:50 Worksop to Nottingham 06:05 Nottingham to Worksop 06:56 Worksop to Nottingham 07:01 Nottingham to Worksop 07:07 Mansfield Woodhouse to Nottingham 07:37 Worksop to Nottingham 07:39 Mansfield Woodhouse to Nottingham 08:26 Nottingham to Worksop 08:38 Worksop to Nottingham 16:55 Nottingham to Mansfield Woodhouse 17:26 Nottingham to Worksop 17:46 Worksop to Nottingham 17:55 Nottingham to Worksop 18:41 Worksop to Nottingham 18:55 Nottingham to Worksop 19:22 Worksop to Nottingham 19:55 Nottingham to Worksop 20:22 Worksop to Nottingham 20:55 Nottingham to Worksop 21:22 Worksop to Nottingham 22:05 Nottingham to Worksop 22:22 Worksop to Nottingham Services (Including layering other content) In addition to the above, this route provides the possibility to layer in various rolling stock. As mentioned before, the class 158 from Midland Mainline would be able to layer on as a substitution. Railhead Treatment Train Operated throughout October & November, by 2 Top & Tail DB Class 66 Locomotives. This run would join the line at Kirkby Junction, just south of Kirkby in Ashfield station, and run through to Woodend Junction. It would then head back down to Kirkby Junction where the AI will continue the service off-map to Toton. Coal trains Although not as often during the proposed period due to power station closures, coal trains frequently used the line. As I recall there were services to and from Immingham, West Burton and Ratcliffe Power Stations, as well as Thoresby Colliery. These services would also join the line Kirkby Junction and run through to Worksop. The trains to / from Thoresby Colliery would run between Kirkby Junction and Shirebrook Junction. Railtours While the Robin Hood Line isn't a frequently used line for railtours, there have been a few in the past. An East Midlands Trains HST ran from London St Pancras to Cleethorpes via the Robin Hood Line Interesting Facts, History, Information & Sights The majority of the current Robin Hood Line follows the former Midland Railway route. The line was closed in the 1960s, and reopened in phases between 1993 & 1998. The line from Nottingham to Newstead reopened in 1993. The line to Mansfield Woodhouse opened in 1995. The line through to Worksop reopened in 1998. The good shed at Mansfield Woodhouse was restored and now serves as the passenger shelter for platform 3. The viaduct which overlooks Mansfield Town The grade 2 listed station building at Mansfield Town Upon departing Nottingham, the train diverges off to the right at Mansfield Junction, leaving behind the line to London & Derby. Shortly after that, the train passes Radford Junction which diverges off to the left. This is the route that services to Sheffield via the Erewash Valley take. Just over 1 mile from Radford Junction, the railway line passes under a road bridge which is also used by the NET Tram. From here, the tram lines run parallel to the railway line all the way through to Hucknall (Approximately 5 miles)
Absolutely yes this route is fabulous one of best train lines there is on EMR network definitely day 1 smash
