The Somerset & Dorset Railway is arguably the most loved of the railway lines closed as a result of the Beeching report and is well known for being the line travelled by the Pines Express, which ran from Bournemouth to Manchester. With a network sprawling out of Bath Green Park to places such as Burnham-on-Sea (change at Evercreech), Evercreech Junction, Midsomer Norton, Templecombe, Radstock, Shillingstone, Shepton Mallett and Bournemouth amongst other places, it was closed in stages between 1951 and the 7th March 1966, when the section between Bath and Bournemouth, along with the Highbridge branch, was closed. There were some small sections of the line that remained in use into the 1970's for freight traffic, although these had all closed by the end of 1973. The section of line this route would focus on is from Evercreech Junction to Bournemouth West, along with the short branch to Hamworthy for freight, which at the time would have been operated by Class 03's. Proposed Rolling Stock S&DJR Class 7F 2-8-0 Could be seen working all over the S&D network working either passenger or freight trains. 11 were built in 1925 and were withdrawn between the late 1950's and 1964. 2 are preserved today, No 53808 and 53809. Bulleid West Country Pacifics Would be seen in the summer hauling trains from northern towns to the sea, as well as being used on the Pines Express frequently LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 'Black 5' Seen all over the UK network during steam days, and often hauled summer trains to the coast. Class 03 in BR Green livery Used to haul trains along the 2 mile Hamworthy Goods Branch.
This is a very likely contender for the first steam route, although I sort of hope a S&DJR Class 7F isn't included as it would have no real use anywhere other than on this route, apart from maybe as a layer on WSR. Eleven locos probably wouldn't provide many services in timetable mode either. Not sure about the historical accuracy on this route specifically but a BR Green Class 37 would be a nice bonus also.
This would be a good route suggestion for being the First TSW Steam Loco DLC and the railway line from Bath Green Park to Templecombe section was previously created for the Rail Simulator and as a Train Simulator DLC.
Good idea and for 4up challenge by the devs Jamie will win because he has done steam locomotives on TS 22 workshop wednesday
I would love to see the entire S&D as a Spirit Of Steam route. Always felt to me the original RS version cutting off at Templecombe left things a bit short changed. Yes the southern section might not be so challenging in terms of gradient other than Parkstone Bank but the scenery and operating potential is still there and for timetable operation you need the whole line.
