Introduction: Introducing The Bolton line to train sim world. Set in 1986, this route would connect perfectly with existing BR routes in the Preston and Manchester area, and exist as a link between Northern transpennine, and Blackpool branches/WCML shap/Preston-Crewe. The route: Set in 1986, the same as previous just trains routes around preston, the Bolton line extends for around 30 miles through the unelectrified mainline between Manchester victoria, and Preston. Our setting for the route is before the opening of the windsor link, which meant that any train running from Preston into Manchester would either terminate, or pass through Victoria station rather than Piccadilly. Stations: Preston +0mi Preston is a major interchange on the west coast mainline. It needs no introduction as it has appeared on soon to be 3 routes already in train sim world. Leyland +4mi A 4 platform station which serves the town of the same name. It sees fast trains along the west coast mainline pass at speed, and local stopping trains which call here. It is the almost exact halfway mark between Glasgow central and London euston. 198 miles north of London Euston, and 201 miles south of Glasgow Central. Chorley +8mi Chorley is the first station after we diverge from the west coast mainline. At the time it was a 4 platform station which served the town of the same name. Adlington +11mi A 2 platform station which serves the town of the same name. Blackrod +13mi A 2 platform station serving the town of the same name, as well as Horwich. It is notable for its manual signal box which at the time operated as a data translator between the Preston signal box and Manchester signalling centre. Bolton +20mi A major interchange on the route, it has 4 platforms. At the time Bolton train station still had its original 1899 building, however this was demolished the following year in 1987 due to structural corrosion, and was replaced with the station building we see today. Moses Gate +21mi A small station serving the areas of Farnworth and Southern bolton, it also provides walking distance access to Moses gate country park. At the time it was fully staffed with a ticket office, however this was closed in the 1990s. Farnworth +22mi A station which serves the town of the same name, it is notable for being directly at the northern end of Farnworth tunnel. From the station, it appears as an asymmetrical pair of tunnels due to problems with fitting carriages in the original tunnel. Kearsley +23mi Sitting at the southern end of Farnworth tunnel, it originally served Kearsley power station which was closed in 1980. The station also features an abandoned industrial branch line which went directly into the power station. Clifton +26mi In 1986 Clifton was a small 2 platform station, no longer the bustling interchange it once was. The line to Bury was closed in 1966, however the remnants of the old platform 3 and 4 still exist. Pendleton +28mi A 2 platform station in the Pendleton district of Salford, it was originally a key station on the route before the opening of Salford Crescent in 1987. Pendleton would be closed in 1998. Salford Crescent +29mi Although this station wouldn't open until may 1987, it would appear as an under construction station, similar to Blackpool pleasure beach on Blackpool branches. Salford +30mi Salford is the last station before Manchester victoria, it was served at peak times only around this time. At the time it was a 2 platform station wuth 2 abandoned platforms, which once served the line out towards Liverpool. Manchester Victoria +31mi The largest station on our route, and the most different today, manchester victoria had 17 platforms total, although a number of these were disused by 1986. Manchester victoria already exists as part of the Northern Transpennine route which released for train sim world in 2019. Rolling stock and layers: British rail class 104 Top speed: 70mph Operates: Commuter passenger services between Manchester and Blackpool The class 104s were primarily based out of Newton heath depot. These units featured 2 Leyland-Albion RUT engines with an output of 150 horsepower each, and a mechanical 4-speed gearbox similar to those on the class 101s, and 108s already in game. These DMUs would layer onto Blackpool branches, WCML shap, WCML crewe to preston, and the Cumbrian coastline, alongside some others. The standard BR blue variant of the class 104 The white stripe variant of the class 104s, which operated premium Manchester to Blackpool services Class 47/4 The class 47 would be reused from existing routes such as WCML shap and Blackpool branches as a secondary base train for this route. It would operate express journeys on this route using MK2a, and MK2f coaches. Class 08 The class 08 would be reused from blackpool branches and WCML shap, and operate coach and wagon shunting moves across the route. Layers: Class 142 "pacer" Layers from: Blackpool branches Operates: 104 substitutions Class 101 Layers from: WCML shap Operates: 104 substitutions Class 108 Layers from: Cumbrian coastline Operates: 104 substitutions Class 40 Layers from: NTP Operates: 47 substitutions Class 45 Layers from: NTP Operates: 47 substitutions Class 20 Layers from: TVL Operates: Railtours and freight Class 31 Layers from: TVL Operates: 47 substitutions and freight Class 37/5 Layers from: TVL Operates: 47 substitutions and freight Class 86 Layers from: WCML shap, WCML Prest-Crewe Operates: AI at preston Class 87 Layers from: WCML shap Operates: AI at Preston LAMPOIL: Licencing: Train sim world already has the british rail licence, and has featured several routes in BR settings. Anticipation: British rail routes are usually well recieved and popular, and the Preston to Manchester via Bolton route is one with a lot of character. Mix: The route features an excellent mix of stop and start DMU services, fast express services, and freight. Promenance: Preston is a major junction on the west coast mainline, and Manchester victoria was originally manchester's main terminus station. This route at the time was the fastest link between Scotland and the north and Manchester. Oppurtunity: This route introduces the class 104 which was a staple of this route, alongside the blackpool north branchline around this era. This would also bring a route hopping link between Northern transpennine, and other routes in Preston. Intelligence: The route was undergoing dramatic change in the late 1980s. Particularly with Bolton station being rebuilt, and the opening of Salford crescent station. 1986 was the last full year where the old Bolton station building was in operation. Limitation: There are very few limitations with this route. 31 miles is a very acheivable length for a route in train sim world, and the british rail licence has already been used in train sim world. The only limitations could be small things such as lack of access to disused or rebuilt stations. Overall: The Bolton line in the late 1980s would be an excellent addition to train sim world. It features a great mix of stop-start DMU services, and express loco-hauled services. As well as the class 104 which was originally planned for the peak forest route, however due to the lack of updates on that route, this is the perfect route to add the class 104. This would be an excellent next step for just trains after Cumbrian coastline and Crewe to preston are released, and would expand their network around Preston even more.
