Route inspired by Blackpool branches. Victoria - Bury (class 504) - Oldham loop (class 142) set in 1991 Bury - the state of the metals not in a great condition after years of neglect, the last few months of British Rail running trains to Bury as it is to be handed off to GMPTE to begin its light rail service. Traction handled by the unique class 504 a third rail contact rail. Manchester Victoria - Woodlands road - Crumpsall - Bowker Vale - Heaton Park - Prestwich - Bess o’th the Barn - Whitefield - Radcliffe //Bury shed// - Bury interchange. 7 miles. Oldham loop - a commuter route serving the Lancashire Mill towns of Oldham and Rochdale, built in the heyday of Industrial Revolution now a shadow of its former self the scars of it spurs cut off to the disused factories still visable. Traction class 142 pacer. Manchester (Victoria) - Miles Platting - //Newheath TMD) - Failsworth - Hollinwood - Oldham Werneth - Oldham central) - Derker - Shaw and Crompton - New Hey - Milnrow - Rochdale - mills Hills //newton heath// - Miles Platting - Victoria.
Could make an interesting route, I think some of the best routes on TSW have been networks rather than end to end runs. And an excellent idea to set it before the metrolink conversion. It could also pave the way for a future class 304 as the 504s shared the same basic bodyshell design, or perhaps even the Altrincham line could even be included which was a common route for the 304s?
