Hello all. Following the results of the TSW World Cup threads over on the Discussion Forum, I decided to go on a quest to find a route that would offer variety like no other. I may not have found that but I think I've found a doable and interesting enough route. The route being suggested features the Wakefield Line from Leeds to Doncaster and Sheffield, as well as the short Swinton Line, from Swinton to Doncaster. Let's get into it! The Route The Wakefield Line connects Leeds to the Midland Mainline at Sheffield, and the East Coast Mainline at Doncaster, via Wakefield Westgate station. The Route serves a total of 19 Stations throughout West and South Yorkshire. The route itself is considered part of the West Yorkshire Metro network of lines. Leeds - Doncaster The Leeds <-> Doncaster section of the line is considered a spur of the East Coast Mainline, due to the prevalence of London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services that operate along the line. The Leeds - Doncaster section is comprised of the following stations: Leeds Leeds is not as we've seen in on Northern Transpennine! The station's changed since the BR Days, and is now a bustling, modern, station, having been rebuilt in 2002. The station has a whopping 18 platforms and is the hub for all services in the West Yorkshire Metro region, as well as recieving regular services from Manchester, Sheffield, York and more - including CrossCountry services. Outwood Wakefield Westgate Wakefield Westgate is operated by LNER - unlike all other stations here (minus Doncaster) - and sees an hourly LNER service between Leeds and London Kings Cross. Sandal & Agbrigg Fitzwilliam South Elmsall Adwick Bentle Doncaster Doncaster is a station many of you will be familiar with, from it's appearance in the East Coast Mainline DLC. Set in the same time period, Doncaster would look exactly the same - even if you are going North this time. Fitzwilliam - Sheffield The Line to Sheffield diverges from the Doncaster one after Fitzwilliam - just before South Elmsall. The stations are as follows: Moorthorpe Thurnscoe Goldthorpe Bolton-upon-Dearne Swinton Rotherham Central Meadowhall Sheffield The northern terminus of the Midland Mainline, Sheffield is a grand old station, at the southern end of this route. Acting as the end point for most EMT services, and the meeting point with Northern - it can get busy. Plenty of AI Services to be found, both from Northern and East Midlands services. Swinton - Doncaster Finally, the short connecting line between Swinton and Doncaster. It has two intermediate stations: Mexborough Conisbrough Rolling Stock This route would make use of existing rolling stock, namely the LNER Class 801 and EMT HST. Included Class 331 'Civity' Class 331 pictured at Outwood, bound for Doncaster. The Class 331 is one of Northern's newest EMU Classes, having only launched a few years ago. The 331 operates the electrified services between Leeds and Doncaster. This train would be the only one that needs to be brand new. Class 150 'Sprinter' A double Class 150/2 pairing. The Class 150/2 is the obvious variant for this route, as it would be built off of the existing 150/2 on West Cornwall Local - if Rivet Games allow. The 150/2 would desperately need improvements to sounds and physics, however it wouldn't be bad to have. Although, Northern primarily operate Class 150/1 units - meaning there is a solid chance of them appearing here. It would be a bonus if we had the 150/1. Class 801 The LNER Class 801, as seen on East Coast Mainline: Peterborough - Doncaster. Exactly the same as the ECML Version. I would have it included here, although a layer works too. Layered EMT HST (Midland Mainline) For Sheffield - Leeds EMT services. Class 66 (ECML/SEHS) I assume there would be some freight around here. EMT Class 158 (Midland Mainline) AI at Doncaster and Sheffield. Railtours? The route does have an NTP Link - and of course it comes directly from the ECML, the stomping ground of the Flying Scotsman. Plenty of opportunities to get more out of those DLCs here. RHTT Obvious choice. ROG 37 It would be quite nice to have a few Drag runs along the line - particularly with it being half-diesel, half-electric. Playable Services Northern 1tph Leeds <-> Doncaster Class 331 1tph Leeds <-> Sheffield Class 150 1tph Sheffield <-> Adwick via Doncaster Class 150 LNER All Services operated by Class 801 units. 1tph London KX <-> Leeds 1tp2h London KX <-> Leeds Different off-map stopping patterns are the difference between the two above. 1tp2h London KX <-> Harrogate 2tpd London KX <-> Bradford FSq 1tpd London KX <-> Skipton All services stop at Doncaster, Wakefield Westgate, and Leeds. East Midlands Trains 1tph London StP <-> Leeds Class 43 HST Why this Route? Well, it's a triangular route with three Termini, has Express (LNER, EMT) and Regional/Commuter (Northern) services, and, most importantly - it offers a Diesel and Electric experience. (Ample opportunity for interesting scenarios there, too.) It builds upon Northern's rolling stock collection and ties together Midland Mainline and LNER. It also brings Sheffield into the game - opening the way for a Sheffield - Nottingham route, perhaps. The Variety this route would offer - in terms of services and the types of trains the player would be running - would make it a top-tier route, in my opinion. Anyway, that's all I have to say. Thanks for reading this suggestion.
Great idea! Would be nice to get some AI TPE 80xs at Leeds too - but would be more work to remodel interior etc. to blue and not red
