Wcml Preston To Crewe Discussion

The problem with an AI-only train is that takes away a number of playable services, and it means that a few of the stations would never be served by the player. I'd rather have the 101 on these than nothing at all, although it would be cool to see the 304.

 

Think I would prefer an 86 on Load 4, though of course it would need to be allocated a through platform at Crewe to run round, rather than in one of the bays.

 

The other issue is most of the services covered by the 304s would be very short and incomplete and without a suitable place for a driver swap, such as Weaver Jc - Crewe or just beyond Crewe in the case of the Manchester services. Hence the suggestion of AI only 304s for the time being.

I wonder if there were any all shacks services from Preston - Crewe or beyond? Or perhaps if there's any slack in the timetable some artistic licence could be made with a short 86 set as per Vern's suggestion? Just an idea on making these stations playable in the timetable.

 

Such a stopper could also call at Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows. But I don't know if anything like that ever existed.

 

Agree it's a poor sub but the lack of early EMUs (in TSW there are zero modernisation plan EMUs) means it's a start from scratch project. Which means 25 years of work and 10 years of QA to produce something.....

 

They did but not frequently. Earlestown and Newton Le willows users changed at Bank Quay mainly for WCML trunk services.

 

I've said this a couple of times before, but this route really should come with the branch to Lime Street, as you'd have a full run for the 304. With only Preston to Crewe, the 304 could feature but doesn't run enough mileage to justify making it.

 

Interesting that they even had Carlisle on the blind.