Good afternoon everyone. New TSW, new season of suggestions from me! Today I'm moving away from my comfort zone, proposing you a Scottish route! Very well-known, both on this forum and Irl: West Highland South - Glasgow Queen Street to Crianlarich (2024 version). A unique and particular route, which Will allow you to taste the real Scotland. A long and challenging journey, starting from the center of Glasgow, going down the Clyde, up to Helensburgh. Here, the route leaves the coast and enters the hilly area, alongside the various "Loch". Until reaching Ardlui. From here the last stretch, inside the Falloch Valley, until reaching Crianlarich. The final destination of my proposal and an important junction point for the northern sections. A wild and unbelievably "desolate" landscape characterizes the last stretch (real Scottish Highlands!), in stark contrast with the urban/suburban sector of Glasgow and its surroundings! This is my West Highland South: Glasgow Queen Street to Crianlarich! PS. Thanks in advance to TSW Nathan and all other mates who created this suggestion before me! If you're interested, check out their threads too! GENERAL FEATURES The route in question has the following general features: - 59mi (95.4km) total length - Single track, standard gauge (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in/1435 mm), no electrification on site (Craigendoran Junction-Crianlarich) - Double track (standard gauge), electrified 25kV 50Hz AC OHLE (Glasgow Queen Street-Craigendoran Junction) - 1:40/1:50 (25/20x1000) maximum gradient - 90mph(145km/h)(urban/suburban area), 70mph(110km/h)(West Highland area) maximum permitted speeds The path is equipped with: - RETB (Helensburgh Upper-Crianlarich) - Automatic Signaling (Glasgow Queen Street-Helensburgh Upper) The line is managed by: - Network Rail (UK national railway infrastructure manager) The passenger service is operated by: - ScotRail Trains Limited (Scottish Governement public company) - Caledonian Sleeper (Scottish Governement public company. Joint venture with GBRf) The freight service is operated by: - GBRf (private company) ROUTE Overall view of the route, including the northern sections of Fort William-Mallaig, Crianlarich-Fort William and Crianlarich-Oban. Please, consider only the southern part. Detailed view of the route: - Red: Glasgow Queen Street-Dalmuir stretch. Including Maryhill Line, down to Anniesland. Including North Clyde/Argyle Lines (via Singer). - Yellow: Anniesland terminal branch. - Green: Dalmuir-Craigendoran Junction stretch. Including extension to Helensburgh Central (North Clyde Line). - Blue: West Highland Line (Craigendoran Junction-Crianlarich stretch). STATIONS This route has a total of 25 stations, divided as follows: A) Maryhill Line - Glasgow Queen Street (surface terminal), shared with West Highland Line To Cumbernauld To Croy and Aberdeen (Highland) & Edinburgh (Rivet Edinburgh-Glasgow) - Ashfield - Possilpark & Parkhouse - Gilshochill - Summerston - Maryhill To Westerton Beginning of Anniesland branch - Kelvindale - Anniesland (terminal) B) North Clyde / Argyle Lines (via Singer) - Westerton To Milngavie (terminal) - Drumchapel - Drumry - Singer - Dalmuir (connection via Yoker), shared with West Highland Line. End of Argyle Line - Kilpatrick - Bowling - Dumbarton East - Dumbarton Central, shared with West Highland Line - Dalreoch To Balloch (terminal) - Cardross To Helensburgh Upper (West Highland Line) - Craigendoran - Helensburgh Central (terminal) C) West Highland Line (South) - Helensburgh Upper, end of automatic signaling, start of RETB. - Garelochhead - Arrochar & Tarbet - Ardlui - Crianlarich, Terminal of the route and interchange station for the Northern (Mallaig) and Western (Oban) sections. The reference depot (ScotRail) is: - Corkerhill (Paisley Canal Line), not directly accessible from this route. STATIONS PICS Glasgow Queen Street terminal station. Left: Dalmuir, Singer and Yoker legs meeting station. Right: Dumbarton Central. Left: Anniesland. Note the terminal platform on left, which is served by the Maryhill Line. Right: Helensburgh Central terminal station (North Clyde Line). Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
Left: Helensburgh Upper. Beginning of the West Highlands! Right: Garelochhead. Left: Arrochar & Tarbet. Right: Ardlui. Crianlarich, The northern terminal station of this route. On right, the famous depot. PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on this route: ScotRail A) West Higlands ScotRail service, divided into: - Glasgow Queen Street-Oban, with 3 services/day from Crianlarich and 1 direct service from Glasgow. - Glasgow Queen Street-Mallaig (via Fort William), with 3 services/day from Crianlarich. - Oban- Glasgow Queen Street, with 3 service/day to Crianlarich and 1 direct service to Glasgow. - Mallaig-Glasgow Queen Street (via Fort William), with 3 services/day to Crianlarich. Convoys to/from Oban and Mallaig travel together, in double formation, on this section of the line. They are separated/coupled at Crianlarich, through dedicated shunting activities. 8 services/day. B) North Clyde Line ScotRail service, divided into: - Airdrie-Balloch (via Singer)(AI ONLY, Westerton-Dalreoch), with 2 tph in each direction. - Edimburgh-Helensburgh Central (via Yoker)(driveable, Dalmuir-Helensburgh Central), with 2 tph in each direction. C) Argyle Line ScotRail service, divided into: - Motherwell-Dalmuir (via Singer)(AI ONLY, Westerton-Dalmuir), with 1 tph in each direction. - Motherwell-Dalmuir (via Yoker)(AI ONLY at Dalmuir), with 1 tph in each direction. D) Maryhill Line ScotRail service - Glasgow Queen Street-Anniesland (driveable), with 2 tph in each direction. Caledonian Sleeper - Highland Sleeper, London Euston-Fort William. Driveable, Glasgow Queen Street-Crianlarich. With the new 2024 timetable the service runs from Glasgow Queen Street to Crianlarich, following the same path as the main ScotRail service. 1 outward and 1 return trip every 48 hours. FREIGHT SERVICE The only freight service still operating in this area is: - GBRf (GB Railfreight) Fort William Alcan-North Blyth Alcan. Powdered aluminium. Driveable, between Crianlarich and Dalmuir. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER - ScotRail BR Class 156 “Saltire Super Sprinter” (RETB version) These are BR 2nd generation, 2 car DMUs. In service with ScotRail and previous operators since 1988. The Scottish fleet consists of 42 units. 15 of which are RETB equipped and suitable for travel on the West Highlands. They operate the main passenger service on this route, Glasgow South Western and Shotts. - ScotRail BR Class 153 “Highland Explorer” These are BR 2nd generation, single car Diesel-hydraulic railcars. 5 tender units entered service with ScotRail in mid-2021. They were completely refurbished internally in 2019-20, reducing the passenger lounge and adding two bike racks. They operate only on the West Highland Line, in formation with a 156. Continue Below...
Absolutely given how long ago ts classic had routes with RETB it’s about time we had route with this given tsw is supposedly more advanced than ts classic
- ScotRail BR Class 158 “Saltire Sprinter” Already on TSW These are BR 2nd generation, 2 car DMUs. In service with Scotrail and previous operators since 1990. The Scottish fleet consists of 40 units. They run their service on the Maryhill Line, on the first section of this route. They're also used on numerous Scottish lines, such as Aberdeen-Inverness, Far North, Fife Circle, Edinburgh-Glasgow and Kyle of Lochalsh. DLC - Caledonian Sleeper BR Class 73/9 (RETB version) These are Diesel-electric locomotives, converted from the original BR group. Compared to the old 73/0s and 73/1s they see the absence of the third rail shoes. Changes made to the new subclass see: new 1600hp MTU V8 engine, new electrical systems, updated driver's desk, new LED headlights and new front jumper cables layout. All 10 units are owned by GBRf. 6 of them are equipped with RETB and are regularly used for Caledonian Sleeper services (with dedicated livery). Convoy coaches: - Caledonian Sleeper BR Mk5 This is a series of carriages made by CAF to replace the old Mk2s and Mk3s of previous trainsets. They entered service in 2019. Fleet consists of 75 coaches, divided as follows: - 11x Club Car (CC), bar/restaurant and social space carriage - 11x Seated Car (SC), carriage equipped with 30 comfort seats - 41x Sleeper Car (SLC), carriage equipped with "Club" and "Classic" sleeping cabins - 12x Accessible Car (ACC), carriage equipped with double and wheelchair accessible cabins Formation 3 (Edimburgh-Fort William) is usually made up of 4/6 carriages: 1xCC+1xSC+1xACC+1/3SLC. LAYERS - ScotRail BR Class 320/3 & 320/4 (North Clyde and Argyle Lines, both via Singer and Yoker. Also present on Dalmuir-Dalreoch stretch). - ScotRail BR Class 334 Coradia Juniper (North Clyde Line, via Yoker. Dalmuir-Helensburgh Central). - ScotRail BR Class 385 AT200 (Common section in front of Glasgow Queen Street) Already on TSW. - ScotRail BR Class 170 Turbostar (Occasionally replaces some services on the Maryhill Line) Already on TSW. FREIGHT - GBRf BR Class 66 (RETB version) Our beloved/hated mainline diesel-electric locomotive! Here present with 3 GBRf specimens, suitable for travel through the Highlands. A further ex-DRS unit (stripped of the logos), is used as a substitute on Caledonian Sleeper convoys. when one of the 73 isn't available for maintenance/faults. The subclasses involved are the 66/3 (301) and 66/7. The 66s operate on this route with PCA wagons from the Alcan company. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - The route is long and not linear at all. - Good number of stops. - Good number of AI services, to populate the suburban stretch of Glasgow. - Presence of freight service. - Good scenery variety: City, suburban, countryside, Highlands. - Stunning and immersive landscape, especially from the Klyde to the Highlands. - Possibility to introduce the 320 and 334 later, from other Scottish routes. - Possibility of reusing the 156 on other ScotRail or Northern routes (with relative modifications). - Possible 153 conversion from the TfW one, if it will be on of the units of the new Welsh route. - Possibility of re-using the Caledonian Sleeper stock (with a 92) on the WCML South. Possibly, also at Crewe (Alan Thomson new route?). WEAK POINTS - Only 8 daily services between Crianlarich and Helensburgh Upper, integrated by a good amount on the Maryhill and North Clyde Lines. - The absence of layers would leave the suburban section empty. - Lack of valid start/end point for North Clyde and Argyle section. ROUTE PICS From left to right, clockwise: Garelochhead, Inverarnan, Helensburgh, Crianlarich. ROUTE VIDEOS From the official ScotRail YouTube: Glasgow Queen Street-Crianlarich ScotRail service (153)! Old video from late 90's/early 00's, with 156s in the old BR Provincial livery! Added just to give an idea of the changes over the years (normal speed video). CONCLUSIONS If you love nature and breathtaking, wild landscapes, but don't want to give up suburban areas, this is the route for you! A long and challenging journey, through the rugged and inhospitable Scottish Highlands area. Starting from Glasgow city centre and reaching Crianlarich in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Drive the ScotRail 156 service to its destination, also taking the beautiful 153 "Highland Explorer" with you. Carry out the split/merge shunting at Crianlarich, in preparation for further north services. Manage the famous Caledonian Sleeper service across the winding line, alternating this with some freight services to and from Fort William! This is West Highland South: Glasgow Queen Street to Crianlarich! Caravatt. PS. Integrations and corrections are always welcome! Don't hesitate! Since I live a few thousand km from this route, there may be some small errors!
Could we maybe go to Oban so we have opportunity for end to end runs, or do some trains terminate at Crianlarich as well?
2024 Timetable: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/media/33821/download?inline Only one service from Fort William ends at Crianlarich, in the afternoon. Then it continues to Glasgow at the tail end of the Oban one. You could end the route at Dalmuir, extending it to Oban. But still too long for TSW. Maybe, creating the Glasgow-Crianlarich and Crianlarich-Oban. Given the route hopping of TSW5. This is the best solution for me, as it gives you the chance to drive additional suburban services too!
So i personally think the next big UK route should be (in one form or another) the West Highland Line. It's the next 'big route' in my opinion that's missing in terms of iconic UK routes. We've got the ECML, we're getting the WCML.. next up i really believe should be WHL. i have a feeling if we do get it, we'll get Fort William to Mallaig. Partly because it's the shortest length of the route to make, partly because it's incredibly scenic, and partly due to the LAMPOIL process having the Glenfinnan Viaduct added to TSW makes a lot of sense in that respect.. the marketing potential of that viaduct alone would be priceless for DTG i'd personally be happy with any section. Glasgow to Crianlarich; Crianlarich to Oban OR Fort William; or Fort William to Mallaig.. but i really do believe this will come to TSW in the not too distance future.. i could actually see this being the featured UK route for TSW6 this time next year!
Only if set in the loco hauled era, preferably the transition from Class 27’s to Class 37’s. Driving this route with rancid limited view Sprinters would just be… rancid.
This is why i drive every route and every train using the external camera set up at the front of the train, front-nose style, so i see exactly what you would see out of the cab windscreen without any of the actual cab obscuring your view i honestly don't understand why more people don't drive the game like that, i really think dtg should make it an easily clickable external camera option while i'm taking about that is this something that could be considered in future? DTG Alex DTG JD DTG Matt For example this is my view driving Glasgow to Edinburgh on the class 385.. IMG_4527 by KatiaBLR posted Sep 13, 2023 at 1:17 PM IMG_4526 by KatiaBLR posted Sep 13, 2023 at 1:17 PM no tiny window for me this way i can fully enjoy the experience, i honestly wouldn't play the game any other way.. i would love it if this could become a selectable camera option in game one day!
OldVern Sure! It would be nice to set it in the BR era. Around 82-85. With a Class 27 (passenger)+Mk1s, 37 (freight-passenger) and 104 for local service. Class 27 Class 37 Class 104 That would be awesome!
Love it. It’s the route I most want to see from Glasgow side of Scotland. You could actually Route hop from Edinburgh - GQS - Crianlarich. Would be close to a 3 hour drive. I’ve always wanted to see a route that goes from the middle of a city to deep into rural land and this one is perfect.
