Dawn of an Era II

[azure quarry]

Right, let's try this again 😄

The state of this small corner of the world, 1856. A lot has changed since the coming of the railways 30 years ago.

Two great railways dominate, the Slundon, Wrarford and South Coast (SWSCR) and the Great Southern (GSR)

Both have grand stations at Slundon, with the SWSCR branching out to the South Coast and the seaside destination of Accstock Heath, and the Great Southern (having originally started to the north, and branching south) taking a circuitous route around to the city of Sonningdon

Sonningdon Temple Meads Station, with Sonningdon Cathedral nearby. Visible in shot are GSR No.4 Wellesley with an Express (City Stations only) to Slundon Royal Street, and GSR No.12 Oxford with an all-stations stopping Post service. Note the two smaller platforms adjacent to the main hall, used for non-express services including Post.

Next along the line is Breeleigh, one of many of the smaller market towns on the route and one that is starting to outgrow it's station, although the relatively low population density means stopping services are still adequate. The design of Breeleigh Station is different to most of the intermediate stations on the route, with the entire station being offset to allow the fast Expresses to proceed without needing to slow

The rather sleepy town of Lubrook Marsh is next, showing a more typical "bypass" style intermediate station. An unusual feature here is the culverted stream running alongside the station, with small bridges allowing passengers to reach the station

Another burgeoning market town, Standitch features an underpass beneath the station, with stairs down to this access road providing both a link to the town and a means to cross the platforms, being one of the few stations therefore without a passenger footbridge. Visible here is GSR No.7 Pelaides on an all-stopping service to Slundon Royal Street

At roughly the half way point on the GSR Mainline, Windchurch is considerable passenger interchange, with all services stopping here and a local service provided for quicker journey times between here and Whitby Cross. Visible is one such local service, hauled by GSR No.9 Nautilus

Typical of the chaotic growth of the small towns on the route over the past 20 years, Whitby Cross is a mismash of small cottages, terraces houses and shops. Breeleigh and Standitch once looked similar, with Whitby Cross seeing less growth than these towns for various reasons. The railway infrastructure here is rather overdeveloped, intended to allow fast Expresses chance to overtake slower stopping and local services.

Aberdingport, showing the fishing docks which give the town it's name, remains a rather low density town due to the plethora of small cottages, owned by local fishermen, quarrymen and the like. The station is an unusual design, caused by the inaccessability of the town centre. Unlike other bypass stations, it sits in the centre two tracks of the route, with an underpass down to the road beneath the bridge with a low level ticket office inside. Featured is GSR No.5 Barnard Star on a stopping service.

A busy scene at Prandown, with three services in shot. GSR No.6 Uxbridge with an Express to Sonningdon Temple Meads, No.4 Wellesley again with the up Express to Slundon Royal Street, and another returning engine, No.7 Pelaides just departing with an up stopping service. The station features bridgetop booking halls, with stairs down to the platforms below.

Nearing Slundon now with the town of Little Seedgrove Rivers, which the astute will notice, does not have a river. Another typical bypass station, albeit with long approaches, we see GSR No.11 Morning Star on a stopping service just out of Slundon Royal Street

And finally for this evening, Slundon, showing the GSR Station on Royal Street, and the SWSCR Station of Slundon Harbourside. Also visible winding their way through the streets are the Omnibuses of the Slundon Omnibus Company. Note the integrated jetty at Slundon Harbourside, and how both stations feature additional specialised platforms for handling Post, and disembarking stopping and local trains.

[bold goblet]

amazing

[azure quarry]

March 1871; Just shy of 20 years have passed, and with it considerably industrial development. Here is Slundon, larger than ever and featuring a new (as of 1861) Tramway between the two great mainline termini. Postal Trams are also in service, helping tie together the regions Royal Mail operations in a similar fashion. In shot is one of the newer build Iron Duke Class 4-2-2s, GSR No.30 Derby.

Just outside Slundon, the recently constructed Tyre Factory. This wharf serves dual purpose, with barges using the river here and a constructed canal to bring Zinc Ore to the docks to be loaded onto ships to be sent across the Mere. But more on this later

Visible is one of the newest engines on the SWSCR, No.20 Waterloo, a Victoria Class 2-4-0 derived from the M&CR (a new competitor, again more later) 156 Class. Perhaps hampered by their early start, the SWSCR has a rather unfortunate reputation as the "Good Enough" Railway, as limited investment over the years has left them falling behind their rivals, still employing the rather long in the tooth Bury Copperpots and Cramptons on passenger services. Indeed until the Victoria Class the SWSCR were using double-headed Cramptons to try and compete with both the speed and size of GSR Expresses, hauled by Iron Duke 4-2-2s. These Cramptons have passed down, as mentioned, to stopping services in recent years.

Tronpool. The line divides here, with stopping services heading to Tronpool, and Expresses passing over the River Tront Bridge. Visible are the Zinc Mine previously mentioned, a the Tronpool Peat Beds (recently exploited for fertiliser) and one of the previously mentioned Cramptons, SWSCR No.3 Prussia. Tronpool is also the connecting port for passenger steamer services across the Mere.

The first city stop on the route, Great Wrarford (which gives its name to the W part of the SWSCR). Visible just departing is the Victoria Class SWSCR No.30 Kerch, with an Express bound for Slundon Harbourside.

[bold goblet]

How many numbers can we get in one name?

@azure quarry also what bridge set are you using?

[azure quarry]

The railway town that is Plondtown. Whilst the staion is built of the same yellow stone as most of the SWSCR stations, the town is quite vibrant. Victoria Class SWSCR No.32 Witch is visible

I believe the bridges are Total Bridge Renewer with Jakes Bridge Improver

and these steam locos are all "Victoria Class" (Midland 156 Class, but I use them on two railways, and of course give them a fictionalised company name). There are 13 in service on the SWSCR, used on Express Passenger and Post Trains

[bold goblet]

Like the full tile ones.

[azure quarry]

Ah, sorry also use the "Best of Both Bridges" set

[bold goblet]

Ty.

[azure quarry]

The harbour city of Grintchester. A busy scene here, with the docks and brickyard visible, and four trains. Two expresses, one just stopped in Grintchester hauled by Victoria Class No.27 Balaclava, and the other leaving shot headed for Accstock Heath hauled by Victoria Class No.15 Trafalgar. Also visible on the bridge are Crampton No.4 Westphalia, hauling a stopping service, and Coppernob No.24 Wormwood hauling a local service between Grintchester and Mesdingley

[bold goblet]

Neat

Can’t wait for like 50’s and anything above.

[azure quarry]

The busy junction at Mesdingley. Formerly a sleepy stop on the main line, Mesdingley was transformed in the 1860s into a bustling junction, with two double sided island platforms for stopping services, local services to Grintchester, and services on the New Treburg Branch. It also became a thriving industrial area, with a Coal Mine, Soda Ash Mine, Coke Oven, Glassworks and Lime Kiln. The output from these supplies the Brickworks at Grintchester. No.15 Trafalgar is again visible to the upper left of shot, with Crampton No.18 Palatine on a stopping service, Coppernob 0-4-0 No.9 Pipkin on a New Treburg service on the overpass, No.19 Cowslip with the return New Treburg service passing under the road bridge and Victoria Class No.28 Sevastopol on an Express. Also shown are examples of the heavy Long Boiler 0-6-0 No.7 hauling Bricks from Grintchester Brickworks (and taking Coke from the Coke Oven to said Brickworks on the return, as seen with No.3 just passing through the Junction) and the aging Colliery Locomotive No.1 (a Forester Single) and the various industrial horse drawn tramways serving these industries

Seeburg, which again was a rather small town until the railway came. There's even the recently built Minster. Victoria Class No.33 Wizard is seen on an express, and Crampton No.5 Baden on a stopping.

[bold goblet]

Flying junction. 👍

[azure quarry]

The End, or rather the Beginning. Accstock Heath, and it's grand station Accstock Victoria. Also visible is the wide sandy beach that makes the city such a tourist destination. Busy day here at the station, with Victoria Class No.14 Talvera leaving the sheds, Coppernob No.10 Dandelion and No.23 Holly entering and exiting the stopping/local platforms on the New Treburg service, and another Victoria, No.16 Salamanca, leaving the station

[azure quarry]

To kind of outline a plan for what I intend to do, I am trying to mimic the development of the railways in the UK, so, I need quite a few, disapparate lines that I can then merge. Also allows the use of the varying power systems, loco classes etc. So, for example, the SWSCR is (as might be guessed) an expy of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR). Eventually they'll be part of a "big four" and employ third rail, at least for commuter services.

The Great Southern Railway is essentially, the Great Western Railway, and will be one of the four eventually, and employ diesel hydraulics etc

[bold goblet]

Through depots?

[azure quarry]

Yeps, first time experimenting with them. Alas I have no way (with Timberwolfs rails) to replace the depot sprites with ones that are contiguous but, it works

[bold goblet]

wait how does one make through depots?

[azure quarry]

Sorry was away for the weekend. Place 2 or more depots back to back

[azure quarry]

Quick teaser before my next entry. Mesdingney Junction December 1880. Much change!

(not sure if this will work)

[bold goblet]

Love it.

[azure quarry]

One to add to the previous update

[azure quarry]

Now, I am heading out for the weekend tomorrow, but, will post more when I return. Let me know if there is anything specific you might be interested in. I know the M&CR and NR haven't been looked at really, but there's been a lot of industrial expansion too. Lots to see.

[azure quarry]

Well, okay then 😄

1922: The twilight of the Victorian railways. The Railway Act of 1921 has been passed, and is due to come into effect in January 1923. The confusing jumble of railway operators is apparent, and the Railways Act seeks to merge these disparate groups into something almost resembling a cohesive network.

The different priorities of the various railway operators is apparent. The GSR and NR focused on improving their existing services, with a few new rural services (funded by government initiatives at the turn of the century). The M&CR expanding their suburban railway network, also adding new electric services between Liverchurch and Dadale City. The SWSCR, being the most southerly railway and closest to the channel ports, lept upon the opportunities of the 1st World War, serving the expanding industrial region around Grintchester, Plandtown and New Treburgh Market.

Not to be outdone, the NR opened a new line to serve a goverrnment ran aluminium mill (established after the 2nd Boer War in 1903), and opted to pioneer overhead electric traction on the route, with ES1 and EF1 Electrics proving far more powerful and efficient on the route than conventional steam locomotives. This also gave them a vital industrial route in the heart of M&CR and SWSCR territory.

The joint railways saw little development, although additional services and investment occurred on the GS&CJR, and the M&LJR began running fast post services as far as Accstock. Overtures were made just before the outbreak of the 1st World War for the M&LJR to be merged with either the SWSCR or the M&CR, but these negotiations were suspended with government control of the railways in 1915.

Finally, two independent rail companies, the SMR and BUER were set up in the 1890s in a unique venture to serve the urban and suburban populations of Slunden and Beathwaite. The SMR was a small but lucrative venture to connect the Slunden terminals of the SWSCR and GSR by a more efficient means than the horse drawn trams of the time. The tramways fought back, with electrification in the early 1900s, with the SMR responding with multiple unit stock to replace the early (rather claustiphobic) hauled carriages. By the 1st World War, the two had settled into an uneasy coexistence rather than outright competition.

The BUER opened later, pionieering deep level tunnel construction. Two lines were built, with the Northern Line (spanning north to south) opening first, and the Central Line (spanning east to west) opening a few years later.

[azure quarry]

1923: The Grouping. In many ways this was a "solution" that no-one was happy with. HM Government had direct control of the railways during the 1st World War, but felt that in the politically turbulent times after the Armistice that full nationalisation would be unpopular. Similarly, the railways were unhappy at being forcibly merged and renamed. One caveat was that only entire companies could be bought or sold, so despite the fact that a number of lines made no sense being part of specific companies, they remained anomalies with the Grouping.

On the upside, at least the many disparate colliery, farm and dockside workings were now grouped under the "Big Four" and the smattering of independent narrow gauge railways were merged under the newly renamed Cheethwaite Central Railway.

The M&LJR, as had been mooted pre-war, was rolled into the new Slunden Railway, giving three of the Big Four direct routes into Liverchurch. However, agreement could not be reached with the GS&CJR, being a smaller and more dense route and being equally spaced (and financed) by the GSR and M&CR. The result was the rebranded Southern & Drindingstone Joint Railway (S&DJR) remaining jointly owned and operated. The new SR also purchased outright a number of ROD (Rail Operating Division) Steam Engines that had been loaned to them for use on heavy mineral trains.

The GSR itself remained largely unchanged, although in order to separate itself from the new Slunden Railway, directors renamed it to the Great Windchurch Railway (GWR), named after it's great interchange.

The M&CR also saw a rebrand, with Liverchurch having become a top destination since the turn of the century. As a result, the new railway became the Liverchurch, Mupool & Southern or LMS. Similar to the SR, they absorbed a number of smaller mineral lines.

Similarly, the NR became the Liverchurch & North Eastern Railway, again highlighting the importance of the city.

[azure quarry]

A pictoral history of Liverchurch High Road Station, 1854 to 1924

[warm badger]

Mice

[azure quarry]

1939: The outbreak of war.

Throughout the 30s, the LNER and LMS rivalry intensified, with new streamliner services on both networks regularly exceeding 100mph for extended periods. Even their less glamourous services also saw considerable competition, with both companies opening new lines to serve Chunberg, the LMS with an extension from Drindingstone through Seningdon, and the LNER via the "Great Central Line", winding it's way to the picturesque town of Seethwaite. The LNER also opened a new branch into LMS territory at Old Dunwell-on-Sea, and even expanded eastward to connect the city of Planham and several market towns in the area. Although the outbreak of hostilities these rivalries have officially been put on hold, it seems likely these two giants will compete for government contracts for war materiel.

The GWR and SR also expanded in their own ways, preferring to invest in existing lines. The GWR introduced the world to luxury rail travel in the late 1920s with the introduction of Pullman services hauled by their new 6000 "King" Class locomotives. They also build a new station to serve the newly built Slunden-Lloydson Aerodrome. By 1939, this aerodrome has become a hub for several important air routes, and with the coming of the war, will likely be crucial to military operations.

The SR meanwhile invested heavily in third rail 750v DC electrification, with stopping services on the Slunden-Acctock Main Line being taken over by EMUs (derived from earlier M&CR designs) by the early 1930s. Not to be outdone in luxury, in the middle of the decade they debuted a new electric Pullman service, the "Accstock Belle" 5-BEL units, taking over from steam haulage on express services. The former M&LJR route, now the Liverchurch Coast Line, remains steam hauled, as do postal, suburban and local services.

The only other development in rail terms has been the amalgamation of the various metropolitan rail concerns, with both the Slunden and Beathwaite networks becoming part of the new Britannia Underground Ltd group. The newly rechristened Slunden & City line was joined by the new Slunden & District, with services out into the countryside south toward Tronpool

[bold goblet]

Nice.

I don’t like the art deco station.

Don’t remember the name

We should accidentally bomb it.

During the battle of Brittain

[azure quarry]

Don't worry, British Rail will turn it into a concrete monstrosity in the 60s 😄

[bold goblet]

Yes

[azure quarry]

September 1945: Peace

The Second World War is over, but whilst the country celebrates and (slowly) returns to normal, the transport companies (Railways in particular) ponder what this means for them. They have been worn down to the bone by the conflict, seeing very little investment, and now the newly formed British Transport Commission seeks to create a unified transport network of rail, road, sea and air. Nationalisation of all transport has been proposed, but the final implementation of such an audacious plan is a few years away.

In the mean time, the new 1945 Transport Map shows a few new additions, mostly from wartime requirements. The SD&JR were subsidised to built a new railway to Wrestable, being initially used for the transport of military personnel. The Slunden Railway almost entirely electrified their mainline, with new electric Class CCs taking over post trains and 2-HAL EMUs being used on suburban and rural routes into Accstock. The Liverchurch Coach Line saw considerable investment, with the reliable V Class "Schools" 4-4-0s being displaced for the new Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2s. Slipping by the official rules on "no new express locomotives" due to their mixed traffic nature and the Slunden's adoption of efficient electric power on other routes, the Merchant Navy's revolutionised the line, with the passenger service being granted Pullman status with the end of hostilities. The displaced Schools locomotives replaced the older H Class 0-4-4Ts on the New Treburg Branch. To aid the war effort, many of the ageing goods locos on the Slunden were scrapped, and replaced by the Austerity Q1 Class.

In a similar vein, the LNER (also struggling with weary goods engines) were leased and later sold a number of War Department Austerity 2-8-0s, with the LMS continuing to produce their own 8F for both domestic and overseas use. The venerable Class EF1 Electrics, now showing their age, were forced to continue on, their replacements delayed by wartime conditions. The only major change to either railways in terms of passenger services was the replacement of the B13 Lord Farringdon 4-6-0s with the new B1 Springbok 4-6-0s, designed specifically for the line and with war economy in mind. The LMS especially was critically short of new locomotives on their top link expresses, with the war curtailing production of further Coronations, and the majority of trains still being hauled by Claughtons.

The GWR meanwhile, weathered the storm quite well, with their standardised designs proving more than adequate. Some improvements that were planned were delayed by hostilities, but, on the whole their service remained unaffected.

As the new maps shows, for the first time the BTC was concerned also with road, sea and air routes. The existing bus and tram routes in Senport and Liverchurch are shown, along with the newly expanded bus networks out into the rural climes of Britannia. Further routes are planned, concerning some in the railway community.

[azure quarry]

You're in luck. It's now 1957. I'll work on another update with actual screenshots too 😛

[bold goblet]

Nice.

[azure quarry]

Liverchurch High Road, October 1957. No.70010 Owen Glendower departs with an express bound for Beathwaite, whilst No.35008 Orient Line departs for Acctock with a Pullman service. No.70006 Robert Burns has just arrived with an express into Liverchurch, and No.35007 Aberdeen Commonwealth arrives with the Liverchurch Coast Post.

A refurbished ex-LMS, ex-M&CR "North Liverchurch" EMU is also seen heading for Liverchurch on a suburban service

A busy scene at Prandown. with No.6008 King James II hauling a Pullman service to Senningdon, No.6802 Bampton Grange hauls an edible oil tanker train. No.4084 Aberystwyth Castle departs with an express for Slunden, with No.4910 Blasdon Hall departing not far behind with a stopping service. On the LMR side, No.45559 British Columbia departs with a stopping service to Beathwaite, with No.45553 Canada departing with a stopping service for Liverchurch. No.70007 Coeur-de-Lion waits for passengers with an express.

[bold goblet]

Mark 2 coaches?

[azure quarry]

Mk.1

(although the Halls are still hauling pre-grouping carriages as there's no speed benefit to changing them)

[bold goblet]

Will there be a network south East operator after the nationalization and the forgot the name.

[azure quarry]

Aye, I start off with trains grouped by railway, and then when nationalisation happens by region. But, then the late 70s/early 80s (the exact date eludes me) and I start to organise by sectors

and then post-privatisation, by company (Transhaul, Virgin West Coast, Arriva etc)

[bold goblet]

Oh yeah I would like that one Glasgow operator.

I will not name

Because I don’t know how to spell it.

The orange trains.

[azure quarry]

Ah yes, Strathclyde 🙂

[bold goblet]

Hes

Yes

With those nice 320’s.

[azure quarry]

Always liked their look. Those and, I think it's the Yorkshire transport authority one too, the old Carmine and Cream look

Ah, actually I lie, BOTH are Strathclyde TPE 😄

[bold goblet]

What about pre metro link Manchester?

[bold goblet]

That vibrant orange and cobalt grey.

Makes me drool.

It’s amazing

[azure quarry]

Aye, I remember seeing them way back too 🙂 orange just works well as a vehicle colour I find

[bold goblet]

They should bring it back.

[azure quarry]

(see also EasyJet)

[bold goblet]

I was thinking of making my own.

But instead of that orange.

Like a green

Pale ish green

Would probably work

[azure quarry]

Kind of like the old Maidstone and District?

[bold goblet]

A bit lighter.

But yeah

@azure quarry like the green you would see in old pictures.

Something like this.

[azure quarry]

Ah sort of an avacado green

(every bathroom in the 70s)

[bold goblet]

Oh yes.

[bold goblet]

Doesn’t that have like uranium in it.

Or is it rat poison.

Arsenic

I paint my trains in Paris green

:P

go lick it.

[azure quarry]

Oh Arsenic, used to but not since the 1890s I believe it was

[bold goblet]

Yeah just reminded me of Paris green.

[azure quarry]

Uranium glass is cool though. Similar lurid green

[bold goblet]

Ohh they remind me of those uranium glazed plates.

I like that colour

I want my plates to have the same colour

Fiesta red I think.

[bold goblet]

I’ve seen it in person.

They showed off like old antique oil lamps.

[azure quarry]

They have some in an antique shop near here. Been tempted to get some.

[bold goblet]

At a museum

They had a whole collection of them

Some small bedside lamps

Handheld lamps

Big lamps for important occasions

Cantilever lamps.

It was a fun place

They had the oldest operating oilwell in the world there I think.

[bold goblet]

Why are all toxic or poisonous pigments so good.

[azure quarry]

Same as all foods that are delicious are incredibly bad for you 😄

[bold goblet]

No wonder everyone wanted their uranium watches with their fiesta red plates and a Paris green dress.

I would love all of that too.

I don’t care what my life expectancy will be cut in half.

I’ll probably die earlier than that anyway.

[azure quarry]

The Victorian period had immense swag, but yes, life expectancy was low 😄

[bold goblet]

I want a fiesta red toilet.

You know how cool will that look.

[azure quarry]

Apparently, they exist

[bold goblet]

Ehh it’s not the colour I imagined.

More orange.

Wait hold on

Aperture desk job

I swear there was an orange toilet in that game

[azure quarry]

(there's a few that come up as "Fiesta Red". Colours be weird)

[bold goblet]

Oh yes

The vibes of that game are quite nice.

It was green.

:/

What loops us back into the avocado green.

[bold goblet]

@azure quarry any new updates?

[azure quarry]

I can do if you wish 🙂 It's now 1969, and steam has just been retired

[bold goblet]

Neat.

Can’t wait.

[azure quarry]

Wait, hang on that didn't post. Bugger

1969: New Beginnings

August 1968 saw the end of main line steam in Britannia. Many enthusiasts lamented this as the end of the railway, but, a few more optimistic souls realised it was the beginning.

BR had originally divided up the former LNER into the North Eastern and Eastern Regions. Modernisation on the Eastern Region took the form of the EE Type 5 Deltic, and Brush Type 2. These began to take over express services in 1958 with two prototype Deltics proving incredibly capable. The Brush Type 2, although less celebrated, was equally adept at stopping services, although it was supplemented by the EE Type 2 "Baby Deltic", freeing up Brush Type 2s to be used for freight. EE Type 4s were initially planned to take over passenger services but they proved unable to keep trains at the high speeds required, and so were mostly transfered to the Liverchurch Midland Region.

The North Eastern Region was given extraordinary powers to build an entirely new main line, the Freaside Main Line (FSML), serving the coastal city. This was unique in that it was to be an entirely electrified line, 1500v DC, with all traction (except a few diesel shunters) being electric. Metrovick EM1s, originally confined to operations on the isolated Dunnor End line, were assigned to freight duties (with several mines in the area being served) and new Metrovick EM2s, larger and faster, being assigned to express and post trains. Local services were assigned to the new "Freaside Units", three-car DC EMUs.

This triumph was short lived however. By the time the Freaside opened in 1958, the benefits of the 25kv AC system were apparent, and the Liverchurch Midland Region's Beathwaite and Liverchurch Main Line (BLML) was electrified between 1960 and 1965 using this newer system. The EE Type 4s, originally discarded by the Eastern Region, were further displaced to postal trains, with expresses being hauled by AL1 and (later, in 1965) AL6 electrics. Stopping services were split between Sulzer Type 4s and a new high speed DMU, the Blue Pullman. These continued even after full electrification was completed. The once pioneering 630v DC 3rd Rail, installed between Liverchurch and Dadale City in the early 1900s, was finally de-energised, with all suburban services (including the Great Wrarford Branch) being served by new AM10 AC EMUs.

On the Southern, Type HA 3rd Rail Electrics replaced earlier Type CCs on main line post trains, being capable of 90mph, with branch services remaining hauled by the older types. The venerable 5-BEL Accstock Belle EMUs saw replacement with the new 4-CIG units, again geared for 90mph express services. The South Coast Line to Stanhead, Liverchurch Coast Line and New Treburgh Market Branch remained unelectrified, being taken over by BRCW Type 3s and Brush Type 4s, although electrification of the New Treburgh Market Branch was planned.

The Western Region, ever pioneers, took a different approach to modernisation. Rather than electrification or Diesel-Electric traction, they initially tested Gas Turbine locomotives, although these proved expensive and unreliable. In the mid 1950s attention turned to Diesel-Hydraulics, and the "Warship", "Western" and "Hymek" types soon replaced steam on all services, although a few Sulzer Type 2s were on the books too. They even introduced their own type of Diesel-Hydraulic shunter.

Away from the rails, air services became almost entirely jet powered between 1955 and 1965, with Slunden Lloydson being expanded and renamed to Slunden Keith Row, opening in 1956.

On the water, ferry services were revolutionised in the late 1960s with the introduction of new hydrofoil ferries, with speeds of nearly 40kts

The first motorway, the M1, opened in 1958, although only the first section from Accstock to Feebrook was completed at this time. Further extentions were completed in 1962 and 1969.

Mesdingney Junction. Recognisable from earlier shots but with some considerable changes

Liverchurch High Road: Another big part of the modernisation plan was to replace outdated infrastructure, with some stations seeing just lengthened platforms and others being practically rebuilt from scratch. Liverchurch High Road is somewhere in between the two extremes, maintaining it's grand roof, but with a modern concrete building around it.

Windchurch: Although rebuilt in the [1930s (https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/853284744056799252/1380891677513744475/image.png?ex=686a7117&is=68691f97&hm=ffb6e9a8240e88ed531009843744a24e5daaf00fccaa2b1dce0648c085c2f586&=&format=webp&quality=lossless)], Windchurch saw further rebuilding in the early 1960s, by which time the station had become rather too small for the Western Region's needs. Two extra tunnels were boared, giving four main line platforms in each direction, and bypass tunnels boared through to provide freight services with a route around the increasingly congested station. This freed up the frequent jams that were occurring.

Another busy day at Prandown: On the Western Region side, the Down Stopping, hauled by Warship 806 Cambrian and the Up Stopping (just leaving) hauled by Warship 812 The Royal Naval Reserve 1859-1959 can be seen on the outermost WR platforms, with the Down Express hauled by Western 1015 Western Champion and the Down Pullman, pulled by Western 1000 Western Enterprise seen in the inner. Pullman services were withdrawn by BR in 1962 on other regions, but they have lingered on on the Western. They are set to be withdrawn by 1970, with BRs new intercity policy.

On the LMR side, Class 40 (EE Type 4) 40 002 can be seen hauling a Down Stopping, with the Up Stopping Class 251 Blue Pullman Set 4 on the outer lines. The Down Express hauled by Class 81 (AL1) 81 005 can be seen, with the Up Express hauled by Class 86 (AL6) 86 252 seen leaving towards the bottom of shot.

Prandown is beloved by enthusiasts, as a wide variety of locos, from two different regions, can be spotted, and the architecture has changed little over the years.

[bold goblet]

Splendid

[native zinc]

This is lovely to watch. I’m doing a similar playthrough, with Iron Horse instead of Timberwolf’s Trains, starting in 1840. Currently in 1946 or so, working on my last paused-calendar-time “pulse” of steam era modernization before the diesels take over. Nice to see your take on a long British playthrough. 😄

(Although your naming of specific railways and even locomotives is far beyond what I care to do 😛 )

[azure quarry]

Thanks (sorry been a long day). I do try to mix it up and do something diferent on each run through, be it a different train set (this is my first time with Timberwolfs, I am usually a UKRS2 fan) or running different types of service etc

[azure quarry]

Just got back from a busy weekend. Will update 🙂

[bold goblet]

Heh lol.

[azure quarry]

(bit of a preview)

Prandown, September 1977.

The station has been expanded to feature freight bypasses and an additional two platforms on the Western Region side. This also allowed the LM Region approach to be straightened, no longer featuring the complex junctions and curves of previous eras

Visible are Class 86 and 87s on LM Region Express services, a Class 45 on the LM Stopping service, Class 50s on Western Region Stopping services, and new InterCity 125s on Western Region Express services. There is also a double headed edible oils train using the freight bypass, and a Class 117 DMU on Western Region locals.

[bold goblet]

This station is getting out of hand. Is it just through traffic btw?

[azure quarry]

The Class 117 DMUs and Class 310 EMUs terminate and reverse, hence the lines to allow them to do that. Otherwise there's passing freight traffic on the WR (hence the bypasses) and express and stopping services that stop but continue onwards

[bold goblet]

Kk

Ngl I wanna start my own game similar to yours

With friends of course.

[azure quarry]

Showing one of the smaller stations on the Western Region, Whitby Cross. This has expanded little over the years, but has seen the addition of two bay platforms for local services from Windchurch (southern bay) and the Trencombe Branch (northern bay)

Speaking of Windchurch, the pride of the former GWR and GSR saw further redevelopment in the early 1970s. Essentially following the same pattern as the last rebuild, the new form essentially consists of a rebuild of the Northland Region and local platforms, expanding the Northland Region platforms to four bays

[azure quarry]

The Western Region saw massive developments in the Slunden Area too. Delayed by several years due to cost overruns, the expanded Slunden Keithrow Airport was finally completely open for business in April 1980. During the rebuilding process, the local services had initially carried on being operated by BR Western Region Class 117 DMUs, but this was only a temporary solution. One of the last elements of the new expansion to be completely, the Slunden & City Underground Line was extended to Slunden Keithrow. An intermediate station, Slunden Five Bridges, was opened along the line, along with a new southbound platform at Slunden Royal Street, with the old terminus platform becoming the new northbound

[azure quarry]

The newly refurbished Slunden Royal Street. Four express platforms, four stopping/post, with two underground platforms. The tramlines, a feature of Slunden since the 1830s, have been reworked into a turning circle.

[azure quarry]

Just so the scale of my madness is apparent 😄

[bold goblet]

instead of you deleting old tracks you just change them to lifted tracks?

[azure quarry]

Yup, and I use lifted tracks to fill in gaps and to create retaining walls

[bold goblet]

I bet you will approve of this approach.

[azure quarry]

I do 🙂

There will be further updates, I just had an eerm well impromptu house move. All sorted now though and back up and running

[bold goblet]

I finished it earlier today.

[azure quarry]

This may have been premature. Had a complete systems crash earlier. I have likely lost this saved game now

[bold goblet]

Oh no.

Would be a bumer.

[azure quarry]

If, and its quite an IF, my PC decides its stopped freezing, bluescreening and generally not working, I will be starting a new (Dawn of an Era III?) game soon. Might use a few different new GRFs (the TTRS buildings are a bit overwhelming, I do like the Full English ones even if they get a tad monotonous). New bridges too I think

[bold goblet]

When will we get a Dawn of an era what will get to modern times?

[azure quarry]

Assuming my PC doesn't die again, soon (tm) 😛

(and 1984 was modern-ish)

[bold goblet]

@azure quarry what grf are you using for bridges btw?

[azure quarry]

I've gone back to my old faves

[bold goblet]

And that’s?

[bold goblet]

And bobb is not on bananas?

[azure quarry]

No, neither BOBB or Jakes Improver are. But a google search takes you straight to the forum thread with them

[bold goblet]

Well I lost my openttd folder.

I’m not joking.

I’ve spent like months looking for it and it’s nowhere to be found.