WCML: Birmingham to Crewe Timetable Deep Dive
By We are back with another update on our first route in Train Sim World. We are now getting closer to release! So we thought it was a good time to give you a deep dive into what to expect from our timetable that is coming with the route. So let’s jump in!
With our first route, you will get a jam packed timetable based in 2019. This timetable has a grand total of 2092 services with 522 of those services being playable if you own all of the layers. This means you can expect a wide variety of difference service patterns and plenty of services to keep you busy. From local stopping services to high speed intercity express services, there is something for everyone.
So, what layers are included? Below is a full list of the included layers within the timetable. Please note that you will need to own each DLC for these layers to work on Birmingham to Crewe. We recommend checking out your preferred store front and pick up any DLC you are missing if you haven’t already!
Timetable Layer List:
– CrossCountry Class 220 Voyager
– Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino
– West Midlands Railway Class 170
– CrossCountry Class 170
– Transport for Wales Class 150s & Class 153s
– West Midlands Railway Class 323
– East Midlands Trains Class 158
– FKA Wagons
– Cargo Line Volume 3 Pack
– Class 87 Railtour
– Spirit of Steam for the LMS Jubilee Railtour
– LNER Class A3 60103 Flying Scotsman Railtour
– Class 86 Railtour
– Northern Class 323 (Glossop Version)
– Class 350 (Included with our route, this is seperate from the Euston Milton Keynes version which does not feature on this route) Split into 2 layers WMR 350s and LNWR 350s.
– 3x Static Layers (One for 86/87 and a rake of mk3 coaches at the Crewe Diesel Depot and two for filling out basford hall yard)
– WCML HKA Pack
– DRS Class 66
– Cargo Line Volume 2 Pack
Lets jump straight into our core services first. The Class 350 is the backbone of this route, providing a wide range of different services. Firstly there is the local stopping services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street, these services will call at every intermediate stop between the two stations, giving you a chance to enjoy some busy commuter action. Next up is the semi fast services between Stafford and Birmingham New Street, these services will typically call at Smethwick Galton Bridge, Coseley, Wolverhampton, Penkridge and Stafford before heading off to Stoke-on-Trent before finishing it’s journey at Crewe. It should be worth noting that the line to Stoke-on-Trent is not included on this route so AI will take over at Stafford to continue the service off map. Next you will have your faster express services between Crewe and Birmingham New Street, these typically will call at Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Penkridge and Stafford. You will take these services the full length of the route with some remaining on the slow lines north of Stafford and others crossing on to the fast lines. Finally you have your Trent Valley services which you will take the service between Crewe and Stafford before AI take over to carry the service on.
With the 350s, you will also get to experience coupling and uncoupling procedures around Birmingham New Street as well as operate ECS movements around Crewe. Outside of this, you can expect AI traffic around Birmingham New Street and Crewe stations where they take journeys to off map destinations such as Rugeley Trent Valley, Walsall, Alsager and Stoke-on-Trent. As an added bonus, experience full immersion with Onboard Announcements and Passenger Ambience, included across all of our Class 350’s on the route.
Now let’s move on to a recent addition in the Train Sim World franchise as part of Train Sim World 6, the Class 220 ‘Voyager’. Birmingham New Street is considered the central point for all CrossCountry services so naturally this is where you will see the Class 220 voyagers the most, operating to many destinations across the UK! That’s not all, you will be able to drive a range of Class 220 services between Stafford and Birmingham New Street as well as the occasional service from Crewe. These services are truly express services, only calling at Wolverhampton between Stafford and Birmingham New Street. You will mostly operate 4 car services however you may also occasionally operate an 8 car (2x Class 220 4 Car) service, giving you even more variety. We can also confirm that if you choose to switch on “Onboard Announcements for All Trains” in the settings, you will get to hear onboard announcements on our route with the Class 220 which made it’s debut on the Riveria Line as part of the Train Sim World 6 Deluxe edition.
Moving on, let’s talk about one of the most critical layers to this route, the Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ operated by Avanti West Coast. This iconic unit is another backbone of the West Coast Mainline, providing services from the heart of Scotland to the capital of the England. On our route, you will be able to experience the Class 390 in full swing or should we say…full tilt. Navigate the many twists and turns between Stafford and Crewe, tilting around corners with ease and at the full high speed, 125mph. Whether you want to operate a short journey between Stafford and Crewe, take charge of some ECS movements between Crewe, Wolverhampton and Oxley Depot or operate the full route between Crewe and Birmingham New Street, there is plenty for you to do.
Now focus in on the section between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street. This busy corridor sees traffic not only from the above layers but also from some operators, those being West Midlands Railway with the Class 170s and Class 323s as well as Class 350s which WMR will use from time to time. The WMR Class 170s will allow you to operate the Shrewsbury services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street with alternating stopping patterns, some calling at just Sandwell and Dudley and others calling Smethwick Galton Bridge as well as Sandwell and Dudley. Every service will also be a bit different depending on the time of day as you navigate through the tight corridor, following other services from other operating companies in both directions, allowing for a challenging driving experience.
Then you have the Transport for Wales services which will allow you to drive the TfW Class 150s and Class 153s in different formation variations between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge only. However not just that, there is a rare once a day service which takes you all the way from Crewe to Birmingham New Street so be on the look out for that if you fancy a longer run in one of the UKs iconic DMUs. Again, these services will give you a challenge as you follow other services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street. You will also have the chance to operate some ECS movements around Crewe.
Next up, freight! Crewe features the iconic Basford Hall and well it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t give you a chance to operate some freight traffic. In real life, most freight will go to off map destinations however to allow you the chance the drive freight we have made freight stop at Stafford so you can drop off and pick up freight services from here. It is no easy job driving these services either as you will be hauling heavy loads meaning it will be a slow trek between Basford Hall and Stafford, plus you will need to be on the look out for signals bringing you to a stop to allow for other traffic to flow past you. On top of this, we have included some shunting movements around Basford Hall for those who enjoy prepping freight trains for service. To add to variety, we have made use of Skyhook Games’ cargoline intermodal pack and the WCML HKA and FKA wagons, meaning there will be a nice selection of different services for you to drive.
Enjoy Railtours? Well have we got news for you! We have not 1, not 2 but 4 different railtour services for you to drive throughout different times of the year! Fan of steam? Well you can take charge of either the Flying Scotsman or the Jubilee with a rake of Mk2 coaches. Prefer some old school AC action? Take charge of either the Class 86 with Mk2 coaches or the Class 87 with Mk3 Coaches. All of these services will operate the full length of our route, giving you the chance to take on a different challenge with each service. These services whilst can be selected at any time of the year are designed to be operated during different times of the year. Class 86/87s are designed to be operated between Spring and Summer and the steam railtours are designed for Autumn and Winter runs.
Remember when we mentioned the WMR Class 323 above? Well don’t worry, not only are there ai services around Birmingham New Street, you will have the chance to operate a selection of early morning and evening services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street, as well as operate all ECS movements between Birmingham New Street and Soho Depot! From uncoupling and coupling procedures, to shunting around Soho and finally transporting people between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street, there is so much you can do with the Class 323.
Finally, let’s talk AI only layers. Class 158 East Midlands Train services can be spotted at Crewe but also you will have the chance to do some quick ECS movements between Crewe C.S and Crewe. Next up is the Northern Class 323. These services are exclusively AI and you will see them frequently at Crewe on Platform 1. Continuing the Crewe theme, you will also get to see TfW Class 153s and Class 150s at Crewe Station operating North Wales services and services between Manchester and Crewe. So to say the least, there will be ample of opportunity to just sit around at Crewe station and do some train spotting and if you do, well you will also get to see some Class 390 services fly through the station at speed on their express runs between the North West and London.
Still with us? We hope so! We hope this has now given you a good insight into the exciting timetable that we have delivered as part of this route. We could keep going but instead of that, why not tune in to the preview stream on Tuesday with DTG as well as Danny and Kieran from All Aboard where you will get to see the full route in action.
Not only that but we will be providing more content very soon as well as more development diaries to give you an even closer look into the route before release! So make sure you are following us on social media, keep an eye out for more updates from us right here on our website too.
WCML: Birmingham to Crewe will be coming soon to Train Sim World 6 for £29.99/€35.99/$39.99 and will be available on Playstation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Epic Games Store and Steam. Please note that this route will not be available on Playstation 4 and Xbox One consoles.
Not upgraded to Train Sim World 6 yet? Make sure you upgrade before the launch of the route by either picking up Train Sim World 6 Standard, Deluxe or Special editions or grab the free starter pack on your preferred platform which is available until the 11th of November!
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