The Preston - Blackpool North line runs from the Main station of Preston situated on the West Coast Mainline, to the ever popular summer holiday resort of Blackpool. The route has been lovingly re-created by Thomas Harrison and this Electric version features all of the changes following Electrification of the line from Preston. This version of the route installs in addition to original Northern Lines and won't overwrite the original route, which is still available as usual.
Requirements
The full list of requirements is at the bottom of the page, and in the linked manual
Along the route:
Bamber Bridge
Bamber Bridge station was built as part of the Blackburn / Preston Railway and opened on 1st June 1846. Situated 8¼ miles from Blackburn the station used to have a very busy goods yard moving products from the local cotton mills, in particular from Dewhursts Cuerdon Mill who had their own private sidings.
Currently the signal box which overlooks the station is supported by a large steel structure. This is to assist the deteriorating state of the unique three story flat roofed structure whilst works are carried out. |
Lostock Hall
Lostock Hall station is situated 2¾ miles south of Preston. The original station was close to a large railway junction which linked services from Blackburn and Preston with destinations all over the county. The original station was closed and demolished in 1968 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1984.
Lostock Hall became a mecca for rail enthusiasts in the late 60s when the engine shed sited adjacent to the old station became one of the last working steam sheds in the country. |
Preston Docks BranchThe branch to Preston Docks was initially opened by the North Union in 1846 to serve Victoria Quay, later being extended to reach the rest of Preston Docks. The line still descends, as it did then, northwards from the West side of the station, on a gradient of 1 in 29, curving sharply westwards.
In todays route the line is served by several weekly oil trains. Along side this the route today operates as as the Ribble Steam Railway. |
PrestonPreston located in the county of Lancashire but also the junction for the Blackpool North line to separate from the West Coast Mainline. The station here no longer looks like it belongs in 2007 with its kit bash jigsaw.
We now have fully utilised the brilliant model of Preston Station from Alan Thomson Simulation (with full thanks for allowing us to do some behind the scenes scripting to ensure all works to our track layout). This location is a great spot to watch the activity unfold on scenarios. |
Salwick
Poulton-Le-Fylde
Poulton-le-Fylde is the next station,again specially made from the ground up by Callum Green. This is where the former line to Burn Naze and Fleetwood diverges,though it has now been disconnected. A preservation trust is currently renovating part of the closed line.
In between Poulton & Blackpool is the small station of Layton this is only around a mile from Blackpool North. |
Layton
Blackpool North
Blackpool North is the Western terminus of the route. Featuring a large station,carriage sidings and fueling point. It also features views of the iconic Blackpool Tower. The station itself features a number of custom objects,including platforms by Callum. Sadly the semaphore signals are long gone,along with their signalboxes.
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Points of interest along the route:
Situated along the route are various points of interest, listed below are just a few of which you will come to find whilst driving scenarios.
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Route Requirements:
Route Requirements:
4 Aspect Simulations
Cynx/4AS Signage Pack V1.2 (Ensure this is up to date)
AlanThomsonSim
WCML Midlands & North West
Overhead Live Electrification Pack (OHLE Pack)
Armstrong Powerhouse
Norwich to Great Yarmouth & Lowestoft Route V2.0 (V1.0 will also work)
JustTrains
Common Library available with JT Routes. We recommend a more up to date version from any of the following routes:
Midland Main Line, South Western Expressways - Reading or Wessex Main Line: Southampton to Salisbury Extension
Steam Store
BR Class 142 Pacer DMU - Needed for a scenery asset
East Coast Main Line London - Peterborough Route Add-On
European Loco and Asset Pack
Liverpool Manchester Route Add-On
North London Line & GOBLIN Lines Add-On
Settle to Carlisle Route Add-On
South Western Main Line: Southampton - Bournemouth Route Add-On
WCML South: London Euston - Birmingham Route Add-On
WCML Trent Valley Route Add-On
West Coast Main Line Over Shap Route Add-On
West Highland Line Extension Route Add-On
UK Train Sim Freeware Packs:
https://www.golden-age-developments.co.uk/ukts-freeware-packs.html
4 Aspect Simulations
Cynx/4AS Signage Pack V1.2 (Ensure this is up to date)
AlanThomsonSim
WCML Midlands & North West
Overhead Live Electrification Pack (OHLE Pack)
Armstrong Powerhouse
Norwich to Great Yarmouth & Lowestoft Route V2.0 (V1.0 will also work)
JustTrains
Common Library available with JT Routes. We recommend a more up to date version from any of the following routes:
Midland Main Line, South Western Expressways - Reading or Wessex Main Line: Southampton to Salisbury Extension
Steam Store
BR Class 142 Pacer DMU - Needed for a scenery asset
East Coast Main Line London - Peterborough Route Add-On
European Loco and Asset Pack
Liverpool Manchester Route Add-On
North London Line & GOBLIN Lines Add-On
Settle to Carlisle Route Add-On
South Western Main Line: Southampton - Bournemouth Route Add-On
WCML South: London Euston - Birmingham Route Add-On
WCML Trent Valley Route Add-On
West Coast Main Line Over Shap Route Add-On
West Highland Line Extension Route Add-On
UK Train Sim Freeware Packs:
- Blocks Lofts Bridges
- Clutter
- Commercial
- Foliage
- Housing
- Industrial
https://www.golden-age-developments.co.uk/ukts-freeware-packs.html