FANTASY: You're in charge of your own Open Access operator.

[Doomotron]

I quite like making these, so I'll continue. This one is actually quite grounded in reality and is nowhere near as crazy as my past ideas.

Deal in Kent is the only place on the line to have only 1tph to London, and people who live here aren't happy about it. In the next franchise, the Charing Cross - Dover Priory service was meant to be permanently extended to Ramsgate, but as there will be no new franchise (unless the OLR gets involved), I've elected to run a simple Margate to London Blackfriars service, once per hour. I haven't bothered with a map, but the stopping pattern will be:

1. Ramsgate
2. Sandwich
3. Deal
4. Walmer
5. Dover Priory
6. Folkestone Central
7. Ashford International
8. Swanley (via High Speed 1 and Fawkham Junction, weaving between faster Eurostar and Southeastern services)
9. Bromley South
10. Beckenham Junction
11. Herne Hill
12. Loughborough Junction
13. Elephant And Castle
14. and London Blackfriars

During peak hours, the ORR probably won't be keen on an open access operator running on the Thameslink route, so instead, after Herne Hill, the train will stop at Brixton and Battersea Park.

If negotiations with Network Rail are succesful, some infrastructure changes will be made:

• At Battersea Park, Platform 2 will be extended to fit trains as long as possible.
• Also at Battersea Park, Platform 1 will be reopened and extended.
• The centre tracks would be replaced at Folkestone West.
• At Folkestone Central, the other island would be reopened. This would allow the two outer platforms to be used for terminating trains.
• At Dover Priory, Platforms 2 and 3 would be extended to fit 12 coaches.
• The operator would be involved in kickstarting a rebuild of Folkestone East station.
• The centre track at Deal would be readded.
• The fifth platform at Margate would be readded. This could be used by extensions to this service.

The trains would be Class 377/6 or /7s, all with dual-voltage capabilties, and converted to 387s for 110mph use to help on HS1. They'd need TVM430 signalling and all other systems for HS1 and a modified pantograph. New seats would be added, something comfortable like the Grammer seats in the 395s.

 

[coradiafan2000]

How about an operator that went from Scotland to London while avoiding as much as possible of the ECML and WCML as possible, while also being needlessly elaborate?

It could start at Glasgow Central, then travel down to Carlisle via Dumfries. It would then go to Newcastle via Haltwhistle, then travel to Northallerton via Sunderland. After that it would be a short hop down the ECML to York, then to Leeds via Harrogate. After which it'll travel to Sheffield via Barnsley, then to Birmingham New Street via Derby. From there it would be a simple matter of travelling to (obviously) Waterloo via Reading.

The only train suitable for such a long and arduous journey would be a 142 pacer. The greatest engineering achievement of all time. It would be timetabled to stop at literally every station along the way, but only by request.

I'd love to hear any potential names you may have, as well as an even more complicated route.

 

[A Challenge]

Why not avoid the reversal at Birmingham by running out via Bromsgrove and Worcester to Oxford?

 

[coradiafan2000]

Why not avoid the reversal at Birmingham by running out via Bromsgrove and Worcester to Oxford?

Ooo good idea! In fact, how about instead of bothering with the Oxford line it continues through Hereford to Newport, then down to Taunton to get to Reading via the berks and hants line?

 

[Doomotron]

I'd love to hear any potential names you may have, as well as an even more complicated route.

CrapRail?

How about, instead of going south from Glasgow, the train would go as far north as possible, then down to Edinburgh. The train would then reverse, going to Carlisle. From there, the Pacer would go along the Settle and Carlisle, going via Bolton to Manchester. Via Sheffield and Sleaford, the train would head down to Cambridge and London, but instead of going into King's Cross, St Pancras, Moorgate or Liverpool Street, it would go along the North London Line to Basingstoke like Anglia Railways used to. It'll go along the line all the way to Exeter, then Bristol and Bath Spa to allow it to indirectly reverse and will finally head to Portsmouth.

At this point, the DFDS-owned (unless it's still owned by Eurotunnel) Nord-Pas-De-Calais would be used to take the Pacer over the Solent onto the Isle Of White (obviously modified to get its rails again - I think the last time it was used as a train boat or whatever they're called was for the delivery of the Eurostars).

The next destination is Wootton. It'll go back again to Portsmouth and trundle along the coast to Margate (going the long way around via Deal), where it'll be on its last leg to London St Pancras via High Speed 1. But before that, it reverses at Ebbsfleet and takes a quick trip to Marseille in France. Then, finally, it'll arrive in St Pancras.

 

[coradiafan2000]

CrapRail?

How about, instead of going south from Glasgow, the train would go as far north as possible, then down to Edinburgh. The train would then reverse, going to Carlisle. From there, the Pacer would go along the Settle and Carlisle, going via Bolton to Manchester. Via Sheffield and Sleaford, the train would head down to Cambridge and London, but instead of going into King's Cross, St Pancras, Moorgate or Liverpool Street, it would go along the North London Line to Basingstoke like Anglia Railways used to. It'll go along the line all the way to Exeter, then Bristol and Bath Spa to allow it to indirectly reverse and will finally head to Portsmouth.

At this point, the DFDS-owned (unless it's still owned by Eurotunnel) Nord-Pas-De-Calais would be used to take the Pacer over the Solent onto the Isle Of White (obviously modified to get its rails again - I think the last time it was used as a train boat or whatever they're called was for the delivery of the Eurostars).

The next destination is Wootton. It'll go back again to Portsmouth and trundle along the coast to Margate (going the long way around via Deal), where it'll be on its last leg to London St Pancras via High Speed 1. But before that, it reverses at Ebbsfleet and takes a quick trip to Marseille in France. Then, finally, it'll arrive in St Pancras.

Excellent! I am in awe of your genius!

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

I'd love to hear any potential names you may have, as well as an even more complicated route.

Challenge accepted!

The route shall be as follows, calling at all stations, in announcement format voiced by Her Majesty the Queen:

"Welcome aboard. We'll be travelling to London Cannon Street. Calling at Crossmyloof, Pollokshaws West, Kennishead, Priesthill & Darnley, Nitshill, Barrhead, Dunlop, Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock, Auchinleck, New Cumnock, Kirkconnel, Sanquhar, Dumfries, Annan, Gretna Green, Carlisle, Dalston, Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Harrington, Parton, Whitehaven, Corkickle, St Bees, Nethertown, Braystones, Sellafield, Seascale, Drigg, Ravenglass for Eskdale, Bootle, Silecroft, Millom, Green Road, Foxfield, Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam, Barrow-in-Furness, Roose, Dalton, Ulverston, Cark & Cartmel, Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Wennington, Bentham, Clapham, Giggleswick, Long Preston, Hellifield, Gargrave, Skipton, Cononley, Steeton & Silsden, Keighley, Crossflatts, Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley, Apperley Bridge, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal, Hammerton, Poppleton, York, Ulleskelf, Church Fenton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Pontefract Baghill, Moorthorpe, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Swinton, Rotherham Central, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dore & Totley, Grindleford, and Hathersage where we will be taking a brief pause (of nine hours, with doors locked shut until the final 30 seconds before departure) whilst a change in train crew takes place, Bamford, Hope, Edale, Chinley, Hazel Grove, Woodsmoor, Davenport, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Manchester Victoria, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Deighton, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston, Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Patricroft, Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Warrington Bank Quay, Runcorn East, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oakengates, Telford Central, Shifnal, Cosford, Albrighton, Codsall, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, Coseley, Tipton, Dudley Port, Sandwell & Dudley, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Smethwick Rolfe Street, Birmingham New Street, Water Orton, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Hinckley, Narborough, South Wigston, Leicester, Syston, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Stamford, Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea, Ely, Kennett, Bury St Edmunds, Thurston, Elmswell, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Marks Tey, Kelvedon, Witham, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, Ingatestone, Shenfield, Brentwood, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Romford, Emerson Park, Upminster, Barking, Woodgrange Park, Wanstead Park, Leytonstone High Road, Leyton Midland Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Blackhorse Road, South Tottenham, Harringay Green Lanes, Crouch Hill, Upper Holloway, Gospel Oak, Hampstead Heath, Finchley Road & Frognal, West Hampstead, Brondesbury, Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise, Willesden Junction, Acton Central, South Acton, Gunnersbury, Kew Gardens, Richmond, St Margarets, Twickenham, Whitton, Feltham, Ashford, Staines, Egham, Virginia Water, Longcross, Sunningdale, Ascot, Martins Heron, Bracknell, Wokingham, Winnersh, Winnersh Triangle, Earley, Reading, Tilehurst, Pangbourne, Goring & Streatley, Cholsey, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Oldfield Park, Keynsham, Bristol Temple Meads, Bedminster, Parson Street, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston Milton, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, St James Park, Pinhoe, Cranbrook, Whimple, Feniton, Honiton, Axminster, Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham, Tisbury, Salisbury, Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge, Romsey, Redbridge, Millbrook, Southampton Central, St Denys, Bitterne, Woolston, Sholing, Netley, Hamble, Bursledon, Swanwick, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Bedhampton, Havant, Warblington, Emsworth, Southbourne, Nutbourne, Bosham, Fishbourne, Chichester, Barnham, Ford, Angmering, Goring-by-Sea, Durrington-on-Sea, West Worthing, Worthing, East Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Portslade, Aldrington, Hove, Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath, Balcombe, Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill, Nutfield, Godstone, Edenbridge, Penshurst, Leigh, Tonbridge, High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells, Frant, Wadhurst, Stonegate, Etchingham, Robertsbridge, Battle, West St Leonards, St Leonards Warrior Square, Hastings, Ore, Three Oaks, Doleham, Winchelsea, Rye, Appledore, Ham Street, Ashford International, Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Bearsted, Maidstone East, Barming, East Malling, West Malling, Borough Green & Wrotham, Kemsing, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, Swanley, St Mary Cray, Bickley, Bromley South, Shortlands, Beckenham Junction, New Beckenham, Lower Sydenham, Catford Bridge, Ladywell, Lewisham, St Johns, New Cross, London Bridge, and our final stop, London Cannon Street."

With an accompanying map:



Oh, and on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding March), passengers will be in for a special treat, as the service shall be run using a battery-powered Class 139.

 

[coradiafan2000]

Challenge accepted!

The route shall be as follows, calling at all stations, in announcement format voiced by Her Majesty the Queen:

"Welcome aboard. We'll be travelling to London Cannon Street. Calling at Crossmyloof, Pollokshaws West, Kennishead, Priesthill & Darnley, Nitshill, Barrhead, Dunlop, Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock, Auchinleck, New Cumnock, Kirkconnel, Sanquhar, Dumfries, Annan, Gretna Green, Carlisle, Dalston, Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Harrington, Parton, Whitehaven, Corkickle, St Bees, Nethertown, Braystones, Sellafield, Seascale, Drigg, Ravenglass for Eskdale, Bootle, Silecroft, Millom, Green Road, Foxfield, Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam, Barrow-in-Furness, Roose, Dalton, Ulverston, Cark & Cartmel, Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Wennington, Bentham, Clapham, Giggleswick, Long Preston, Hellifield, Gargrave, Skipton, Cononley, Steeton & Silsden, Keighley, Crossflatts, Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley, Apperley Bridge, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal, Hammerton, Poppleton, York, Ulleskelf, Church Fenton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Pontefract Baghill, Moorthorpe, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Swinton, Rotherham Central, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dore & Totley, Grindleford, and Hathersage where we will be taking a brief pause (of nine hours, with doors locked shut until the final 30 seconds before departure) whilst a change in train crew takes place, Bamford, Hope, Edale, Chinley, Hazel Grove, Woodsmoor, Davenport, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Manchester Victoria, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Deighton, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston, Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Patricroft, Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Warrington Bank Quay, Runcorn East, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oakengates, Telford Central, Shifnal, Cosford, Albrighton, Codsall, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, Coseley, Tipton, Dudley Port, Sandwell & Dudley, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Smethwick Rolfe Street, Birmingham New Street, Water Orton, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Hinckley, Narborough, South Wigston, Leicester, Syston, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Stamford, Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea, Ely, Kennett, Bury St Edmunds, Thurston, Elmswell, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Marks Tey, Kelvedon, Witham, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, Ingatestone, Shenfield, Brentwood, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Romford, Emerson Park, Upminster, Barking, Woodgrange Park, Wanstead Park, Leytonstone High Road, Leyton Midland Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Blackhorse Road, South Tottenham, Harringay Green Lanes, Crouch Hill, Upper Holloway, Gospel Oak, Hampstead Heath, Finchley Road & Frognal, West Hampstead, Brondesbury, Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise, Willesden Junction, Acton Central, South Acton, Gunnersbury, Kew Gardens, Richmond, St Margarets, Twickenham, Whitton, Feltham, Ashford, Staines, Egham, Virginia Water, Longcross, Sunningdale, Ascot, Martins Heron, Bracknell, Wokingham, Winnersh, Winnersh Triangle, Earley, Reading, Tilehurst, Pangbourne, Goring & Streatley, Cholsey, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Oldfield Park, Keynsham, Bristol Temple Meads, Bedminster, Parson Street, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston Milton, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, St James Park, Pinhoe, Cranbrook, Whimple, Feniton, Honiton, Axminster, Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham, Tisbury, Salisbury, Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge, Romsey, Redbridge, Millbrook, Southampton Central, St Denys, Bitterne, Woolston, Sholing, Netley, Hamble, Bursledon, Swanwick, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Bedhampton, Havant, Warblington, Emsworth, Southbourne, Nutbourne, Bosham, Fishbourne, Chichester, Barnham, Ford, Angmering, Goring-by-Sea, Durrington-on-Sea, West Worthing, Worthing, East Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Portslade, Aldrington, Hove, Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath, Balcombe, Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill, Nutfield, Godstone, Edenbridge, Penshurst, Leigh, Tonbridge, High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells, Frant, Wadhurst, Stonegate, Etchingham, Robertsbridge, Battle, West St Leonards, St Leonards Warrior Square, Hastings, Ore, Three Oaks, Doleham, Winchelsea, Rye, Appledore, Ham Street, Ashford International, Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Bearsted, Maidstone East, Barming, East Malling, West Malling, Borough Green & Wrotham, Kemsing, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, Swanley, St Mary Cray, Bickley, Bromley South, Shortlands, Beckenham Junction, New Beckenham, Lower Sydenham, Catford Bridge, Ladywell, Lewisham, St Johns, New Cross, London Bridge, and our final stop, London Cannon Street."

With an accompanying map:

View attachment 70786

Oh, and on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding March), passengers will be in for a special treat, as the service shall be run using a battery-powered Class 139.

I'm genuinely astounded at the effort you put into that. I think we should apply for track access immediately.

 

[londonteacher]

Challenge accepted!

The route shall be as follows, calling at all stations, in announcement format voiced by Her Majesty the Queen:

"Welcome aboard. We'll be travelling to London Cannon Street. Calling at Crossmyloof, Pollokshaws West, Kennishead, Priesthill & Darnley, Nitshill, Barrhead, Dunlop, Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock, Auchinleck, New Cumnock, Kirkconnel, Sanquhar, Dumfries, Annan, Gretna Green, Carlisle, Dalston, Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Harrington, Parton, Whitehaven, Corkickle, St Bees, Nethertown, Braystones, Sellafield, Seascale, Drigg, Ravenglass for Eskdale, Bootle, Silecroft, Millom, Green Road, Foxfield, Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam, Barrow-in-Furness, Roose, Dalton, Ulverston, Cark & Cartmel, Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Wennington, Bentham, Clapham, Giggleswick, Long Preston, Hellifield, Gargrave, Skipton, Cononley, Steeton & Silsden, Keighley, Crossflatts, Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley, Apperley Bridge, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal, Hammerton, Poppleton, York, Ulleskelf, Church Fenton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Pontefract Baghill, Moorthorpe, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Swinton, Rotherham Central, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dore & Totley, Grindleford, and Hathersage where we will be taking a brief pause (of nine hours, with doors locked shut until the final 30 seconds before departure) whilst a change in train crew takes place, Bamford, Hope, Edale, Chinley, Hazel Grove, Woodsmoor, Davenport, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Manchester Victoria, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Deighton, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston, Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Patricroft, Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Warrington Bank Quay, Runcorn East, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oakengates, Telford Central, Shifnal, Cosford, Albrighton, Codsall, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, Coseley, Tipton, Dudley Port, Sandwell & Dudley, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Smethwick Rolfe Street, Birmingham New Street, Water Orton, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Hinckley, Narborough, South Wigston, Leicester, Syston, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Stamford, Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea, Ely, Kennett, Bury St Edmunds, Thurston, Elmswell, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Marks Tey, Kelvedon, Witham, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, Ingatestone, Shenfield, Brentwood, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Romford, Emerson Park, Upminster, Barking, Woodgrange Park, Wanstead Park, Leytonstone High Road, Leyton Midland Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Blackhorse Road, South Tottenham, Harringay Green Lanes, Crouch Hill, Upper Holloway, Gospel Oak, Hampstead Heath, Finchley Road & Frognal, West Hampstead, Brondesbury, Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise, Willesden Junction, Acton Central, South Acton, Gunnersbury, Kew Gardens, Richmond, St Margarets, Twickenham, Whitton, Feltham, Ashford, Staines, Egham, Virginia Water, Longcross, Sunningdale, Ascot, Martins Heron, Bracknell, Wokingham, Winnersh, Winnersh Triangle, Earley, Reading, Tilehurst, Pangbourne, Goring & Streatley, Cholsey, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Oldfield Park, Keynsham, Bristol Temple Meads, Bedminster, Parson Street, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston Milton, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, St James Park, Pinhoe, Cranbrook, Whimple, Feniton, Honiton, Axminster, Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham, Tisbury, Salisbury, Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge, Romsey, Redbridge, Millbrook, Southampton Central, St Denys, Bitterne, Woolston, Sholing, Netley, Hamble, Bursledon, Swanwick, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Bedhampton, Havant, Warblington, Emsworth, Southbourne, Nutbourne, Bosham, Fishbourne, Chichester, Barnham, Ford, Angmering, Goring-by-Sea, Durrington-on-Sea, West Worthing, Worthing, East Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Portslade, Aldrington, Hove, Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath, Balcombe, Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill, Nutfield, Godstone, Edenbridge, Penshurst, Leigh, Tonbridge, High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells, Frant, Wadhurst, Stonegate, Etchingham, Robertsbridge, Battle, West St Leonards, St Leonards Warrior Square, Hastings, Ore, Three Oaks, Doleham, Winchelsea, Rye, Appledore, Ham Street, Ashford International, Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Bearsted, Maidstone East, Barming, East Malling, West Malling, Borough Green & Wrotham, Kemsing, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, Swanley, St Mary Cray, Bickley, Bromley South, Shortlands, Beckenham Junction, New Beckenham, Lower Sydenham, Catford Bridge, Ladywell, Lewisham, St Johns, New Cross, London Bridge, and our final stop, London Cannon Street."

With an accompanying map:

View attachment 70786

Oh, and on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding March), passengers will be in for a special treat, as the service shall be run using a battery-powered Class 139.

Could go further by missing Cannon Street and going via Blackfriars to Inverness via all stations.

 

[Mogz]

My first instinct: someone has too much free time on their hands.

My ultimate conclusion: genius!

 

[Mogz]

MERSEYRAIL EXPRESS

A Summer Saturday offering with trains from each Merseyrail Terminus going to seaside destinations in Wales, the North East, the South West and the South Coast.

Utilising as much old Mk2 compartment stock as can be scraped together. Proper buffet serving home made sandwiches, picnic grub, cakes and a proper cuppa.

A childhood fantasy...

 

[London Trains]

- SOUTHERN EXPRESS -

(Version 1, will update)

1tph Victoria to Bournemouth
(Clapham Jct, Sutton, Cheam, Epsom, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Boxhill, Dorking, Horsham, Barnham, Chichester, Havant, Southampton, Brockenhurst)

1tph Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour
(Clapham Jct, Sutton, Cheam, Epsom, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Boxhill, Dorking, Horsham, Barnham, Chichester, Havant, Fratton, Portsmouth & Southsea)


Rolling Stock:

• 8 car Class 397s with a 395 door configuration, with 3rd rail shoes and pantographs.
• All seats throughout are 2x2, with first class spacing and all seats aligned with windows.
• Wifi and 3 pin plugs guaranteed at every seat.
• Large sized Luggage Racks in every coach.
• Tickets are Standard Class only and seat reservations are not available.
• The front carriage has a shop that sells a wide variety of hot/cold meals and drinks.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

Why not have express services crossing London? I'm still thinking of a good name for that (maybe Brighton Citylink) and suitable rolling stock (I'd say either the 222 or 802) for it but I have the following route ideas in mind:

Brighton to Leeds, calling at Gatwick Airport, East Croydon, London Bridge, St Albans City, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, Wakefield Westgate & Leeds
Brighton to Scarborough, calling at Gatwick Airport, London Bridge, St Albans City, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway, Ilkeston*, Sheffield, Wakefield Kirkgate, Castleford*, Sherburn in Elmet*, York, Malton* & Scarborough
Brighton to Newcastle, calling at Gatwick Airport, London Bridge, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway, Sheffield, Wakefield Kirkgate, York, Durham & Newcastle (possible extension to Edinburgh)
Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly, calling at Gatwick Airport, East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Watford Junction, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stoke-on-Trent, Stockport & Manchester Piccadilly
Brighton to Blackpool North, calling at Gatwick Airport, East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Watford Junction, Milton Keynes Central, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington Bank Quay, Preston and Blackpool North

* request stops

 

[PTR 444]

BRAIN TRAIN

A new low-budget operator providing a much improved service along one of Britain's fastest growing corridors. Named so for the fact it serves the home of both of the UK's top two universities, as well as several other institutions and technological industries. Initial service will operate on two routes, Plymouth to Oxford and Stevenage to Norwich. Both of these will operate 1tph in each direction and use Class 800 bi-modes. Once the initial phase of East-West rail is complete, the Oxford service will be extended to Bedford. Phase 2 of EWR will see a new line partly funded by this operator to link the Marston Vale Line with the ECML at Sandy and once this is complete, the Bedford service will be extended to Stevenage via this link, therefore merging the two services into one (albeit with a reversal at Stevenage).

 

[adrock1976]

Lancashire & Yorkshire Regional Express

Liverpool Lime Street to Hull calling Earlestown, Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Hebden Bridge, Elland (reopened), Brighouse, Mirfield, Wakefield Kirkgate, Castleford, Selby, Brough, and Hull.

Rolling stock could be loco hauled 442s.

Now which peg did I leave my jacket on?

 

[coradiafan2000]

Lancashire & Yorkshire Regional Express

Liverpool Lime Street to Hull calling Earlestown, Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Hebden Bridge, Elland (reopened), Brighouse, Mirfield, Wakefield Kirkgate, Castleford, Selby, Brough, and Hull.

Rolling stock could be loco hauled 442s.

Now which peg did I leave my jacket on?

Why loco hauled 442s and not just a rake of mark 3s hauled by a 67 or 68?

 

[adrock1976]

Why loco hauled 442s and not just a rake of mark 3s hauled by a 67 or 68?

That will do as well.

 

[Journeyman]

Why loco hauled 442s and not just a rake of mark 3s hauled by a 67 or 68?

Alternative uses for 442s have become a long-running gag on here.

In a similar vein, I'm just coming up with something that involves 1500v electrification, reopening Woodhead, the Great Central, the Waverley Line and the S&D, loco-hauled Mark 3s, HSTs, 442s and Pacers.

It'll be a winner.

 

[hkstudent]

Challenge accepted!

The route shall be as follows, calling at all stations, in announcement format voiced by Her Majesty the Queen:

"Welcome aboard. We'll be travelling to London Cannon Street. Calling at Crossmyloof, Pollokshaws West, Kennishead, Priesthill & Darnley, Nitshill, Barrhead, Dunlop, Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock, Auchinleck, New Cumnock, Kirkconnel, Sanquhar, Dumfries, Annan, Gretna Green, Carlisle, Dalston, Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Harrington, Parton, Whitehaven, Corkickle, St Bees, Nethertown, Braystones, Sellafield, Seascale, Drigg, Ravenglass for Eskdale, Bootle, Silecroft, Millom, Green Road, Foxfield, Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam, Barrow-in-Furness, Roose, Dalton, Ulverston, Cark & Cartmel, Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Wennington, Bentham, Clapham, Giggleswick, Long Preston, Hellifield, Gargrave, Skipton, Cononley, Steeton & Silsden, Keighley, Crossflatts, Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley, Apperley Bridge, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal, Hammerton, Poppleton, York, Ulleskelf, Church Fenton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Pontefract Baghill, Moorthorpe, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Swinton, Rotherham Central, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dore & Totley, Grindleford, and Hathersage where we will be taking a brief pause (of nine hours, with doors locked shut until the final 30 seconds before departure) whilst a change in train crew takes place, Bamford, Hope, Edale, Chinley, Hazel Grove, Woodsmoor, Davenport, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Manchester Victoria, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Deighton, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston, Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Patricroft, Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Warrington Bank Quay, Runcorn East, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oakengates, Telford Central, Shifnal, Cosford, Albrighton, Codsall, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, Coseley, Tipton, Dudley Port, Sandwell & Dudley, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Smethwick Rolfe Street, Birmingham New Street, Water Orton, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Hinckley, Narborough, South Wigston, Leicester, Syston, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Stamford, Peterborough, Whittlesea, March, Manea, Ely, Kennett, Bury St Edmunds, Thurston, Elmswell, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Marks Tey, Kelvedon, Witham, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, Ingatestone, Shenfield, Brentwood, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Romford, Emerson Park, Upminster, Barking, Woodgrange Park, Wanstead Park, Leytonstone High Road, Leyton Midland Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Blackhorse Road, South Tottenham, Harringay Green Lanes, Crouch Hill, Upper Holloway, Gospel Oak, Hampstead Heath, Finchley Road & Frognal, West Hampstead, Brondesbury, Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise, Willesden Junction, Acton Central, South Acton, Gunnersbury, Kew Gardens, Richmond, St Margarets, Twickenham, Whitton, Feltham, Ashford, Staines, Egham, Virginia Water, Longcross, Sunningdale, Ascot, Martins Heron, Bracknell, Wokingham, Winnersh, Winnersh Triangle, Earley, Reading, Tilehurst, Pangbourne, Goring & Streatley, Cholsey, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Oldfield Park, Keynsham, Bristol Temple Meads, Bedminster, Parson Street, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston Milton, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, St James Park, Pinhoe, Cranbrook, Whimple, Feniton, Honiton, Axminster, Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham, Tisbury, Salisbury, Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge, Romsey, Redbridge, Millbrook, Southampton Central, St Denys, Bitterne, Woolston, Sholing, Netley, Hamble, Bursledon, Swanwick, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Bedhampton, Havant, Warblington, Emsworth, Southbourne, Nutbourne, Bosham, Fishbourne, Chichester, Barnham, Ford, Angmering, Goring-by-Sea, Durrington-on-Sea, West Worthing, Worthing, East Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Portslade, Aldrington, Hove, Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath, Balcombe, Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill, Nutfield, Godstone, Edenbridge, Penshurst, Leigh, Tonbridge, High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells, Frant, Wadhurst, Stonegate, Etchingham, Robertsbridge, Battle, West St Leonards, St Leonards Warrior Square, Hastings, Ore, Three Oaks, Doleham, Winchelsea, Rye, Appledore, Ham Street, Ashford International, Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Bearsted, Maidstone East, Barming, East Malling, West Malling, Borough Green & Wrotham, Kemsing, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, Swanley, St Mary Cray, Bickley, Bromley South, Shortlands, Beckenham Junction, New Beckenham, Lower Sydenham, Catford Bridge, Ladywell, Lewisham, St Johns, New Cross, London Bridge, and our final stop, London Cannon Street."

With an accompanying map:

View attachment 70786

Oh, and on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding March), passengers will be in for a special treat, as the service shall be run using a battery-powered Class 139.

Shall we use a bit more luxurious train instead?

Like A-Train from JR Kyushu, with onboard bar service and panorama view seats
https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/atrain.html

Could go further by missing Cannon Street and going via Blackfriars to Inverness via all stations.

You can't.
There is a diesel ban at Thameslink core.

 

[Esker-pades]

You can't.
There is a diesel ban at Thameslink core.

Bi-modes are a thing.

 

[coradiafan2000]

Alternative uses for 442s have become a long-running gag on here.

In a similar vein, I'm just coming up with something that involves 1500v electrification, reopening Woodhead, the Great Central, the Waverley Line and the S&D, loco-hauled Mark 3s, HSTs, 442s and Pacers.

It'll be a winner.

Ah I see. Better than scrapping them certainly.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

Reopen the line connecting Harrogate with Northallerton so the City of Ripon gets railway service back once again and have a Leeds to Sunderland service via Ripon using 170s, calling at Horsforth, Harrogate, Ripon, Northallerton, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool and Sunderland. Possibly another service from Leeds to Whitby calling at Horsforth, Harrogate, Ripon, Northallerton, Middlesbrough, Nunthorpe and Whitby.

Other route ideas (again more 170s) include Manchester Victoria to Carlisle via Settle calling at Salford Crescent, Bolton, Darwen, Blackburn, Whalley, Clitheroe, Settle, Garsdale, Kirkby Stephen, Appleby and Carlisle. Plus, Manchester Piccadilly to Lincoln calling at Hyde Central, New Mills Central, Sheffield, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough Lea Road and Lincoln, with a few daily extensions to Cambridge via Spalding, Peterborough and Ely.

 

[Doomotron]

I thought of a name recently that I simply had to use for something like this, so here's a basic idea for a OAO for Coventry, naturally called...

COVENTRAINS

The operator would run trains (1 per hour?) between Coventry and Reigate calling at Rugby, Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley, Tring, Watford Junction, Shepherd's Bush, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, Redhill and Reigate. I don't particularly care about the trains, but they'd have to be something dual-voltage. Class 377/5s would do, or maybe Coventrains could provide a home for the 360/2s?

 

[coradiafan2000]

I thought of a name recently that I simply had to use for something like this, so here's a basic idea for a OAO for Coventry, naturally called...

COVENTRAINS

The operator would run trains (1 per hour?) between Coventry and Reigate calling at Rugby, Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley, Tring, Watford Junction, Shepherd's Bush, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, Redhill and Reigate. I don't particularly care about the trains, but they'd have to be something dual-voltage. Class 377/5s would do, or maybe Coventrains could provide a home for the 360/2s?

Sounds like an extended version of Southern's East Croydon to Milton Keynes services. We could always do with more cross London services, so I'd be happy to see it.

 

[London Trains]

I thought of a name recently that I simply had to use for something like this, so here's a basic idea for a OAO for Coventry, naturally called...

COVENTRAINS

The operator would run trains (1 per hour?) between Coventry and Reigate calling at Rugby, Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley, Tring, Watford Junction, Shepherd's Bush, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, Redhill and Reigate. I don't particularly care about the trains, but they'd have to be something dual-voltage. Class 377/5s would do, or maybe Coventrains could provide a home for the 360/2s?

Interesting idea, but Sutton to Redhill direct?

That would take at least 45 minutes and require a reversal or two (either at Horsham or at Sutton and Norwood Jct/Selhurst)

 

[Doomotron]

Interesting idea, but Sutton to Redhill direct?

That would take at least 45 minutes and require a reversal or two (either at Horsham or at Sutton and Norwood Jct/Selhurst)

I didn't have my map with me so I picked a station that wouldn't abstract as much revenue as East Croydon without knowing the route.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

You can't.
There is a diesel ban at Thameslink core.

I guess my express Thameslink idea (Brighton to Sheffield) will definitely require bi-modes then, gotta go 802 all the way! Converted to tri-mode, of course, so it can also use the 3rd rail!

 

[LOL The Irony]

Converted to tri-mode, of course, so it can also use the 3rd rail!

Dual Voltage bi-mode.

 

[PTR 444]

VIRGIN TRAINS

Not the franchise that expired yesterday but a new open access operation from Richard Branson and co. With the success of the West Coast Franchise, the company have announced ambitious plans to operate premium open-access services on almost all of the main lines out of London. It will be operated like your average commercial airline, where you pay a premium fare for decent seats and service to london, then add an onwards connecting journey to shave some pounds off the total cost. Cheaper single journeys are also possible if you book weeks in advance, while exclusive deals will be available to those who have downloaded the app.

In addition to this, Branson and co also intend to spend some of the revenue on electrifying lines and building a 24-platform mega-terminal in London exclusively for use by Virgin trains, so passengers don’t have to cross the city by tube to get between different terminal stations. This setup would be very much like your average HBF in Germany.

These are just some of the services they plan to operate, all from London terminals:

• Euston - Tamworth - Liverpool Lime Street
• Euston - Tamworth - Manchester Piccadilly
• Marylebone - Birmingham New Street - Walsall - Wolverhampton
• Marylebone - Birmingham New Street - Wigan North Western - Blackpool
• Paddington - Heathrow - Bristol Temple Meads
• Paddington - Heathrow - Southampton Central
• King’s Cross - Newcastle - Edinburgh - Glasgow
• King’s Cross - Cambridge - Norwich
• St Pancras - Nottingham - Leeds - Scarborough
• St Pancras International - Ashford International - Hastings - Brighton
• Waterloo - Fawkham Junction* - Ashford International - Dover Priory
• Waterloo - Fawkham Junction* - Ashford International - Margate

* Not a stopping point but a good waypoint to demonstrate use of a well-built chord that has been redundant since 2007.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

Fast service from London Kings Cross to Lincoln calling at Peterborough, Spalding, Sleaford and Lincoln to give the city of Lincoln more direct London services - could make use of the Class 175s for this service once TfW replace their entire fleet!

Thought of a good way to use surplus EMUs - could use the 332s or 379s on a London Euston to Manchester Victoria service calling at Lichfield Trent Valley, Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Winsford, Hartford, Warrington Bank Quay, Earlestown, Eccles and Manchester Victoria to open up direct rail services between more towns/cities (e.g. Stoke to Lichfield, Hartford/Winsford to Manchester, Eccles to Warrington, Manchester to Lichfield, etc.)