Dearness Valley Branch

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Author: Kevinho006

Last revision: 26 Dec, 2021 at 17:48 UTC

File size: 258.93 KB

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Description:

The 8 mile Deerness Valley branch in County Durham.

In real life it closed to passengers in 1951 and to frieght in 1964, but this route is an attempt to represent what it might have been like if it held on a bit longer. DMU services from Durham City to the two stations of Ushaw Moor and Waterhouses are included in the default timetable which is modelled on the real passenger timetable from the 1920s, as are coal trains to the seven pits on the line as well as newspaper and Speedlink services.

A small part of the ECML and the lines to Bishop Auckland and Consett are also included for completeness. Its a short route, but hopefully one that is interesting to drive.

Two timetables are now included – a normal working day in 1970, and a Durham Miner’s Gala timetable which includes special class 37 hauled services carrying the crowds to the annual ‘big meeting’.

Pro tip: When running the loaded coal trains down hill, you may find it useful to leave the train handbrake on. This simulates the braking the guard would have done on unfitted freights.