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Seen on a summer Saturday in 1983, this always busy centre has even more happening than usual. As well as the usual weekday local and through services, you have to deal with extras to and from Blackpool, some of which reverse at Preston. Your task includes engine changing on main line services from Blackpool North.
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This simulation is set at Preston, Lancashire. Preston was formerly a major junction of lines belonging to the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR), which in the 1923 Grouping both became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). It is the principle stopping point on the electrified West Coast (former LNWR) main line between London and Glasgow, and also serves as the engine changing point for through main line services over the non-electrified routes to Blackpool North and Manchester. There is also a frequent service between Manchester and Blackpool North; some of the trains on this route come from Stockport or points further south, usually via Nottingham and Sheffield. The Cumbrian coast line to Barrow and on to Sellafield, Workington and eventually Carlisle leaves the main line at Carnforth, 27 miles north of Preston. Other local services include Colne to Blackpool South and Liverpool to Preston or Blackpool North; there is also a shuttle service between Preston and Ormskirk, connecting at Ormskirk with Merseyrail services to Liverpool. There are two freight-only branches from Preston; that to Preston Docks handles mainly oil traffic, while the Deepdale branch serves a coal concentration depot.
At the time of this simulation main line electrified services were operated by classes 85, 86/2 and 87. Main line services to and from Blackpool and on some other routes must change between electric and diesel engines at Preston.
Local services are operated throughout the area by first generation diesel multiple units of classes 104, 105, 108, 110 and 120.
Freight workings are handled by a variety of electric and diesel classes.
The station is seen on a Saturday in the summer of 1983. You have to direct all the trains in and out, selecting platforms to avoid delays and minimise congestion; you also have to allocate motive power to each loco-hauled service. You will have to use the available platforms to avoid conflicts between arrivals and departures, and adjustments will be needed when arrivals are running late.
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| | Genre : | Through Station
| | Last Updated : | 3rd July 1995
| | Locomotives/Stock Used : | 37, 40, 46, 47, 81, 85, 86, 87, 104, 105, 108, 110, 120
| | Simulated Time : | 09.00 to 16.00
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Preston 1983
