Scenario – North Wales Coast Express
Route – North Wales Coast Line: Crewe – Holyhead Route
Track covered – Holyhead to Llandudno Junction / Llandudno to Crewe
Traction – LMS Black 5 4-6-0 5407 + 11 Mark 1s
Date – 29 August 1990
Season – Summer
Weather – Overcast to fair cloud
Duration – 210 minutes

During the Summer of 1990, British Rail organised a regular working from Crewe to Holyhead via Llandudno that was steam hauled, these trains were known as the ‘North Wales Coast Express’. On the 29th of August, LMS Black 5 5407 was on duty and it is on this return run you will be completing today.

The return run from Holyhead to Crewe was split in two legs; the first being 1D80 from Holyhead to Llandudno which involves a reversal at Llandudno Junction. The other leg, 1K80, involves a run from Llandudno to Crewe. As a result, this scenario is split in two parts.

Your calling points for 1D80 are: Holyhead (14:56), Llanfairpwll (15:26), Bangor (15:37) and Llandudno Junction (16:00).

Your calling points for 1K80 are: Llandudno (17:29), Llandudno Junction (17:41), Colwyn Bay (17:51), Rhyl (18:08), Prestatyn (18:17), Chester (18:59) and Crewe (19:32).

Keeping to the timings is relatively easy, there is no need to thrash the engine. I found that sticking to around 60mph (reached within 5-10 minutes after departure with manual firing) between stops is enough to keep the train on time. 5407 doesn’t have AWS fitted so you will need to keep a close eye on the signals.

REQUIREMENTS:
A number of payware and freeware requirements, most of which are essential meaning they are required in order to complete the scenario. Optional requirements are strongly recommended but if you are missing one or two items from this list, you can still complete the scenario. You may be required to press F2 to bypass the warning message about missing consists (they are only used as static consists).

PAYWARE – ESSENTIAL
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 142 Diesel Multiple Unit Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 150/1 Enhancement Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 150/2 Diesel Multiple Unit Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 31 Enhancement Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Mk1 Coach Pack Vol. 1
– Armstrong Powerhouse Mk2A-C Coach Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Mk2D-F Coach Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse M3A-B Coach Pack
– Bossman Games LMS Stanier Class 5 ‘Black Five’ Steam Loco Add-On
– Dovetail Games BR Class 101 DMU Add-On
– Dovetail Games BR Class 150/1 DMU Add-On
– Dovetail Games BR Class 31 Loco Add-On
– Dovetail Games European Loco & Asset Pack
– Dovetail Games North Somerset Railway Route Add-On
– Dovetail Games North Wales Coast Line: Crewe – Holyhead Route Add-On
– Dovetail Games Strathclyde Class 101 DMU Add-On
– Fastline Simulation RNA Barrier Wagons
– Just Trains Class 20 Advanced Collection
– Steam Sounds Supreme Departmental Wagon Pack

FREEWARE – ESSENTIAL
– Nattydredd Class 47 ‘BR Large Logo’ (https://www.dpsimulation.org.uk/miscreskins.html)
– Nattydredd Class 47 ‘Intercity’ Mainline (https://www.dpsimulation.org.uk/miscreskins.html)
– Vulcan Productions Blue/Grey Class 117/118 (https://www.vulcanproductions.co.uk/dmu.html)

PAYWARE – OPTIONAL
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 37 Locomotive Pack Vol. 1
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 86 Enhancement Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 87 Locomotive Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Class 90/Mk3 DVT Pack
– Armstrong Powerhouse Signal Enhancement Pack*
– Armstrong Powerhouse Sky & Weather Enhancement Pack
– Dovetail Games Class 86 Loco Add-On
– Dovetail Games EWS & Freightliner Class 08s Loco Add-On
– Steam Sounds Supreme Departmental Hoppers Pack

FREEWARE – OPTIONAL
– Major Wales Design Class 08 Revamp Pack (https://www.major.wales/revamp-packs/08)
– Vulcan Productions Class 47 ‘British Rail’ Pack (https://www.dpsimulation.org.uk/miscreskins.html)

*The scenarios uses the ‘Force Red’ signal markers from the AP Signal Enhancement Pack. Whilst the scenarios haven’t been tested without the EP, it should still be playable. If you don’t have the EP, use the 2D map at where the markers are used to check your surroundings and if your path ahead is clear. They are used at Llandudno Junction in the first part and Chester in the second part.

See the read me for links to all requirements and installation instructions.

Any issues or how you found the scenarios, let me know down below!