In 1983, BR introduced ‘The European’, a loco hauled boat train out of Harwich Parkeston Quay which ran until 1988. You will oversee one of its last workings in its entirety.

Since the previous summer (‘87), this service worked as cross-country services hauled by class 86s from Harwich. After being assisted by diesel traction along the NLL, it would head up along the WCML to destinations such as Birmingham, Manchester, Blackpool, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. 1S85 was the morning service to the two latter destinations catching the overnight boat passengers from Esbjerg and Hoek van Holland. After little success and a complicated route, ‘The European’ was axed from the end of May of 1988, with new 156s taking over with services to Blackpool via Peterborough from the summer of that year.

This journey is split into six legs spanning across different routes to take you on the journey departing Harwich Parkeston Quay at 07:50 and arriving at Glasgow Central at 17:05. Due to this service waiting for boat arrivals at Parkeston Quay, delays and low priority across the network is common. This working typically consists of six Glasgow coaches (including restaurant) and five Edinburgh coaches splitting at Carstairs. These were mostly hauled by class 86s and is here in the hands of vintage liveried 86426 celebrating 21 years of InterCity services in 1987.

1st leg: Harwich PQ – Stratford (GEML+Mayflower Line)
2nd leg: Stratford – Camden Road (NLL BR/NSE v4)
3rd leg: Camden Road – Watford Junction (NLL BR/NSE v4)
4th leg: Watford Junction – Birmingham (WCML South)
5th leg: Birmingham – Preston (Missing Link)
6th leg: Preston – Glasgow (WCML NW&S merge)

Welcome to the 6th and final leg of The European!

You will continue following the Stranraer motorail heading north. We have a few freight workings heading north, but they will hopefully be looped to not slow you down too much. Reports of strong winds and heavy showers after Oxenholme have come in just now. At Carstairs, you will drop off your Edinburgh portion for a 37 and continue with the first 6 coaches to Central. Good luck!

One 185-minute scenario for the ATS WCML North West & Scotland route. Weather: Fair cloud. Feedback is much appreciated. Hope you enjoy! 😊

Requirements (for this leg only):
(* means it has its own requirements)
ATS
• West Coast Mainline (WCML) Northwest and Scotland – Preston to Glasgow & Edinburgh
AP
• Weather EP V2
• Signal EP
• Class 142 V2
• Class 156
• Class 314/315
• Class 318
• Class 37 vol 2
• Class 50
• Class 87
• Class 31 EP*
• Class 86 EP*
• Class 101/117/121 SP* (discontinued)
• Class 303 SP* (discontinued)
• Mk1 Coach Pack vol.1
• Mk2a-c Coach Pack
• Mk2d-f Coach Pack
• Mk3a-b Coach Pack
• BAA/BZA Wagon Pack
• FSA/FTA Wagon Pack
• JTA/JUA Wagon Pack
• TTA Wagon Pack vol.1
DTG
• BR Blue Diesel Electric Pack
• North Somerset Railway
• Class 101 DMU
• Class 101 Strathclyde DMU
Backdated Trainsim
• Class 85 v1.10*
Vulcan Productions
• Class 86 426 / E3195 BR Retro Blue*
• Class 303 Blue and Grey, Orange and Brown Pack*
• Blue/Grey Class 117/118*
• Sealink BR Mk1’s*
• Motorail GUVs*
JustTrains
• IWB Cargowaggon
OnTrackSimulation
• DTG GUV BR Blue Reskin* (recommended but works without it)
Major Wales
• Class 08 Revamp Pack*