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Description:
*Update 1, this features extensive scenery adjustments and updated to be compatable with TANE.
Set in the Summer of 2011, before London Bridge Station roof had been torn down and the Shard skyscraper completed. The route runs from Finchley Road to London Bridge.
This route is based on a 'what if' scenario of one mans vision, namely Sir Edward Watkin, Chaiman of the Great Central Railway and director of a number of other railways including the Metropolitan and SER. Watkin wanted a mainline that ran from the Midlands, through London to eventually reach a Tunnel under the English Channel.
Of course the channel tunnel wouldn't have been built until 90 years later but this route represents what could have happened had he continuned with the next phase of his plan, after building the Great Central Extension to London, he would have needed a direct connection to the SER which avoids the congested and circuitous Metropolitan and East London Lines.
The line itself would have been a joint railway owned by both the Great Central and Metropolitan Railways, but other companies such as the LNWR, and SER would have had running rights due to the connections to the WCML and SE mainline at Waterloo East.
Upon grouping the line was transferred jointly to the LNER and SR and the line was electrified to 3rd rail and then under nationalisation the line was transferred to solely to the Southern region as far as Neasdon.
Since the opening of Thameslink the line has played second fiddle, and has led a quieter existance to it's newer and more extensive counterpart. I've represented the line as being operated by First Capital Connect, the typical rolling stock would be dual voltage units such as Class 313s and 319s to allow them to run over the connection at Kenton onto the WCML.
My thanks goes to the following content creators for without whom the route simply wouldn't have been possible: Nexusdj, for his excellent track, trackside scenery, trains, advice and testing; TMZ06003, for creating the tunnel speed signs; D