West Coast Main Line: Crewe - Preston

Compatibility: Train Sim World 6

Just Trains bring you their latest addition for the West Coast Main Line series; Crewe-Preston. This busy section located in North-West England includes the historic railway town of Crewe, as well as a multitude of branches which will allow you to explore a number of lesser-known areas, such as the Deepdale branch north of Preston. With varying speed limits and track arrangements you'll constantly be adjusting to the line ahead whether you're driving a 100mph express or a 45mph freight. This immersive route will take you back to an era when the West Coast Main Line was truly alive with a huge variety of traffic.

Take charge of the powerful electric Class 86/4 Locomotive on high-speed Passenger and Freight runs between Preston and Crewe. Drive the upgraded Class 20/0 with numerous external improvements including a Headcode box variant. A star feature is its all-new slow speed control for precision merry go round coal operations. Enjoy the much-improved Class 47/3, a brand-new subclass, which along with external changes and cab modifications also features the slow-speed control operation which can used when moving the brand-new HAA coal hoppers and upgraded HEA’s which includes a new livery and enhanced weathering. The HEA’s were used on household coal duties. For passenger operations there are the Mk2E TSO, Mk2D BFK and FK corridor coaches along with a Mk1 NEA and RBR Restaurant Buffet Car.

Set in 1986 the route has our most intensive and varied Timetable to-date, featuring a wealth of passenger services, postal trains, end to end freight trains, shunting operations and light engine moves, along with excursions, all merging to provide a wealth of variety. Tackle the challenge of running Merry-Go-Round Coal trains from both Bickershaw and Parkside collieries to Fiddlers Ferry Power Station. Of course, you will be able to route-hop to join up with the other Just Trains routes making Crewe-Preston a valuable addition to your West Coast routes library.

Development Updates

28 November 2025

Welcome to the next Development Update covering the West Coast Main Line: Crewe - Preston route. This is a lengthy one. Enjoy.

The Just Trains Team have been working to develop the Class 47/3 for our upcoming Crewe-Preston route for Train Sim World 6. The Class 47/3’s were specifically intended for hauling freight services and they’ll be put to work across a variety of services in our upcoming route. These locomotives will take up work on Merry-Go-Round Coal Trains to and from Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, whilst also working up to 75mph on Freightliner container trains, this isn’t the limit of their use however, these versatile locomotives were regularly seen on just about any type of freight train in the 1980’s. .

We have also represented their appearance occasionally on passenger services, something that BR were reluctant to do, given their lack of Electric Train Supply equipment, however, much like in real life the best laid plans didn’t always work out and we have simulated rare appearances of Class 47/3’s on passenger services, so you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled when a diesel hauled passenger service is scheduled to arrive!

We have worked extensively to create the Class 47/3 in Train Sim World 6, with a number of new features included to accurately simulate the subclass in all their glory. Key among these features is the new Slow Speed Control. This feature was fitted to the Class 47/3’s to enable them to work coal trains from pit to power station, without the need for stopping or constant adjustment of the power controls. As a result, when you arrive at Fiddlers Ferry Power Station you will be able to switch on the SSC and relax whilst your train navigates its way through the unloader at a steady 1.5mph, supplying black gold to the National Grid! Of course, you’ll need to keep a close eye on those creep control AKA Toton Signals, to ensure that you have permission to continue!

Additionally, we have also taken the opportunity to apply a number of other changes to the Class 47/3 to enhance the overall experience when using the locomotive in game. Below is a summary of the changes you can expect to see along with a list of featured variants:

Class 47/3 Exterior Art Changes and enhancements:

• Class 47 model altered to create class 47/3 subclass, including general improvements across the board
• Full exterior remap (UV’s) and retextured from the ground up, including high detail weathering across the variants included with the pack
• Plated headcode panel remodel (both ends)
• Boiler Exhaust Removed, plate added to cover
• Slow Speed Control box added to axle box
• ETS equipment removed from bufferbeam
• Brush Built Specific details, including tail lights rotated horizontal and large centre support on bufferbeam

New Exterior Variants (where applicable):

• High Intensity Headlight correctly removed from applicable locos for 1986
• Larger Centre Tanks on applicable locos
• Cantrail stripe represented on each loco accurately for the period
• Flush ends for applicable locomotives, usually as a result of accident damage
• Depot Specific markings for Thornaby, Stratford and Tinsley locomotives
• New nameplates
• Featured liveries – BR Blue, BR Blue (Stratford), BR Blue (Thornaby) and Railfreight Grey

Cab art changes/ enhancements:

• Class 47 cab model altered to accurately represent class 47/3 subclass, along with general improvements and era corrections
• Full cab remap (UV’s) and retextured from the ground up

Cab Bulkhead:

• TPWS Isolator removed
• AWS Air Horn added
• Slow Speed Control On/Off Switch added
• New Door Open/Close animations

Drivers Desk:

• Drivers switch bank proportion and layout corrected
• Tail Light Switch proportion and layout corrected
• Correct straight air brake control added
• Correct drivers fault panel added
• Train Heat buttons removed
• Anti Slip button removed
• Fire Bell test button added
• Overload reset button added
• Correct gauges added
• Slow Speed Control added (Speed set switch and gauge)
• Window heat strips and stickers added
• Headcode “porthole” added

Audio Changes and enhancements:

• Introduction of new audio, along with upgrading existing sounds

Exterior:

• Alternate idle sound
• Edited startup and shutdown
• New Rail Joints
• New Turbo

Cab:

• Full set of new cab interior sounds including startup and shutdown
• New Fire bell
• Working DSD with DVD
• New switch sounds
• New triple pump

We hope that update has given you an insightful look at what we have been working on regarding the Class 47/3/. We also invite you to view this selection of WIP screenshots showing off the Class 47/3. Looking very nice too!

That's it for now. We hope to bring you more on the latest route progress, soon.