[b]The scenic North Wales Coast Line: Crewe - Holyhead is returning to Train Simulator on January 20th, with Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales! [/b] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//958135/da97508d72b1a244ba45b2c9c69d0e659ad9c8a4.jpg[/img] Let’s recap the history of this famed line… Ever since the Act of Union in 1801, which saw Ireland become part of the United Kingdom, people have strived to improve the connection between the two isles. The 19th Century was still young, and all communication was bound by horse-drawn transport and sailing ships of the day. Ships for Dublin would arrive at Dun Laoghaire (formerly known as Kingstown), and frequently departed Holyhead, Wales – this was the shortest trip for boats to take. As years went by, many improvements were made to existing roads in order to make the journey to Holyhead that much easier; however, nothing would revolutionise Welsh/Irish connections like the arrival of railways in the 1840s. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//958135/904c01dedaabaf9cd8d11c9bd0fee12aa39f980e.jpg[/img] Two railway companies would form the basis of what is today the North Wales Coast Line. The first was the Chester and Crewe Railway, which linked the two communities in 1840, and only a few years later, the Chester and Holyhead Railway was incorporated. The latter’s route was proposed by the Father of Railways himself, George Stephenson, knowing full well that the coastal route along the Irish Sea would be best for hauling mail traffic to and from Ireland. The full line was completed not long after and was ready to transform communications across seas by August 1848. Irish Mail would regularly work from London to Crewe, along the path of the West Coast Main Line, before continuing onwards to Holyhead and finally Ireland. By this point, the original Chester and Crewe Railway had already been absorbed by the Grand Junction Railway, and the Chester and Holyhead Railway followed suit in 1859 when it became part of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//958135/b5cf7b53ff3c7b0be7d4bfbe55b8b724055846a3.png[/img] The LNWR, being in control of the West Coast Main Line and now the line to Holyhead, saw an opportunity for a spike in tourist traffic. Trains were put on to serve seaside resorts like Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and along the Llandudno branch, setting in stone the line’s popularity. Without a doubt, the most iconic and historic point along the line is its proximity to Conwy Castle; in fact, the railway itself uniquely passes right alongside the ancient structure, and even passes through the still-standing city walls. With the grouping of railway companies in 1928 to form the “Big Four”, the LNWR network became part of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway - a further popular era ensued. As British Railways arrived however, certain specials were cut from the timetable, and the North Wales Coast Line would relegated back to a freight-heavy powerhouse. Today, freight is less common among the line, although it has remained a local and long-distance passenger haven with Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast combining to serve the line dozens of times a day. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//958135/9409ff696ef30277044cd1f6d64a85287a7c707e.jpg[/img] [h3]What happens if I already own them? [/h3] North Wales Coast Line: Crewe - Holyhead will be arriving January 20th. Players who own both of the already existing Arriva and Virgin Trains branded routes, North Wales Coastal: Crewe – Llandudno and North Wales Coastal Route Extension: Crewe – Holyhead, will receive this new version in their library containing Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales. Do not worry the original routes and branding will still stay a part of your collection. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//958135/9738cac5e8c3cc86efdf1bb82e6f872c559d32d9.jpg[/img]