The Cargo Line series continues! Take care with delicate, high security cargo in Volume 5: Nuclear, coming from Skyhook Games on 18th November.
We first announced Cargo Line Volume 5: Nuclear in our June Roadmap, showing off the modernised Class 20 locomotive and unique flask wagons.
Nuclear Trains - What are they?
The gameplay in this Add-on simulates the movement of radioactive nuclear material up and down two stretches of the West Coast Main Line.
The role of these trains is simple; safely carry nuclear flasks between power stations and processing centres across the UK. This important task has made them a popular and rare catch for enthusiasts, and despite the reduction in nuclear power plants since the millennium, the trains are still seen in use to this day.
Due to the volatile nature of their cargo, Nuclear trains are often operated with multiple locomotives at once. The modernised Class 20/3 was one such type of locomotive assigned to the role. Bookending the wagons between locos protects them against any direct impact, and additional diesel engines added contingency in case of a failure. Wherever possible, the Nuclear train must remain moving and is given high priority across the network.
BR Class 20/3 locomotive
Overview and history
The English Electric Type 1 / Class 20 locomotive, known to many as 'Choppers' (because of the distinctive engine sounds), first appeared in Train Sim World as a Loco Add-on for the Tees Valley Line, set in the early 1990s. Cargo Line Volume 5 introduces a new contemporary version, circa 2000.
Developed in the 1950s, the English Electric Type 1 was the first major step on British Railways’ path to dieselisation. After many trials and failures, the Type 1 showed promise as a 1000hp locomotive, and between 1957 and 1968 a total of 228 would be produced. The Type 1s took over from steam locomotives of equivalent power, primarily working light, mixed-freight traffic throughout the Midlands and in Scotland. Unlike newer locomotives, the Type 1s featured a rather unique single cab design.
The cab, situated at the rear of the locomotive, has controls facing in either direction and gives the locos a tank engine-like appearance, with the diesel engine and on-board equipment sat much like how a firebox and boiler would, in front of the cab.
Visibility when travelling nose first was quickly realised as a concern, so it became common to see pairs of Type 1s coupled at the nose, allowing for greater view of the track ahead and with the added benefit of doubling the horsepower, meaning they could handle heaver trains.
With the introduction of the TOPS classification system, the EE Type 1s were rebranded as BR Class 20s. Despite being some of the oldest diesels around, the Class 20s have remained in operational use to this day, and have survived into preservation, making them a frequent sight on heritage railways.
A number of Class 20s were once used in operations in France and to construct the High Speed 1 line featured in Southeastern Highspeed. They have also been used to operate RHTTs, which is something that can be loosely recreated using Formation Designer and Free Roam features in-game.
Nuclear Operations and modernisation
In the June Roadmap, Skyhook Games explained: > Created as a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd during late 1994, Direct Rail Services (DRS) had the sole purpose of taking over rail-based handling of nuclear material from British Rail. Initially operating from the reprocessing plant at Sellafield, DRS opened a dedicated depot at Carlisle Kingmoor Yard in 1998 to cater for its new fleet of 15 ex Channel Tunnel works Class 20 locomotives.
DRS eventually operated a fleet of 21 examples of the English Electric Type 1s, being significantly upgraded by Brush Traction of Loughborough with long-range fuel tanks, group standard headlight clusters, high-impact windscreens and a complete cab rebuild before outshopping them in iconic Oxford Blue livery with fully yellow ends and red buffer beams.
The Class 20/3 in this Add-on represents features circa year 2000 and includes:
WIPAC Headlights
Modernised cab including NRN and GSM-R equipment
(Non-functional) Nuclear Panic Button
Removal of headcode discs
FNA-D Nuclear Flask wagon
Sandwiched between a pair of Class 20s is the FNA-D Nuclear Flask Wagon, new to Train Sim World.
The original fleet of FNA wagons were built by British Rail, and later Procor, for the transport of spent nuclear fuel from power stations to processing and research centres. These fascinating wagons came into service in the 1970s and became an iconic part of the network, performing this important task. In the 2010s, it was identified that replacements were required. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority commissioned WH Davis to produce 40 new wagons as a 'like-for-like' replacement for the original FNAs.
The new batch featured several major updates including exposed framing, different bogies, and the ability to carry a wider range of flask designs. Despite the reduction in nuclear power plants in the UK since the millennium, the FNA-Ds can still be seen in use across much of the UK.
Gameplay and route Add-ons
Cargo Line Volume 5 adds Nuclear services and Scenarios to two stretches of the West Coast Line:
West Coast Main Line: Preston - Carlisle
3 Scenarios
14 timetable services
These represent trains running out of Sellafield nuclear site, with in-game services running between Carnforth - Preston and Carnforth - Carlisle as well as Morecambe - Preston and Morecambe - Carnforth (originating off the map at Heysham Harbour).
These services are operated by Class 47 locomotives that feature in the route Add-on, with formations including Mk1 BG coaches either side of the FNA-D wagons.
West Coast Main Line: London - Milton Keynes
2 Scenarios
4 timetable services
These represent trains running out of Sellafield and Dungeness nuclear sites, with in-game services running between Willesden Junction and Milton Keynes, as well as services starting/ending at Bletchley and Willesden Brent Sidings.
Riviera Line services
Prior to the release of Train Sim World 6, we also mentioned the planned Nuclear train services that Rivet Games' Tyler implemented into the Riviera Line timetable. These will be made available for players that own Cargo Line Volume 5, plus the other Add-ons required for this unique formation.
8th Generation Consoles
Please note that for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the spread of other trains running around has been reduced to provide acceptable performance. This reduction does not apply to PC, Xbox S/X or PlayStation 5 versions.
Train Sim World 6: Cargo Line Vol.5: Nuclear is releasing on 18th November for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for £12.99/€15.99/$16.99