The package provides the complete route from Manchester London Road station (later renamed Manchester Piccadilly), to Penistone. For those interested in operating the route in the 1970's and 1980s (the line closed in 1981), third party expansions are available with more modern motive power, which I will discuss in a follow-on review.

The developers have chosen to model the line circa late 1950's, featuring a mix of steam, diesel and electric traction. In 1953 a third parallel tunnel, designed specifically for electric traction was completed as part of an enormous electrification program spreading from Manchester London Road railway station, to Wath and Sheffield Victoria. The design of the line was both innovative and ambitious, cutting through the bleak moorland of the Pennine Range, resulting in tortuous gradients and the boring of the huge Woodhead Tunnels, twin parallel tunnels, which at the time of opening where amongst the longest in the world, stretching some 3 miles and 13 yards. The line first opened in 1845 with the aim of expediting traffic from the West of England to the East and providing a direct rail link between the cities of Manchester and Sheffield. In the real world too, the Woodhead line was unique. This is one of the very few routes in the simulation that really caters to everyone. The unique aspect of the Woodhead Route for TS2013 is that a large tick can be placed in the box for each of those criteria. Is it a city based route, does it pass through gorgeous countryside? Does the route support steam, diesel or electric traction? How about fast passenger expresses, heavy freight or some yard shunting? If you are anything like me, chances are that you will maintain a mental checklist of features that appeal to you when deciding on purchasing a new route for Train Simulator 2013.

Train simulator 2013 woodhead line