The Island of Sodor: The New Stories.

The Main Line (Tidmouth-Manchester)

Background

In the RWS, the Main Line of the NWR starts at Tidmouth and ends at Barrow-In-Furness. However, it is also stated that the Flying Kipper runs from Tidmouth to Manchester. I have decided to combine the two concepts and extend the line to Manchester. The main line is made from three of the early railways on Sodor, which will be addressed later.

MANCHESTER STATION

Manchester is the new terminus station for the NWR. Sir Stephen acquired the rights to run full services there in the 1990s. The Flying Kipper has been running to Manchester since 1935. Express services also sometimes ran there during BR days, but this stopped in 1968. It restarted almost 30 years later and continues to run today, though under different conditions.

DALTON STATION

Dalton is one of the only through stations before the Wild'Nor'Wester reaches Manchester. There is not much to say in terms of history. The sight of one of the NWR's engines, usually Gordon, is enough to draw a crowd.

BARROW-IN-FURNESS STATION

Barrow-in-Furness was the final mainland station on the NWR. It has been the terminus for the NWR since 1925. This was the result of Sir Topham Hatt I making a deal with the director of the LMS to run trains to Norramby if the NWR could run trains to Barrow. This arrangement was still in place during BR days and is still in place. Barrow used to be the terminus of the NWR until the services were extended to Manchester in the 1990s. Oliver was also rescued by Douglas from a yard near Barrow station. Atlas was stored here as well.

BRIDGE OVER THE WALNEY CHANNEL

There is a 120ft lift bridge over the Walney Channel. It was designed by Sir Topham and built in 1915. This allowed Sodor to run its services on the mainland. Most inhabitants of the Barrow-in-Furness area don't even know that there is a railway bridge. They do know about the Jubilee Bridge, which was built in 1977. The construction of this bridge lost the NWR its car ferry rights, but they were well compensated for it.

VICARSTOWN STATION

Vicarstown is the first station on the Island of Sodor. It used to be the terminus for the NWR. The main sheds used to be here. Since it is in the middle of the busiest cities on Sodor, the station is very big. It is the first station before the Balahoo Tunnel. It's a stop on the Norramby line, as well as a main line station.

BALAHOO TUNNEL

The Balahoo Tunnel cuts through the hills outside of Vicarstown. The locals usually call it Henry's Tunnel. This is because of an event that happened in 1922 involving the NWR's 3rd engine. I'm sure you know The Sad Story of Henry, but for those who don't, Henry stopped in the tunnel and refused to move. The Fat Director decided to leave Henry on a sighting while the new tunnel was being bored. Since the tracks were gauntleted back then, Henry was blocking both the up and down lines. The original tunnel is now a single track line to the Norramby branch that rejoins the main line on the other side of the tunnel.

CROVAN'S GATE STATION

Crovan's Gate is one of the busiest stations on the main line. It's the transfer station for the Skarloey Railway. It also is a junction for the old Great Waterton Light Railway. Crovan's Gate is also home to the NWR's engine works, as well as the Sodor Breakdown and Repair Company, which merged with the works company. There was a fire at the works in 1930, which destroyed the blueprints for a number of locomotives built there.