Rush Hour- London Commuter is coming to Train Sim World 2 on October 7th. This infamous route is steeped in history, find out more about the unique locations you can experience while on the Brighton Main Line as we take a closer look at the railway’s landmarks.The ever-busy Brighton Main Line that features in the upcoming Rush Hour- London Commuter has so much history and unique features throughout the route, we thought we would show you some of the most interesting stations, viaducts, and architectural landmarks you will see as you hurtle past them in your Electrostar unit of choice.
Opened in 1860, Victoria Station, or London Victoria as its commonly known serves Brighton Main Line services bound for London, Chatham Main Line services also started arriving two years later, giving it easier access to the Kent coast. This was done by creating two separate stations internally, but the appearance of a single station from the main entrance. Its entrance façade is an impressive structure and a wonderful location to start an adventure to the coast. Due to the eclectic mix of railway lines that connect from both the Brighton and Chatham Main Lines, it has developed itself as one of the major transport hubs of central London. Additionally, it connects to numerous London Underground Lines and the Victoria Coach Station giving passengers even more choice of destinations. This access to transport links and central location ensured it was one of the busiest stations during both World Wars, and welcomed the body of The Unknown Warrior to London.Under the ownership of the Southern Railway in the 1920s and 30s the station changed significantly, the wall that separated the two sides was removed, platforms were renumbered into a single station, and major works were completed to install the 3rd rail electric on all Brighton Main Line platforms. It would be around another 30 years and under nationalization before the Chatham side of the station would receive the same upgrade. In more recent years it has earnt itself the title of the second busiest station in Britain handling over 81 million passenger entries and exits in 2015/16, currently, platforms 1 to 7 facilitate Southeastern services, platforms 8-12 & 15-19 facilitate Southern, with 13 & 14 being dedicated to Gatwick Express.
With the Brighton Main Line leaving the busy city behind it encounters the cinematic undulating landscape of the South Downs. Something that is fantastic for passengers, but less so for railway engineers. Deep valleys and steep hills had to be conquered as an easier route didn’t present itself. The Ouse Valley and River were one the biggest challenges. The London and Brighton Railway’s Chief Engineer John Urpeth Rastrick, and Architect David Mocatta stepped up to that challenge and achieved excellence, what they created has been described as the most elegant viaduct in Britain. Located just south of Balcombe it was constructed with approximately 11 million bricks and stretches 1,480 feet/ 450 m across the valley on 37 semi-circular arches, it is framed by four small rectangular Italianate pavilions at either end, and is completed with classically balustraded parapets, string courses, and pier caps. it was opened in July of 1841.
by Simon schofield
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