We are starting to organise our show at Whitley Bay Playhouse which will be in June 2026. The show will be a big mash up of different songs from musicians, and each group can choose their own songs to perform. We are going to use Doctor Who’s Tardis to link each musical so you can choose any song you would like to do and we try to incorporate them all into the story line.

We are hoping to get initial ideas from groups about whether they would like to perform in the show and also which song or musical you would like to do. If your group would like to be part of the show please return this slip to Hilary in the next few weeks so we can make a start planning the script.

Contact NTDF on 01914661667 and ask for Ana.

The wait is over – A massively famous sight across the UK, we’re finally welcoming in the Class 220 Voyager to your TSW collections!

Born to suit the growing needs of the longest and busiest services across the UK, the sleek BR Class 220 has travelled all across England and Scotland over the 20+ years of service it’s had on the rails.

In Train Sim World 6, be a driver or conductor aboard busy CrossCountry services along the scenic Riviera Line. Accelerate out of Exeter and race by on express services to Plymouth, crest over the Devon Hills and hurry past the Dawlish Sea Wall.

Get ready for your own voyage across the UK with Free Roam, presenting many opportunities across a huge collection of UK routes available in TSW, being able to pick-up and bring the BR Class 220 Voyager on your journeys across the UK.

And of course, enjoy this selection of images, with many thanks to our wonderful beta team for helping us source the screenshots!

Here more about the Riviera Line and the XC Class 220 Voyager directly from our teams in the Train Sim World 6 UK Dev Diary:

Who’s ready for a trip across the Dawlish Sea Wall? Bathe in the beauty of the South Devon Main Line between Exeter St Davids across the Plymouth, featuring the picturesque Riviera Line branch to Paignton in this new route coming with Train Sim World 6!

Famous for the red-coloured cliffs, this scenic adventure brings us to Devon for the first time in TSW, with wonderful views that will keep you locked in Photo Mode for hours capturing the best screenshots possible.

And what’s that we spot on the camera? It looks like the return of the beloved GWR license! We’ve very proud to officially represent the trains included on the Riviera line in their GWR liveries, for both the new, dual-powered BR Class 802 and the Class 150.

Tranquil hills, cliffs and ocean waves are a perfect setting for a brand new challenge, as this line will feature steep gradients, sharp up/downhill banks and constant winding tracks throughout, keeping you on your toes across the mainline.

This route is packed with history, originally built in the 1840s by Isambard Kingdom Brunel as an atmospheric railway, and later transformed to standard traction – it’s significance to the region is paramount.

Have a look at these fantastic screenshots!

Back with the release of the Class 170 from Rivet Games, we brought the Cross Country livery to TSW! Of course, with this new brand, we had to bring in the…

Traditional attitudes

Before the Great War, a woman’s role was considered to be within the home. Public life, including politics was widely seen as for men only. It was believed that women involved in politics would neglect their responsibilities at home.

There had been progress towards a change in this attitude to women. A number of laws were passed to improve their standing. Women had increased rights over property and children within marriage, and divorce. They were also receiving more education and could be involved in local politics. All of these laws paved the way for further reform in favour of women’s position in society.

Women had become more involved in ‘white-collar’ (professional) jobs by the turn of the century.

Involvement in the war effort

During the war the biggest increase in female employment was in factories, particularly in munitions. Previously, fewer than 4,000 women worked in heavy industry in Scotland.

• By 1917 over 30,000 women were employed making munitions in Scotland.
• Nationally, by late 1918, 90 per cent of the workers in the munitions industry were female.
• Women also worked as conductors on trams and buses, and as typists and secretaries in offices and factories.
• Thousands worked on farms in the ‘land army’.
• Others filled more traditional jobs such as nursing, becoming important role models for women eager to feel they were ‘doing their bit’ for the war effort.

During World War One, the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) stopped its political campaign and offered its full cooperation to the government.

Meanwhile, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) became a patriotic movement during the war. It promoted male enlistment and encouraged women to become involved in what was traditionally seen as male employment.

Impact of the war on the position of women

At first, men working in factories were worried about their loss of status and the threat to their wages. The problem was called ‘dilution’. It was seen as an issue because unskilled workers were being employed in skilled jobs.

Eventually an agreement was reached – women could only be trained to a semi-skilled level and had to work under supervision. This meant that the men would not feel that their status as skilled workers was undermined.

The Great War is often seen as a major turning point in the role of women in British society. However, when the war ended the majority did not keep their wartime jobs:

• The Restoration of Pre-War Practices Act meant that returning soldiers were given their old jobs back
• Closure of most munitions factories meant women workers were no longer needed.
• Within a few years of the end of the war, over 25 per cent of all working women were back in domestic service.