The Main Line

The North Western Main Line travels from Barrow-in-Furness westward to Tidmouth via Sodor's southern coast. It is approximately 80 miles long.

## Route

Starting from Vicarstown, The Main Line passes by the junction to the Vicarstown Dieselworks and through Henry's Tunnel.

The line then passes the junctions for the Norramby Branch Line and the line to Great Waterton before continuing south-west. After passing the southern junction to the Norramby Line, the line reaches Crovan's Gate, the transfer station for the Skarloey Railway, the home to the Sodor Steamworks and provides access to the nearby Wharf.

From Crovan's Gate, the line travels south-west past the junction to the Blue Mountain Quarry, through Henry’s Forest to Kellsthorpe Road, the junction station for the branch line to Kirk Ronan. The line then passes through Kirk Ronan Junction - where trains along the branch line split off. The Main Line Loop splits from the Main Line just southwest of Kellaby, where the Sodor Cement Works and eventually the Sodor Search & Rescue Centre are located before linking back to the Main Line at Killdane. The Main Line then reaches the station at Killdane, the junction for the Peel Godred Branch Line and home to the Packard Construction Company.

Curving west, the line passes through Cronk and over the Suspension Bridge, past the junction for the Ulfstead Branch Line before reaching Maron. West of the station, all engines must climb Gordon's Hill. Trains then descend the hill and pass through the junction that leads to the Edward's Branch Line. Trains then arrive at Wellsworth.

Leaving Wellsworth, trains cross the Viaduct, over the River Reagh, then they pass the junction for the Loop Line to Elsbridge, before reaching Crosby. After Crosby, the line continues west past the washdown, before curving northwards through the Crosby Tunnel to Knapford, the junction to Thomas' Branch Line.

Following Knapford, the line continues through the Shunting Yards and northwards, through Lower Tidmouth and then reaches the main station at Tidmouth, home to the railway's main engine sheds where most of the engines sleep and also the junction for Duck's Branch Line.

## Map

The first fifth of The Main Line (Tidmouth - Wellsworth)The second fifth of The Main Line (Wellsworth - Cronk)The third fifth of The Main Line (Cronk - Kellsthorpe Road)The fourth fifth of The Main Line (Kellsthorpe Road - Crovan’s Gate)The final fifth of The Main Line (Crovan’s Gate - Vicarstown)
## Operations

The main line carries several kinds of freight, including ballast, lead, zinc, silver, slate, bauxite, produce, building stones and fish, including the Tidmouth kipper, which is considered a delicacy. Tourism is a major part of the passenger traffic during the summer season, as Sodor has many beautiful lakes, mountains, and other beautiful scenery. The main passenger traffic is commuting, which consists of stopping trains or the railway's non-stop express train, which go directly from Knapford to Vicarstown and vice-versa.

The line is staffed by Gordon, who pulls fast passenger trains and Henry and James, two mixed-traffic engines, Donald and Douglas help out with shunting duties and goods trains. When not working on the Brendam Branch Line, BoCo also helps out from time to time.

Emily and Murdoch also work on the line. Rebecca also pulls the express occasionally and usually helps Henry pull the Flying Kipper for him to help give him a rest, but she otherwise performs mixed traffic duties. Philip also works on the line, but primarily at the shunting yards of Knapford.

## Gallery

Tidmouth ShedsTidmouth Shunting YardsTidmouthLower TidmouthKnapford Harbour BridgeKnapfordFfarquhar JunctionCrosby TunnelCrosby WashdownCrosbyReagh ViaductWellsworthWellsworth YardsSuddery JunctionGordon's HillMaura BridgeMaron CrossingMaronUlfstead JunctionSodor Suspension BridgeCronkKilldaneKellsthorpe BridgeKellsthorpe RoadHenry's Forest (landmark)Blue Mountain JunctionCrovan's Gate Wharf JunctionCrovan's GateCrovan's Gate WharfSodor SteamworksBallahoo JunctionHenry's TunnelDieselworks JunctionVicarstown DieselworksVicarstownVicarstown BridgeBarrow-in-Furness