| Add-on for: | Microsoft Train Simulator | Format: | TBC | Release | Early 2008 |
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 "Do you remember when?”- The opening words to a popular song and used often when considering or discussing what once was.
Nostalgia is a very powerful emotion which usually bears no resemblance to the realities of a time. However, in the case of what was British Railways we tend to go with our emotions and reflect on a time when steam was king and rural branch lines dominated the national rail structure. Such was the case with the now defunct line that traversed the three counties of Gloucester, Warwick and Worcester. Starting on the main Birmingham and Gloucester line at Ashchurch before heading east then north through the vale of Evesham to Barnt Green, the Evesham Branch epitomised all that is evoked in the reminiscence of railways past. The Evesham branch was built when railways dominated public transport and moved the trade goods of the nation with an efficiency and speed never considered possible before the age of steam. Technology eventually lead to the demise of steam and the viability of branch lines such as the Evesham branch, but the wheel turns full circle and there is resurgence in railways worldwide. Maybe the rails may once again travel the old right of way. The same technological advances that saw the demise of the line, has enabled a recreation within a computer simulation so that a new generation of enthusiasts can experience the fascination of a rural branch line along with those that still can remember when. The Microsoft Train Simulator rendition of the Evesham branch is as faithful a reconstruction as possible given the limitations of absolute simulation, the geographical changes of time and availability of research material specific to the branch.   
The Branch Historically.The construction of the branch was rather disjointed with three distinct building stages that did not produce a continuous link between Ashchurch and Barnt Green until 1868. In 1858 an Act to authorise the Redditch Railway Company to begin construction of a railway from Barnt Green to Redditch was given Royal Assent. The line opened to passengers and goods in 1859 and was initially leased to the Midland Railway Company before the Redditch Railway Company was dissolved and transferred to the Midland in 1863. The second section was built by the Midland Railway between Ashchurch and Evesham with completion in 1864. The Evesham and Redditch Railway built the final section, which closed the gap between Evesham and Redditch, with completion in 1868. Again, this section was initially leased to the Midland Railway before being vested to the Midland Railway Company in 1882. The section from Ashchurch to Evesham was double track over the full distance of eleven miles. From Evesham to Barnt Green the line was single running for the full distance of 22 miles giving a total length of 33 miles. There was intent to build the entire branch as double track but this never achieved. Allowance was provided for this in the construction of road bridges crossing the single line section. Closure of the branch, apart from the section between Barnt Green and Redditch, took place in 1964. The branch could be described in railwaymen terms as ‘steam and brake’ Gradients were considerable with many tight curves along its length. This gave a permanent ruling speed limit of 30mph on the branch. The line had a generally uphill grade from Ashchurch at 63 feet altitude, to Barnt Green at 555 feet altitude. Built to service the needs of the local communities, the Evesham branch fulfilled this requirement until finally overtaken by a changing world. It has left behind an enduring memory of an era that is viewed with some nostalgia but lives once again in simulation. 'Drivers Eye' screenshots of the route can be seen here. Further details aboiut the rolling stock included in the route can be found here.
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