Nec: New York - Stamford

So the announcement today also revealed the next US route after TSW6's release. Which is back on the NEC revisiting the line from New York to New Rochelle in the original route, but extending as far as Stamford, CT. And includes Metro Norths line from GCT and their M8.

One interesting tidbit was the mention of "Local New York Freight" Which we do know CSX has Oak Point Yard along the NEC but unknown at this point if it will include the same trackage from the original NEC route from TSW 2020.


Granted this is not all the way to New Haven like the TSC route. But route length does have to be compromised in situations like this.

One thing I do hope for this route is that DTG has the NYW&B Westchester Avenue station over the NEC near the Bronx, as it was missing from the original NEC: New York route. (But not the New York New Haven Route on TSC)


Not sure what the M8 will provide extra though, but it was highly requested, and does fill out Metro-North's roster more.

 

Should be good. I prefer New York routes over Los Angeles.

 

I'm looking forward to it despite the truncated length. At least we get both the NYP and GCT paths to Stamford, and the M8 is a good add. Curious to see what local freight we get- Oak point yard should def be there IMO.

 

I’m looking forward to this, as a New Yorker, I’ve been waiting for this, and I think that this and the NJT route show that Dovetail is open to making other lines of these railroads, potentially leading to my home line of theLIRR being made in the future. I hope they include the short New Canaan line though!

 

I don't know. It sounds like "We couldn't get a CT Rail license, so take this".

 

Could be

Wish they'd just embrace unbranded in these cases. So many parts of the US are out because local transit authorities won't play ball- i'm getting way too old to hope that situation resolves any time soon lol.

 

I doubt branding is the issue

 

Main concern of mine would be Oak Point and how well freight is gonna look on that side alone (even if there's not a whole lot to work with). But we'll see when it's closer, cause a trash train alone may not gonna cut it this time.

 

Think the problem is, there isn't really much to add that wasn't already in the original NEC now that I look over the area in google maps.

Harlem River Transfer Station, probably the main trash served area on the route, also the connection for CSX to the Hudson Line.


Oak Point Yard itself doesn't have much, the red area is the only active business looking at satellite photos, though CSX does have a RIP (Repair in Place) area in the orange, so can swap out bad ordered cars here?


On the other side of Oak Point yard, the Hunts Point Produce Market, though only a small bit of it is currently rail served (Circled in red) At least we know have a proper reefer car for this area. Orange seems to be a transload facility for covered hoppers, also a spur for reefer cars here as well.


Fresh Pond Junction, where CSX exchanges cars with the NY&A, again was in the original NEC route and nothing can really be done here aside from short transfer runs.


One thing I do hope, is that DTG allows us to use CSX's larger mainline locos, like the AC44 or C40-8W, as they are usually seen here as well. (Even if they don't have cab signaling)

 

Am looking forward to this. Seems like an interesting area, but never really got to try it out as I didn’t want to bother installing the super old TSW2020 game for the original NEC NY route.

 

I called this on another thread about metro north new haven line...all they going to do is go as far as Stamford.. andno excuse of truncated length, Dovetail extended the Dresden route to Leipeiz, which is nearly 100 miles....so once again, I'm not surprised this is shortened route...Now what I want to know are we going to see added layers of M7a and M3a because New Haven trains bypass between Melrose and Woodlawn(some stop at Fordham). And even if they do, they should ADD the Harlem Line as far as Mount Vernon West only.....Also are they going to add AI layers of NJ Transit and LIRR layers in and out of Penn Station??...

 

I hope we get the return of the rubbish trains from OG TSW

 

I will say that I’m glad to see Hell Gate Bridge returning. Although I hope the scenery around that section has a HUGE overhaul.

 

Any idea when it would release? Christmas?

 

Do the CSX locos have ATC & ACSES for running on the NEC? If so, this could finally be the route that gets us US freight trains with safety systems, which I'd be very excited for.

 

If the new route includes the Fresh Pond Yard, Harlem Waste & Hunts Pt Yard branches along with CSX traffic...it gives me a good excuse to finally uninstall TSW1 and the original NEC NY route

The original route also featured Amtrak's SW1000R & Ex Metroliner Cab car as DLC...hopefully this release sees the switcher's return and possibly the CSX GP40-2 to round out the 'missing' content from TSW1

 

As a UK player I am so glad that there was a US core route in the release, I enjoy US routes more than German if I’m honest because there is more variety in liveries and scenery.
There was some less than pleasant comments on here about the US being left out entirely and some even went as far as to suggest they were happy about that or it was because of political reasons. I think those people ought to be ashamed of their comments.
It’s kind of funny now they have been proved utterly wrong.
Long may US railroading be part of TSW.

 

IT'S JUST A BRAIN EXPLOSION! I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SEE MY FAVORITE KAWASAKI M8! I HAVE BEEN WAITING IN AZKABAN FOR 12 YEARS!

P. S. But if seriously, I've been waiting for it since 2017 and soon we will get both the M8 and part of the New Haven line)

 

I wonder if the new upcoming Metro-North stations and route upgrades on the Bronx portion of the NEC will be included. The new station over Eastchester Road is coming along.

 

If the route as the same scenery standards as the new ones it will be an obvious day one purchase ! All the NEC routes are honestly "ugly" and kind of outdated. And I can't wait to drive the Acela on the twisting curves after New Rochelle

 

I assume so. I kinda agree with dovetail only going as far as Stamford. There’s no other place to ideally end the route other than maybe Bridgeport or New Haven, which are both longer than most routes are in TSW. What they should’ve done was included the New Cananan line though and not doing that is just lazy.

 

Probably the least exciting "take a ticket" announcement for me but I know Matt said in the past they were looking for an excuse to bring the SW1000R switcher back into the game at some point so maybe this will be it.

 

I still would've wanted the while New Haven Line..Two German routes as we speak has more than 100 mile route dlc(that includes the Dresden extension), NO EXCUSE FROM DTG... and I would've like to see the New Canaan part is well. Bridgeport, nah that's still bout 5 stops away ALTHOUGH it still has a storage yard there

 

I'm glad my past theories in the Suggestion Forum on the route going only as far as Stamford were proven correct. While I understand peoples' frustrations, I'm honestly not mad about it, especially since we'll be getting both Manhattan terminals via the Hell Gate and Woodlawn Jct. I would have liked to see them do the New Canaan branch just like they did with the TSC, but it is what it is. Hopefully the freight ops at least include the Oak Point Link with a small stretch of the Hudson to play around on, as was also featured in TSC.

I'm still not sure what DTG's hesitation is with the P32's and the rest of the Genesis-series, but that topic has already been ridden hard, put away wet, then kicked again just for fun-sies...

 

I totally agree, I think Dovetail should start that practice of making the routes longer and instead of terminating them early, but, it's just the way it is. At least they chose a decent place to end, which is Stamford

 

Yea and I def get your point, but they(DTG) always mentioned about not doing longer routes or EXTENSIONS, yet they have the KSW German dlc and now the Dresden Riesa extended and they both are towards 100 miles...As far as ending in Stamford, they lucky they added the NEC via Hell Gate Bridge section(originally from tsw 2020) in the game especially for the Acela Express equipment. Also they should ADD playable M7a and M3a services at least as far as Mt Vernon West. NEW Haven trains pass through parts of thr Harlem Line not named Fordham. At least fill those specific stations in

 

So is this route actually 34 to 36 miles like google says? Is there any possible reason they’re cutting the route at Stamford?

 

Select one or both from the list:
- CT Rail license issue.
- Too long for a midyear(not a core one) route.

 

It's tough to say because there is still so, so much that we don't know about this route. Stamford is logical because it is the first Amtrak station stop after New Rochelle (this assumes an Amtrak layer of course). The only other stops are Bridgeport and New Haven, which increase distance and therefore work. Stations are a lot of work for DTG.

Now, we know that this route probably reuses old NEC from New Rochelle to NYP, and also HAR from Mt. Vernon to GCT. So, how much work DTG is actually doing here is up to the players to decide. To me, if we are presented with a robust timetable that includes M8, full Amtrak layer, full Harlem layer with M3 and M7, LIRR AI, and more than a token number of freight services, then I will not think Stamford is too short. And, most importantly, the wayside and cab signals have got to work. They have really just got to work.

If this can't be achieved then we are risking another NYT which was a disaster on release and was a major struggle to get fixed, and even now has hopelessly broken signals. DTG quality overall seems to have improved since then. Luckily we have Morristown to keep us occupied until then, with a Joe timetable and Brandon signals. Yes please.

 

Keep on though we will eventually get one especially if a Tri Rail route came out it would fit, or an ALC-42 at least.

So there is still hope.

 

At least more Metro North routes opens the door for their P32AC-DMs, with the Hudson Line potentially adding Amtrak's Empire Service and the New York section of the Lake Shore Limited with potential Viewliners if DTG wants to.... (Or just use existing Amfleet at minimum)

 

Very well-said, my friend!

 

Is CT Rail an issue? I forget who owns the station, CT Rail/CT DOT or Amtrak.

 

DTG doesn't have a CT Rail license ATM. And I doubt they would aquire one for a railroad that wouldn't be a major operator for the route.

Though unbranded M8s can just stand in for them if DTG want to represent them.

 

Ah I forgot that MTA runs it through NY and CTDOT technically runs it in Connecticut. I was confused because it’s still MTA branding to New Haven and then the actual Hartford/CT Rail trains run. So I thought if it’s MTA and they have the partnership with them and LIRR already, Metro-North could fall into that but I guess not. Thanks for explaining.

 

CT Rail has the Shoreline East trains which do run limited service to Stamford which i believe is where the issues lie.

 

Technically CT DoT contracts the MTA to run Metro-North in CT. There's also a pool agreement with the equipment, which is why you see CT Rail-branded locomotives and rolling stock on NY routes, the Wassaic branch running a CT Rail BL20GH right now being a good example.

The M8's for this route shouldn't be an issue licensing-wise because they were jointly purchased between the MTA and CT (something like a 30/70% cost split).

You wouldn't run into licensing and branding issues until you get to the equipment that is owned completely by CT (The P40's, Geeps, BL20's, SLE M8's, etc.)

It really is a pretty convoluted mess lol

 

In regards to the p42 equipment, dtg have said before that there is too little gameplay. Just 2 services. Then players have to buy multiple dlc just to get 2 more which becomes not the best value for money.

 

I'm not buying that logic either. If Skyhook can do their freight packs with good scenarios for multiple routes in one DLC, then why can't DTG figure that out for a Genesis pack? I'm not going to delve into it here at the risk of dragging this thread off-topic, but if you look up my post history you'll find the arguments I've made against that claim.

 

skyhook only have to model a single type of freight cars, not multiple and definitely not a new train. The p42 requires a new train and multiple new passenger coaches/consists.

 

Only real branding i see on the M8s is a small logo on the right side of the lead car, either MTA or CT Rail, everything else is identical. But then again, DTG could have no logo for CT Rail trains, and they still look correct.


So part of me thinks New Haven was too far to build in the time frame for this route.

 

Because you have the New Rochelle - Penn Station route (Northeast Corridor), and the New Rochelle - Grand Central route (New Haven/ Harlem mainline). Both paths are about 15-20 miles each. Combined with the New Rochelle- Stamford section. A fair bit of work for DTG.

 

Okay, let me briefly summarize my argument then...

DTG only have to model the P42 once.

They do a West Coast Pack covering the routes on that side of the country, and all you need to go with it is a Superliner in a couple of variants.

They do an East Coast Pack covering the stuff on my side of the country, and all they need is a Viewliner in a couple of variants.

Neither require dedicated routes to be built, neither the Superliner or Viewliner are complicated designs, and introducing a couple of services each into a handful of routes shouldn't be game-breaking. I would bet the farm that they could easily get $30 per pack, and people would eat... them... up...

Then when/if they do the dual modes, or get the VIA license, or do more routes with an Amtrak presence, or CT Rail... the model's already there for whatever minor tweaks it needs to suit those purposes.

*Edit*

Unless of course you prefer a dozen more Class 66's and Dostos in game? Lol

 

It's quite unfair to compare Dresden-Leipzig / Kassel-Würzburg to this route, actually.

This route has 20 stations, Kassel - Würzburg has 3. This route is also mostly urban scenery, while KWG is running over/through hills and valleys.
As for Dresden-Leipzig, that feat's been done over two attempts, unlike this route which is being developed from scratch.

 

If they made the Hudson line there'd be quite a bit more than 2 services.

 

It's a pity that at least the New Canaan branch will not be included - at least it was be a good end point, since we don't get New Haven)

 

The ones branded CT Rail are the Shore Line East units owned wholly by the state, the ones with the state seal and Metro-North branding are under joint-ownership between CT and the MTA.

And for a fun little bonus fact, in addition to the CT Rail branding, the SLE M8's don't have third rail shoes like are fitted to their Metro-North siblings.

 

The expected route map according to the 2nd road map article
Looks like Fresh Pond Yard will be excluded from this version. Personally, I think it would’ve been nice to see it return so there’s more to the freight layers on the route.

 

Well that’s technically the P32AC, but yes I’ve said since Harlem was announced that the Hudson line would be the ideal in to get the base model into TSW, and assuming it was built with converting to a P42 from the start in mind wouldn’t take that much additional work

 

Point is, they said it's possible to make longer routes, but US PASSENGER content or even past freight doesn't have that much of length. And btw this route not only built from scratch, they also have an additional branch that remains in this game, with few more stations so there's def NO excuse now. As far as KSW, yea you right it's only 3 stations(and I'm not a fan of that dlc). NEC New Haven could've went all the way to New Haven. And even this Morristown Line, I railfan NJT in my life, but Only Morristown line and cut at Dover????no excuses anymore! Not to mention they should've added The Montclair Boonton Line as well since it's a separate service between Denville and Newark Broad St, since we only going to Dover...Lazy and again NO excuses!