Hello everyone, awhile back I suggested this route but that was before TSW was announced. I've been loving TSW and I wanted to float CSX's RF&P (Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac) Subdivision for consideration by the community and devs. In my admittedly biased opinion, it has so much to offer in terms of American railroading, timetable services as well as a variety of locomotives and rolling stock. In fact the CSX motive power already within the game is used heavily along the RF&P! The RF&P Subdivision runs North from Richmond Virginia to Washington DC, passing through Ashland (home to some famous rail webcams), Doswell, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Alexandria before crossing the Potomac and diverging, sending passenger trains to Washington's Union Station and freight to Benning Yard I believe. All told the route is about 120 miles long which I realize may be pushing the limits of the game. Most of the route is double tracked with a third track north of Fredericksburg. The line is relatively flat, reflecting the geography of the area, but crosses several rivers and marshlands. Speeds I believe are around 75 mph but I could be wrong. Anyway let's talk about the most important aspect, the trains. The RF&P is owned by CSX (although recently it was bought by the state of Virginia and Amtrak) and sees a good deal of large CSX trains, usually mixed or intermodal. Coal trains also relatively common but infrequent. On the passenger side Amtrak's Northeast Regional services serve 7 stations along the route, with the long distance trains usually running from DC to Richmond. Virginia Rail Express operates along the Northern half of the route calling at a number of stations as it brings commuters into and out of DC. The RF&P also hosts the northern terminus of the famous Auto Train, which runs daily between Lorton VA and Florida. All of that said I believe this route would be an amazing addition to the franchise, giving players the chance to run everything from the mile long fast freights to local commuter trains. Turnaround services could also be run as Richmond serves as the termination point of many Northeast Regional trains and Union Station is of course where the electrification ends and all power is swapped for diesel. Anyway I hope this wasn't too long (it 100% was) but I wanted to give a good overview of the route. Below are some pictures of the types of equipment used as well as a few links that might be helpful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RF&P_Subdivision
I love it! Especially if it's in the 90s, which would allow for more diversity and lashups. Such as run through Conrail power and fallen flag units. And B36-7s and GP40-2s on the high speed Orange Blossom Special and regular intermodals.
I don't know. I play on X-Box. It would also be nice to run something other then just freight and computer service.(correct me if I am wrong) I believe that the auto train either runs thru hear or stops here.
Yes it does (often running late as well haha). Most of the Amtrak services stop at all station but the long distance trains such as Palmetto and Silver Meteor will stop at only Washington and Richmond
The Auto train has its northern terminus at Lorton Virginia, just south west of Alexandria and Washington DC.
I honestly believe this would be a good area to have some switching missions. I've driven past it many times on 95 as well as seen it while taking the train and they often have the GE Dash 8-32's parked there for switching duties
Actually, the Commonwealth of Virginia has owned part of the RF&P since it was formed in 1834. The state government had a policy at the time of providing venture capital to rail startups, in exchange for equity.
This would be a perfect route for Rush Hour. And the ability to run the Tropicana Juice Train and the Orange Blossom Special makes this route fun.
Excellent route idea and for the Long Distance trains silver service along with Twilight Shorliner Norfolk, VA to Boston South Station those have Viewliner II coaches which can be made standard for the route. If you chose to operate Train 65 66 & 67 Twilight Shoreliner services at Washington DC Union Station you can have a pop up that says do you like to continue to Boston South Station yes or no if yes is chosen NEC Boston Providence loads for you and you have the experience of operating rush hour operations in Boston & Washington areas. No option gives you these following choices continue Journey continue free roam return to main menu. For CSX Locomotives perhaps Sand Patch Grade can layer all of its trains here in addition to SD70ACE tier 4 the 8900s standard for the route.
Along with some of the traffic from New York(for example, USWX trash trains), the Sealston Trash Run, Orange Blossom Special and the Tropicana Juice Train. The 4700-4800 series SD70ACs, 8800 series SD40-2s and 6100-6300 series GP40-2s are the standard.
For the 4700-4800 SD70Acs 8800 SD40-2s and 6100-6300 series GP40-2s can those locomotives later on to sand Patch Grade which is standard for the game from this route. In exchange SPG gives AC4400CW to this route.
I love that idea. Throw in the 8720-8790 series SD60M/60Is, 5800-5900 series B36-7s and 5200-5300 series ES40DCs and you're all set. And the old school VRE RP39-2s and single level coaches/cab cars. And for a time, VRE used the F40PHs.
Sounds good to me and for VRE F40PH those can be reskinned from Caltrain Versions to save time then at a later date Caltrain F40PH gets a reskin for NJ Transit/MTA west of Hudson routes once either Main Bergen and Port Jervis lines are made or my Suggestion Raritan Valley Line.
That's right. Most Amtrak and VRE services are either limited, semi fast or all stop, namely the regionals. But long distance trains, such as the Palmetto, Carolinian, Silver Star, and the Silver Meteor are express services that only stop at Washington and Staples Mill Station in Richmond. The Auto Train is another long distance express service running nonstop to Florida, with it's singular stop being Florence, SC to change crews and refuel engines.
I agree this would be a lovely route. In case anyone is interested, since I hope there are some people here who still play TS like me, I found this on the workshop - it is a great representation of the real life route and I hope people will like it. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=501249075
If you want to know who actually operates VRE it's the French national railways SNCF Keolis division. Remember the French national Railways contract to operate VRE got extended and applies to MBTA Boston to Providence Too
And I should also add in the leased Sounder equipment that VRE used. Again, that's where Caltrain would come in for the coaches. And the future Capitol Corridor route for the F59PHIs.
Let's not bump decent suggestion threads and risk getting them locked. If ya got anything that ya wanna add to a thread but it's a very small thing, then later you wanna add something else to the thread and it's also small, just edit that first post instead of making another post and unnecessarily bumping a thread and putting it at risk of possibly getting locked.
What they can do if something like this CSX Heavy Haul Washington region pack. That includes the main line towards Cumberland from Washington if made.
Can the Amtrak Capitol Limited could layer into Sand Patch from this route? Many people in a Previous Keystone Sub suggestion I made said they wanted to see the Capitol Limited as a DLC for it but I disagreed saying it could be a Layer from a route with the Capitol's rollingstock.