Metra Chicago Routes

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by MetroMad1229, Sep 11, 2021.

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  1. The Racetrack

    12 vote(s)
    35.3%
  2. SouthWest Service

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. Milwaukee District West

    1 vote(s)
    2.9%
  4. Milwaukee District North

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Rock Island District

    2 vote(s)
    5.9%
  6. All of the above

    19 vote(s)
    55.9%
  7. North Central Service

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    Hello Dovetail, I have got a route suggestion. Metra is really similar to Caltrain because their freight and passenger locomotives are really similar but in the same way, very different because Caltrain only owns 1 route and Metra owns around 7. I really love seeing similar routes and if this comes out I cannot wait. Other than that, let's get right in!

    LOCOMTIVES THAT RUN ON ALL METRA DIESEL ROUTES

    EMD F40PH
    The F40 fleet has been serving as Chicago Commuter since 1977. Back then the F40s were originally purchased by RTA and were light blue with red and dark brown stripes. From 2008-2012 Metra F40PHs No. 100-149 were converted into Dash 3 standards. The rebuild included new electronics, fewer emissions, rust repair and a few others. Metra received two former Amtrak F40s, No. 258 and 375 in 2009. In 2016, former Virginia Railway Express No. V32 was also sold to Metra. The three new F40s were rebuilt to Dash 3 standards and became Metra No. 215-217. From 2015-2020 No. 174-184 would also receive rebuilds and received the Lightning Bolt paint scheme. Metra 217 was also given the Lightning Bolt paint scheme.
    Manufacturer: Electro Motive Division
    Build date: 1975-1992
    Length: 56 ft
    Top speed: 103-110mph
    Horse Power: 3,200
    F40PH-2 Numbered: 150-172
    F40PH-3 Numbered: 100-149, 173-184, 215-217
    Classic Logo
    [​IMG]
    Lightning Bolt Logo
    [​IMG]

    Bi-Level Gallery Cars
    Bi-Level Gallery Cars are really similar to the ones on Peninsula Corridor, but however they have different cab interiors. The controls on the Metra cab car are mounted in front of the engineer’s seat.
    [​IMG]
    CAB INTERIOR
    [​IMG]

    SERVICES FROM THE SOUTHERN TERMINUS

    Passenger locomotives that run here
    • F40PH
    • F40PHM
    Loco info
    EMD F40PHM-3
    The F40PHM-2 was similar to the traditional F40PH but has a sloped cab, nicknamed the Winnebago. This was used on Amtrak’s F69PHAC in 1989, but the F40PHM had improved aerodynamics and aesthetics. The F40PH-2 were to be rebuilt into Dash 3 standards from 2015-2020 and received the Lightning Bolt pain scheme.
    Manufacturer: Electro Motive Division
    Build date: 1991-1992
    Length: 56 ft
    Top speed: 103-110mph
    Horse Power: 3,200
    Numbered: 185-204, 206-214
    [​IMG]
    The F40PHM-2 has the classic logo and the F40PHM-3 has the restored logo. A heritage livery can also be found on F40PHM 211.
    [​IMG]

    BNSF locomotives that are used for mainline freight for freight routes operating from the southern terminus are,
    • SD70ACE
    • SD70MAC
    • ES44AC
    • ET44C4
    Freight Trains
    BNSF locomotives that are used for local freight on the Racetrack are,
    • EMD GP60
    • EMD GP50
    • EMD GP40
    • EMD GP38
    Some point maybe they could add BNSF mainline freight as DLC for this route.

    If you know how on Peninsula Corridor, the main freight operator is Union Pacific, well BNSF is the main freight operator on the Racetrack, except they have different locomotives running mainline freight and loco freight, unlike Union Pacific on Peninsula Corridor.

    The freight that is usually hauled on the Racetrack include
    • Intermodal
    • Manifest
    • Grain
    • Crude Oil
    • Coal
    GP60
    Manufacturer: Electro Motive Division
    Build Date: 1985-1994
    Length: 59 ft
    Top Speed: 65mph
    Horsepower: 3,800
    [​IMG]

    GP50
    Manufacturer: Electro Motive Division
    Build Date: 1980-1985
    Length: 59 ft
    Top Speed: 65mph
    Horsepower: 3,500-3,600
    [​IMG]

    GP40
    Manufacturer: Electro Motive Division
    Build Date: 1965-1971
    Length: 59 ft
    Top Speed: 65mph
    Horsepower: 3,000
    [​IMG]

    GP38
    Manufacturer: Electro Motive Division
    Build Date: 1972-1986
    Length: 59 ft
    Top Speed: 65mph
    Horsepower: 2,000
    [​IMG]

    Switchers and in total
    • SW1500: 5
    • GP23: 2
    • SW1200: 1

    THE RACETRACK
    Route Information
    The Racetrack, also know as the BNSF rail line, is a line owned by BNSF, running from Chicago to Aurora. The passenger services are operated by Metra, and for the freight trains, they are owned by BNSF. The line has a total of 70mph for passenger trains and 45mph for freight trains. It's a total of 37 miles long.

    All Stops
    • Union Station
    • Cicero
    • Berwyn
    • Riverside
    • Brookfield
    • La Grange
    • Western Springs
    • Hinsdale
    • Clarendon Hills
    • Westmont
    • Fairview Ave.
    • Downers Grove
    • Belmont
    • Lisle
    • Naperville
    • Route 59
    • Aurora
    Passenger Trains
    I want to see the Racetrack Aurora - Chicago Metra route in TSW2. The reason why I wanna see this route is because, once again, routes that are similar to Peninsula Corridor would be an interest to me and I really wanna see more commuter F40s for other routes. Well I wanna see the F40PHM come with the route. And the Metra paint scheme for the F40 should be both paint schemes of the F40PH and the new one for the F40PHM-3. And the coaches, they are Nippon Sharyo Bi-Level Gallery Cars. 150 daily trains run on this line.

    There are 16 outbound services which don’t terminate at Aurora.
    • 5 trains to Route 59
    • 1 train to Naperville
    • 1 train to Downers Grove
    • 5 trains to Fairview Avenue
    • 3 trains to Westmont
    • 1 train to Brookfield

    Most Express trains stop at 2-6 stations.


    DLC that should be added sometime for a route operating from the Southern Terminus
    • The Racetrack BNSF Mainline freight (SD70ACE, SD70MAC, ES44AC and ET44C4 come altogether (like in BR freight for Tees Valley Line)
    • Metra Switcher Fleet (SW1500, GP23 and SW1200)
    • Amtrak services such as The California Zephyr, The Southwest Chief and The Amtrak Midwest.
    Why should this route get added? I know I've said this too much but it's similar to Peninsula Corridor and similar routes are the best and I'd wanna see more Commuter F40s come to TSW2.

    SERVICES FROM THE NORTHERN TERMINUS

    Passenger locomotives that run there
    • F40PH
    • F59PH
    • F59PHI
    • MP36PH-3C
    Loco info
    MPI MP36PH-3C
    Manufacturer: MPI
    Build date: 2003
    Upgraded to 3C's: 2015
    Length: 60ft
    Horse Power: 3,600
    Top Speed: 82-102mph

    [​IMG]

    Heritage liveries that can be found on MP36PH-3Cs are from numbers,

    402

    [​IMG]

    405
    [​IMG]

    425
    [​IMG]

    Freight trains
    If you know how I said in The Racetrack that BNSF locomotives are used for local and mainline freight, well I think Canadian Pacific AC4400CWs would be suitable for this route.
    Manufacturer: General Electric
    Build date: 1993-2004
    Length: 73 ft
    Horse Power: 4,400
    Top Speed: 70 mph
    [​IMG]

    MILWAUKEE DISTRICT: WEST LINE

    Route Information
    The Milwaukee District West Line is owned by Metra and dispatched by Canadian Pacific. The Milwaukee District West line runs from Chicago Union Station to Big Timber Road. The line has a top speed of 50-70mph for freight. The route has a total length of 40 miles.

    All Stops
    • Union Station
    • Western Avenue.
    • Grand / Cicero.
    • Hanson Park.
    • Galewood.
    • Mars.
    • Mont Clare.
    • Elmwood Park.
    • River Grove
    • Franklin Park
    • Mannheim
    • Bensenville
    • Wood Dale
    • Itasca
    • Medinah
    • Roselle
    • Schaumburg
    • Hanover Park
    • Bartlett
    • National Street
    • Elgin
    • Big Timber Road
    Passenger trains
    West line
    For the trains that do not terminate at Big Timber Road,
    • 3 trains to Elgin
    • 2 trains to Franklin Park
    • 1 train to Barlett
    • 1 train to National Street

    MILWAUKEE DISTRICT: NORTH LINE
    This line is again owned by Metra and dispatched by Canadian Pacific. The line has a total of 50-70mph. It's a total of 49.7 miles long.

    Milwaukee District North line runs from Chicago Union Station to Fox Lake.

    All Stops
    • Union Station
    • Western Avenue
    • Healy
    • Grayland
    • Mayfair
    • Forest Glen
    • Edgebrook
    • Morton Grove
    • Golf
    • Glenview
    • Glen of North Glenview
    • Northbrook
    • Lake Cook Road
    • Deerfield
    • Lake Forest
    • Libertyville
    • Prairie Crossing/Libertyville
    • Grayslake
    • Round Lake
    • Long Lake
    • Ingleside
    • Fox Lake
    NORTH CENTRAL SERVICE LINE
    This line is again owned by Metra. The line has a top speed of 50-70mph for freight. This line goes from Chicago Union Station to Antioch. It is a total of 52 miles long.

    This line once again owned by Metra and dispatched by Canadian Pacific. The line has a total of 70mph for passenger and 50mph for freight.

    All Stops
    • Union Station
    • Western Avenue
    • River Grove
    • Belmont Ave / Franklin Park
    • Schiller Park
    • Rosemont
    • O'Hare Transfer
    • Prospect Heights
    • Wheeling
    • Buffalo Grove
    • Prairie View
    • Vernon Hills
    • Mundelein
    • Prairie Crossing / Libertyville
    • Washington St. / Grayslake
    • Round Lake Beach
    • Lake Villa
    • Antioch
    North Central Services do not stop at any of the intermediate between Western Avenue and River Grove.

    Adding North Central services on this line would add an additional 21 services, adding up to about 79 passenger trains running on this section of the line.

    ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT
    The Rock Island District is still part of the Northern Terminus except it's Union Station is above the Union Station that I was talking about before. The line is 40 miles from Chicago to Rock Island. This line has a total of 70mph.

    All Stops
    • LaSalle Street Station
    • 35th St. - Lou Jones
    • Gresham
    • 95th St. - Longwood
    • 103 St., Washington Hts
    • Brainerd
    • Beverly Hills - 91st Street
    • Beverly Hills - 95th Street
    • Beverly Hills - 99th Street
    • Bervely Hills - 103rd Street
    • Beverly Hills - 107th Street
    • Morgan Park - 111th Street
    • Morgan Park - 115th Street
    • 119th St.
    • 123rd St.
    • Prairie St.
    • Blue Island - Vermont St.
    • Robbins
    • Midlothain
    • Oak Forest
    • Tinley Park
    • Tinley Park - 80th Ave
    • Hickory Creek
    • Mokena
    • New Lenox
    • Joilet

    DLC which should be added for a route terminating at the Northern Terminus include
    • F59PH
    • F59PHI
    • Amtrak Empire Builder

    Conclusion
    If they add this route to the game, that would be really exiting. If this gets added I cannot wait. I'm sure that they can renew their licensing, because like I said quite a few times, Dovetail should be able to improve their stuff. The year it should be set in should be sometime between 2020-2021. In the reply box, please do not say that it can't be added because of licensing issues. Hope you enjoyed listening, have an AWSOME DAY!
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2023
    • Like Like x 11
  2. Coastway trainspotter

    Coastway trainspotter Well-Known Member

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    Please add more details , such as route length , what year it should be set in , major stations , and more info about the rolling stock
     
  3. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    Wont happen, DTG could not get a Metra License for TS1, not to mention the BNSF licensing issue...
     
  4. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure that dovetail could renew their BNSF liscensing. I've heard this from quite a few people.
     
  5. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    Its not that it isn't renewed, a recent video from DTG shows BNSF as a parter for them, but they can't sell BNSF content outside the US as seen in TS1. Because of this DTG will most likely never make a route featuring BNSF unless that is ever resolved.

    And I believe its been stated for TSW2, that DTG won't make unbranded content for TSW2.
     
  6. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    I edited my post. Hopefully this is better.
     
  7. Jonne1184

    Jonne1184 Well-Known Member

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    Cannot really tell why, but I find the Metra F40PHM to look absolutely great. Espacially the new livery.
     
  8. CrazyDash

    CrazyDash Well-Known Member

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    I made a video talking about the racetrack as a route suggestion. Rather find it on my channel, or look at my forum post if you’re interested
     
  9. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    CrazyDash I already checked it out. I'm the guy who thanked you for creating the video and stuff. I really hope they do it. Does anyone know if it's just BNSF that has the licensing issues or if it's Metra as well?
     
  10. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    No Metra branding appeared on the route for the TS21 version, no matter where you lived.
     
  11. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    However, some enterprising modders quickly introduced the Metra logo for anyone to download. (Unofficially, of course.)
     
  12. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    Would there still be licensing issues if they added another Metra route?
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2023
  13. Crosstie

    Crosstie Well-Known Member

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    Any use of the Metra logo is prohibited currently. And DTG's policy is not to release unbranded dlc, at least on TSW.
     
  14. ehz0689

    ehz0689 Well-Known Member

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    BNSF doesn't want anything to do with the game. Dovetail has no say in it
     
  15. trainmasteraiden

    trainmasteraiden Active Member

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    Can you make an update it with Metra MP36PH Blacktop Metra F40PHM-2 Blacktop And Metra F59PHI?




     
  16. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    All of the above because these will offer another route to run existing Gallery coaches to run on this time Metra paint.
     
  17. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    The Racetrack is my choice because of BNSF. I really want the ET44C4, GP60, and Metra F40 and Cab Car.
     
  18. trainmasteraiden

    trainmasteraiden Active Member

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    Will never happen because of licensing issues with Metra
     
  19. Jonne1184

    Jonne1184 Well-Known Member

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    Any source for that, or just speculation?
     
  20. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    Metra never granted DTG licensing for the 3rd Party route for TS, so that license most likely hasn't carried over to TSW as well.
     
  21. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't care at all if Metra released unbranded.
     
  22. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    Pretty sure DTG said they wont do that either.

    At most you would get a route with both a Freight Operator and Amtrak, with a layer for Caltrains F40's and Nippon Sharyo Gallery Cars added on to represent Metra like the Caltrain stock will be for Go Trains on Oakville Sub.
     
  23. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    If DTG really can't get a licence for Metra, then maybe we're most likely gonna get a historic version of a Metra route.

    Here are some images I found.
    cb771249ef87c557bc95cc5b3adff675.jpg

    920868172i7o018810870.jpg

    2c4af1cc34e0e1de474c68120e8b1b0c.jpg
     
  24. trainmasteraiden

    trainmasteraiden Active Member

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    What About F40PH-3 104 New Paint
     
    • Like Like x 1
  25. MetroMad1229

    MetroMad1229 Well-Known Member

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    That wouldn’t be a bad idea actually!
     
  26. trainmasteraiden

    trainmasteraiden Active Member

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    Why not ask the developers, Dovetail Games Or Skyhook Games, on their forum?
     

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