Hello everyone, I'm back with a great route suggestion. Now before we start, I'm fully aware that DTG isn't doing American freight content due to the obvious reasons. But if DTG gets lucky then here's what they should do for American freight content. In my opinion, I would love to see them do the UP Evanston Subdivision that runs between Green River Wyoming and Ogden Utah. This would be a great route since there are challenging parts such as the Wasatch Grade on the stretch between Evanston and Ogden, plus the scenery along the line is amazing. This line also has lots of historical railroad significance since this was part of the original transcontinental railroad that was built back in the 1860's. This stretch is also part of the original stretch of the Union Pacific portion of the transcontinental railroad. The locomotives and rolling stock that should come with the route should include the following: The EMD SD70AH The rebuilt version of the AC6000CW (C44ACM). The EMD GP60. Rolling stock can just be recycled from Sherman Hill and Cane Creek in my opinion. Thats all I need to say thanks.
Heck yeah! I've suggested this route before. The whole thing is 177 miles long, so it would need to be done in at least two sections: Ogden-Evanston (from TS Classic) and Evanston-Green River. Your loco suggestions are great, but we have the SD70ACe/AH in game already. The GP60 is a must-have for yard and local duties, along with some of UP's rebuilt GP62 and GP60E units. I would love the AC6000CW/C4460AC/C44ACM rebuilt in game for both this route and Sherman Hill. As for a 3rd loco choice: EMD SD70AH-T4, SD90-43MAC/SD90MAC-H (including ph. 2 units), SD70M, SD60 (and rebuilds), SD60M, or SD59MX and GE C45AH (ET44AC), C44-9W/C44ACM rebuild, or C45ACCTE (ES44AC). An Older UP C40-8 and/or C40-8W/C41-8W would be cool to see on this route. As for Cane Creek, Peninsula Corridor, and Sherman Hill, we'd also get the SD70ACe (including the UP Heritage units), CW44AC, SD40N, and GP38N from those routes. For rolling stock, we need new coal hoppers, new well cars, new autoracks, new reefers, cement hoppers, grain hoppers, tank cars etc. Other possibilities: -1960s-era UP with GP30/GP30B (including #844), SD24, Gas Turbines (especially the Big Blows), NW2, GP35, Alco FA-1/FB-1, and EMD E8/E9 A/B; also UP City passenger cars, period freight cars and cabooses -Big Boys, Challengers, FEFs, 4-12-2s, 2-10-2s, etc.; also passenger and freight equipment to run with these big steam locos; UP steam program needed (#4014, #3985, and #844) -UP giant diesels: DDA40X (including #6936), DD35(A), Alco C855 A-B-A, GE U50, and GE U50C -UP rebuilt SW10 "Hammerhead" Switchers -MP15 or SW1500 switchers -GP15s, GP39-2s/Ns, and GP40Ns; also GP50s -UP Heritage Fleet E9 A-B-A Set w/ Excursion/Business Train Passenger Cars -Other UP special units: #1111 "Powered By Our People" SD70ACe, #1943 "Spirit of the UP," #4141 George Bush unit, Abraham Lincoln SD70M, "ONE" SD70M, also Big Boy escort SD70M #4015, Boy Scouts of America, Breast Cancer, and 5000th GEVO ES44ACs would be awesome to see. -1860s-70s-era UP versions with 4-4-0s, 4-8-0s, 2-6-0s, and other classic UP steam power, with period freight and passenger equipment
I looked up the distance and its actually 159 miles between Green River and Ogden. But who knows if DTG would even attempt to do the full stretch. Hopefully they attempt to do the full stretch. I'm not sure if we would get any steam content if they were to do a 1960's version of the route. But luckily I heard Smokebox Simulations might try and help them out with American steam content for TSW however its currently a rumor right now which means its unknown if something like that could happen.
You still have to get past the DTG hiatus on US freight routes and the refusal of the US Railroads to co-operate any more on TSW projects.
I'm fully aware that freight content is on hiatus due to reasonings that have been clearly stated before. But what I'm saying is that if DTG's luck changes, then this would be a great route to add.
Oh I fully agree Chris and the current situation is more than a little ludicrous. They need to find ways around it, even if that means more creative means of doing research, doing a historical route or - as Run 8 did for their MP15’s - talking to secondary or short line railroads to help with technical data.
License is fine, (Which is funny cause UP cause a giant licensing kafuffle at the begging of the 2000's suing model railroad companies on top of not wanting to be in MSTS due to safety concerns) But letting DTG actually access their equipment for references is a no go after Covid. (And pretty much any class 1.) AFAIK only CP allowed anything like that recently, and it was only with Searchlight Simulations, who mostly consist of actual railroad workers.
If the Union Pacific steam program was included in TSW, the only steam locomotives that would get included would be #844 and #4014 since #3985 has been retired.
Seems that's what the issue is. It would be nice if UP was opened minded just like MBTA and Metrolink.
For other loco choices, I would love to see them add the SD70M in my opinion. But unfortunately, locomotives such as the C40/C41-8W's and the SD90MAC's wouldn't make the cut since UP has already retired them.
That's what they should do but the only problem is whether or not the smaller Class II and III railroads are as open minded as the passenger operators.
