Chicago is one of the most iconic rail hubs in North America, and Metra's expansive network offers a perfect blend of urban intensity, suburban scenery, and varied operations. Whether it’s the scenic runs along Lake Michigan or the bustling approach into Union Station, a Metra route would provide a rich and dynamic experience for players. Metra’s diverse rolling stock, such as the F40PH locomotives and bi-level gallery cars, combined with dense timetables and interactions with freight and Amtrak services, would make for a truly engaging and authentic simulation. It would also introduce more U.S. commuter rail representation to the game, which is something I and many others in the community are eager for. Thank you for your continued dedication to developing and expanding Train Sim World. I hope you’ll consider Metra for a future route—it has incredible potential and would surely become a fan favorite.
The famous BNSF/Metra Racetrack is the perfect route. It has a bit of everything for players. It's a very busy line with fast, heavy freights, local freights, yard and industrial operations, long distance passenger trains, regional passenger trains, and commuter trains, all packed into a 37.5-mile-long route. If DTG can't get Metra licensing, they could always make this route a CB&Q or BN route with commuter, passenger, and freight operations. Racetrack locos: Metra F40PH-3 and/or F40PHM-3, Amtrak Midwest SC44 Charger and Venture Cars, Amtrak ALC-42 Charger or P42DC and Superliner Cars, BNSF ET44C4 and GP60/GP60M-3 (or maybe a GP39-3, GP38-2, or GP50 in both ex-BN and BNSF Swoosh liveries) -BN GP39E/M/V rebuilds (formerly GP30s and GP35s), SD40-2, SD70MAC, SD60M, GP50, GP40-2, or SD45; plus rebuilt E8Am or E9Am units for commuter services and P32-8BWH or Genesis P40 or P42 and Superliners for Empire Builder Amtrak train -CB&Q GP30, GP35, SD40(-2), U30C, SD45, GP40(-2), SD9, or SD7; and E8As or E9As for commuter services and California Zephyr train The other Metra lines I would want would be the ex-Milwaukee Road lines (now CPKC) or the UP line. It would be great to get Metra SD70MACH rebuilds, F40PHM-3s with their unique cabs, F40PH-3s, MPI MP36PH-3Cs, and F59PHs/F59PHIs. Some of Metra's diesel locos have been repainted into heritage liveries honoring the fallen flags that used to serve the Chicago area.
I like me some US passenger stuff, just pls, pllllls, do it with proper safety systems for once... I mean, MBTA stuff has ATC/ACSES, which is awesome (tho those penalties at the terminus are bonkers still), but it would be nice if on other routes we didnt just have Alerter to heed, but at least some form of PTC
