I'm making a suggestion list for all of the modern US Class 1 railroads. I will include a number of cool route ideas, as well as wishlists of new locomotives I hope get added to TSW6. I will include some Amtrak, commuter, and shortline railroads too, since some of them also have freight trains running on them. We also need updates to existing routes. Let's start with my favorite railroad: BNSF. -BNSF Routes: -1.) BNSF/UP Tehachapi Pass/Mojave Subdivision: Mojave-Bakersfield, CA: The Santa Fe RR negotiated for trackage rights over SP's Tehachapi Pass Route as they built lines from LA towards the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1870s-80s. The ATSF trackage rights (now BNSF) are still in effect on the modern Mojave Sub (now owned by UP). -Features: 68 miles, steep grades, tunnels, single track w/ passing sidings, world-famous Tehachapi Loop at Walong, BNSF and UP yards at Mojave, Bakersfield UP yard, also San Joaquin Valley RR Shortline (SJVRR) runs on part of this route (cool addition for interchange operations) -2.) Amtrak Cascades, Seattle Sounder, and BNSF: Everett-Tacoma, WA: This is a great route idea. It's set in the Seattle area and has some great scenery on the north Pacific coast. Plus, there is a great mix of train operations, including Amtrak, Commuter, and heavy freight with BNSF. -Features: 81.8 miles, coastal scenery, urban and industrial areas, both freight and passenger trains, unique operations, including BNSF Boeing Fuselage Trains running to the Boeing facility at Renton, WA (which should be included with this route) -3.) Chicago Metra BNSF Line (aka: The Racetrack): Chicago-Aurora, Ill: This is the ex-CB&Q Commuter Line running from Chicago to Aurora. It's a fairly short route with a lot of operations packed into one route. Amtrak runs both Midwest and Long-distance trains on this route. Then we have Metra Commuter Trains and BNSF freights running out of Chicago towards California. The only way we're ever getting this line is if DTG (or a 3rd Party) gets the rights to Metra trains in TSW6. -Features: 37.5 miles, higher speeds (70+mph), both passenger and freight trains, BNSF Corwith Yard, industrial areas, big city -4.) Pacific Surfliner, Coaster Commuter, and BNSF: LA-San Diego, CA: The Pacific Surfliner is a passenger route that is needed in TSW6. The line is one of Amtrak's most popular routes. It features great views of the Pacific Ocean as well as big cities. BNSF also serves industries in the LA and San Diego areas. Coaster, a SD-area commuter line, also runs on the southern part of this route. This route is a bit long, but maybe with future updates, we could see it come to the game. -Features: Big cities, coastal scenery, both freight and passenger trains -5.) BNSF Seligman Subdivision: Needles, CA-Winslow, AZ (or a part of it, at least): This line is one of my favorite train-watching locations. It is a busy, two-track mainline with faster speeds, long, heavy freight trains, and great desert and mountain scenery. Plus, the route sees Amtrak's SW Chief stopping at Needles, Kingman, Seligman, Flagstaff, and Winslow stations. This being a very long route, we would only get part of it. Perhaps we could get the Arizona Divide version from TS Classic. The best way to get the entire route would be through extension DLCs (at least 3 would be needed) -Features: Very long route (293.5 miles!), Yards at Needles and Winslow, two tracks, industrial areas, desert and mountain scenery, history, Route 66, small towns, Grand Canyon RR at Williams, AZ (also needed in game; 4th extension for this route)
BNSF Routes above. Now here's the list of locos and rolling stock. -BNSF Locos: -EMD SD75M and SD75I: -16-710G Prime Mover -4300HP -Liveries: BNSF Warbonnet Patched ATSF SD75M, BNSF Warbonnet, BNSF H2, BNSF Swoosh -Commonly seen in Seattle area; perfect power for heavy freights on the Everett-Tacoma Route -EMD GP60: -16-710G Prime Mover -3800HP -We have GP60Ms/GP60Bs coming soon; GP60 Spartan Cabs needed too -Liveries: BNSF Patched ATSF Yellowbonnet, BNSF H1, BNSF Swoosh -For local and yard duties on any of the routes mentioned above; also Cajon and San Bernardino routes -EMD GP38-2: -16-645E Non-turbo Prime Mover -2000HP -Liveries: BNSF Patched BN, BNSF H1, BNSF Swoosh -For yard and local duties on any BNSF route -EMD GP50/GP25 Rebuild: -16-645F Prime Mover -3600HP (2500HP for rebuilt GP25) -Liveries: BNSF Patched BN, BNSF Patched ATSF, BNSF H1, BNSF Swoosh -For yard and local duties -EMD GP39-3 Rebuild: -Rebuilt with 645E Turbocharged Prime Mover -2300HP -Ex-BN/GN/CB&Q/NP/SP&S GP30s and GP35s; rebuilt to GP39E (by EMD), GP39M (by Morrison-Knudsen), and GP39V (by VMV) -Liveries: BNSF Patched BN, BNSF H1, BNSF Swoosh -For yard and local duties -GE B40-8 and B40-8W: -GE FDL-16 Prime Mover -4000HP -Liveries: BNSF Patched ATSF Yellowbonnet (B40-8), BNSF Patched ATSF Warbonnet (B40-8W), BNSF H2, BNSF Swoosh -For yard and local duties -GE C44-9W: -GE 7FDL-16 Prime Mover -4400HP -Liveries: BNSF Patched Warbonnet, BNSF H1, BNSF H2, BNSF Swoosh -For mainline freight -GE ES44AC, ES44DC, and ES44ACH (heavier units; 6 traction motors): -GE GEVO-12 Prime Mover -4400HP -For mainline freight -GE/Wabtec ET44C4 (4 traction motors like the ES44C4 on Cajon) and ET44ACH (heavier units; 6 traction motors): -GE GEVO-12 Prime Mover -4400HP -For mainline freight -Passenger locos for BNSF routes: -Amtrak GE P42DC Genesis: -GE 7FDL-16 -4200HP -Liveries: Ph. V, Ph. VII, Heritage Amtrak liveries -Long-distance passenger; being replaced by Siemens Chargers -Siemens Chargers: -Cummins QSK-95 Prime Mover -4400HP (SC44); 4200HP (ALC-42) -Liveries: SC44: Coaster, Pacific Surfliner, Amtrak Midwest, Amtrak Cascades; Amtrak ALC-42: Day 1, Ph. 6, Ph. 7 -SC44s for regional and commuter trains; ALC-42 for long-distance trains -Amtrak P32-8BWH: -GE FDL-12 -3200HP -Liveries: Amtrak Ph. V, others -For long-distance passenger trains; being replaced by Chargers -Metra EMD F40PH-3 and F40PHM-3: -16-645E Prime Mover -3200HP -Rebuilt F40s with upgraded electrical systems -F40PHM-3s have slanted cabs -Liveries: standard Metra livery, Metra CB&Q Heritage Livery -Seattle Sounder EMD F59PHI and Motive Power MP40PH-3C: -F59PHI: 16-645F Prime Mover w/ HEP; MP40PH-3C: 16-710G Prime Mover -F59PHI: 3000HP; MP40PH-3C: 4000HP -Both locos are EPA Tier 3 Compliant
Some new rolling stock for new BNSF routes. -Freight: -Boeing Fuselage Train: BNSF handles these awesome cars between Wichita, KS and Renton, WA. The trainset includes an 89' intermodal flatcar carrying a full Boeing 737 fuselage load. Since the plane is so long, the train requires a 60' flatcar behind the 89' car. The 60' flatcar also carries a Skybox, which contains wing parts and other equipment for the plane. The trainset also sometimes includes larger Skyboxes on flatcars for the same purpose. On the way from Wichita, the Boeing freight cars are often placed at the front of an intermodal or autorack train. At Seattle, the Boeing cars are switched out and transported to Renton where they are unloaded. It's quite a cool operation. Plus, the airplane fuselages have a cool emerald green paint. -Articulated Autoracks: I see these cars occasionally in real life. They are two-piece articulated autoracks built by Thrall or other freight car manufacturers in the late 1990s. -Gunderson Multimax Autoracks: These are newer autoracks built in that have platforms that can be easily switched out so that the cars can be converted to either a bi-level or tri-level car depending on whether the car is used to carry smaller automobiles or trucks and/or SUVs. -Passenger: -Amtrak Superliners: Amtrak's Superliners are based on Santa Fe's old bi-level coaches that ran on the El Capitan and a few other ATSF passenger trains. Amtrak is currently painting their Superliner Cars into the new Phase 7 livery. Amtrak plans to replace the Superliners with newer passenger cars in the next few years. With Superliners, we would need a Transition Sleeper, Sleeper, Coach, Diner, and Lounge. Of course, we need a baggage car for the Superliner Trains too. We need full interiors in the Superliners (with passengers, of course). -Amtrak Midwest and Cascades Siemens Venture Coaches and Cab Cars: Amtrak runs new Siemens Venture coaches with their SC44 Chargers on the Midwest lines. They also have Ventures coming this year to the Cascades Line to replace older Horizon and Talgo Cars. Amtrak Midwest Ventures come in single and paired cars. Of course, we need full interiors with passengers in these cars too. -Commuter Coaches/Cab Cars: We need Metra Commuter Coaches and Cab Cars for the BNSF Racetrack and Seattle Sounder Commuter Coaches and Cab Cars for the Seattle-area route. The cars need full interiors (again, with passengers), and the cab cars need control rooms and correct horns and bells.
Next up on my US route wishlist: Union Pacific (UP). -UP Routes: 1.) UP Tehachapi Pass: Mojave-Bakersfield, CA: Of course, I already suggested this route above, but we still need it in game. 2.) UP Kearney Subdivision: North Platte/Bailey Yard-Grand Island, NE: This route includes the largest freight yard in the world: UP's Bailey Yard in North Platte, NE. The colossal yard is 8 miles long and 2 miles wide! The entire route is 140 miles long. Since it is a midwestern route on the Great Plains, this route might be possible in game. We definitely need the Bailey Yard to be included. 3.) UP Donner Pass/Roseville Subdivision: Roseville, CA-Reno, NV: The ex-Central Pacific/Southern Pacific crossing of the Sierra Nevada Mountains includes steep grades and many tunnels. This route is 140 miles of mountain railroading with heavy trains and unpredictable weather conditions. The line also features a large yard in Roseville, CA for plenty of operations. It's a pity that we can't get this route set in the days when SP ran their big cab forward steam locos. That would be awesome! Also, I would love to see the route extended to Sparks, NV. 4.) UP Evanston Subdivision: Ogden, UT-Green River, WY: Another part of UP's Overland Route. This is the westernmost section (before the SP/UP merger in the mid 1990s.) This route is too long for TSW, but maybe we could get it made in two or three sections. The line features some nice scenery in the mountains of northeast Utah and Western Wyoming. The line also features faster speeds and lots of long freight trains. 5.) UP/BNSF Powder River Basin Coal Route: This is a route I've seen suggested in the TSW forums before. Wyoming's Powder River Basin is a massive coal deposit in western Wyoming. UP and BNSF (formerly UP, C&NW, and BN) handled massive mile-long + coal drags from Wyoming towards power stations in the east and west. -UP Locos: -Progress Rail/EMD SD70ACe-T4: -EMD 12-1010J Prime Mover -4600HP -Tier 4 Compliant -For heavy freight services -EMD SD70M (including multiple radiator and cab versions; also UP 250th, ONE Unit, and #1616 Abraham Lincoln units too): -Ubiquitous UP power (over 1000 units) -EMD 16-710 Prime Mover -4000HP -For heavy freights and some locals -EMD SD59MX: -28 rebuilt SD60Ms -EMD 12-710 Prime Mover -For heavy freights and some locals -EMD SD60/SD60M: -EMD 16-710 Prime Mover -3800HP -For some locals and heavy freights -GE/Wabtec C45ACCTE (ES44AC): -GE GEVO-12 Prime Mover -4400HP -For heavy freights -GE/Wabtec C45AH (ET44AC); also include UP US 250th loco: -GE GEVO-12 -4400HP -Tier 4 GEVO -For heavy freights -GE C60AC/C4460AC/C44ACM Rebuild: -C60AC: 7HDL-16 Prime Mover; C4460AC/C44ACM: 7FDL-16 Prime Mover -C60AC: 6000HP; C4460AC/C44ACM: 4400HP -For heavy freights -EMD GP60/GP62/GP60E: -EMD 16-710 Prime Mover -3800HP -For locals/yard duties -GP62/GP60E units are rebuilds -EMD GP40-2/GP40N: -EMD 16-645 Prime Mover -3000HP -For locals/yard duties -GP40N units are rebuilds -UP Heritage Fleet 2: -Big Boy #4014 -Challenger #3985 -FEF-3 #844 -DDA40X #6936 -Rebuilt E9 A-B-A -Other UP Special Units: -SD70AH #1111 "Powered By Our People" -SD70ACe #1943 "Spirit Of The UP" -Also: UP New Corporate Livery locos -UP Rolling Stock: -UP Rocket Booster Train: UP runs rocket booster sections on heavy-duty flatcars between a facility near Ogden, UT towards Florida. NS handles the train on the final leg of the trip to Florida. The train has 50' boxcars that are used for weight distribution. The first car in the train is a boxcar with special clearance devices to help with safety in tunnels. The final car on the train is a sleeper car used to house crews on the journey. The sleeper car should be included and have a full interior. -UP Snow-Clearing Equipment: Donner Pass sees lots of snow in the winter. To clear the line, UP uses rotary snowplows for the worst snowdrifts and flangers and spreaders or construction equipment for less-severe snowdrifts. The on-rail snow-clearing equipment was formerly owned by the Southern Pacific RR. We should get all of these special cars with full interiors, functional controls, and they need to be fully operational so we could actually simulate snow-clearing operations on Donner Pass. As for locos, SP used GP38-2s with window covers to protect the windows from flying debris. -UP Heritage Fleet Passenger Cars: The UP Heritage Fleet of passenger cars for their business trains is needed in game to go with the UP Heritage Fleet locos that I mentioned above. The cars should feature full interiors, especially the dome cars.
Let's discuss CSX next. We could get a remastered CSX Heavy Haul route, but I want to suggest some other routes, along with locos and rolling stock. Let's get started. -CSX Routes: 1.) CSX Harper's Ferry, West Virginia Route: CSX's ex-B&O line runs along the Potomac River through some very scenic areas. At Harper's Ferry, the line crosses over the river and then through a tunnel. This line also includes Point Of Rocks near Harper's Ferry. 2.) CSX Richmond-Area Triple Crossing: At Richmond, VA, the CSX and NS cross over and under each other. This well-known landmark was the location of the intersections of the C&O (later Chessie, now CSX), Southern RR (now NS), and Seaboard Air Line RR (later Seaboard Coast Line, Seaboard System/Family Lines, and now CSX). As the line now includes NS as well, we could get both NS and CSX power. Many staged paintings and photos have been done of the Triple Crossing, but no actual shots of three trains crossing over/under each other. One cool scenario for this route would be a staging of three trains at the Triple Crossing. 3. CSX Miami-West Palm Beach, Florida: CSX shares this line in sunny Florida with Amtrak trains and Sunrail Commuter Trains. The route should include all three railroads. -CSX Locos: -CSX ET44AH: -GE GEVO-12 Prime Mover -Tier 4 Compliant -4400HP -CSX ES44AH: -GE GEVO-12 Prime Mover -4400HP -Include CSX Heritage Fleet -CSX C44-8W/C40-9W: -GE 7FDL-16 Prime Mover -4400HP (now 4000HP) -C44-8Ws are early Dash-9s with Dash-8 bodies -They have since been downrated to 4000HP and are designated C40-9Ws -CSX CW60AC/CW46AH: -GE 7HDL-16 Prime Mover (CW60AC); GE GEVO-16 (CW46AH) -6000HP (CW60AC); 5800HP/4600HP (CW46AH) -No longer on roster, but should be added -CSX EMD SD70MAC/SD70AC Rebuilds: -EMD 710G Prime Mover -4000HP -Include CSX Operation Lifesaver and ONE CSX Units -CSX Progress Rail/EMD ST70AH (SD70ACe-T4): -EMD 12-1010J Prime Mover -4600HP -No longer on roster but should be added -CSX EMD SD40-2 Rebuilds: -SD40E3: 12-710G Prime Mover; Tier 3 Compliant; flared radiators and new "Spongebob Cab" design -SD23T4/ET23DCM: GE 6-Cylinder Prime Mover; Tier 4 Compliant; huge flared radiators and new "Spongebob Cab" design -SD40-3: Rebuilt EMD 16-645E Turbocharged Prime Mover; 3000HP; new "Spongebob Cab" design -CSX EMD GP40-2 and/or GP40-3 Rebuild: -EMD 16-645E Turbocharged Prime Mover -3000HP -Dash-3 units have new "Spongebob Cabs" -CSX EMD GP38-3 Rebuild: -EMD 16-645E Non-Turbo Prime Mover -2000HP -New "Spongebob Cabs" -CSX NRE 3GS-21B Genset Switcher: -3X Cummins QSK19 Prime Movers -2100HP (700HP per engine) -Eco-friendly switcher locomotives -CSX MP15AC/MP15DC/MP15T: -EMD 12-645E Non-Turbo Prime Mover (MP15DC/AC); EMD 8-645E Turbocharged Prime Mover (MP15T) -1500HP -DC units w/ Generators; AC units w/ Alternators; T units have turbochargers and smaller 8-cylinder engines -CSX EMD F40PH-2s: -Rebuilt ex-Amtrak units for CSX's OCS Train -EMD 16-645E Turbocharged Prime Mover -3000HP-3200HP -Include B&O Heritage Unit -Passenger Locos: -Sunrail MP32PH-Q: -Rebuilt GP40WH-2 locos -3200HP -EMD 16-645 Turbocharged Prime Mover -Include US 250th Livery Loco -Passenger Rolling Stock: -Sunrail Bombardier Commuter Coaches/Cab Cars: -Bi-level cars -Cab Cars w/ correct horns and bells -Interiors on cars; also cab car interior -Amtrak Horizon Cars: -Include interiors -CSX OCS Cars: -Full train -Include interiors
Unless they’ve got something up their sleeves for TSW7, DTG seem to have cried off any further US heavy freight projects. The only other contender is HIS but they are still working on their Hayden branch project and whether they have the resources to tackle a major main line is unknown. Skyhook have thrown in the towel on route building which includes USA AFAIK,
Really hope this isn't the case. The only real contender for US Freight games that actually work is Run8 (TS Classic is barely holding onto life). And TSW has marginally better graphics than Run8. Hopefully someone can convince Dovetail of a third party developer to get back into US Freight because there absolutely is a market for it. I still believe that having these countries coming into the game, like Czechia and the Netherlands, was a welcome addition, but saying "Train Simulator World" without actively supporting and developing the US Freight scene seems kind of counterproductive. Hopefully, one day, Dovetail or someone else gets back into building US freight routes that have a large traffic density to draw in a larger audience to US freight in general. But for now, we will just have to wait and see.
Apart from the access and licensing issues (which don’t seem to bother Run 8), I do wonder if DTG at some point realised they can’t really compete with Run 8 as regards the representation of US freight. Just so much more you can do as opposed to the largely A to B runs on TSW standalone route sections. That’s not to say R8 is without issues… Graphically ancient and their arcane e-commerce system, plus very expensive and they never have a sale on older items.
I do wish that Dovetail would give US freight another go because I'm not saying it didn't have its problems, but it never really felt like they went all in with a US freight route outside of the CSX Heavy Haul, and that came out in 2017. If they were to make a modern US freight route with proper TSW 6 graphics and features, I do really think it could sell well and reach a pretty broad audience. Especially if they were to do a route that has both freight and passenger on it, I think there would be a pretty big market for something like that.
I also still feel there’s huge scope for another historical route similar to Clinchfield. The Moffat Road in the early 80’s before the SP takeover of D&RGW. Slogging along with those mighty coal trains, Amtrak once a day in each direction plus the Winter Park Ski Train. Or as mentioned a few times, Milwaukee Road with the Little Joe electrics. While not USA, there must be scope to do something in Canada. Almost criminal we haven’t got Kicking Horse Pass or a section of the CP through the mountains. Set it back when the Canadian still ran via Revelstoke and we could have old F units on the VIA Rail long distance stock. All the above subject to licencing of course, but it’s time we heard some “can do” solutions, not problems, from DTG on this.
100% agree. I think we are due for a new third-party developer to start working on American DLCs again. While I can appreciate the British and German routes, they are getting a bit stale, and the truly unique routes like Liberec - Stara Paka and Spoorljin: Zwolle - Groningen are a breath of fresh air. I particularly enjoyed the Clinchfield route when it came out, solely for the purpose of it being an American freight route set in the past. That era of the 1970s, when diesels were getting more and more powerful and railroading in the US was on a sharp decline, really deserves more representation in TSW. Something like Pipestone Pass would honestly probably be the best American route they have ever released. I do still think they should focus on modern operations for the time being, and we definitely deserve a proper US freight route with real effort put in, like the NEC route they recently released. Although it has its flaws, it is definitely one of the better pieces of US DLC that has been released in recent times, and freight deserves to see the same love.
I agree with all your thoughts. I'm a freight train guy. I actually like freight scenarios better than passenger. Now, for my next suggestion for US Class 1 routes: Norfolk Southern. As a western US resident (I'm from Las Vegas, NV), I am more familiar with California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada routes. I may need a few ideas for NS routes. -NS Routes: 1.) NS S-Line: The Norfolk Southern S Line includes some great mountain scenery, steep grades, lots of heavy freight trains, and some cool locations, including the recently rebuilt and now operational Old Fort Loops (which should be included on the route). 2.) NS Saluda Grade: While it is no longer operating, the NS ex-Southern RR Saluda Grade was one of the steepest lines in the US at over 4%! This route should be set in the 1980s-90s with older NS power handling really heavy freights over the line. Any other NS route ideas? Let me know. Now for the locomotives and rolling stock. -NS Locos: -EMD/NS SD40-2 Admiral Cab Rebuild: -EMD 16-645E w/ upgraded systems -New cab designed by a former US Navy Admiral and based on a warship bridge (hence the name Admiral Cab) -3000HP -Wabtec/GE ET44AC: -GE GEVO-12 -Tier 4 Compliant -4400HP -Wabtec/NS AC44C6M: -Rebuilt NS C40-9s, C40-9Ws, and C44-9Ws -Upgraded GE 7FDL-16 -Electrical upgrades and AC Traction Motors -4400HP -Include special-liveried units (Sonic Bonnet, Black Bonnet, Red Bonnet, TAG Heritage Unit, and Honoring RRs Unit) -EMD GP60 and GP59 (also GP33ECO, GP59ECO, and GP59E rebuild units): -GP60: EMD 16-710G; GP59: EMD 12-710G -GP33ECO, GP59ECO, and GP59E rebuilds: upgraded EMD 12-710G -GP60: 3800HP; GP59/rebuilds: 3000HP -Include special-liveries (Southern RR Heritage; ECO livery, Operation Lifesaver Livery) -Older NS GE Dash-9s: -Before rebuilding to AC44C6Ms -GE 7FDL-16 -C40-9/C40-9W: 4000HP; C44-9W: 4400HP -NS GE C39-8: -GE FDL-16 -3900HP -Ex-Conrail Units -EMD SD80MAC: -EMD 20-710G -5000HP -Ex-Conrail Units -GE ES40DC and ES44DC -GE GEVO-12 -ES40DC: 4000HP; ES44DC: 4400HP -EMD SD70ACe/SD70IAC: -EMD 16-710G3B -4300HP-4500HP -SD70IAC w/ Individual Axle Control (1 inverter per axle instead of 1 per truck on older EMD SD70 AC-Traction units) -Include new Landmark NS units and SD70ACe Heritage Fleet (including D&H Unit) -EMD/NS SD70ACU: -EMD 16-710G -4300HP -Rebuilt ex-UP SD90-43MACs -EMD SD50/SD40E Rebuilds: -Downrated EMD 16-645F -3000HP on rebuilt units -Common power for helper services on Horseshoe Curve -NS Rolling Stock: -Roadrailer Train: A unique train made up of just truck trailers on rail bogies. The lack of flatcars makes these trains light weight. The Roadrailers are no longer in service in real life, but should be added.
Thing is though, Heavy Haul had the longest dev time of any route for TSW, especially with other US routes. So it stands out above the rest in terms of quality, but I just dont think its economical for DTG to try that again with another US route, its easier for them to focus on their better commuter partnerships than try and make something the community has in the past considered boring. Its just not viable from DTG themselves. (And HIS isnt really up to snuff to do it justice either)
We need the OCS/Business Trains for BNSF and NS. The new-liveried NS SD70IACs and ES44ACs should be included. For BNSF, an ET44C4 or C44-9W should be included.
