The next new route they should make for Train Simulator 2020 is the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, from Tiburon to Eureka, set in the 1970s. This route in this era predominantly features lumber trains powered by Southern Pacific SD-9's, as NWP was a subsidiary of SP. Tiburon is a historic sight for Marin County railroads, as in its hayday it was a large railyard and ferry terminal. Today, Tiburon is a rich community filled with multi-million-dollar houses and bike paths paved over the old rails. Hardly any remnants of railroad activity in Tiburon are still visible. After you depart from Tiburon heading north, you will go over the historic Larkspur trestle, which was featured in the movie "Dirty Harry". The line between San Rafael and Tiburon (along with many other lines in inner Marin) was also used for NWP's electric interurban service that serviced Marin and closed down in 1941. Since the railroad's downfall, Larkspur has also been gentrified and developed over. Marin County has changed a lot since it had trains. However, the tracks have been rebuilt and reactivated from Mark West to Larkspur for new commuter rail service. After Larkspur comes San Rafael, where you will pass the historic depot in the downtown area. The Marin and Sonoma County portion of the line (the southern end) is primarily countryside, with rolling yellow hills, eucalyptus groves, and vineyards everywhere. As you go further north and cross over from Sonoma County to Mendocino County, the smooth countryside gradually turns to mountains as the hills to the east and west close in on the railroad/highway corridor. Between Ukiah and Willits is a very scenic mountain pass that features hairpin turns, cliffside tracks, and very scenic views. North of Willits, you will pass through dense redwood forests and eventually enter the infamous Eel River Canyon. The Eel River Canyon was the most high-maintenance, expensive rail line in the United States, as the earth underneath the rail is so geologically active in that area. Mudslides, floods (such as the Christmas Flood of 1964), and earthquakes constantly plagued the Eel River Canyon and frequently made the tracks unusable and in need of repair. Island Mountain is the most isolated location in the Canyon. It was the farthest point from any road and the hardest to reach by road vehicle. The only two ways to get to Island Mountain were by rail and by the river. In 1978, the tunnel at Island Mountain caught fire and collapsed, putting a long hiatus on that section of the railroad, which was essential to the lumber industry. Lumber companies started shipping by truck, making NWP lose revenue and thus making it even more difficult to repair the tunnel. After you pass Alderpoint, you begin your descent out of the canyon towards coastal plain of the Humboldt Bay region, where it is always foggy and blackberry bushes are everywhere. When you pass through Eureka (the main city of the northern end), you will pass a historic locomotive yard where abandoned locomotives could still be seen up until a few years ago, and you will run down the street. The northernmost point on the railroad is just south of Arcata, where you will pass a junction where the Arcata & Mad River RR went north towards McKinleyville, and the NWP went west. West of the junction at Arcata is the foggy coastal marshland on the other side of the Humboldt Bay, and the very end of the line is at Samoa, just west of Eureka. The reason I think the NWP from Tiburon to Eureka would be a perfect route for TS2020 is because of the amazing scenery, the diversity in scenery from south to north, and the rich history behind the railroad most of which is now abandoned. This railroad also has a branch line that goes from Novato out east toward American Canyon, through Napa County wine country. The little community of Schellville (near Sonoma) is where the modern NWP stores their locomotives.
I agree with this suggestion completely, Would love to see more Southern Pacific content in game. For one of Americas biggest railroads there is a grand total of one route dedicated to them with Donner, and one route shared with others on Cajon even though they don't have any scenarios for them. Seeing as these are both old routes I would love to see more love for them with all their interesting and famous content.
The SD9 Cadillac is an engine I've requested or mentioned a few times. A GP35, GP7/GP9, SW1500, or SD40 could be included as well.
We've had an SD9 for years from DTG, was made for the DRG&W Soldier Summit route as standalone DLC...
