I have a sort of theory here. If you look at the list of trains from the pres coll that are coming to the livery editor, you will notice that they are ones that are coming as a new DLC. Well except the MP36. My theory is that the next US route to go into the "In Planning" section have the MP36. Speculate away!
You know you're talking about the MP36PH-3C right. Well let's see which owners have them then, shall we: -Caltrain (Already done that) -FrontRunner (From Utah) -MARC -MBTA (Acquired 2 from FrontRunner) -Metra -Metrolink -New Mexico Rail Runner -Northstar Line (From Minnesota) -Virginia Railway Express -& West Coast Express (From Vancouver, BC a.k.a Canada) Many of these are Commuter Operators. And I highly doubt Dovetail is gonna touch any of them (unless asked) for license reasons (Unless unbranded, but we know that ain't gonna happen in TSW either).
It could be a TSW2 version of the NEC DC-Baltimore route (with unbranded MARC trains with the MP36). The MBTA is a good guess since they did express interest in working with DTG for a route. I would say the section with Pan Am Railways operations, but there is the licensing issue. Maybe now that CSX has bought Pan Am Railways that has changed, and they will do a MBTA section with CSX freight traffic.
GO Transit has a variant of them, route wise it would make the most sense considering that it could work on the existing Oakville Sub. To me it doesn't sound like you'd need to do a lot of work to change the Caltrain MP36 into a MP40, you'd just need to make it a bit more powerful. Likewise they seem to use similar rolling stock, only the cab cars seem to differ noticeably, on the whole sounds like it would be a fairly light project.
So, since the TSW2020 NEC wasn't preserved, they've got to at least have an idea they are going to do another NEC route. What if that is what's coming, NEC Boston-Providence with MBTA commuter trains??
I feel like NEC with Acela could be on the table since they seem to really be pushing the high speed trains, perhaps aiming for a 2021/2 high speed bundle with HMA, LGV, SEHS, and/or NEC. Though I know Acela is only high speed in theory (Gottta love how bad US rail infrastructure is). I personally want more American passenger and commuter rail regardless of where it is. There is literally only one route in TSW2 where you can come flying in hot into a passenger platform, bell ringing (LIRR EMUs don't have bells, and imo that route was not good and is showing its age). I know we have Clinchfield coming, but that's a rural heritage route, and I would like to see something modern and urban. As a Chicagoan, I have a personal wish for a Metra route, but I know they already failed once to get a license for Metra, which is a shame as the BNSF line route they did in TS20xx was pretty good and had amazing sounds for a Dovetail DLC. If they ever did get a Metra license, it would actually be pretty easy to model as Metra uses MP36s and F40PHs similar to Caltrain, as well as the Nippon-Sharyo Gallery cars in almost the same setup as Caltrain (Metra even just began a bike car trial). They'd just need to change the seat setup, in cab signaling, some sounds (horn, bell, and Metra passenger cars have a male "Caution: the doors are about to close" rather than female, and the chime only sounds once), and add the iconic Mars lights.
As a NYer, I gave LIRR DLC a chance and it was okay but disappointed especially lack of timetable services and many more issues.....now Metra on the other hand, I wouldve like to see as well, but as stated liscense issues
MBta commuter rail expressed interest on there Twitter page so I wouldn’t be surprised if they did the northeast corridor Boston to providence route for TSW 2.
I think Dovetail should balance out what US route they do in the future between freight and passenger, as well as modern and retro routes. That route wasn't done by Dovetail, it was a 3rd party route. Barnz is listed in the game folders, while Chicago & Southwest Productions are listed on the steam page. Dovetail hasn't done a BNSF related DLC since about 2014.
Of all of these, the New Mexico Rail Runner could of been a good option, as they for some reason appear licensed in American Truck Simulator of all places. Only issue is they use a good amount of BNSF trackage.
Looks awesome. Desperate for some street running like Le Grange. Loved the old Portland Terminal route in TS. Nothing like crawling through the traffic honking horns and banging bells..
