Nec North: Boston - Providence And Then Some

They're gone. Amtrak, SEPTA and MARC have all retired their AEM-7s.

 

2018 SEPTA Amtrak and Marc 2016-2017. What Boston-Providence needs is a retro pack of AEM-7s in Phase III-V paint. Here's a video by David Lung of Amtrak Regional 131

 

Or MARC if Skyhook does Baltimore to Washington, with the E60s added for a real 90s feel. And Conrail comes into play for freight services from Bayview Yard in Baltimore to Benning Yard in DC, with the Pope's Creek Branch in Bowie for coal runs.

 

Unfortunately Conrail is out until DTG can secure a license with the CSAO.

 

Would not be the first route to get a retro locomotive.

 

Figured CSX or NS would have the Conrail license.

 

Apparently not, as based on this on their website.

 

Good point and for more retro fun why not send Clinchfield RR Locomotives on CSX 1990s NEC Baltimore to DC freight duties. Remember the Seaboard coastline andChessie system merger only happened in 86 while the route is set in the 1990s. if you want the 1999-2005 Northeast Corridor Providence to Boston you would have gotten an interesting mix of electric and Diesel locomotives some of them having Acela Regional paint along with phase III-V paint on Locomotives. Heads up the New Haven to Boston electrification was completed on December 18th 1999 with some sections being single track electric locomotive operation. Source for it Is a Federal Railroad Administration document dating back December 14th 1999

 

Unfortunately Conrail still exists in much diminshed form as a switching and terminal railway serving both CSX and NS in a few locations. Philly, New Jersey and Michigan per their website.

 

In the spirit of this, feel Clinchfield would benefit from a 90s pack. Would be an interesting way to get us more CSX locomotives in the game. AC6000CW anyone? Would also give the route more variety of freight.

 

I wonder if CSX does have Freight operations in the Boston Providence region. If they do then those can be layered here

 

The other route that runs from DC to Baltimore would work as well. And Skyhook Games could work on that one. CSX's Capitol Subdivision or MARC's Camden Line. MARC services would go from Camden Station to DC. Certain freight services would come from Curtis Bay, Bayview, Locust Point, Mt Clare, Penn Mary, Sparrows Point, Canton etc. And if the Metropolitan Sub aka MARC's Brunswick Line and the Old Main Line are included, that would be amazing. Especially if it's set in the 1990s, with the CSX F units leased to MARC.

 

Oh, definitely. It's a mix of four and six axle power.

 

Ok then so it's Sand Patch Grade giving Boston Providence route CSX freight layers.