Sherman Hill Loco Additions [modern]

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by Challenger3985, Oct 15, 2021.

?
  1. SD70M

    38 vote(s)
    55.1%
  2. GEVO (ES44AC)

    28 vote(s)
    40.6%
  3. SD60/SD60M

    19 vote(s)
    27.5%
  4. GP60

    11 vote(s)
    15.9%
  5. GP40-2 (remastered)

    5 vote(s)
    7.2%
  6. SD9043MAC

    8 vote(s)
    11.6%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Much like what I did for Clinchfield, now I'm gonna do the same for Sherman Hill. While this route may have an opportunity of being backdated (in terms of locos and rolling stock from that era), but I'm gonna be focusing on the modern days of this line (the full 2010s range). So that way in the future, both the ACe and the SD40 (especially the SD40) will have more company to operate on (as the AC44 from Cane Creek ain't subbing in for now). Let's get started, shall we?

    SD70M
    UP4884northplatte16sep12.jpg
    Built: 2000-2004 (too many batches to count), 1995 (Ex-SP Units)
    Units: 1000 (no joke), 25 (Ex-SP)
    To start, the SD70Ms are the most common and one of the largest fleets of units UP ever has. Unlike the ACe, the SD70M is DC tractioned, which makes an opportunity for mainline runs to be a little more challenging. And if there was a version of it to be made (which again, there's a lot of them), it would have to fall under the 4000-4074 range (if you have another number range to see also, let me know).

    ES44AC
    showimage.jpg
    Built: 2003-2012 (17 batches)
    Units: 1231 (yep, that many too)
    As the most requested modern loco for a US route. Which can be operated the same way as the ACe and the SD70M on mainline freight.
    [Note: I'm only putting this in since many wanted a GEVO no matter which Class I/Regional Railroad it operates from.]

    SD60/SD60M
    UP_2203_SD60.jpg SD60M-6149-1.jpg
    Built: 1986, 1988 (SD60), 1989-1992 (SD60M)
    Units: 85 (2 batches of SD60), 281 (8 batches of SD60M)
    And lastly for mainline runs, is either the SD60 (the original) or the SD60M (nicknamed the 'Cyclops'). Now of course there is a difference between the two, as the SD60M has the NA Safety Cab with a center window (hence the nickname). And while, yes, the SD60Ms have been in storage lately, but again, I am listing the full modern roster from the 2010s range. Plus, the SD60s are still alive and kicking as well, which is perfect to see the one or the other in this case.

    So that's the Mainline section for Sherman Hill. And while there are some opportunities for locals and switching on this route (especially in the yards). But so far, it's been SD40s that operate these kinds of services on this route (which is why I made a Road-Switcher section too).

    But for now, that's my idea for future locos on Sherman Hill. And again, correct me if I'm wrong in some spots if I missed them. But hopefully, you have a good read, and don't hesitate to comment on here as well.

    [Update-1: Added a poll for the first loco add-on to see, 2 choices maxed per vote]
    [Update-2: Added the SD90s to the poll, both SD90MAC & SD9043MAC on the same choice)
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2021
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  2. cmadonna1998

    cmadonna1998 Active Member

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    I do hope they develop at least 1 more mainline locomotive for this route and Skyhook does for the Horseshoe Curve as well. I am really looking forward to the upcoming American freight routes, but I do think they will need some variety to keep them interesting.
     
  3. Krazy

    Krazy Well-Known Member

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    An SD70M would be the perfect addition for this route. Sherman Hill is basically the Union Pacific route from Train Simulator, so perhaps it would be the best route to add the Union Pacific locomotive. It’s just a very nice locomotive in general.
     
  4. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Sooo, after looking up for what kind of locos that would do local and switching services for Sherman Hill, realistically, all I found was...
    Lots of SD40s running on these services.
    I guess I see why Dovetail picked them in the first place then.
    But, that doesn't mean I'll throw in some ideas of road-switchers, that are still active, for this route (accurate or not). As well as for other routes too, subbed in, or otherwise.

    GP60 (Ex-SP/SSW)
    IMG_1371A.jpg
    Built: 1987-1994 (3 batches from SP/3 batches from SSW)
    Units: 100 (from SP), 95 (from SSW)
    Starting off with the most powerful Geep in the roster. While UP didn't acquire the GP60s from EMD at the time, these units were originally from SP & SSW before being merged in 1996. Now why a GP60, well it's basically a 4-axle version of the SD60, which means a good opportunity to operate on any local runs, like Cane Creek. And as an ex-SP unit, it would fit very well on the Peninsula Corridor too (since the line was operated by SP before Caltrain).

    GP40-2 (Ex-DRGW/SP/SSW/WP)
    UP 1358 -1A at Council Bluffs IA 4-16-08  1024N.jpg
    Built:

    -1973-74, 1983 (5 batches from DRGW)
    -1978-1980 (4 batches from SP)
    -1979-1984 (2 batches from SSW)
    -1979-1980 (2 batches from WP)
    Units:
    -37 (Ex-DRGW)
    -68 (Ex-SP)
    -56 (Ex-SSW)
    -15 (Ex-WP)
    Yep, I'm putting in the ring for the return of the GP40-2 (many have done this already, so why not).
    If Dovetail rebuilds the GP40 (like they did with the ACS-64), then this would be an opportunity to be having it under a UP livery for this route, or any others so far. Now much like the GP60s above, UP obtained these units when merged with SP also (which includes DRGW and SSW), plus the WP version since 1982. But for my pick on which one to represent, it would have to be the Rio Grande model, which would fit well for Cane Creek as an ex-DRGW line (two for two I would say).

    And, that's it. I know it looks like a shortlist of road-switchers for Sherman Hill (plus other routes), but there aren't that many other 4-axles locos running around on UPs mainline these days. And besides the GP38, I do hope to see at least another road-switcher, that's not been done before, to be seen for TSW2.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021
  5. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    My ideas: ET44AC (C45AH on UP), AC4400CW, C44-9W, SW10, SD90-43MAC/SD90MAC, AC6000CW, and can't forget the DDA40X #6936. The rebuilt E9s would be awesome too.
     
  6. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Thought I bring this back from the dead (not literally, don't lock it up please). And thought, why not build a poll in here as well, just to see which first loco add-on you would like to see for this route (and other UP routes, if possible, in the future).
    [It ain't much, but I thought it would be fun to do. Before seeing what the route would be like in TSW2.]
    [2 choices max per Vote]
     
  7. solicitr

    solicitr Well-Known Member

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    The DDA40Xs would be wholly anachronistic, since this isn't going to be a vintage route. Nor will DTG build a whole new loco with a unique Simugraph/physics model just for a railtour. Same goes for the GTELs.
     
  8. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    GEVO because if made the same locomotive for Sherman Hill gets a reskin for CSX Sand Patch CN Oakville & Norfolk Southern Horsehoe Curve because all US/Canada freight railroads order the same locomotive. High Horsepower Diesel Locomotive then the AC6000CW
     
  9. grdaniel48

    grdaniel48 Well-Known Member

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    In my case, I would like to have these model, in this order of priority (from top to bottom):

    1 - SD70M
    2 - ET44AC (GE GEVO) (Both UP and CSX have them)
    3 - SD70ACE-T4 (Both UP and CSX have them)
    4 - ES44AC (This model will appear on TSW2 on the coming Horseshoe curve route!. Not clear if the loco will be done by DTG or Skyhook)
     
  10. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    You forgot Norfolk Southern having ET44AC 3600-3680 perfect for Horseshoe curve route. The base model is the Union Pacific Version with the CSX & Norfolk being reskins from it
     
  11. grdaniel48

    grdaniel48 Well-Known Member

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    Driverwoods
    Thanks for your reply.

    But this thread is about Sherman Hill.
    So for that reason not mentioned the NS model you refers to.
    I just indicate as ES44AC will be developed for NS, then will be easier to have in the future this model available for Sherman Hill too.
    The other requested locomotives are not available yet or not even appears on the Roadmap.

    A doubt / request I made on other thread is about UP AC44CW?
    Which is already available on Cane Creek, but we do not know if it will appear on new (prefer this!) - or existing - timetables on Sherman Hill, if you purchased both routes?
    Which I think would be great!
     
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  12. NSMotherSlug#881

    NSMotherSlug#881 Active Member

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    Only locomotive I want to see more than anything is the UP DDA40X R (20).jpg
     
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  13. grdaniel48

    grdaniel48 Well-Known Member

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    As to SD70M..., I prefer the model with "flared" radiators,if possible.
    SD70M FLARED.jpg
     
  14. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Ok then and for AC4400CW it's likely to be layered from Cane Creek GP-38 UP San Francisco-San Jose
     
  15. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    With the first article look (and on Steam) of Sherman Hill, and I see from the poll is the SD70M as the top loco of interest (not surprising, honestly). May not mean much on the long run, but still, very interesting.
     
  16. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    I feel like the main reason is unlike the Dash 8 vs the AC4400 with Sand Patch Grade, is there is at least good external visual difference between a SD70M and a SD70ACe (Even though both the SD70M and the C40-8W are DC traction and 4000HP while the AC4400CW and SD70ACe are AC traction with 4400HP).

    Also even though UP has mostly retired, sold or parked them now, I'll throw in the SD90/43MAC.

    EMD SD90/43MAC (8000-8308 renumbered to 3470-3775)
    unnamed.jpg

    (Note to be confused with the SD90MAC-H's) These were originally supposed to be shipped with 6000HP prime movers, but EMD had issues with them, so they were sent out with only 4300HP with the option to upgrade to the 6000HP engine when the issues were resolved (None ever were). UP had a little over 300 of them. However, some have been sold to either Norfolk Southern or Canadian Pacific for their SD70ACU rebuilds. Though I do know at least 3 of them are in a UP deadline in Tracy, CA. With other most likely still around the system mothballed.
    UP_8027_EMD_SD9043AC.jpg
    DSC_0010a UP 3481.jpg
    996-108377v1_20200218.jpg
     
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  17. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    Also, some clarification on the SD70M numbers and variants..

    UP #4000-4709 (Skipping 4635-39) are all flat radiator units. UP 4014 was renumbered to 4479 for obvious reasons. UP 1979 "We are ONE"(4332) , 2001 (4690), and 2002 (4691) Olympic Units are also flat radiator units.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    UP #3974-3999 are Ex-SP SD70M's (Built in 1994, 6 years before UP 4000) Flat Radiator (All have been repainted)
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    UP #4635-4639, #4710-4999, #3779-3927 are all Tier I Flared Radiator SD70M's
    [​IMG]

    UP #3928-3973 (Skipping 3985), #5000-5231 are Four Quadrant Flared radiator units.
    [​IMG]

    UP #4837-4849, 3971-3973, and 5127-5231 are "Notched Nose" FIRE Screen units.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    CREDIT: Utah Rails
    https://utahrails.net/articles/up-sd70m.php
     
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  18. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    No doubt it's the nose that would make the difference (Compare to how many people got confused from both the Dash 8 and the AC44, model wise). And as for the SD9043MAC, while I do try to make this as modern as possible. But since I'm doing the 2010s range of UP originals (then again, I added former roads on the Geeps as UP didn't have them originally), they do count into the roster.
    [SD90's added to the poll]
     
  19. grdaniel48

    grdaniel48 Well-Known Member

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    Blanknred81

    I do like the SD90MAC locomotive.
    But this locomotive I believe does not exist on UP any more. I mean running ones.
    In the case of the other company who bought them - Canadian Pacific - they have rebuilt them, but with the regular engine not the 6000 HP ones.
    Furthermore I have notice on videos some units used by Norfolk Southern - mainly as helpers on Horseshoe Curve - that it seems they bought most probably from UP, as they did not have purchased them brand new.

    So this will be a locomotive not being using nowadays on this route.
    But despite of that could be great to have it as new DLC in the future, including also the DD40X as well.
     
  20. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    I believe UPs last use of them was around 2015, which I think they were going thru a power shortage at the time. (Such a shortage, they even repainted a few standard cab C40-8s) So a route set post 2010 would still be viable for these locomotives.




    Also these are not to be confused with the 6000hp SD90MAC-Hs, which didn't last very long on UPs roster (Retired around 08-09)
     
  21. grdaniel48

    grdaniel48 Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that engine had problems. I believe the Hs where sold to CP, but not sure about it.
    The "top power war" between GE and GM - EMD, at that time, about who makes the most powerful engine, took both companies to the 6000 hp models, including the GE AC6000W. This war ended bad for both models as both engines suffered reliability problems.
    Even the previous war for the 5000 hp, it had similar consequences.
     
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  22. Mich

    Mich Well-Known Member

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    From what I've read they're still around, just in limited numbers. And looking up RailPictures I found this picture that's from June of this year of a SD9043MAC on a coal train. So yeah, there's no reason that the SD90 would be out of place on Sherman Hill in TSW.

    With that said I feel like the SD70M will be the go to as far as modern rolling stock goes, way more common, and honestly I think the SD90 family is little known outside of hardcore train buffs at this point. Also the SD70M's a very important type on UP as they ordered a ridiculous number of them. they're almost as numerous as the GEVO's are, which is saying something.
     
  23. grdaniel48

    grdaniel48 Well-Known Member

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    If I' m not wrong, I believe they ordered 1000 units!
    The largest one of US locomotives ever
     
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  24. metro north railfan 224

    metro north railfan 224 Active Member

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    Yeah. It seems like the idea of such high horsepower locomotives went downhill or should I say down (sherman) hill. Get it?
     
  25. Mich

    Mich Well-Known Member

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    Somewhat unrelated to this discussion, but I found this real good audio recording of a H-engine that was uploaded earlier this year, thought people here would find it interesting.
     
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  26. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    You mean EMD H Engine the 1010 for SD70ACE 3000s Tier 4 Sherman Hill 8900s Sand Patch Grade.
     
  27. csx#8308

    csx#8308 New Member

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    I also have some rolling stock suggestions for this add on upload_2021-11-26_17-9-48.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-11-32.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-11-10.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-11-52.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-10-40.jpeg
     
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  28. csx#8308

    csx#8308 New Member

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    And the rest of my rolling suggestions upload_2021-11-26_17-17-24.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-21-0.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-19-4.jpeg upload_2021-11-26_17-17-59.jpeg
     
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  29. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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  30. mattk#4569

    mattk#4569 Active Member

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    Skyhook says they are doing it and are calling upon the people to help them find original sounds for the locomotive due to covid and they already got a K5LA horn for it to ngl I’m pretty hype for it plus it’s the horseshoe curve very historic
     

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