Since the first look of the New Journeys Expansion Pack (or whatever it's called) seen from the Festival of the Rail last month (and from this update note too). And for Sand Patch, some have been disappointed that the SD70ACe from Sherman Hill (along with other UP/CRR locos) will no longer be substituted onto the route, while others are glade because of a bad mix match that's seen on nearly every train on this route (depending on if you got PC, CC, and/or SMH. Plus the SD40 from CRR). And while I'm glade for the latter of this. But there are already complaints about this, so might as well create this just to say; What do you think? [Note: Just to summarized what foreign locos is in the US, it's basically seeing a railroad loco operating on another railroad's tracks or on a train mostly far from its own home turf (ex. UP locos on CSX trains). And it is NOT that common, as many would say on here. Unique to see, but not common enough]
It seems to be a case on SPG that rather than work to get it being a rare subsitution instead of the current every other loco, its easier for them to just remove the possiblity of any sub.
I think having it be a rare substitution is the best solution. Personally, I think getting rid of it altogether is a worse outcome than what we have now. What is most important to me is having it available for substitution when I run a Timetable service. SPG is so much more fun and realistic with the appropriate initial reduction of the air brakes that we get with the SD 70.
Indeed, a rare substitution would be a win/win. Keeping the look on what the route represents and includes, while having at least 1 or 2 locos that are out of place on the main line, instead of subbing everywhere where they're not supposed to (local/switching). Though, how to implement that properly may sound challenging to work on.
This must be done because CSX trains will get a Norfolk Southern locomotive BNSF and UP locomotives as a DPU or lead unit. Even their SD70ACEs can serve as the base model to spawn the CSX Version if CSX route that has SD70ACE is made
I personally think that no foreign power is better than too much foreign power. If I’m on a CSX route, I expect to see CSX trains. Unless the substitution can make foreign power somewhere around the Trainbow’s rarity, then I heavily prefer seeing just the main operator of the route.
It really depends on the loco, the UP SD70ACe isn't a bad option to have, as it appears in real life in the area, albeit rarely. But the CRR SD40 on the other hand is, as it would never appear in the condition it's in by the time period Sand Patch's set.
While the ACes, AC44s, and (in the future) GEVOs are the ones that can sub in on main line services (long distance heavy hauls and all). But, from what I've seen so far, there have not been any foreign power from both SD40s and GP38s that are outside of their home operations. Even for doing locals or yard switching on another roads tracks, which that would not make sense whatsoever. Hence, makes a problem of seeing foreign locos a lot more frequent than usual, which is what SPG was having since CRR was released.
I'd be in favor of getting rid of as many restrictions as possible. Let AI use only realistic locos, but let the player choose to use anything.