Random Speculation. Is Los Angeles The Gateway For The Sw1000r's Return?

So, we all know that DTG when they went on their research trip to LA for Antelope Valley, they spent time at the Amtrak yard getting research over there as well.

Amtraks 8th Street yard as well as their roundhouse at Redondo Junction is home to Amtrak's switching operations in the area for the Surfliner as well as Amtrak's 3 Long Distance trains that originate and terminal in LA (Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and Sunset Limited).

While in modern times the yard is switched by a Dash 8, until the unit broke down in the mid 2010's AMTK 795, a SW1000R switched the yard....




So now it's got me thinking, while there is no "official" word that another LA based route is coming in the future, the potential is now opened up with that latest research trip. If DTG does do another LA based route, AND features Amtrak and their 8th Street yard, I have no doubt that the SW1000R will make its return to TSW.

Not only would it be easier than building a P32-8BWH for TSW, it would offer the classic loco back to the route, especially since Matt has said he wanted it back in game at some point.....

And it would make more sense to add it in here as an SW1000R did used to work the 8th Street yard in Los Angeles.


Granted this is still just baseless speculation, and AVL isn't focused on this part of LA, but It is something to think about......

 

Definitely would be great to have the SW1000 back!

 

It's an interesting suggestion, but I have to wonder how well it would sell if offered. Many people do not like switching/shunting missions and given the route's contemporary nature many would shun it for lack of realism. When was the SW1000R phased out? If pre-Charger introduction, many people would also complain if they do create a new Surfliner route and set it in the mid-2010s to accommodate the SW1000R as it would preclude the Charger's from being included the route without some suspension of realism again. So it seems like a really niche offering, though it is already modeled so it may be a simple update. Furthermore, with the old NEC route being lost to time, could it would be interesting to see if they can include it in newer games for those who have already bought it, or if it would need to be purchased again.

 

While it wasn't in service, it was last photographed on the property in 2019, the 1st Chargers were delivered in 2018. Also, given how old this loco is in game, it could be treated like the Ex Metroliner cab car for NYT, and thrown in with the routes default stock.

So for example a route could be the Southern part of the Pacific Surfliner.

It's included rolling stock would be the Pacific Surfliner stuff plus the SW1000R.

This also means that if theoretically the route got a long distance Amtrak pack, the SW1000R could easily get more services as it could switch the cars for those trains as well.

 

If it were included in the base route then I say go for it. I just can't see it selling well as an add-on

 

Maybe it’ll come in one of the loco packs along with the MP36?

 

That doesn't make sense as the SW1000R is an Amtrak loco while the MP36 is a Metrolink loco, Metrolink doesn't have a dedicated switcher, and the Amtrak yard isn't modeled on AVL (Plus there is nothing for it to move.)

 

Of course - I’m being stupid & was simultaneously thinking of the potential Charger that may or may not be coming.

I think we’re definitely going to see some heavy US passenger stock coming up.

 

DTG has sounds for Amtrak 512 so it would be lovely to see one of their Dash 8s brought into TSW.

 

Well, TSW just happens to have a Dash-8......

Again, this is an interesting idea, but ONLY makes sense if there is western-US Amtrak rolling stock in the plan somewhere. The ACS-64/Amfleet combo is no use in California.

 

Mannnnn, all I want is a siemens charger

 

LMAO

 

Awww man, I can't plug this In the wall

 

Is that one of those monster UK 230's?

 

Ah yes, it's what we over here would call a power brick, which might plug directly into a wall outlet or be a separate ac/dc transformer.

 

Carpet carbuncles are better but then there are two cables to wrap for transport, one with our lovely big plug on the end.

 

Actually, the British brick looks a lot more substantial and safe than the one I'm looking at now, a great heavy thing plugged into the wall with only 2 little prongs ( no ground ) charging up my vacuum cleaner. Then again it's only 115 v.