The BNSF Line is a Metra commuter rail line operated by the BNSF Railway in Chicago and its western suburbs, running from Chicago Union Station to Aurora, Illinois. The railroad between Chicago and Aurora was constructed in 1864 by the Chicago and Aurora Railroad, which evolved into the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The CB&Q operated the commuter service until the railroad merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970. Burlington Northern merged with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1995 to form the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, which would later rename itself to BNSF Railway. When the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) began subsidizing Chicago's commuter rail operations in 1974, Burlington Northern continued to operate its line under contract to the RTA. This arrangement continued when the RTA organized its commuter rail lines under the RTA Commuter Rail Division in 1983, later rebranded as Metra in 1985. Today, the triple-track line is one of the busiest rail corridors in the United States. In addition to the 91 Metra trains that currently use the line, BNSF freight trains frequent the line at all hours. Amtrak's Southwest Chief, California Zephyr, and Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg use the line as well, making an intermediate stop at Naperville. The Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg services also stop at La Grange Road. Rail fans have coined the line as the "BNSF Racetrack". The route would include the BNSF ES44C4 for freight runs, and the BNSF SD40-2 for switching and transfers. The flagship of the line would be either the Metra F40PHM-2 or the F40PH-2, for passenger runs. It would run with the Gallery Cars. If possible, the line could include Amtrak stock with Genesis series engines and Superliner Coaches. The following photos are from the route in real life.
It's a good route, a railfan's top pick. Got a good mix of freight and passenger considering the US is mostly freight. It is a true classic. It will have to make the TSW3 portfolio at some stage. I'm hoping for one just outside Chicago on the Canadian Pacific South Elgin to Byron, or UP has one to Rockford and CN has the same I think. I wonder does any commuter trains go to Elgin from Chicago?
I'd like some new engines for BNSF on this route. I would like to see a BNSF ET44C4 or C44-9W for heavy freights and a GP60 (Spartan Cab), GP60M-3, or B40-8W for local/switching services. The new ex-BNSF SD70MACHs would be cool to see on this route. They are rebuilt BNSF SD70MACs with Tier 3 emissions compliance and HEP like the Alaska RR's SD70MACs. The route could also include an MP36PH-3C. As for Amtrak, I'd prefer a Siemens Charger in Amtrak Midwest for regional trains and an ALC-42 for long-distance Superliner trains.
IT would be good To see THAT route For Train Sim World 4. I knew IT in Train Simulator BUT The Locomotive was lower Than The Cars And I DIDNT like IT. IT would be good To see The EMD F40PHM-2 For THAT Route IF THEY ever release IT And leave The EMD F40PH For later The EMD F40PHM-2 are seen more on THAT Route This is Image For The METRA F40PHM-2 Number 188 Passing The Passenger Station La Grange IL This Video is BNSF Racetrack And This Video is EMD F40PHM-2 A LOT Interior in The METRA Rock Island Route
The Engine Sound and Bell OF The JPBX or Caltrain EMD F40PH are Fine For a new EMD F40PHM-2, WHAT I would change is The Horn From a Nathan K2 To a Nathan P3 IF THEY manage To release THAT Route
Very late answering this, but Metra's Milwaukee District West line runs between Chicago (Union Station) and Elgin.
