Can The Caltrain Locomotives Come Back In A Different Companies Name?

When the Peninsula Corridor Route was taken down due to license issues I was sad as I was late to the party, we now cannot get the 2 cab cars, F40PH-2CAT, and the MP15DC! (mp36 is still in as metrolink)

But I really would of enjoyed the 2 cab cars F40PH-2CAT and the mp15dc. But could they bring these trains back just under a different companies name? For example: The NJT owns F40PH-2CAT's, so could TSW possibly try and get a license to get the Locomotive back into the game? Same with the mp15dc... SO MANY COMPANIES own the mp15dc, so they could ask them possibly. And the 2 cab cars are owned by many other passenger railroads, so there is a chance they can all come back in just different companies besides Caltrain. This is only a question. I really just wish that Caltrain never dipped out.

 

If they decide on a route which includes them, then I don't see why not.

 

The problem unfortunately is that the only remaining major user of F40PH's, besides MBTA, is Chicago's Metra, which so far has refused to grant a license. And I don't think there are many MP15DCs left in service anywhere (although I suppose it could be modified into an MP15AC)

One idea possibly would be vintage Amtrak, although that presupposes a commuter or freight railway as well, since Amtrak alone doesn't run enough services outside the NEC to support a route.

 

Yeah, great pity about the Metra license.

Metra has perhaps the most colorful fleet of any of the commuter railroads and they're all diesel- electric ( apart from a couple of Highliner overhead electric lines).

The fleet is varied and includes F40PH, F59PH MP36PH and the newest SD70MACH, all with bi- level cars, running over 11 lines of a hub and spoke system. Freight traffic and Amtrak also run on some Metra routes.

Only the 3rd party " Racetrack " in TSC has used a Metra ( unbranded ) loco and is joined by BNSF and Amtrak ( both branded ).

 

LIRR still has them

 

Those are MP15ACs. Not a hard variant to make of course.

 

Why did Caltrain stop the license? Can they also change their minds?

 

No official info about this one. The most popular theory is that CalTrain simply doesn't want their old diesels represented anymore. It is possible that CalTrain could be brought back with a modern route that includes their new EMUs instead. But it's just speculation.

 

Why would they not want to represent their history? Its basically the whole reason they exist.

 

Could just be as simple as the license expired and Caltrain decided to focus on running their trains instead.

 

This is the San Francisco bay area- the populace is so green as to shame a Martian. Diesels are not considered a PR plus there.

 

So DTG should be able to license the new emus and simply add them to the existing SFJ infrastructure, replacing the existing Baby Bullets etc.

 

Except some modernization would need to be done to the existing route, as aside from wires I think some additional track work was done in some places.

Not to mention the route would also need to extend down to Tamien Station, the end of the electrification area.

Though DTG could also use that as an opportunity to bundle the MP36 and MP15 into a new route itself (If Caltrain allows), instead of solo standalone DLC, as the MP36's are used on the South County Connector train, and would be seen in the yard, San Jose and Tamien. The MP15 still does switching and MOW duties for the railroad too, so they shouldn't disappear either.

There also isn't a reason to remove the UP GP38-2 either, wish DTG just put it somewhere else or something.

 

Unfortunately the entire route would have to be rebuilt to account for nine years of construction- not to mention adding OHLE and new signaling. Practically a new route.

 

Could just be a change of management at the corporation. Someone comes in who is not well disposed to the idea of simulating their operations in a game, perhaps security or vandalism concerns (DTG should really think twice before painting all that trackside graffiti). Or they just see it as an abstraction from their primary function as a real railway moving real people.

 

Mm. Sounds like a plan.

 

I wanted to see the Caltrain Electrification on the Peninsula Corridor. Pity that won't happen unless the licensing issues are resolved. Hopefully they will. I like the Peninsula Corridor route, but it could use some more freight action with more UP locos (SD59MX, SD70M, SD60M, GP60/GP62/GP60E, GP40-2/N, etc.). The only way I could see the Peninsula Corridor route could return is with SP power in the 1960s-70s. An SP version should include an SDP45 or FM H-24-66 Trainmaster, a GP9, an Alco RS-32, and an Alco S4, along with SP commuter cars and freight equipment. Also, the Gilroy extension should be included in an SP Peninsula Corridor Route.

I really want Metra in game, especially the BNSF Racetrack. It's a short 37.5-mile-long route that is packed full of awesome train action, including Amtrak long-distance, Amtrak Midwest, Metra Commuter, and BNSF freight operations. The BNSF/Metra Racetrack should include a Metra F40PH-3 or F40PHM-3 (both would be cool to see), a BNSF C44-9W, ET44C4, ES44DC/AC/C4/ACH, GP39-3 (rebuilt ex-BN GP30/GP35), SD40-2, GP50, GP60/M/B, or SD60M-3. As for Amtrak, P42DC Genesis or SC44 and ALC-42 Siemens Charger units with both Venture and Superliner passenger cars are needed. Even if we don't get Metra in game, we could get CB&Q or BN power on this route with some rebuilt E-Units, SD40-2s, GP30s, GP35s, GP40-2s, BN SD70MACs, F45s, SD60Ms, SD45s, etc.

 

I wish that everything the guy above me listed was in the game. But I'm pretty sure that will make Dovetail go crazy... I also just want a switcher again.