The Thread „Cracking The Code“ under Announcements [of DTG Protagonist] in the TSW forum gave me this idea: What about an „Exotic Locomotives Pack“? I researched a bit, and found a lot of things that sound interessting, but are very hard to put into TSW (2) like fireless steam locomotives (used in power stations and similar … missing locations in the game including a lot of details) or gauge change trains (which might not fit into the in game engine … also they don't work very well in reality – so no series and no real tracks). The following exotic locos could be used on smaller tracks that comes with them and/or they can be used on existing tracks: ~ I. Oil for this big steam locomotive! The Union Pacific 4014 „Big Boy“ Oil Burner: There are more than one oil burner steam locomotive of course. A lot of people thing: Steam Locos were only powered by coal (or the older ones: wood). So the oil burner is a very fitting drive model. And why exaclty the 4014? The 4014 is a very cool and fitting – and big – steam loco. Used by Union Pacific the virtual model could be used on an existing track in TSW. You should check the 3rd picture of the wikipedia page out Sources: Oil Burner article, Wikipedia [english]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_burner_(engine) Wikipedia article, Union Pacific 4014 [english]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_4014 Picture with the 4014 near Cheyenne: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union...:Union_Pacific_Big_Boy_4014_(14052126551).jpg ~ II. If the human kind would have been much more care- and peaceful, this could have worked! The X-12, the nuclear powered locomotive was planed by a lot of manufacturers in the '50s. A prototype was never build, so the rechereche for this locomotive would be pretty hard and the questions about realism „how could things look, if the prototype was build“ should be always present. I guess a look on other similar locomotives in the '50s, and other nuclear powered objects (especially switches, lamps, displays and so on) would be necessary. It would be big, it would be silent and it would be powerful. And a exciting exciting experience for every train driver. The X-12 seems to be born from the (naive) common motto of the '50s „peaceful use of nuclear energy“. The X-12 could have worked. And I think that motto, is something that we can brew nowadays more than ever. Even if it sounds very naive. The X-12 could be used on existing tracks, with around (appreciated) 7.000hp it would be ablte to transport cargo (or passengers). I guess freight is more likely Sources (it was very hard to find reliable sources), the Wikipedia article exists only in German: X-12, Wikipedia article (German): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-12_(Lokomotive) LIFE Magazin 21st June 1954 with an article over the X-12) (under Google Books): https://books.google.de/books?id=bVMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78#v=onepage&q&f=false ~ III. No overhead lines? No diesel? No problem! The Hydrail is a very modern hydrogen powered Train, that is build by Alstom and (today) mostly used in Germany. Instead of diesel-fuel it uses hydrogen to power fuel cells that create the electric power for the propulsion. Recherches for this train are very easy, the Hydrail is used on a few tracks in Germany, mostly in the north. But it would not be too adventurous to say that it could be used on a few existing tracks in TSW, but it makes more sense on tracks without overhead lines. Otherwise you could simply use a Talent. Sources: Hydrail, Wikipedia article (english): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrail Press release concerning the Hydrail by Alstom (english): https://www.alstom.com/press-releas...nts-hydrogen-train-six-federal-states-germany ~ In generel: I think 3 is a working and proven number, and this is a mix of modern, retro and plausible. What do you think? About the idea in general or the choosen locomotives? [P. S. I didn't used pictures directly in my post, due to copyright reasons]
Or the Class 230 District Line conversions, running Bletchley to Bedford and I believe now on the IOW. Going back aways, something like the original LMS diesels 10001/10002 would be great with the Crewe to Liverpool Spirit Of Steam route being an authentic stamping ground for them.
Also possible. A Hybrid Train/Loco Pack is at all a 2nd possibility. Tracks/Regions are aviable and - same as the exotic pack - the new locos would create an attraction for people to expand their game.
Germany has Hybrid trains DB BR1002 Alstom Prima Hybrid Nürnberg and München Hbf. Also try using Code E Electro-Diesel example DB BR248 Vectron Toshiba Scib HDB 800 DB BR280.5 (Can work RRO & RSN if merged with Hagen Vorhalle)
Hydrogen engines are being bought by the UP and by a mining company in Australia as we speak. I do like the idea of the "Atom", but just adding one steam engine and just for the UP doesn't make any sense.
To add to my previous comment. The hydrogen engines are being produced in the USA, and are (from what I understand) Erie built.
Unit is 314 209 which has the hydrogen fuel tanks on the roof top instead of a Brecknell Willis Pantagraph which was what we have in game. US Trains use Transtech Pantographs.
Here's another couple of exotic engines: Wabtec's FLX Drive Battery-Electric Loco and CP Rail's Hydrogen-Powered Locomotive. I'd also like to see a Baldwin Centipede, FM Trainmaster, other FM diesels, UP Gas Turbines, and Steam Turbines (PRR S1, N&W Jawn Henry, UP Steam Turbine, C&O M1).
CP's hydrogen powered engines are built in the US, and have been ordered by Union Pacific as well as a mining company in Australia (the mining company having the largest order to date)
Another - bit more exotic -, but also more known locomotive/trainset is the EMD LWT12 or aka Aerotrain (not to be confused with the French Aérotrain which were hovercraft like trains ... which sound even cooler, but I think, it would be to much work to add them). The EMD LWT 12 was build and used. It had a few difficulties, still it looks very cool and iconic. And I think these trains are really interesting to run. In this train, much more attention was paid to aerodynamics than was usual for the times. The same applies to lightweight construction. Also an air suspension system was used. (Which didn't worked better than the normal one - it seems: it even worked worse - but hey, it is something pretty unique for the '50s ... and it worked ... ) ~ Sources: About the Aerotrain, Wikipedia (English): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerotrain_(GM) About the EMD LWT 12, Wikipedia (English) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_LWT12 ~ ~ ~ A new source for the X-12 (This link already existed in the German Wikipedia, but was broken. It seems to be repaired or the page is back online. It is not so reliable as the LIFE-Magazine ... and watch out, this source contains some ads): https://gizmodo.com/the-days-of-atomic-locomotives-in-america-1564623650 Source contains advertisements, possibly not very reliable.
