Hi everyone, Today I'm proposing an expansion of the NY - Trenton route. It could come as a content pack for the route or as a free DLC later on. But there are a number of things that I believe should be added, so here goes. 1. Extension of the route to Philadelphia I propose the addition of SEPTA's 35-mile, 56-kilometer Trenton Line from Trenton TC to Philadelphia - Temple University Station. The line has 15 stations, of which Amtrak calls at 3 (Cornwells Heights, North Philadelphia, and Philadelphia - 30th Street). I think that this extension in particular would significantly change the Amtrak experience in the game; after all, only 2 Acela services call at Trenton, meaning all other runs will be cut short at Newark - Penn Station or Metropark. They do all stop in Philadelphia, however. Furthermore, we would be able to explore all of 30th Street Station! As for rolling stock, there would be the following: ACS-64 in SEPTA livery and Comet coaches (can be in both NJT and SEPTA livery) SEPTA Silverliner V SEPTA Silverliner IV The Silverliner IV bears a strong resemblance to another proposal of mine, allowing a neat segue into my next part of this pack: 2. The Princeton Branch The Princeton Branch, also known as the Dinky or PJ&B (Princeton Junction and Back) is a 3-mile, 5-kilometer shuttle that runs between Princeton Junction and Princeton University stations. Frankly, it's so small I think it should've been included with the original route. It runs exclusively using the Arrow III EMU, which runs on the NEC as well: 3. Return of the SW1000R From my understanding, the SW1000R will not return, which is a shame. After all, the assets exist and can probably be ported over in a similar manner to the ex-Metroliner cab car. This would greatly increase the variety of services on the route because we'll finally have a switcher again, although to make the experience less boring, I would like to propose this last addition to the pack: 4. New Amtrak rolling stock (Amfleet IIs and Viewliners) (I can't upload images due to the file limit sad) The Amfleet IIs and Viewliners are used on many of Amtrak's long distance services in the Northeast, including many that run from New York to Philadelphia and beyond, such as the Crescent (New York - New Orleans), Silver Meteor and Silver Star (New York - Miami), Palmetto (New York - Savannah, GA), Cardinal (New York - Chicago), Carolinian (New York - Charlotte), Pennsylvanian (New York - Pittsburgh) and some overnight Northeast Regional. That's 17 services plus switching right there! You can also switch for AI trains such as the Lake Shore Limited. The Amfleet IIs are the standard coach on long haul Amtrak services, and can be distinguished by a single vestibule on each side of the train, a longer door window, and a more deluxe seating layout compared to the Amfleet Is. It comes in two variants, cafe/business and coach. The Viewliner is much more "elevated". It comes in dining car, sleeper, and baggage car variants. Overall, I think that a content pack like this one could greatly improve the new NEC route, and I hope you all agree with me! Have a great day
I agree and remember ACS-64 SEPTA 901-915 do count for the Boston 640 mi ACS-64 due to them being identical to each other. Coaches for it are Comet II-IV SEPTA paint which can be reskinned for NJ Transit. If DTG does have a SEPTA licence then ACS-64 901-915 are made from Reskinning Boston ACS-64 which is in line with the 182s being reskinned from each other despite the different cab layout
I whole-heartedly agree with this suggestion because if I'm being honest I'm annoyed that DTG didn't do the entire line to Philadelphia which I don't think they have any excuse to say why they didn't do it. If they say it's because of the route length that's not true because of Kassel-Wurzburg and second because the total time from NYC-Philly is 1hr 35mins (not Acela). Plus if they extend the route you could do non-stop from NYC to Philly in the Acela which would be awesome. So yeah I don't get all why they didn't do the whole route. So DTG devs, if you see this post please extend the route. And personally ill pay a bit extra the whole route.
Same! Of course there's also the other stuff which would really tie it in... imagine driving in the CCCC or the Princeton Branch! There's a lot of wasted potential here... if DTG adds this it could really be the great American TSW route.
There's deadlines too. Kwg was technically easier cuz it's the same thing over and over again and mostly tunnels with scenery that doesn't really change. Kwg was only long cuz people requested a true high speed route that was long. Also not a lot of stations. The northeast corridor on the other hand, such as all the way to philly has multiple stations that need to be built by hand and complex scenery elements which wouldn't be possible with internal deadlines unless you compromise in other areas. Also no septa license so it could potentially feel empty. You can't have everything you want and can't always have a tsc equivalent from nyp to Philadelphia cuz routes are much more time consuming and complex to build. It's not just 90 something miles. It's 90 miles of having to build/place things by hand since autogeneration can't do all the work for you.
It is worth noting that the NYC to Trenton is more of an NJT focused DLC than Amtrak, NJT doesn't run past Trenton. Hence why that's the endpoint. Not to mention players would also complain if DTG did the route to Philly that the lack of Septa would be "immersion breaking" due to the lack of Septa equipment and trains past Trenton.
I mean, part of the advertisement in the article is as a new playground for the Acela, even though only 2 services (1 in each direction) stop at Trenton. The others would have to end at either Metropark (25mi 40 km) or Newark Penn (9mi 14km). Besides, there is rolling stock that can still be layered. Either way, there should still be the Princeton Branch and the other things that I mentioned.
I thought I had just woken up from cryogenic sleep having only went to bed on Sunday knowing the route was coming to now seeing extensions for it discussed. I'm going to see what it's like before thinking about a bigger one
Good point and for SEPTA they do use Comet II-IVs like NJ Transit. Therefore DTG can reskin the SEPTA Comet II-IV to make NJ Transit versions of them. Key exceptions here is that Odd numbered cars have restrooms on NJ Transit Comet II-IVs while Septa doesn't use them on Comet II-IV. ACS-64 901-915 do count for ACS-64 600-670 Boston-Providence achievements
I would like to see a reproduction of the longer distances that are worthy of the name Northeast Corridor.
I mean it seems like it would be the way to go from an objective standpoint... an extension like this could sell for $40 or even $50. Almost 40 miles, 15 new stops, 3 entirely new trains, the return of the SW1000R, some new rolling stock, a hundred or so new services, plus the tenfold expansion of more than a dozen more, and the 1,5x expansion of over a hundred more? Count me in any day.
That is a wonderful idea! But I think that we could also add the NJTransit line to Long Branch as well, that would be under 30 miles with 11 stations, but this is optional.
You might as well terminate that to South Amboy Station. For a Dual Mode service Raritan Valley line to Roselle Park Eastbound current schedule Weekday Westbound Weekday
Definitely agree with all of your suggestions. Now in my personal opinion, I don’t think it’s the end of the world that the route doesn’t go to Philly. Most likely they didn’t have it go to Philly because they were likely unable to get a SEPTA license. People would then complain that the Philadelphia area is dead and such. Again I wouldn’t complain cuz licensing is licensing. Maybe at some point we could get a Silverliner V or IV dlc for this route that comes with an extension if they ever get licensing in the future. I would also suggest adding in Morrisville yard as that would allow players to do entire shifts on the Northeast Corridor line. It would also add more services for NJT trains. The only part I’m gonna have to disagree with you about is the SW1000R. I’m not saying we shouldn’t get a switcher for the route, but I think DTG should do something different. Much more commonly seen in sunnyside is the EMD GP15D. I think it’s better looking, sounds better, and can do much more than the SW1000R. Something I think would be cool would be to make a GP15D dlc that also adds the long distance coaches so it can do some proper switching in sunnyside. Other than that, great suggestions!
I would pay for an extension with the coast line all the way to bay head the rvl to roselle park and the Montclair Dover boot on Morris cutoff to Newark broad st. This and the morrisville yard in Trenton. Utilizing the storage yards in south amboy long branch and bay head for the coast line they should save Philly for when /if they get a septa license and go Trenton to Wilmington so you’d have septa going to Philly from both terminuses
Excellent point and for SEPTA they have Comet II-IVs which can be Reskinned for NJ Transit versions including a Restroom Version. NJ Transit does run Comet II-Vs on NEC. Here's Comet II-V 5244
Quite a few reasons why: 1. They have the end it somewhere. It may not have been practical to build the route to Philadelphia. 2. Kassel - Würzburg has three player-accessable stations, and mostly rural scenery. That's a far cry from this route and this makes this route shorter, as it has more stuff to build around the tracks. 3. Trenton is a major station regardless, forming a natural end for most Amtrak and NJT services on the route. Bonus points: 1. They won't extend it. Route Extensions DLCs don't happen for TSW, and it's too late to do it pre-release. 2. The route isn't even out yet, I doubt they're even thinking of it.
I can imagine what the reasons for DTG not going all the way to Philadelphia for this route will be, however I think they missed a great trick with the potential it could have been. I definitely probably would have jumped to purchase this route (provided bugs are minimum) however I think I’m a lot less enthusiastic about New York - Trenton (sorry to Trenton of course, I just don’t know much about it (only it’s name and that I can deduct it’s probably the half way point) and it just doesn’t strike me as much, as if the Route was labelled New York - Philadelphia) just my take on the whole thing I think I may have been considerably more forgiving on the LIRR issue aswell due to how I would have viewed where the focus really was.
In my opinion,i wholeheartedly agree,however,in my opinion,we need more trains,how about the old AEM-7's,or maybe even the old school metroliners,or the more modern and challenging to drive HHP-8's. The thing is that the routes are too modern,i want to drive around some ol' reliable pieces of junk. For me sims also serve to relive a era you cannot,you never see these now retired units driving (unless we are talking marc and the HHP-8's). It sucks that the only old american units are just diesels,cause the electrics should get love too!
There's still whole other sections of the nec they could set in an earlier era and include the aem7 and hhp8 so it's possible.
