This proposal once again goes with my proposed concept of hotspot routes. My latest idea for one of these routes would be the city of Fostoria, Ohio set in the 1950s. During this period, it was served by five major railroads, four of which intersected on diamonds all within a half-mile of each other. These four railroads were the Baltimore and Ohio, Chesapeake and Ohio, New York Central, and the Nickel Plate Road, with the Pennsylvania Railroad also serving the area. Any one of these railroads alone would have quite the roster of motive power to choose from during the 50's, and putting them all together into one route would be a dream for many. For the Nickel Plate, there's obviously the Berkshires which we already have (through they could use a little re-texturing), as well as their Mikados (which I've discussed in another thread) for steam power. For diesels, the GP9, and ALCO PA units would do fine for diesel power (the same can pretty much be said for the other railroads in the area as well, except the B&O and C&O, which used F and E units for passenger service). On the Pennsy, a K4 (again, we already have one, but it's a bit dated and could use a little revamping) and a J1 Texas type for freight service would do just fine. For the B&O, they had their Class P pacifics for passenger service, and class T Mountain types for freight (though they were very capable of handling passenger trains once in a while). On the NYC, what better than their famous J class Hudsons, and S class Niagaras for both passenger and freight trains (it should be noted that a very high quality J3A model has been made by the folks over at Digital Railroading, perhaps something could be worked out with them to have it included in an official route?). And last but not least the C&O, much like the NKP, they too had fleet-footed 2-8-4s, however they were called Kanawhas on the C&O. They served on both passenger and freight trains during their careers on the high iron. In addition to the big 2-8-4s the C&O had class K Mikados which, while not as strong as the Kanawhas, they still got the job done. As for rolling stock, it would probably just be the run of the mill standard stuff you'd find in the 50's. 40 foot boxcars, hoppers, etc. For passenger equipment, there would be some variety, as each of these railroads used both lightweight and heavyweight passenger cars (the lightweights consisting of both ribbed and smoothside designs), with many of the lightweights having their own road specific paint schemes. Like some of the other US routes being released recently, the flat track would allow for some great high speed running, which can especially be fun with steam. With the wide array of motive power and rolling stock, and great potential for gameplay, I think this would be a fantastic route for trains simulator. What do you guys think? This map is a bit more modern, but it still gives you the general idea.
This would be a great route for the train simulator. Even the present day route is awesome. Going to watch the trains all day is so much fun.
OOH!!!! JUST HAD AN IDEA AS OF TYPING THIS OUT!!!! This route could be made in a way that it's merge-able with your two Nickel Plate route suggestions from Ft. Wayne to Bellevue, and Bellevue to Fostoria respectively. Talk about scenario possibilty GALORE!!!! Example: You've just finished up with a stop over in Bellevue on a hotshot passenger or freight on the Nickel Plate from Fort Wayne, and now you've gotta make it to Fostoria before a set time for what ever reason, with scheduled stops at the diamonds to let traffic from the other railroads to go through. Think about the screenshot potential in just that ONE scenario, then multiply that by the number of scenarios that'd get made for the route.
The passenger liveries seen on the route would be nice as well. Nickel Plate blue and silver; B&O blue and grey; C&O blue, yellow, and white; And Pennsy Tuscan red with pin striping.
