Manned helpers were common on Cajon Pass, Sherman Hill, Horseshoe Curve, and Sand Patch Grade (and other steeply graded lines in the US and elsewhere in the world). Of course, most helpers are remotely controlled in the modern day, but manned helper operations still occur. It would be cool to get manned helper operations for some of the routes I mentioned above (and others too). For NS HSC, we'd need SD40Es (rebuilt SD50s). UP used to operate SD40-2 pairs in helper services on Cajon and other routes. Now C44ACCTEs (AC4400CWs), C45ACCTEs (ES44ACs), or C45AHs (ET44ACs) with remote helper software are used by UP for helper services. A manned helper operation would go as follows: 1.) Player gets orders at helper pocket at the base of the hill 2.) Player runs helpers to assigned train 3.) Player sets up helpers and train starts moving with helpers pushing from the rear 4.) At top of hill, helpers cut off and return to base 5.) Player would have option to help another train up the hill or end the scenario Other ideas for helper locomotives: -Steam locos; it would be cool to do a helper operation with an SP Cab Forward, N&W Class A or Y6b, etc. -Early diesels (UP used to use FM H-20-44s in helper operations in the 1950s-60s, for example) -Mid-train and rear train helpers -Working with cabooses and helper operations -Couplers: Modern helpers have front couplers that are not connected to the train so they can just detach from the train in motion and return to the helper base. I've seen a couple of model railroaders replicate this feature on their layouts. It was very cool to see how they made it work.
