Hoping the Pacific Surfliner is the next Amtrak route. Would be nice to have the ALC Siemans charger added to the game along with the Surfliner double decker coaches. Would be a perfect route also for the wave graphics that has recently been developed also. I know this route is one of the top most requested route. It's possible for the route to go from Los Angeles Union station to San Diego Santa Fe Depot.
The problem is that it's really long (130+ miles) for little gameplay. From wikipedia, it says 10 daily round trips which really isn't a lot. Even with freight added, I don't think it would really be a great route to do to limited gameplay. It's a long distance service compared to being a regular busy commuter rail service.
This idea comes up every now and then; I even suggested it once. My idea was just to San Juan Capistrano, with Coaster trains and BNSF. Back then DTG didn't even have the BNSF license! Although as mentioned there is not a high number of Amtrak services, this route would probably be more about the scenery, and you could always throw in a few extra freights to spice it up. Besides, DTG's record when it comes to US routes with busy timetables is... In any case, this route could also be a candidate for another out-of-place F7, unless you wanted to go completely retro. Huh.
Not every US passenger route has to be a commuter service. There are a number of Amtrak passenger routes that are not part of NEC and are around 100 or so miles - a little long right now, but worth thinking about. Also, the number of daily services is not a disqualifier if the route itself is an interesting drive.
Having ridden the Surfliner many times when visiting family in California, I can confirm that the scenery is gorgeous.
Even though the service count sounds low at first, this might actually be a great idea. If we think about the next American passenger route possibilities for DTG, there really isn’t a lot. They’ve already done New York commuter stuff twice (LIRR and Harlem, even with recycled locos), same for the Northeast Corridor with Boston and NY-Trenton. Unless they manage to get a new license, I just don’t think there are many unique possibilities left in that area. Down in the south is an operator that would fit TSW very well, in my opinion: Brightline! They’re operating regional passenger services in the Miami area, with an extension to Orlando Airport almost finished. Their whole approach to operations and marketing seems to be very modern, so I‘m reasonably optimistic they would grant DTG a license and assist them with research. The latter would be quite straightforward since tons of planning documents surely exist for the relatively new trackage. I also believe they’re operating wagons which will be used by Amtrak in the future, so modeling them for the game would simultaneously work towards a possible Amtrak route/loco DLC. Would love to see Brightline in the game. That said… if new licenses aren’t possible, maybe a complete change of pace with a long-distance route like Pacific Surfliner would be appropriate. All of the US passenger routes had or still have significant problems with the timetable, service frequency, signalling and/or dispatcher. A route with fewer services would intelligently take all of these issues out of the equation. As we‘ve seen with many of the more quiet routes in the game, players don’t tend to mind a low service frequency if it’s realistic. The rolling stock and scenery would surely be super detailed and thus give us a welcome break from the fast-paced and hectic commuter runs we‘re usually used to on US passenger routes. I also can’t help but remember that one slip up in a livestream ages ago where Matt accidentally slipped up and confused another US route with Pacific Surfliner. He then went on the forums and made super sure we knew nothing was coming. But we know it’s at least on their radar, so to speak!
As I've mentioned before, there are several Amtrak services in the Midwest, out of Chicago to points in Wisconsin, Indiana and, especially Michigan ( Blue Water, Pere Marquette and Wolverine ). I really don't think the number of services is as important as some people believe.
It would be nice if they added the Pennsylvanian in Horseshoe Curve. I know it would only be Altoona and Johnstown but the P42 Genesis is due.
Sadly, if DTG does do Pacific Surfliner, it will most likely only consist of LA to Fullerton Junction and not much else "Realistically" With no Metrolink or Coaster license, it really leaves this route short of potential since you only have Amtrak and BNSF. But it does open up Amtrak Long distance trains such as the Southwest Chief, plus it gives Matt a reason to bring the SW1000R back (One used to be assigned to Amtraks yard at Redondo Junction, could be used to make up the Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and the Coast Starlight, which all terminate and originate at Los Angeles) Personally Myself, I would like the other Amtrak California trains represented, either the Capitol Corridor or the San Joaquin (Or both if between Oakland and Martinez). They use either BNSF or UP trackage so there is no problems with licensing or lack of traffic (Aside from ACE, but there isn't many ACE trains to begin with) And if DTG ever updates Peninsula Corridor, the Capitol Corridor train can layer onto that route as traffic between Santa Clara and San Jose.
Or even further north and do the Amtrak Cascades, Portland to Seattle. I'd think Portland to Vancouver would be too long but it would be neat to have an International route.
I was actually thinking there are at least two passenger routes before they somehow run out of options, one would be metro north NYC - New Haven (but given the length I think they might shorten it to Stamford - New Haven, hopefully not), and the other can be a route fully devoted to NJT. After all, there are all kinds of locos and wagons on those routes that are not explored yet, such as Comet cab car and/or the iconic M9. However, I do wish they add more variety in the routes: San Juaquin Valley line is indeed a great mix of passenger and freight. Capitol Corridor from Oakland to Sacramento may be another option. On the other side of the US we also have scenic Hudson River valley, i.e. NYC to Croton-Harmon/Poughkeepsie, which did appear in TSC and I loved that route.
As others have said, I don't think the low number of services is a problem when it is realistic. Just take a look at Cane Creek, for example. You barely see any other train on your way, as it's all a single track low traffic branch line. Yet it's still a good experience, because it's realistic that way and the scenery offers you enough to look at. So in my opinion something similar could work with a long distance Amtrak route as well. But I agree with the others, ideally it could be a mixed Amtrak+freight route.
Cane Creek is a hidden gem, despite the slight scenery and motive power flaws. Another route with occasional Amtrak service is Kansas City to St Louis via Sedalia. Obviously the whole too long but part of the eastern section where there is also plenty of freight could be a good option.
I would love for the Cascades to be modelled as it is my home route, and as far as I know there has never been a route modelled for it where the trainset would fit* (unless you count the very brief sections of Stevens Pass or LRA's abandoned Vancouver route for TSC). However Portland to Seattle alone would be far too long for TSW standards. If I had to pick a realistic section of the line, it would be Seattle to Everett (maybe to Mt. Vernon with luck) as that grants plentiful waterfront running along the Puget Sound. Seattle to Tacoma would offer more gameplay options and could offer waterfront running if the old route were to be modelled. Sadly I don't think I will ever see a Cascades route modelled as the service frequency is very low and there never seems to be enough interest compared to other state corridors. EDIT: I've actually just remembered about Eyein12's Seattle Sub route from years ago. So there is at least one proper route. Cheers
Yes, to the KC - Stl route. We have 2 passenger routes on the East Coast and 1 on the West. Time to get the Midwest into TSW. I've mentioned some routes in several earlier posts, Chicago into Wiscosin, Indiana, Michigan.
