I don't have many routes, but my favorite is the NEC: New York - Philadelphia route. One of the reasons is because I have ridden that route a number of time IRL. What I also enjoy about the route is creating scenarios for it. Even though I prefer driving passenger trains in the game. In my scenarios, I enjoying adding freights that I pass. But there are but so many scenarios that one can build without getting repetitive, which becomes boring. I am wondering what other routes are around that offer both passenger and freight? I've look at a number of the routes on Steam, but just can't tell. Any suggestions?.
Pacific Surfliner is a good route for freight and passenger https://store.steampowered.com/app/222606/Train_Simulator_Pacific_Surfliner_LA__San_Diego_Route/ The Racetrack is another good route that has Amtrak long distance workings, Metra commuter workings and a lot of freight https://store.steampowered.com/app/258648/Train_Simulator_The_Racetrack_Aurora__Chicago_Route_AddOn/ Both routes have add-on scenario packs Peter
Missing a bit of context - would you rather extend the NEC, look elsewhere in the USA, or anywhere? Regarding the NEC, Gary conjured an article a couple days ago, showcasing variety. On top of that, Miami to West Palm Beach can be nice for CSX equipment and the Amtrak P42DC and more Amfleet coach types. Norfolk Southern routes are predominantly freight, so equipment only, but Horseshoe Curve can absolutely be used. And, of course, the CP and CN routes add interesting equipment as well, and worth a run. Rocky Mountaineer is a thing, too. If you are looking for additional areas, then aside from Peter's great mention of the Surfliner (which is passenger-only as default, given the seven years of BNSF troubles), there are two versions of the Peninsula Corridor, with the relatively unique MPI locos and Union Pacific. Many other routes (Soldier Summit, Donner Pass, Marias Pass, Feather River Canyon) offer some passenger traffic, but with a much different approach (the occasional meet). However, all this (and more) sums up to a wonderful amount of variety (and duplicates). German (-Austrian-Croatian-Swiss-Hungarian-Czech...) routes prefer electric traction, with great agility. The dominant modus operandi is to alternate passenger and freight services. Semmeringbahn and Köln-Koblenz can be a good start, but virtually anything. Obvious exceptions are U-Bahn (like MTA-NYC subway) or specifically high speed (ICE) lines. The British system was a bit more steam & diesel focused, with sporadic electrification, and survival of historic two-axle wagon types with speed limit of 60 mph. Thus, freight habitually ends up in sidings. Routes like Woodhead or ECML South (London to Peterborough) definitely have wide sections with tons of activity, similar to the NEC, and then you can explore. You can also consider realism, in Don Coffey's latest Newcastle-Edinburgh I haven't seen a single freight train (but many passengers). In an earlier Class 66 run, just one siding because booked route doh, I recall maybe three trains in two hours. However, you can totally have them in your scenario. I'd go through the list of DLC (can use SteamDB if you wish) and dump everything interesting in your wishlist, then sort by release date (descending), price and reviews, and pick some. Also, if you just browse the workshop for inspiration, you'll probably run into a bunch of prerequisites, giving directions. Or maybe just buy the last (few) TSC yearly editions for a good mix. If you don't mind old routes (judging by the NEC), good old 2007 Rail Simulator routes all offer such mixed content, be it the East Coast Main Line, the Great Western Main Line, or Ruhrgebiet's Hagen-Siegen, each having some interesting train DLC. But with the calendar turning 2023, I'd rather not buy them. However, can't beat their price.
Thanks. I have the Surfliner, and have even created a couple of scenarios with it, but at the time I didn't realize that I could do freight service along there also. I'm going to have to add the Racetrack to my wishlist
I would LOVE the NEC to go from Washington DC to NYC or even Boston. When I was playing MSTS that NEC Phl - Washington was my favorite and would spend HOURS driving that route. Even though the scenarios that I make are passenger runs, I get a kick out of having freight AIs passing. Thanks for the information provided, as it will be of great help.
BNSF's freight traffic mainly travels from Hobart Yard and Long Beach before cutting east past Fullerton Station. BNSF also has some traffic that heads all the way down to their yard in San Diego.
Second this one. The BR155 is a joy to drive and there are tons of passenger services on this route as well. Karlsruhe-Mannheim is another solid route with giant freight yards.
Also depends on which period you enjoy. Do you enjoy current rail operations or operations set many years ago. If you're interested in UK content then the Weardale and Teesdale network offer a great selection of both passenger and freight scenarios set in the late 50s/early 60s. Also depending on what other locomotives you have for that route as well. The feather River canyon can also offer both passenger and freight operations of the western Pacific in the late 60s/early 70s. However if you prefer more recent operations then the Chatham Mainline route offer electric commuter and the odd aggregate train workings. Same with the Midland Mainline from St Pancras to Bedford there is a mix of both commuter and freight workings. Both these routes are set about 10 years ago
For the UK, the extensive WCML North network or the slightly more linear WCML over Shap both have a range of passenger and freight options (and are very nicely modelled). If it's still possible to grab the Great Scenario Challenge pack from UKTS that used WCML-N, there are a number of excellent scenarios in that.
