Route Proposal: Bnsf's Mendota Subdivision ( Aurora - Galesburg )

Discussion in 'Route Suggestions & Proposals' started by Blacknred81, Aug 5, 2022.

  1. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    So, had a bit of discussion with some people in the TSC discord about protentional routes, and one area that eventually came to mind was BNSF Mendota sub, between Aurora and Galesburg Illinois. A distance just shy of 130 miles, this route could be a good candidate for both freight and passenger traffic, and if done by mostly the same devs (Barnes, Grout aka Gtrax, and Wayne Cambell etc.) this route could be mergeable into the already existing Chicago Racetrack route.

    The route's east end would be BNSF's Eola yard, east of Aurora. But the route could be extended east to Naperville (About 6 miles) to give the Amtrak trains on this route a good starting point for a Westbound run. West of Aurora, the BNSF Aurora Sub splits off as the BNSF Mendota Sub starts, heading out of the area in a Southwest direction, passing thru multiple towns in the Illinois Countryside. The western end of the route would be BNSF yard in Galesburg, Il.

    Overhead of the Galesburg Yard
    [​IMG]

    Virtual Railfan's Cams at Galesburg



    I don't know what BNSF actual traffic on the line is, but I believe it's traditionally coal trains, with a handful of manifests, as well as local services. (Anyone with more info on the line can advise)

    AMTRAK
    Unlike most freight routes, this line would see more than one Amtrak train in both directions, which is one reason this could be a decent route for TSC. In total 4 named Amtrak trains use this route. The Illinois Zephyr and Cal Sandburg are both IDOT trains and supported by the state of Illinois.

    -Southwest Chief (Train 3/4)
    -California Zephyr (Train 5/6)

    -Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg (Both trains have the same route) (Train 380-383)
    [​IMG]

    Amtrak stations along the proposed route would be the following....

    -Naperville (All trains)
    -Plano (IZ&CS)
    -Mendota (SC, IZ&CS)
    -Princeton (All trains)
    -Kewanee (IZ&CS)
    -Galesburg (All trains)

    Rolling Stock
    Amtrak
    GE P42DC

    Main power for Amtrak's LD train, would be nice to see an upgrade to the more accurate RSC model, rather than reusing the incorrect Miami P42.
    [​IMG]

    Siemens SC-44 (Amtrak Midwest)
    The only real "new"
    locomotive needed for the route, all SC-44s are state owned and are used on the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg.
    [​IMG]

    Viewliner II Baggage Car
    Amtrak's current baggage car for long distant trains, these are all painted in the PHIII scheme.
    [​IMG]

    Amtrak Horizon Car
    Amtrak's Horizon cars are a common sight on the IZ and CS. They are usually used in
    conjunction with Amfleets. These are one of the few Amtrak coaches we are still missing from TSC.
    [​IMG]

    Amtrak Superliners
    Reused from the currently existing ones, could use a texture upgrade.

    BNSF
    I'd expect BNSF stock to be reused from older routes for this proposal.

    However these could be new locos that could be introduced with the route.

    GE ET44C4
    GE B40-8W

    And these locos could be upgraded for the route
    GE C44-9W
    EMD SD70MAC/MACe
     
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  2. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    A GP50, GP60 (with Spartan Cab), or GP60M-3 could be added as well. I still want the new BNSF SD70ACeP4-T4s. I don't know when they will be completed and begin operating, though. The Chargers are a necessity for the passenger services on this route.
     
  3. AndTheBest

    AndTheBest Active Member

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    Have the BNSF ET44C4 and this route would nice and at the sametime interesting.
     
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