EDIT: THIS SUGGESTION WAS MADE BEFORE ANTELOPE VALLEY WAS KNOWN. So, in the past I pretty much barked that most Surfliner Suggestions wouldn't work usually due to the license issues with Metrolink and Coaster (On top of the routes extremely long length of 128 miles). However, if DTG ever gets a license not just for COASTER, but the entire NCTD, it would impose a unique opportunity for not just 40ish miles of the Surfline with COASTER and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, but the SPRINTER service along the 22 mile Escondido branch and the addition of a local BNSF service on the route. The ideal route would include the following: -The Surfline from the Stuart Mesa Mechanical Facility north of Oceanside to the BNSF yard in San Diego (Appx 50 miles) -The Escondido Subdivision (Appx 22.5 miles) -The Miramar Branchline (Appx 2 miles) SPRINTER The Esconido Subdivision was bought by the NCTD from the Santa Fe railroad to start up passenger service along the line, this became what is now known as the SPRINTER service, which runs from Oceanside to Escondido since 2008. The route has 15 station on a mixed single and double track line. Service runs every 30 minutes and goes from 4am to 9pm most days except Friday and Saturday which run later. The line is describe as a hybrid rail system, as it incorporates both commuter rail and light rail features. The SPRINTER's service facilities are located in Escondido The SPRINTER trains use Siemens Desiro class DMU's in service along the line. Unlike most other passenger equipment in the states, these DMU's are not FRA compliant, and cannot share tracks with freight trains, though the line does see freight service late at night which Ill go in depth later. COASTER The primary commuter rail of the line, Coaster runs from Oceanside, where it connects with Metrolink and the Sprinter trains, to the old Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. The train has a total of 8 stops with almost 30 services daily, with an extra train each way on Fridays and special train for select Padres home games. COASTER's current primary equipment is the Siemens SC-44 Charger and Bombardier Bi-Levels, they previous rostered 5 F40PHM-2C which were retired in 2021, and 2 F59PHI's which are set to be retired this year. COASTER's equipment is maintained at the Stuart Mesa Mechanical Facility, which is located north of the Oceanside Transit center near Camp Pendleton. the yard also serves the local that switches out the Escondido branch. AMTRAK PACIFIC SURFLINER Not gonna dive to much into the Pacific Surfliner, but the PS has only a total of 4 station stops along this part of the Surfline. -Oceanside -Solana Beach -SD-Old Town transit center -SD-Santa Fe Depot The most recent timetable from July 17th 2023, lists 19 services between Los Angeles and San Diego. The Surfliner also utilize a Siemens SC-44 Charger, though with a rear spoiler added to match the heights of the double decker Surfliner Cars. BNSF BNSF runs only a handful of mainline trains along the Surfline, with the most common one being the Daygo, a manifest train that runs between San Diego and Barstow California. An Autorack train can also be seen on the line, as empties are usually sent to San Diego to pick up cars in the area. The last kind of mainline trains that are seen on the Surfline are Military trains, usually these run when a unit is being sent for deployment overseas and their equipment is moved to the Naval yards in San Diego for transportation. BNSF also does run local freight along the line, taking over duties from the Pacific Sun Railroad which handled the local duties from 2008 to 2020. These include the Escondido Branch and the Miramar Branch. The main industry that the Escondido Branch services is the Vitagold Co-Op located at the end of the branch, there is also a spur for a lumber yard as well. I'm not 100% familiar with the area, so there could be more to the freight side of things for the area. LANDMARKS So one thing I want to add in new route suggestions is landmarks, these would be unique buildings or structures that should be included in some way shape or form on the route featured. Features for this part of the Surfline would be.... Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack (Visible in Del Mar) Del Mar Surf Station (Former ATSF station) Petco Park and San Diego Convention Center (Visible near the BNSF yard) San Diego Trolley (Parallels the line for a few miles) Granted, this might be a bit ambitious of a suggestion, as it would require at least 1 new locomotive (SC-44) 1 new DMU (Siemens Desiro) new passenger equipment (Surfliner Cars) and the chance in hell DTG gets a NCTD license. But it would be a very versatile US based route that features the following.... -Commuter Rail (COASTER) -Intercity Rail (Surfliner) -Hybrid rail (SPRINTER) -Mainline Freight (BNSF, at least 6 possible trains) -Local Freight (BNSF, at least 2 locals plus yard work)
The sprinter looks kinda weird but it seems like there's going to be quite a lot to do in that section of the track licenses permitting.
For the BNSF freight trains, this can be layered from Cajon Pass. DB BR642 from this route subs on NID using modern RMV RB34 Frankfurt Am Main Bad Villbel Glauberg Stockheim Timetable Riesa-Dresden VVO decals VBN Wunderline Bremen Oldenburg Groningen SKA RE20 making it the only American route to give a DMU to the German routes. DB traffic red is its alt paint version of the DB BR 642 Sprinter paint
Possible locos for this route: -Coaster and Surfliner Siemens SC-44 Chargers with matching passenger cars; Coaster cab car drivable, too -Sprinter consist -BNSF GP60, GP50, or GP39-3 for local freights -BNSF ET44C4 or C44-9W for mainline freights The military train would be awesome, as would the empty autorack and manifest freights. The new cars could also be used on Cajon Pass services. -DLCs: Amtrak P42DC Genesis, Surfliner F59PHI, Coaster F40PHM-2C and F59PHI
Gonna bump this thread real quick, but with the Siemens Desiro now in game via Maintalbahn, it would make this suggestion a little more believable, as the only new loco needed is the SC44 Charger. Granted DTG wold still need licensing from the NCTD, but maybe they'll get in board like Metrolink. (Though recent US route developments makes me think this route would be a disappointment if made)
I say 100% yes, this would be truly my favorite U.S TSW route if they decide to make it! Especially the charger locomotive which I am PRAYING they'll add someday. Also, I didn't know the U.S used European DMU's... that's quite surprising to me.
Gonna bump this suggestion, as it would work very well with the Route Hopping feature if DTG also made the Amtrak Surfliner/ Metrolink Orange County Line from Los Angeles to Ocean Side, as one could then hop to this route to continue Surfliner trains, or swap Metrolink to COASTER trains or visa versa.
