Route Proposal: Watsonville Junction, Coast Line & Local Branch Lines ( Southern Pacific Era)

Discussion in 'Route Suggestions & Proposals' started by Blacknred81, Nov 23, 2019.

  1. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    So I think a interesting area that would make a good route for Train Simulator would be the Salinas Valley, Watsonville Juction, the Coast Line and the surrounding areas set in the Southern Pacific Era.

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    Watsonville Junction c1935

    The route could be a good addition, as the area would include the Main Coast Line, as well as the Santa Cruz Branch Line and the Monterrey Branch Line.

    -Coast Line
    -The Southern Pacific Coastline was a SP mainline that ran along the Coast of California, this was the primary route of Southern Pacific's Coast Daylight. The Lark also ran this route.

    The route could start in Gilroy, then run south as far as King City or San Lucas, which would include the citys of Castroville, Salinas, Gonzales, and Soledad. This would be roughly about 90 miles of Mainline running for the route, though the only major passenger station on the line is in Salinas. The various industries along the line would also be included.
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    -Santa Cruz Branch Line
    -This branch line ran north from Watsonville Junction, towards Davenport, with Street Running in both Watsonville, and Santa Cruz. There is a wye north of Santa Cruz's boardwalk, which runs towards Felton, which is now used by the Santa Cruz & Big Trees Railway. UP continued to run the line post 1996 past Santa Cruz until Cemex closed the plant in Davenport down. The Line is still partially used today. Southern Pacific also used to run the "Suntan Special" which ran via Watsonville (Used to run via the SP Coast Railroad) from 1940 till 1959.
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    Monterrey Branch Line
    -The other branch line that could be included is the Monterrey branch line, Which ran from Monterrey, thru Marina, and connected to the Coast Line near Castroville. One passenger train was ran by SP on this line, the Del Monte, which had stops in Monterrey, Castroville, Watsonville Jtc. and Gilroy, before heading towards San Jose and up the Peninsula corridor. The Del Monte was SP's longest running named train, running from 1889 to 1971. The line also saw some freight service.
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    Rolling Stock
    -GP9/GP9R's
    Seems to be the most common locomotive seen in the photos that I've been going thru.
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    -SDP45,F7's,E7's,PA1/PB1
    For use on the LD passenger trains
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    SD40/SD40R
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    Alternately the route could also be set in the steam/transition era, which would make the GS class locomotives perfect for Coast Daylights, as well as other Steam Locomotives on SP's roster.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2019
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  2. 777Gaming

    777Gaming Well-Known Member

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    This is a nice idea. SP Geep's and PA's would look amazing with the coastline seen.
     
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  3. Average_Joe57

    Average_Joe57 Active Member

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    This a fantastic idea! I would love to see how this would turn it out if DTG decides to make it.
     
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  4. treid09

    treid09 Guest

    Nice proposal. Looks like you put a lot of effort into it. I would love to see another espee route!
     
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  5. Buynot

    Buynot Well-Known Member

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    Love the idea! If it's set in the transition era, some MT-4s or P-8s are a must for steam power. It would also be nice to finally get an F7/E8 in Daylight colors with matching rolling stock. Perhaps a revamp of the GS-4 as well? The one already available looks more and more outdated every day.
     
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  6. JGRudnick

    JGRudnick Well-Known Member

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    This is a great idea! Can't wait to see it if DTG decides to give this route the green-light.
     
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  7. TommyPicklesfan1992

    TommyPicklesfan1992 Member

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    And It will be great if This Route goes to San Luis Obispo.
     
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  8. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    What about an SP FM H-24-66 Trainmaster, SD7 or SD9, or SD45? I would like the GS4, too.
     
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  9. Blacknred81

    Blacknred81 Well-Known Member

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    Extending on the Santa Cruz Branch line, I think the route from Santa Cruz to Felton can also be included as well, since loads of lumber were dropped by the Santa Cruz local when returning from Davenport, then picked up by the Santa Cruz and Big Trees Railway, which could be its own separate DLC from the route. This would also give us an opportunity to get the CF7 (F-Unit rebuilts) in game, though IDK if the BNSF licensing would come into play since the ATSF did the rebuilds. This was also the original line for the Southern Pacific "Suntan Train" before storm damage forced abandonment of the line in 1940.
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