So the latest roadmap showed that we are getting another gameplay pack for the base routes (Par for the course at this point) So now thinking, is what would DTG actually include for it for San Bernardino Line? Knowing from past packs, they only use content already included in TSW in the past (At least for the US side) So what could it be for SBL? 1. BNSF GP38-2 + Steel Coil Cars So the 1st one that makes sense to me would be a BNSF GP38-2, with a reskinned Steel Coil car from TSW2020. BNSF is the only class 1 freight railroad in TSW without a 4-axle unit, and it makes sense to included it with SBL due to BNSF's present at Kaiser yard and the surrounding area. The steel coil cars make sense due to the large amount of steel that is still made in the Fontana area (Though the actual Kaiser steel mill isnt modeled on the map). Most of BNSF's GP38-2 roster came from the BN, so I would expect models based on that heritage. 2. Metrolink F40PH #800 So this one is odd to me, but the TSC discord seems to predict it, so Ill include it. Metrolink acquired a few Ex-Amtrak F40's, though they only kept 1 for service. Numbered #800, it was the lone F40 that ever served Metrolink. Its main duties were special events, switching, and work trains, though it could also act as backup power if needed. The unit was retired around 2020. Gameplay wise, it would only serve a small role being only 1 unit, and I doubt this would be in the pack. 3. BNSF AC4400CW Heritage 2 paint. So the last possible locomotive I can see DTG using for this pack is a BNSF AC4400CW. BNSF owns about 121 of them, which were all delivered in BNSF's Heritage 2 paint, though 40 of them saw passenger service between 2015-2016. The reason why was due to a derailment in 2015 involving the then new Rotem Cab car. During the investigation and later fixes to the cab cars, BNSF AC44's were used in front of the Rotems. They were later returned to BNSF after the fixes were made. For TSW, these units could serve both roles, as a Mainline freight loco for BNSF in the already existing timetable, as well as replicating the 2015-2016 era with a scenario based around when they were leased to Metrolink.
Unfortunately, unless DTG makes an announcement next month, we are probably left with this as the last DTG DLC for US content till mid 2025.
Welp, this whole list is moot at this point now..... If you go into SBL and check the layer menu, you will see a new layer pop up..... HOLIDAY_TRAIN So what does this mean? Well it probaly means that the SBL gameplay pack will be a DLC focused on Metrolinks Holiday Train, which used to run with 2 locos, 1 car, some MOW flatcars decorated for the season, and a caboose... Unfortunately in modern day, this train was brought back in 2023, and was ran with only 2 locos as power and the rest filled with Rotems and 1 Bi-Level..... In other words, this DLC will most likely be based on the 2023 edition, which ran only with that power, maybe subbing in the MP36 as well. So not really anything new is gonna be used...... Either way, it just pretty much took all my excitement away for this pack.......
I don't think that's likely at all. So far, this kind of pack has always included at the very least a repainted piece of rolling stock. DTG is not going to sell a pack that includes nothing except for a timetable layer for rolling stock you already own. The Cajon Pass dependency also makes no sense if it's just the normal passenger stock that came with the route.
Currently "Holiday Train" formation in the editor atm, yes it could be a placeholder, but its set up like the 2023 formations, but with the MP36's on each ends instead of the F125's. At most DTG could add some basic lights to the coaches or something, but still nothing to get excited about.
Well, those are the locos and coaches from the San Bernardino Line route itself, and DTG has never sold just a timetable layer with no rolling stock at all, so this is either a placeholder or it doesn't actually have anything to do with the gameplay pack. They might just be adding the Holiday Train as a seasonally appropriate free update or something like that.
If the gameplay pack ends up being this, then that's just very sad, lol The older style holiday train would be much more interesting, even if done with MP36s in place of the F59s. After all, we already have the older bi-level cars and flat cars (and you could modify the Clinchfield caboose if you really don't want to make a new one). So you just need to decorate everything up. Either way, I wish it was the F40. It would have been a fun addition and it would have made sense, considering they were just working on the F40 for the MBTA route as well.
Woohoo!!! F59PH is a great choice! I wasn’t expecting it to come for some reason but I’m glad it is! Much better choice than the F40 for Metrolink considering they have a fleet of these but only one F40. Not much info in the announcement other than the detail that it’s coming to San Bernardino AND Antelope Valley. This is great news and means AVL isn’t completely abandoned. I hope they take the opportunity to also bring the MP36 and bi-levels to AVL and fix/update the timetable and consists! Great news for fans of the Metrolink routes either way.
Was actually quite a good announcement. I'm usually exclusively UK routes only... But SB, and AV both got me more into American passenger operations. To add more variety to these routes is really good. Looking forward to it!
i'm happy there making f59ph locomotive and i hope it open the way for more verity of the locomotive i think mbta has one and there be repaint of f59ph in go transit by the community for cn route for sure. i donno if there going to be cars added to this loco pack. wait and see.
They do not, the MBTA owns a GP40MC, which were former GP40-2LW's originally owned by Canadian National, rebuilt by AMF (Which is now owned by Alstom) in the 90's.
Did we are missing any Metrolink cars? I thought we had a full set of modern ones. The only variant is Bombardier for those who have AVL, but don't have SBL.
The only passenger based one we are missing is the older white livery Bombardiers, everything else is MOW equipment like their caboose.
I'm happy that the F59 will be coming to both Metrolink routes. I'm guessing this will mean the AVL timetable will finally be updated which will be nice
If you wan't to get technical we don't have the Gen 3 bi-levels. As you probably also know they look a little different with smooth sides and no exposed rivets. Beyond that I don't know if there is any differences that matter. It would be cool to get the white bi-levels in any form. At this point my biggest hope with the Metrolink routes in any event is that AVL gets updated with a new timetable (the one we have is older and has some flat out errors with a few trains departing at very wrong times even based on the timetable its supposed to be following, like an hour off) and bring over the stock from SBD, as well as the longer consists where appropriate (I think the 4 cars are correct for most of the AVL services but other AI ones should be longer).
So it looks like its the holiday train officially! It's not the most exciting gameplay pack but I think it will be fun. The holiday train DTG is creating looks like the 2023 version but actually nicer (it has Christmas decorations unlike the real one in the video posted at the top... not sure why Metrolink would even call that one a holiday train). My son is obsessed with Christmas lights/decorations this year so he will have fun seeing this. I am hoping/assuming that it is scenarios, and that we won't see holiday train services showing up in timetable (or if they do, they are at least confined to December and we don't see a Christmas train passing us in July timetable). The fact that the F59 is now known to be coming makes the gameplay pack less of a major thing IMO. I am super excited for the F59. Mildly excited for the Christmas train but I will get it.
Oh good eye. I see that now. With that known I hope they use the same setup as with the RHTT trains on the UK routes - where the player can select them in any month they want to, but they only show up as AI during the months that are correct to real life (ie RHTTs only show up in the fall and these holiday trains would only show up in December I guess).
Also, this means that the "engineering" programming is already done for the F59PHI (streamlined body like an MP36 on the same chassis), which is a mainstay of California Amtrak services. Possibilities.......
The F59PHI has more horsepower (3200 vs 3000) and different gearing (110 vs 80ish) so DTG would still need more research if the simugraph needs to be reworked for it. Also a slightly different 710 prime mover. 12-710G3A vs 12-710G3C-EC.
So, pretty much a hybrid of old and new. Lights from the older train, but on the newer rolling stock.
I wonder what Metrolink's real 2024 holiday train looks like. Maybe DTG knows more than we do... they must still own the decorations so it would be cool if they add them to the new train.
