The Racetrack: Aurora - Chicago (BNSF + Metra)

[BoostedFridge]

Nevertheless, Amtrak has an important presence here, especially in the coach yard south of Union Station. To accommodate this, we are providing a Very Low Poly (VLP) version of an Amtrak train set. VLP cars have very little surface detail, opaque windows and no interiors. The primary purpose of the Amtrak VLP set is to populate the east (Amtrak) half of the coach yard more or less realistically, without overly taxing your hardware. The Amtrak train can also be used in AI service and in fact makes a supporting-role appearance in a few of the included scenarios. If you want to develop a true Amtrak scenario for this route, users have to provide their own DLC train set.

Similarly, we're providing a VLP version of a Metra train set to be used in the west half of the coach yard and at Hill Yard which services the Aurora terminus. In this case, the locomotive is really just another "wagon." We use the fully developed version of the commuter set for both player and AI trains.

You can see the results in that "Street View" shot I posted. Please, please don't look at them too closely!

@Nvergilio, see above ^

[OpenRailer90]

In regards to the drivable vehicles, what are the sounds that will be used? I am hoping that no poor sounds will be used, I'm guessing the cab car and coach sounds will be edited versions of Anthony Wood's sounds used by the Surfliner train set, with new horn and bell.

On the Amtrak vehicles: are they exactly the same as the ones in the Empire Builder Pack or are they slightly different? (P32 sound!)

As this thread keeps on expanding, it is greatly appreciated to include an F40PHM-2 and/or even an MP36PH-3S as included vehicles, or DLC locos just by themselves.

[tbundy1982]

Thanks for another Midwestern route! Everything looks great so far. Is this set in the present day or recent past?

Tyler

[ricksan]

Some responses to your various posts...

-- I think you'll find the Union Station south platform interior very much resembles the real thing. That includes the ornate, steam-era, glazed monitors above some of the platforms, which can be viewed from both the inside and the outside. The only major missing item I can think of are the lit advertising signs which I omitted in lieu of installing fake ones. I've had to do enough of that as it is! The F40PH locomotive, along with its cab, has been significantly reworked from RSC source files to Metra specifications. Additional cab controls were installed. The Cab Coach cab is a new model that closely follows the arrangement of the actual Nippon Sharyo cabs. The bi-level gallery coaches include a detailed "5-key" passenger view. Screen shots will be posted after DTG has posted their own.

-- DTG stock sounds are used. I don't know where they originally came from and I have no idea how "accurate" they are or under what operational, environmental and acoustic conditions they were recorded, what recording equipment was used, how or where it was set up, etc. Anybody who doesn't like them is welcome, as always, to provide their own.

-- Our information is that most, if not all, Metra F40PHs have a single, amber, roof-mounted Prime Mfg. beacon on the conductor's side, so that's what's on the model.

-- The route era is present-day -- except for the F40PHs.

[Metrarailfan]

-- DTG stock sounds are used. I don't know where they originally came from and I have no idea how "accurate" they are or under what operational, environmental and acoustic conditions they were recorded, what recording equipment was used, how or where it was set up, etc. Anybody who doesn't like them is welcome, as always, to provide their own.

Do you mean the sounds from the surfliner cabcars?

[Metrarailfan]

Also is there any chance of pedestrian crossing gates being used?

[OpenRailer90]

-- DTG stock sounds are used. I don't know where they originally came from and I have no idea how "accurate" they are or under what operational, environmental and acoustic conditions they were recorded, what recording equipment was used, how or where it was set up, etc. Anybody who doesn't like them is welcome, as always, to provide their own.

Do you mean the sounds from the surfliner cabcars?

Yes, however with the prototypical horn and bell if applicable. Also curious about the sounds on the other locomotives.

[mjlevy1118]

I am beyond thrilled for this route! It is very, very welcome to see a Metra route being made for train simulator, and I'm confident this route and rolling stock are developed in capable hands. Thank you very much to all involved.

[OpenRailer90]

Ricksan: you can use YouTube to have an idea on how the locomotives' horns and bells sound like. For example, you can use the bell sound of the DTM GP50/GP30/DD40, and the stock Nathan P5 on the Metra F40PH.

[DrewG]

No he can't. He doesn't own the sounds. Please give it a rest with constant demands for sounds, make them yourself when you get the add on.

[ColoradoRailfan]

Not to worry, I am good at making and changing sounds of my own.

Also is there any chance of pedestrian crossing gates being used?

I have not seen anyone make them, but I do hope someone does make them because it would be a really nice addition.

[Peter749]

This route, being only 40+ miles long, isn't really amenable to heavy-duty Amtrak operations.

Is the California Zepher still routed this way?
When I travelled on it in 1996 it had three locos on the front to Denver.

Peter

[dejoh]

This route, being only 40+ miles long, isn't really amenable to heavy-duty Amtrak operations.

Is the California Zepher still routed this way?
When I travelled on it in 1996 it had three locos on the front to Denver.

Peter

Yes. Along with the Southwest Chief.

[mjlevy1118]

Yes. The California Zephyr serves Chicago Union Station and Naperville. So do the Southwest Chief, Illinois Zephyr, and the Carl Sandburg. While the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr only stop at Naperville, the Illinois Zephyr and the Carl Sandburg also call at La Grange Road.

[ColoradoRailfan]

We have 2 stations for the California Zephyr, and the Southwest Chief we can stop at. When this route gets released ill be sure to run AMTK #5 and #6 California Zephyrs on this route alot.