Is This Too Crazy?

[TheTeenageFoamer]

I really would like the Norfolk Southern Lafayette District route (formally known as "The Wabash District") to be bookended by NS yards. The one in Lafayette next to tate and lyle isn't used as a mainline yard, and the yard close to the amtrak station belongs to CSX. I thought about taking the route from Lafayette and continuing it to Danvile, IL, doubling it's overall length to 110 miles. I also thought maybe taking it to Decatur, IL, and having the district in it's entirety in one route, however this would be a breathtaking 190 miles! Would this be too long of a route? I believe the longest route by DTG is Marias pass, about 150 miles.

[artimrj]

We put over 2 years in the Lafayette route as it is now. You got any helpers? If not, you got a lot of years work ahead of you.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

We put over 2 years in the Lafayette route as it is now. You got any helpers? If not, you got a lot of years work ahead of you.

I believe Buzz is on board (Buzz leave a reply if otherwise)
I think since I am familiar with the general area, it might go by a bit faster, but that could just be my optimissum.

[BoostedFridge]

I would suggest to you that you set small, achievable goals for extending the route. Even if you end up adding another 100 miles to it, I would start on one side and set a goal of a relatively close location. Once you achieve that, release, and continue. The mindset of 'just another 10 miles' versus 'just another 100 miles' can be quite motivating, or demotivating.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

I would suggest to you that you set small, achievable goals for extending the route. Even if you end up adding another 100 miles to it, I would start on one side and set a goal of a relatively close location. Once you achieve that, release, and continue. The mindset of 'just another 10 miles' versus 'just another 100 miles' can be quite motivating, or demotivating.

Very true, I'll finish the sections of the route I originally started with and then go from there.

[xxuntitledxx]

I've been there, I'm working on NS's Lehigh Line (with extensions onto Conrail) and I find all these posts helpful. Do it in small chunks and it'll be manageable. Also, you do have literally years of work ahead of you. I'm on year 4 (I think) and my route in total is about 150 miles of track. I can just encourage you to keep at it even though it'll feel like it takes forever. In the end it's worth the wait

[artimrj]

I spent over 2 years on the NERW PA Div route with helpers. At one point I was telling people I gotta get this done before I die. Felt like for ever. Lafayette was doing the same to me, both routes are 50 miles long.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

I've probably got more work cut out for me than I ever thought about, but I feel like this is a great route to run for it's variety and high speed freight. But I guess I just gotta keep at it and it'll get there.