Arizona Divide Modernized
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 12:01 amWith the one-year anniversary of Milepost Simulations' Arizona Divide approaching in the next few days, I figure now would be a good time to shed some light on the progress on my own edit of the route; the Arizona Divide Modernized (name is subject to change over time). This version brings the ATSF Seligman Subdivision 30 years into future - from 1993 Santa Fe ops to modern-day "post-giant-merger" BNSF rule in 2023. Not only has the track infrastructure been upgraded to reflect the prototype, but the entire route is undergoing extensive scenery upgrades in an effort to make it much more accurate and detailed over the original.
Additionally, the mainline tracks west of Williams Junction are currently planned to be extended as far as Seligman, the halfway point and namesake town of the subdivision. This will allow for high speed operations over the 44-mile "Crookton Cutoff" through Arizona's wilderness. An extra 22 miles of the branching Phoenix sub is already in development between Williams and Ash Fork.
The following assets are required as of March 23, 2022:
Payware:
-Arizona Divide
-Stevens Pass
-Montana Hi-Line
-Pacific Surfliner
-Chicago Racetrack
-Renewable Energy Pack
-TS Reward Military Flatcars
-US & Euro Loco/Asset Pack
Freeware:
-Searchlight Simulations Defect Detectors (https://www.store.searchlight-simulatio ... -detectors)
(https://ajrailsim.pierreg.org/objets.htm)
-Véhicules USA Pack 1 and 2
-Faune Grand Norde - Pack 2
From Railworks America:
-Railworks Community Asset Project (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/r ... st-release)
-Maine Maritime (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... collection)
-Rail Greasers (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-Railroad Solar Power System (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-New Modern Traffic Lights (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air Coupes (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-60's 70's Car Pack 1 (https://railworksamerica.com/index.php/ ... =22:models)
Now on to the eye candy
Keep in mind that this is still a work in progress, so you will notice several barren or otherwise unfinished patches in the following screenshots. These will all be filled out and detailed in due time 
Winslow Amtrak Depot with a bit of spice to it.
Trying my best to kitbash certain landmarks...
Winslow crew change, looking east toward the Gallup subdivision.
The mainline was widened to 4 tracks in 2020 to accommodate heavy rail traffic.
A number of former track alignments are sprinkled across the divide.
Canyon Diablo has been fleshed out a bit more.
LPG Facility at Darling. In need of a tank car fueling platform for the spur.
You gotta do what you gotta do. Sure wish we had some newer SafeTran signals for the sim...
The foamers are out in full force at Cosnino
Cosnino Road looking west.
Approaching McPhetridge.
Actual tip: Arizona State Troopers like to hang out in the trees just outside of East Flagstaff. Watch your speed if you're ever there.
Lots of trailers on standby to load up with fresh puppy chow.
The other side of Purina looking east.
East Flagstaff looking west. The crossover was relocated between Fanning Dr. and Steves Blvd.
Part of the mainline through East Flagstaff was realigned, leaving the old ROW to be built over throughout the years.
Would you believe that people still manage to get hit here?
Downtown Flagstaff.
THE Arizona Divide.
East Bellemont crossovers.
Bellemont is home to the rail-served Schuff Steel.
I knew these old cantelievers would come in handy at some point
This is referencing exactly who you think it is.
Crossovers tucked away at Chalender.
Inspired by a neat painting from several years back.
Williams Junction is home to one of the loneliest Amtrak platforms in the country. It's no longer in service as of 2019.
The original Santa Fe Depot is also long gone besides the foundation.
BNSF's Phoenix sub, known by locals as the "Peavine" begins here.
Downtown Williams. The track closest to the depot is owned by the Grand Canyon Railway.
Another effort at kitbashing.
Fleshed out the detail around Williams Depot.
Grand Canyon Railway Shops.
The Seligman Sub crosses over the Grand Canyon Railway just north of town.
The speed limits match
Supai Summit, highest point on the Peavine. This section of the 'vine follows the original ATSF mainline alignment, which ran down the mountain to Ash Fork before winding back up towards Crookton.
The horsehoe curve at Corva is one of Arizona's best-kept secrets.
Another big horseshoe curve at Daze.
Looking west toward the town of Ash Fork. As of 2021, this has become a standard crew change point for PHX trains.
Back on the transcon at East Perrin, several miles into the Crookton Cutoff west of Williams. This part of the Seligman sub was built in the 1960s to bypass the original, slower mainline through Ash Fork. "Better Way For The Santa Fe" is an excellent documentary of its construction.
As of now, this project has no ETA for release. The first public release will likely be after the Winslow - Seligman portion is fully operational with a fairly even amount of detail. I do have greater ambitions in mind for the route, such as building the west half of Seligman to Needles, but let's just take this one step at a time first.
Additionally, the mainline tracks west of Williams Junction are currently planned to be extended as far as Seligman, the halfway point and namesake town of the subdivision. This will allow for high speed operations over the 44-mile "Crookton Cutoff" through Arizona's wilderness. An extra 22 miles of the branching Phoenix sub is already in development between Williams and Ash Fork.
The following assets are required as of March 23, 2022:
Payware:
-Arizona Divide
-Stevens Pass
-Montana Hi-Line
-Pacific Surfliner
-Chicago Racetrack
-Renewable Energy Pack
-TS Reward Military Flatcars
-US & Euro Loco/Asset Pack
Freeware:
-Searchlight Simulations Defect Detectors (https://www.store.searchlight-simulatio ... -detectors)
(https://ajrailsim.pierreg.org/objets.htm)
-Véhicules USA Pack 1 and 2
-Faune Grand Norde - Pack 2
From Railworks America:
-Railworks Community Asset Project (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/r ... st-release)
-Maine Maritime (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... collection)
-Rail Greasers (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-Railroad Solar Power System (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-New Modern Traffic Lights (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air Coupes (http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =22:models)
-60's 70's Car Pack 1 (https://railworksamerica.com/index.php/ ... =22:models)
Now on to the eye candy
Keep in mind that this is still a work in progress, so you will notice several barren or otherwise unfinished patches in the following screenshots. These will all be filled out and detailed in due time Winslow Amtrak Depot with a bit of spice to it.
Trying my best to kitbash certain landmarks...
Winslow crew change, looking east toward the Gallup subdivision.
The mainline was widened to 4 tracks in 2020 to accommodate heavy rail traffic.
A number of former track alignments are sprinkled across the divide.
Canyon Diablo has been fleshed out a bit more.
LPG Facility at Darling. In need of a tank car fueling platform for the spur.
You gotta do what you gotta do. Sure wish we had some newer SafeTran signals for the sim...
The foamers are out in full force at Cosnino
Cosnino Road looking west.
Approaching McPhetridge.
Actual tip: Arizona State Troopers like to hang out in the trees just outside of East Flagstaff. Watch your speed if you're ever there.
Lots of trailers on standby to load up with fresh puppy chow.
The other side of Purina looking east.
East Flagstaff looking west. The crossover was relocated between Fanning Dr. and Steves Blvd.
Part of the mainline through East Flagstaff was realigned, leaving the old ROW to be built over throughout the years.
Would you believe that people still manage to get hit here?
Downtown Flagstaff.
THE Arizona Divide.
East Bellemont crossovers.
Bellemont is home to the rail-served Schuff Steel.
I knew these old cantelievers would come in handy at some point
This is referencing exactly who you think it is.
Crossovers tucked away at Chalender.
Inspired by a neat painting from several years back.
Williams Junction is home to one of the loneliest Amtrak platforms in the country. It's no longer in service as of 2019.
The original Santa Fe Depot is also long gone besides the foundation.
BNSF's Phoenix sub, known by locals as the "Peavine" begins here.
Downtown Williams. The track closest to the depot is owned by the Grand Canyon Railway.
Another effort at kitbashing.
Fleshed out the detail around Williams Depot.
Grand Canyon Railway Shops.
The Seligman Sub crosses over the Grand Canyon Railway just north of town.
The speed limits match
Supai Summit, highest point on the Peavine. This section of the 'vine follows the original ATSF mainline alignment, which ran down the mountain to Ash Fork before winding back up towards Crookton.
The horsehoe curve at Corva is one of Arizona's best-kept secrets.
Another big horseshoe curve at Daze.
Looking west toward the town of Ash Fork. As of 2021, this has become a standard crew change point for PHX trains.
Back on the transcon at East Perrin, several miles into the Crookton Cutoff west of Williams. This part of the Seligman sub was built in the 1960s to bypass the original, slower mainline through Ash Fork. "Better Way For The Santa Fe" is an excellent documentary of its construction.
As of now, this project has no ETA for release. The first public release will likely be after the Winslow - Seligman portion is fully operational with a fairly even amount of detail. I do have greater ambitions in mind for the route, such as building the west half of Seligman to Needles, but let's just take this one step at a time first.
).
