Trying to create realistic scenarios on the Montana Hi-Line

[mrgreen]

I've made a few fictional scenarios for the AC4400CW on the Montana Hi-Line, one two part scenario with an eastbound low priority grain train but I wanted to try to make something that was a bit more realistic.
My idea is to make a scenario where you drive "very long" Intermodal train (96 cars) from Havre to Shelby as part of a Q-train from Chicago to the west coast (perhaps Seattle, Spokane or Portland).
I'm wondering how much Hp/tons is common for a Q-train (i.e not highest priority Z-train but I presume relatively high priority) and how common it is to have to stop on the way, I know that the Hi-Line is quite congested.

Right now I have a "beta"-version with 2.0 Hp/ton (86 loads and 10 empties with a 4x0 configuration) and it stops briefly at Pacific Junction for an eastbound train that was occupying the single track and then goes all the way through the double tracks unhindered until there is a brief stop at Buelow for a slow moving train that didn't get to the siding in time. After that it's clear signals all the way to Shelby. I wanted the scenario to be the whole way (so slightly longer than the 50-60 minute scenarios that comes with the AC4400CW) but I'm not sure if I'm stopping the train unrealistically often or if this is common.

Are there any resources like train radars or posted timetables that can be found to help create realistic scenarios? In Europe there are several publicly available radar and data services that you can use to basically get every train to follow a realistic timetable.

[CN2899]

Grain trains 110 - 115 hoppers 2x0x2, oil trains are 102 cars 2x0x2, from recent videos intermodals run 2x0x0 or 4x0, 2x0x2 and manifests run with either power all. Up front or with a dpu

[BoostedFridge]

Your configuration of power and train length is pretty much spot on for the Q CHCSSE trains that run west on this route. There would be two eastbound Z trains, two EB Q trains, and then the EB Empire Builder within a 24 hour period that are of greater or equal priority than your westbound Q.

[mrgreen]

Thanks guys!

How common would it be for a Q-train to overtake a lower priority train on the double track stretch between Gildford and Joplin? I was thinking of passing over the Q-train at Hingham to the EB track (south?) around a slow WB train and then back.
Btw, does anyone know of an approximate "trains per day"-number on the Shelby-Havre route?

[CN2899]

Thanks guys!

How common would it be for a Q-train to overtake a lower priority train on the double track stretch between Gildford and Joplin? I was thinking of passing over the Q-train at Hingham to the EB track (south?) around a slow WB train and then back.
Btw, does anyone know of an approximate "trains per day"-number on the Shelby-Havre route?

. More than feasible for over taking heavier or slower trains some manifests will have a bit of priority, oil and grain move at a steady pace. So a high priority Q will overtake if opportunity arises, a friend of mine works for CP his hot 199 got plugged behined 2 coal trains and wasnt aloud to overtake, but he had been on a coal the 199 would have been aloud to pass he reckons,