Conrail/NS/CSX Chicago Lines

[nstrainman]

If i may ask when do you think this route will be released if you can take a guess. and i am ns21212 just under a new name. thanks,nstrainman

[buzz456]

iTiAP ,

Not sure yet. Sometime next year.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sometimes it would be nice if you would just take a few minutes and go back and read what's already been said.

[wisrailfan]

This is an amazing route you've got going. I think I'm going to end up fused to my computer chair when this one comes out.

[imnew]

This is an amazing route you've got going. I think I'm going to end up fused to my computer chair when this one comes out.

Thanks wisrailfan

[trainman38]

WOW great job with this one I hope my computer can take it

[wisrailfan]

You're welcome. Looking forward to this one.

[NSrailfan6130]

I had a conversation with Imnew and the bad news is it takes Several Payware assets, originally he wasn't going to release because of that very reason but he got such good feedback from us that he decided he would release if he finishes, if you don't have those assets you should still be able to run the route, but it will be very barren and missing much scenery

[dejoh]

Most of us "Old Timers" probably have most of the assets for the Conrail/NS/ CSX Chicago Lines as it has been in creation for a few years now. If I need new assets, I'll by gum get em.
This fantastic route is in my back yard. My work brings me to industry trackside all through Chicago. I'll be a waiting Imnew.

[NSrailfan6130]

Echo what Dejoh said, except that I"m not an Old timer and Im a little further south of this beautiful route

[imnew]

Hi guys.

I`m working my way out of South Bend Indiana, currently on the east side of the city. Its a nightmare to get South Bend to look decent due to its size and elevated track running through downtown. Also, the tracks are running through countless residential areas east of the city, takes for ever to place assets. Its a 50mph speed limit through town so any user will "swoosh" by South Bend within a minute or so, but it takes weeks to model the area.

The good news is that Elkhart Indiana is just on the horizon. Once Elkhart is done, terrain will have to be painted all the way from La Porte to Elkhart. The route as a whole is missing level crossings, signals ,whistle posts and more, so they will have to be placed as well. I also have to redo a small section of terrain east of Gary, not a problem. A general touch up here and there is also required. I will probably need some help with signals and a few other things once that time arrives.

Regarding payware assets. Like NSrailfan6130 said, the route is filled with payware assets, not user friendly I know, but it makes the route look the way it does. Not saying freeware assets look bad ! RCAP and other freeware items have also been used throughout the route and they look really good. Perhaps someone will make a complete freeware asset version of the route once its out

I see folks have high hopes for the route, good. But please do remember as I`m alone in creating the route, I had to make some short cuts here and there to make it this far. I`m mainly thinking of asset count per tile and, "hey that does not look like the street I live on" kind of thing.... Note: This is not a helicopter friendly route.... But I have done my best and do believe I have captured the area reasonably well.

The Norfolk Southern mainline is 50mph territory starting at Gary going east, so its gonna be a short run in terms of running time to Elkhart.

Thanks again for your support guys.

[NSrailfan6130]

Hey just keep up the good work imnew, its looking great !! Love the work

[wisrailfan]

Thanks for the progress update and all the work you've put into this. I've never been to any of the areas represented but have watched tons of videos from Blue Island, Dolton, Hammond, Pine Junction, and Elkhart, and wouldn't care if ever building and tree wasn't 100% correctly placed. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to recreate some of those trains and operations I've seen in those videos. Hopefully the talented repainters out there will create some IHB equipment to blend in with your route once released. Keep up the great work and hopefully nothing arises to cause frustration or discouragement from completing it.

[razorwyre]

Well Interesting, i live just east of Elkhart, and im about 5 mins from the NS Railyard there as well, lol the tracks are just down at the far south end of the street. [ as far as SB, Elk is concerned, CP/BNSF/UP use them quite alot, i know in the SB area the is the CP tracks heading north just an FYI] and im about 20 mins from south bend, so if you need pics of any area during your build thru SB, And Elkhart id be glad to help... Keep up the great work on this, and the route update looking forward to it myself

[GRE3839]

i can add another route to the Chicago Line and its called the Grand Elk Railroad that runs from Elkhart, IN to Grand Rapids, Michigan and that portion would extend the route another 150 miles which you could have a short line railroad to add to the route and the tracks are EX- Norfolk Southern, Ex-Conrail, Ex-Penn Central Tracks that run to Grand Rapids Michigan.

[imnew]

Thanks for offering to help and possibly extend the route. Still working on it when time permits. Still working my way out of South Bend, currently at the eastern most part of the city.