This is my third large route project (my first major route is in the "steam workshop", Aerthburgh Valley Railroad). I figured I'd share screenshots of my current project here and eventually release it here and finally be involved with the great community here.
This route is an entirely fictional freight route, inspired by railroads, industry, and scenery of Northern Illinois / Wisconsin / Midwestern America (hence the name being 3 counties in Illinois). The route is planned to be about 15 miles long from end to end (with a 4 mile branch line). Most of the route is focused around switching a small yard and "steam generation" plant, a variety of other industries, and trains along the main portion of the route to be brought to an interchange with another RR.
Here's some screenshots of what I have so far (in its current version):









It's been a long while since I've posted an update to this route. Wanted to show some of the new areas I've been working on. If there's any recommendations or good reference photos I could use for realism, let me know. (Amateur modeler here, but I can try!)

















