Switchers On The Mainline

[FHRob]

I'm finding workshop scenarios using switchers in mainline consists.

I believe switchers aren't geared for mainline use. Am I correct here?

Also, could a switcher be towed in a mainline consist, i.e. not powered on?

Rob

[buzz456]

I have seen switchers lashed up with road engines on the UP mainline near my home several times however I don't know if they were powered up or just being moved.

[The_Garbear]

Switchers are usually not geared for road use, correct. It may be a power move, but I think it's more likely that Workshop authors just like to include all kinds of wildly implausible DLC just for the sake of increasing the variety of the scenario at the expense of realism. One of the scenarios on the front page of the newest scenarios sees you in control of a CN SD70M-2 and 5 high nose NS SD40-2s pulling double stacks and a caboose over Donner, including lots of BN and BNSF SD40-2s, UP SD70s, SP Tunnel Motors, etc. Or another scenario where you drive the DRGW heritage SD70ACe with two SD45s, one in SP paint one in UP. Obviously this is impossible because the last SD45 in service with UP was retired in the early 90s and the DRGW unit is less than 10 years old, but the average person doesn't know or probably care.

Personally I put a bit of research into my scenarios to make them realistic, but most people who play this game (e.g. people who bought the game for $4 during a Steam sale) just want to see a bunch of really varied trains in their scenarios- Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Ericmopar]

It's not implausible.
S.P. used to lash up switchers all the time. I'm guessing they were being moved and put to work at the same time.

[The_Garbear]

That may have happened, but that specifically isn't my point. What I'm saying is that I think in general people put switchers into their scenarios just because it adds a bit of variety.