Long Island Rail Road

[ChrisLIRR]

I think the next US commuter expansion pack should be based on oldest and busiest commuter rail road still in operation, the Long Island Rail Road. In addition to paying homage to a diverse railroad that was originally constructed to bring passengers to Eastern Long Island to board ferries bound for Boston, it would offer amazing routes and scenarios. It could span the ages of the rolling stock, from the old steam engines to the M3 and M7 multiple unit electric trains and the Bi-Level coaches using EMD's for push/pull service. Some of the EMD's are dual mode, switching from electric to diesel service as they travel east. I believe it would also be the first expansion pack with trains utilizing third rail instead of catenary.

Scenarios could include rush hour in and out of Penn Station competing with traffic from NJ Transit and Amtrak or the future East Side Access project bringing the LIRR into Grand Central Station. Other routes could include departing the Big Apple on the "Cannonball" out to Montauk on a Friday summer afternoon. Or the Long Beach branch to Atlantic Terminal Brooklyn, which includes a draw bridge, elevated rail, underground tunnels, and transferring passengers at Jamaica station, an impressive intermodal transit center. We would have to make sure they include the arcing between the 3rd rail and shoe as a visual effect.

Anyone with me on this? I think it has huge potential.

-Chris

[ChrisLIRR]

I forgot to mention the freight operations on the LIRR system. The New York Atlantic Railway is the freight company that utilizes portions of the LIRR system. So those RailWorks fans that prefer freight over commuter rail, this idea doesn't leave you out either.

[PapaXpress]

If someone pulls this off, I might find my wife playing RW.

[Chessie8638]

The New York Atlantic Railway is the freight company that utilizes portions of the LIRR system.

The NY&A:
*taken on RR property w/ permission, etc, etc.



I would like to see the LIRR. The trackwork around Jamaica would drive any route builder bonkers. I was thinking when I get the Class 455 and 4CIG to repaint some into the MTA scheme just for fun.

Connects into the NEC nicely @ Harold Interlocking and into NY Penn Station. Also don't forget CSX and P&W coming into Fresh pond for interchange.

[spec5sx]

I actually like this idea. Big project though.