[vermont204]

Thanks Rod!

The Thatcher Brook Railway/Swanton Branch is filled with scenes like this. :bravo:

[MP36PH3S]

Acela in fog.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/14162339933_d5e244fe94_o.png

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/14142276985_c4ee28ce1c_o.png

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5037/14119079216_39051a9241_o.png

[Metro4001]

Presenting a day on the Hammond Transfer Job featuring the Monon-2 Version 16 route.

A bit of backstory: it's 2014, but this isn't your grandchildren's 2014. Your father or grandfather would feel at home here. See in this 2014 rail is still king, back and better than even after it's near collapse in the 70s. Another industry that nearly collapsed in the 70s was the trucking industry due to a massive fuel shortage and the resulting explosion in prices. It never fully recovered. The government could only save one, and it chose the railroads. Much money was doled out and many reforms were made. From now on the bulk freight transportation in America would rest upon the back of the railroad industry. As such there couldn't be any failures in the system so one of the most interesting contingencies was the Government Surplus of equipment. In the early 80s the federal government began to ask railroads to "donate" surplus rolling stock to be stored in case of a massive increase in freight movement (or war). Depending on said value of stock the railroads would receive scrap value, sale value or even credits toward new rolling stock. So instead of going to the torch or a museum, a number of first, second, and now third and fourth generation diesels and tens of thousands of freight cars sit in storage awaiting their call to duty. Well, the time has come and they are being called up to serve as rail traffic is booming and the fragile trucking industry just can't keep up. So enjoy these shots of the Hammond Transfer Job doing it's thing in an America we can only dream of.....

The first shots show the Hammond Transfer's power; an ATSF GP-30 and BN F3A fresh out of Govt. surplus and a dingy BNSF SD-38. Say what you will about the Feds, they do keep the surplus engines looking nice. The GP-30 and the F-Unit both qualify for AARP membership in locomotive years but look much better than the BNSF unit.

While switching out the yard, several trains will pass on the main, the first being an Auto/Parts train. With the American Car makers doing 1950s numbers you can expect to see more of these trains and unit autoparts boxcar trains being pulled from storage. You'll notice the power is a solid lash up of ConRail GEs. Conrail is still split, NS/CSX just aren't as concerned with rebranding the locomotives. You'll notice this will be a major trend going forward. If it runs, use it, colors be damned.

Plenty more to come later but for now I am tired. Enjoy.

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[markus_GE]

Pretty cool background story there! I whish it could have been that way all over the world!

Great shots too, BTW.

Cheers, Markus

[Metro4001]

A few more scenes before I go off to work.

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[Mipman25]

Don't be silly, Metro4001 (whatever your name is), that's obviously 1984! ;) Interesting backstory. It's never too late to implement a bit of fiction into your MSTS experience.

Fantastic shots, Max. I can't praise them enough. Yours are definitely some of the best on the whole forum.

[rrfan96]

Metro4001, on 08 May 2014 - 09:48 PM, said:

Presenting a day on the Hammond Transfer Job featuring the Monon-2 Version 16 route.

A bit of backstory: it's 2014, but this isn't your grandchildren's 2014. Your father or grandfather would feel at home here. See in this 2014 rail is still king, back and better than even after it's near collapse in the 70s. Another industry that nearly collapsed in the 70s was the trucking industry due to a massive fuel shortage and the resulting explosion in prices. It never fully recovered. The government could only save one, and it chose the railroads. Much money was doled out and many reforms were made. From now on the bulk freight transportation in America would rest upon the back of the railroad industry. As such there couldn't be any failures in the system so one of the most interesting contingencies was the Government Surplus of equipment. In the early 80s the federal government began to ask railroads to "donate" surplus rolling stock to be stored in case of a massive increase in freight movement (or war). Depending on said value of stock the railroads would receive scrap value, sale value or even credits toward new rolling stock. So instead of going to the torch or a museum, a number of first, second, and now third and fourth generation diesels and tens of thousands of freight cars sit in storage awaiting their call to duty. Well, the time has come and they are being called up to serve as rail traffic is booming and the fragile trucking industry just can't keep up. So enjoy these shots of the Hammond Transfer Job doing it's thing in an America we can only dream of.....

The first shots show the Hammond Transfer's power; an ATSF GP-30 and BN F3A fresh out of Govt. surplus and a dingy BNSF SD-38. Say what you will about the Feds, they do keep the surplus engines looking nice. The GP-30 and the F-Unit both qualify for AARP membership in locomotive years but look much better than the BNSF unit.

While switching out the yard, several trains will pass on the main, the first being an Auto/Parts train. With the American Car makers doing 1950s numbers you can expect to see more of these trains and unit autoparts boxcar trains being pulled from storage. You'll notice the power is a solid lash up of ConRail GEs. Conrail is still split, NS/CSX just aren't as concerned with rebranding the locomotives. You'll notice this will be a major trend going forward. If it runs, use it, colors be damned.

Plenty more to come later but for now I am tired. Enjoy.

That is the best use of MSTS ever, love the screenshots, and amazing fictional story, great to have on this National Train Day! :sign_thanks:

[Metro4001]

Thanks for the compliments guys, mucho appreciado. Here are some more scenes from the Hammond Transfer Job as a CN General Merchandise passes on the main. Modern-ish power but a lot of older rolling stock fresh out of storage. Note the 40ft boxcars and reefers.

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[Metro4001]

A BNSF Local pulled by a GP7m and a GP9 passes by as I switch out a cut and a shot of the yard after performing some complicated switching moves.

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[Jonatan]

That's what a proper yard should look like; jam packed!

I have a similar shot, taken some years ago.