LAST EDITED ON Nov-07-04 AT 01:59 PM (EST)
Although my BP is too high to fool with the RE, I offer some ideas:1) One of the most challenging routes I have ever encountered is the Kansas City Southern (KCS) between Neosho MO and Watts OK, about 60 miles. Once a helper district, it has several 1.5% up over the top to 1.5% down and then back up again grades, and would certainly test MSTS's and our physics values and train handling skills. Long coal trains with mid-train or rear end helpers were the norm, I remember seeing one crest the hill at a place called Gravette and while the lead units were still in full power going down the other side, the helpers were coming UP the hill in full dynamics! This was to keep the train stretched so the cars didn't run down on the lead units when most of the train (tonnage) was over the top. You can't do that in MSTS, but here is another route that was operated with GP-35's and NO dynamic brakes (in the 60's, at least):2) Union Pacific (nee Mopac, nee Texas & Pacfic) between Texarkana and Marshall or Longview TX, about 60 miles. Lot's of short little "hogbacks" in excess of 1% and some 20 mph restrictions thru towns. A regular drawbar alley.If someone chose to do one of these, it would be important to build the route with the correct grades, a quality lacking in some recent products of non-defunct manufacturers.fwbryan
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