Railworks America

OK, I have 9 key codes to Award. The prize is the Western Pacific GP20. This one will be a little shorter than the last few. The rules are simple.

1. No Photoshop enhancements. And this is a general rule for all contests here.
2. You can use any route you wish and any era and any locomotion.
3. A title of the screenshot to present your theme is required.
4. A small paragraph of why this is your favorite something.
5. Only 1 screenshot per contestant.
6. Entry must be in before Tuesday, May 17th, 2016 by 10 pm EST.

Winners will be announced and awarded the evening of May 18th.

Here is the prize.

Canyon Cruisin'
Well, this is my favorite 'something'. A couple of ES44AC's on a grain train in Albert Canyon. I know ive said I hate GE's, there not bad engines at all. That was for Zek mostly if he sees it. And I like how the shot turned out, a lot. I really don't have much more to say, the screenie says it all.

Still The Kings.


One of my favourite things in railways is steam. The giant engines that brought so many to liking the railways, there is really nothing like them. Unfortunately this is an era I'm only going to experience in videos, pictures and this game, this game allowing me to get an experience like I was there. In real life I get the luckiest opportunity to volunteer with one of the few steam engines in Canada, that said it's still just a glimpse of the steam era, an era I love and know so much about but I'll never get to experience.

The Marlow Donkey



I have a soft spot for British Railway history, perhaps attributed to an early interest in Thomas the Tank Engine. A particular favorite is the Great Western Railway, which blanketed the Southwest of England. Much could be said for the army of high performance 4-6-0's which sped trains from London to the West, however I prefer the "other" side of the GWR, that being the extensive branch line services which the railway ran. Oftentimes the branch line trains were the only connection otherwise isolated communities had with the outside world. A feature of many branch lines were the Autotrains, a rudimentary steam push pull system worked up by the GWR. These trains were given often creative, yet endearing nicknames by the local populous, such as "Tivvy Bumper" or "Bollivar". The particular train shown, operating between Marlow and Bourne End (immediately west of London), was nicknamed the "Marlow Donkey". Many lasted up to the end of British Railways steam in the 1960's, only disappearing as the number of money losing branch lines were culled by BR management. The rural and pastoral nature is one which I relate to, growing up in an equally desolate portion of central Illinois. The trains presented an escape, perhaps to a better education or to a better job, much as a car may give today. And that's why the Autotrains are a favorite of mine.

"Morning Train" Branch line passenger service from Kirkcudbright.

Western Lines of Scotland is one of 4-5 favorite routes. I like it because despite being set in the UK, it reminds me of the trains I remember from my childhood in Eastern Maine. And if I stay in the cab I don't see those buffers :)

A Union Pacific train leaves Cheyanne, WY at sunset. (this is a small paragraph explaining why i like the scenery of this pic...because I do. )


Edit: oops forgot my title, it's "the union at sunset".

Night shift on the Pacific Surfliner (BNSF)
Don't see enough shots of night time railroading.

SP Invaders on the Feather River



The reason i like this is that it captures the rarer side of Train Simulator. It holds the belief that you can do Whatever you want, When you want, and Where you want it in the sim. The sim isn't just a place for realism, It's also a place for those to get away and have fun. I know a majority of people who run fictional rail lines or Run Fictional Operations in Train Sim and it is always fun to hear about their railroads and their paint schemes. I was not really around for colorful lash ups or major operation changes. In Train Sim we can replicate bygone Era's, Railroads, and Operations that have ceased to exist.

BN GP40's wait for the call.



My favorite shot is this one. Seeing the BN Power sitting there waiting on its next call for service. As must you know my favorite Railroad is the Burlington Northern seeing these BN Locomotives in Train Simulator takes me back when i was a young boy as i grow up by a BN Yard. VRC did a great job with the BN GP40's

Screenshot name " Over and Under"


I always thought that loops on railroad tracks were interesting. It was the whole idea of a train passing over it self. This is Western Pacific freight passing over it self on the Williams Loop.

"Cruising the Canyon"



I'm not normally into the Steam Era but this route has just sucked me in and now I'm hooked on getting that train up the Canyon.

Building An Empire

When I first visited a mountain range, it was beautiful. The air was crisp and the scenery and wildlife was amazing. The mountains are where you can look and see the beauty of nature. And when it comes to railroading and nature, I think of the Great Northern railway.

"Something's Fishy"



New England railroads are my favorite subject not only for their scenery and close proximity to home, but they carry a special charm and feeling that I've struggled to find in other regions of railroading. The small, quaint feeling of the branchlines and even the mainlines has always captured my attention. Small communities, like Eastport, Maine above, relied on the railroad and their backwater branches. Because of that, the railroad became a lasting part of the community and a vital ingredient for everyday Yankee life.

"Delayed Again."
A frustrated S.P. manifest crew, waits in the hole at Truckee Ca on a stormy day for the California Zephyr to pass through ahead of them.

I love Donner Pass. I grew up fishing in the Sierra with my grandfather and of course watching trains in Northern California.

"Thunder over the crossing"

This is my favorite picture. Every time i look at it it brings my mind to life. Just imagining these SD60's with the horn blowing, hearing the engine get louder, and slowly increasing speed brings a simile to my face.