Restored abandoned rail line in Railworks

[RailfanNSDE]

When I started this campaign that restores abandoned rail lines, I wanted to see what these abandoned railroads will look restored train sim. I want to know a fact that this can be a simulated view of what i would like to happen in real life. Even though i cant pinpoint the mountainous areas. However, this rail line is long abandoned, but I had the spirit to make this come true. I have happen to know i want to make history in train simulator, and to make some train rides too. I made the Hebron to Preston, MD RR that was abandoned but restored in trains sim.
And i want to make this a reality.
See more about campaign: https://www.booster.com/restoreourrrproject

[SAR704]

What do you mean by this? Do you mean modelling it in the modern era as a line brought back from the dead? Or in a era subsequent to the one it was abandoned in?

Are you talking about just the track ROW? Or actually getting economically viable services operating along it as well?

Anyhow, interesting topic. I'll be interested to see the discussion about this sort of thing.

[RailfanNSDE]

What do you mean by this? Do you mean modelling it in the modern era as a line brought back from the dead? Or in a era subsequent to the one it was abandoned in?

Are you talking about just the track ROW? Or actually getting economically viable services operating along it as well?

Anyhow, interesting topic. I'll be interested to see the discussion about this sort of thing.

Modern era brought back from the dead. Both.

[NorthernWarrior]

I suspect this is an ambition best played out within the simulation as opposed to real life, assuming the latter is what I'm reading correctly on your site.

Speaking from the UK perspective but assuming things are broadly similar in the US, I would suggest that actively restoring a real section of disused railway to active status is at best a formidable undertaking and likely to be hugely expensive. Assuming you can purchase all the land required there is then the issue of planning permission and convincing the authorities you know what you are doing. That's before all the civil engineering considerations, installing track to modern standards, possibly replacing or repairing structures and installing safety equipment. Then you have to find someone to provide the traction and rolling stock and sort out all the insurance required for running a situation where there is a real risk of injury or death if someone gets it wrong. Certainly in the UK, anyone involved with the "live" railway (e.g. signaller or driver/guard) on a UK Heritage Line has to be trained, assessed and passed out to the same standards as the national rail network. At the risk of repeating myself, operating heavy equipment which can kill or maim as a result of a small oversight or inattention is not the purview of well meaning but unqualified amateurs. That might mean bringing in paid staff as opposed to volunteers, ergo more costs.

If it's all eventually up and running then you need the footfall to cover operating costs and the maintenance on both the trains and infrastructure plus any unexpected eventualities (e.g. a landslip or washout).

In contrast, armed with TS2015, the relevant DEM, good mapping, the track chart/gradient chart (not absolutely essential) and perhaps a 3D modelling programme you can probably recreate between 15 - 20 miles a month of your favourite abandoned railway. Little cost, little risk (apart from maybe a touch of RSI/carpal tunnel or eyestrain) compared to the alternative. At least one of my projects for RW/TS and a few in the other sims set out to do exactly that.

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

Some of the most amazing and spectacular abandoned lines come from Washington State. i have a few that would be nice.

1: Snoqualmie Pass, MILW electrics to Othello WA

2: NP line to northbend WA

3: NP Mainline to Sumas WA

4: Woodinville Sub from Renton to Woodinville

5: SP&S to Pasco