Being born in Louisiana, I was offered an impressive view of North America's Class I railroads. From the flags of the Union Pacific locomotives to the gray of Kansas City Southern trains, the railroads were always fascinating. However, I have noticed that Railworks was missing one true geographical area; the South, specifically the Crescent City of New Orleans. I realize that TS users prefer hauling big heavy trains across 2.2% grades but sometimes flat landscapes can be appealing as well.
Geographically, New Orleans sits in a depression, nearly 5 feet (or more in some places) below sea level, making it prone to flooding as seen during many hurricanes that ravage the southern coast of the United States. It is settled between the mighty Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain which contribute the legendary swamps and bayous that the city and state are known for.
The city of New Orleans hosts 6 out of 7 of the Class I railroads; Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National and Kansas City Southern (KCS). All have their own respective trackage routes in this city but mixes of motive power and consists aren't an out of place sight. Amtrak also serves as a terminus for three of its own trains at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. The Crescent to New York City, the City of New Orleans to Chicago and the Sunset Limited to Los Angeles, whose service towards Orlando is still unknown after damages to its tracks to the east after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Of the railroads listed above, RailWorks already has licensed 6 out the 7, giving a wide range of mixed motive power and manifests.
As stated above, Amtrak continues to provide passenger services to and from the city, with stations along the way. Within the state, the Crescent serves Slidell, LA before entering into Mississippi, the City of New Orleans serves Hammond, LA before travelling North and the Sunset Limited serves Schriver, New Iberia, Lafayette and Lake Charles, LA before continuing into Texas to the west.
For freight, New Orleans is home to a Norfolk Southern intermodal classification yard, the CSX Gentilly Yard, and Canadian National's May's Yard and an intermodal facility. The state is also a part of BNSF's Central Region Gulf Division. Tranfers and switching for all the railroads are handled by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (reporting as NOPB).
It would be interesting in seeing RailWorks bring its skills to the "City that Care Forgot" and open up another front for American passenger railroading, southern style.
With this information, I now leave with a bit of railroading action in the city.
Amtrak's the City of New Orleans departing NOUPT bound for Hammond, LA. (Video captured by YouTuber IllinoisRailFan)
Amtrak's Sunset Limited departing New Orleans via the Huey P. Long Bridge spanning the Mississippi River. (Video captured by YouTuber bcanedy)
CSX railraod action in New Orleans (Video captured by YouTuber CSXBOY187)
New Orleans Public Belt Railroad with "Green Goat" locomotive on point. (Video captured by YouTuber jpliii25)
Kansas City Southern hauls grainage (Video captured by YouTuber Donovan Reed)
Amtrak Crescent crossing Lake Ponchartrain. (Video by Youtuber James Terrebonne)