Now - I just need to "merge" the Iowa routes.
I know I will keep the RI-IAIS main route across Iowa, and the RI-IMRL "river" route from Clinton to Muscatine.
I will keep one of the Northern routes to M-StP (IMRL or original RI/Northern Iowa), and one of the Southern routes to KC IMRL or original RI), but have not decided which yet.
But that is the basis for my regional Rock Island Lines.
BTW - the RI fleet of locos in 1996 has shrunk to 200 (compare with IAIS + IMRL combined fleet of 144 in 2001).
My 1996 RI regional fleet roster has:
GP7 (20 CRP), GP9 (20 CRP), GP18 (20), GP38-2 (20), GP40-2 (20 CRP), SD40-2 (30, note 20 more added to replace U30C units), and for switchers SW 9/1200 (15), and SW1500 (15, five added), and U33Bs (20), U25Bs (10, rebuilt), and E8As (10, rebuilt) to make the total. We may get a F40PH from AMTRAK to try out. We will paint it black if we do!
CRP = Capital Rebuild Program. The GP7 & 9 were done by 1980, the GP40s were just starting. In my world, 20 GP40s made it thru the upgrade program. So these units are lasting longer than seen on most roads. The U25Bs and E8As were also upgraded internally.
The other locos from 1980 either bit the dust (like the tired GP35s), were returned to lender, or sold to help recover from debt.
That's my latest plan.
- George