Train Simulator: Pipestone Pass: Three Forks - Butte

The Milwaukee Road amid the Rockies. It was a remarkable railroad that was a siren to train enthusiasts for decades. Burly, ancient, but potent orange, maroon, and black boxcar electric “motors” grinding up steep mountain grades below fragile wooden-pole catenary. The rugged, remote magnificence of Montana’s Pipestone Pass. Trestles, tunnels – and tonnage that tested the mettle of both machines and men. From expert developer Milepost Simulations, the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route for Train Simulator Classic brings to life the Milwaukee Road’s mountain railroading featuring the use of unique General Electric-built heavy boxcab electric motors. The Pipestone Pass route extends from Three Forks, Montana, across the Rockies via Pipestone Pass and west to Butte, Montana, a distance of 70 route miles. Utilizing lengthy grades of up to 2 percent, high trestles, and tunnels, the line – a part of the railroad’s legendary Rocky Mountain Division – crosses the U.S. Continental Divide at an elevation of 6,347 feet above sea level. Founded in 1874, the famed Milwaukee Road (formally, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad) was the last of three railroads (along with Great Northern and Northern Pacific) to stretch itself west across the Rockies to the Pacific Northwest. Between 1905 and 1915, at a cost of $60 million, the railroad extended its rails westward through South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho to Washington State. The bold initiative included crossing five mountain passes, among which was the unforgiving crossing of Pipestone Pass and its high elevation crossing of the Continental Divide. To power its trains in mountain territory, the Milwaukee Road chose to electrify significant portions of its extended route, including the 440 miles of railroad between Harlowton, Montana and Avery, Idaho. As motive power, the Milwaukee Road acquired 42 burly double-unit General Electric boxcab electric motors. And it is this unique and extraordinary railroading experience – of heavy electric motors hard at work amid challenging and scenic mountain grades – that the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route delivers! The Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route for Train Simulator Classic features: • The Milwaukee Road’s tough and memorable Rocky Mountain Division crossing of Pipestone Pass and the Continental Divide. The heart of the pass extends from Piedmont to Butte with a ruling grade of 2 percent westbound and 1.7 percent eastbound. • Milwaukee Road’s distinctive General Electric boxcab electric motors constructed in 1915-16 in three lash-up configurations (EF1, EF2, and EF5) and two (unbranded) Milwaukee liveries typical of the 1950s and 1960s. • The versatile Electro-Motive GP9 diesel road-switcher in Milwaukee (unbranded) and Northern Pacific liveries. • A variety of period-authentic freight equipment, including the Milwaukee Road’s distinctive home-built, ribbed-side steel bay-window caboose. • Milwaukee Road yards and facilities at locations including Three Forks, Piedmont, Janney, and Butte; classic high trestles; ABS signals; and track signage. • Authentic Milwaukee Road catenary with variable voltage. • Eight challenging career scenarios, featuring Milwaukee Road freight operations across the length of the route. Milepost Simulations’ Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route for Train Simulator Classic delivers the chance to experience truly memorable mountain railroading as the Milwaukee Road calls upon its distinctive and powerful boxcab electric motors to battle heavy tonnage and the unforgiving grades of the magnificent and scenic Rockies! Included Scenarios A selection of engaging Career and Quick Drive scenarios are included: • Autumn Train #263 Part I • Autumn Train #263 Part II • Extra Freight West Part I • Extra Freight West Part II • Three Forks Switcher Locomotive: GP9 Duration: 30 minutes • Winter Train #264 Part I Locomotive: EF-5 Duration: 90 minutes • Winter Train #264 Part II Locom