This route covers 850+ miles of trackage throughout Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and parts of Michigan. The main line on this route goes from outside of Detroit, MI, down to outside of St. Louis, IL, passing through multiple places such as Butler, IN, Fort Wayne, IN, Peru, IN, Lafayette, IN, Danville, IL, and Decatur, IL.
In addition to the main line, this route includes the Marion Branch from Elkhart, IN, to Wabash, IN; the Chicago District from Claypool, IN, to Fort Wayne, IN; the Fostoria District from Fort Wayne, IN, to Miller City, OH; and the New Castle District from Fort Wayne, IN, to Muncie, IN. At Muncie, the line intersects with the Frankfort District from Lafayette, IN, creating a large loop from Muncie to Fort Wayne to Lafayette.
Additionally, this route covers the Springfield-Hannibal District from Jacksonville, IL, to Decatur, IL. The main terminals on this route are Decatur, IL; Lafayette, IN; and Peru, IN, where all trains swap crews, as well as Fort Wayne, IN. At Fort Wayne, most trains just pass through, while others work in the yard and switch crews. At Springfield, IL, the Union Pacific crosses the Norfolk Southern main line, along with Amtrak at this location, so make sure to keep them moving.
Eastern US TD3 Route