Train Simulator Classic 2024 News

Train Simulator Classic, the ultimate railway hobby, returns with a new core package in 2025, featuring three iconic routes from the wide world of railways.



In this article, we outline the offering in 2025 and answer questions about the present and the future of our much-loved, longest-running train simulation title. We also announce a new country coming to TSC in the form of a future route Add-on! Read on to find out more.
Train Simulator Classic, the ultimate railway hobby, returns with a new core package in 2025, featuring three iconic routes from the wide world of railways. In this article, we outline the offering in 2025 and answer questions about the present and the future of our much-loved, longest-running train simulation title. We also announce a new country coming to TSC in the form of a future route Add-on! Read on to find out more.

The release last year was called ‘Train Simulator Classic 2024’. This year, it is simply ‘Train Simulator Classic’. Why the change?

The ‘Classic’ label was introduced a couple of years ago, and reflects the status of TSC as our original, long-standing train sim, which offers a different experience and a different appeal to Train Sim World. 2024 was a landmark year, combining a number of updates to the core code, as well as being the 15th anniversary of Train Simulator, which launched in 2009 as RailWorks. This year, we are reverting back to the simple ‘Classic’ naming for the longer term – though we may still offer alternative editions to go alongside ‘Classic’.

What does that mean for the core game?

We are sticking with the current version of the game code. We did a lot of work on the core last time, and we feel it is now stable for the majority of players. To make any further code changes would again take us along a path of potential disruption for players and for developers, and it doesn’t seem warranted or fair to do that at this point.

What is different about TS Classic this time around? What makes it interesting for players or would-be players?

A major difference this time is the inclusion of Partner Developer route and loco content within the core package. Like many games, TSC has included components developed by external creators many times over the years, right back to the days of RailWorks in 2009. This year’s version is unusual in that it features two complete routes, with locos, entirely conceived developed and by third party developers.

So, what will be included in TSC, and why will third-party routes form part of it?

In keeping with the ‘Classic’ theme, TSC will feature three routes from our traditional TSC heartlands – the UK, the USA and Germany. Our very own Chatham Main Line: London Victoria & Blackfriars – Dover & Ramsgate is all about commuter services, with a lengthy track map and plenty to do. On the other hand, Norfolk Southern Saluda Grade by High Iron Simulations puts you in charge of heavy freight trains tackling the hills of North Carolina, while TSG’s Konstanz – Villingen gets you moving both passengers and freight on the Upper Rhine and Black Forest railways.



The Chatham Main Line is featured in its entirety from London Victoria to Ramsgate and Dover via Faversham. The Sheerness Branch is also included, as is London Blackfriars, totalling over 130 miles of South East railway to explore. Also featuring are a selection of Southeastern EMUs, including the BR Class 465/9 for long-distance Networker action.



The historic Norfolk Southern (ex-Southern Railway) Saluda Grade route extends 70 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, to Spartanburg, South Carolina, and includes the legendary and daunting 4.7 per cent railroad grade that ascended the east slope of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll climb aboard three types of authentic Norfolk Southern diesels and experience extraordinary and memorable mountain railroading.



Konstanz and Villingen are connected by more than 90km of scenic inter-city rail. From Konstanz, the line starts off as the Upper Rhine Railway, which has followed the path of the great river since the 1840s. The Upper Rhine Railway stretches all the way from Mannheim down to the Swiss city of Basel, before sharply darting east and following, plus frequently crossing, the German-Swiss border all the way to Konstanz. Trains from Konstanz, bound for Villingen, follow this path as far as Singen. You will experience all of this from the cab of the BR111 and the BR189.

Now that TS Classic relies more heavily on third-party content, making it part of the core product means that we can continue to offer refreshed TSC core packs for a long time to come, built around some of the most popular third-party routes and locos with all their expertise and innovation built in.

What role does DTG play in the life of TS Classic now? Has the focus shifted away from TSC now?

DTG is still committed to the future of TS Classic! We simply rely much more now on the thriving third party development community to bring new content to TSC, and to Steam, and we plan to continue working with 3PPs for as long as they plan to work with us. Even in the past year, we have begun work with additional developers such as 3D Zug, Diesel Workshop and others, and many other familiar developers are working on new content for TSC at this moment.

In fact, we're delighted to announce that we'll be bringing a brand new country to TS Classic this year: The Netherlands! It's a little way off yet, but an all-new route from Amsterdam to Hilversum is currently in the works, and will be a joint production by DTG and Jasksoft.

We're excited to see what you think, and we'll share more details in the future. For now though, here's an in-progress picture to whet your appetites:



Keep watching our channels for more news on the Train Simulator Classic update!

An example of the latest state of the art in high-speed passenger transit, the CR400AF has arrived for Train simulator Classic.

The CR400AF is built in China by CRRC, and has been operational on the Chinese network since 2016. The unit runs at up to 400 km/h on some services, and utilises a suite of advanced systems to control train speed, braking performance and more.

Brought to Train Simulator Classic by Just Trains, the CR400AF includes scenarios for both the Guiguang High Speed Railway and South West China High Speed Railway routes, both available separately on Steam.

So, if you feel the need for speed, check out the CR400AF on Steam now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2956110/Train_Simulator_CR400AF_Loco_AddOn/

From the capital to the coast! It’s time to get the people moving, as you take control of a selection of passenger services through one of Southeast England’s busy commuter belts.



Chatham Main Line: London -Ramsgate & Dover Priory Scenario Pack 01 brings 10 realistic new Career Scenarios to the Chatham Main Line: London -Ramsgate & Dover Priory route in Train Simulator Classic. This new scenario pack, created by developers Bouncing Mad Studios, puts you right in the middle of the action, with peak and off-peak passenger services, weekend engineering works and empty-stock moves. Bouncing Mad Studios may be a new name to many of you, but they have many years of experience in creating content for TS Classic, as well as a keen interest and knowledge of train movements on the real line. The pack features a variety of realistic tasks to keep you busy, many based on real-life timetables from within the past decade. The Chatham Main Line: London -Ramsgate & Dover Priory Scenario Pack 01 is available on Steam now!



Note: some included scenarios also require the Class 700 Thameslink.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2956100/TS_Marketplace_Chatham_Main_Line__London_to_Ramsgate_and_Dover_Priory_Scenario_Pack_01/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1717657/Train_Simulator_Chatham_Main_Line_London_Victoria__Blackfriars__Dover__Ramsgate_Route_AddOn/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1804515/Train_Simulator_Thameslink_BR_Class_700_EMU_AddOn/

WELCOME to the Festival of Rail! Come and take a look at the latest releases for Train Simulator Classic, and check out the discounts on some highly-wishlisted add-ons.

Visit the Festival of Rail sale on Steam here : https://store.steampowered.com/sale/FestivalOfRail2025


https://store.steampowered.com/app/2955980/Train_Simulator_DB_BR143_v2/?curator_clanid=958135#app_reviews_hash

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1012102/Train_Simulator_Gotthardbahn_Alpine_Classic_Erstfeld__Bellinzona_Route_AddOn/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2956030/Train_Simulator_Bozeman_Pass_Livingston__Three_Forks__Trident/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2662520/Train_Simulator_EA692/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1869399/Train_Simulator_DSPP_Mogul_Steam_Loco_AddOn/



Beyond the Sale, we'll be showcasing some of the latest and favourite routes from Train Sim World on YouTube and Twitch with the RFTV Team!

Milepost Simulations now brings the famed Milwaukee Road’s crossing of the Montana Rockies to Train Simulator Classic – with the superb [LINK] Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route!

Three legendary American railroads, the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and Milwaukee Road, crossed the Rockies of Montana to link the Upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest by rail – and now the Milwaukee Road’s legendary electrified Rocky Mountain Division crossing of the Rockies comes to Train Simulator Classic with the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route!

Created by accomplished developer Milepost Simulations, the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte 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 numerous tunnels, the line crossed the U.S. Continental Divide at an elevation of 6,347 feet above sea level.

Born in 1874, the much-admired Milwaukee Road (formally, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad) in the early 20th century boldly pursued its “Pacific Extension,” an initiative to stretch westward from the Upper Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. Between 1905 and 1915, at a cost of $60 million, the “MILW” extended its rails westward through South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho to Washington State. The extension included crossing five mountain passes, among which was Pipestone Pass and its high elevation crossing of the Continental Divide.

To power its trains in this remote and daunting mountain territory, the Milwaukee Road chose to electrify significant portions of its route in the Rockies, Bitterroot, and Cascade Mountains, including the 440 miles of railroad between Harlowton, Montana and Avery, Idaho. To toil under the wood-pole catenary of its new extension, the Milwaukee Road in 1915-16 acquired 42 burly double-unit General Electric boxcab electric motors rated at 3,340 horsepower. Truly built for the ages, the big electrics would toil for well more than a half-century, with the last of these potent GE electrics remaining in service into the 1970s (the Milwaukee Pacific Extension itself closed in 1980).

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.

The Milwaukee Road’s great “Pacific Extension” created a railroad of extraordinary appeal and challenging operations that would endure for three-quarters of a century and call countless railroad enthusiasts to the remote and majestic Montana mountains. Now, this remarkable experience awaits you with the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route for Train Simulator Classic, available at the Steam Store!



Available now from expert developer Milepost Simulations, the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte route brings the Milwaukee Road’s legendary electrified Rocky Mountain Division crossing of the Rockies to Train Simulator Classic! Atop the Continental Divide, Milwaukee Road GE motors emerge eastbound from Pipestone Pass Tunnel.



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. Near the east end of the route, a set of motors is rolling westbound tonnage across the high plains at Willow Creek (above), while on the west end of the route at Butte Yard, GE-built motors and an EMD-built GP9 diesel stand together (below). Especially in the Rocky Mountain Division’s final years, diesel power frequently saw service on the line.





To power its trains across the Rockies, the Milwaukee Road acquired General Electric boxcab electric motors which were delivered in 1915-16 and would serve the railroad for more than five decades. Delivered in two-unit sets, the electrics would over the years be configured in three- and four-unit lash-ups. Classified as EF1, EF2, and EF5 by the Milwaukee Road, the electrics are featured in the new route wearing the railroad’s orange, maroon, and black livery typical of the 1950s (above) and orange and black livery (below) as worn in the 1960s and into the 1970s.





With the Pipestone Pass route, you’ll climb into the cab of the EF-series electrics for an utterly unique operating experience. The motors can be driven in series or parallel. Series is used for slow speed and parallel for faster speeds, followed by a shunt setting. The throttle has 17 series notches, of which 1-16 are resistance notches; there are two blank notches before moving to 12 parallel resistance notches followed by a full parallel notch. Then the final notch is the shunt.



West of Three Forks, the Milwaukee Road initially traced a path close to the Jefferson River (and in the process, often ran alongside the Northern Pacific Rocky Mountain Division’s Second Subdivision). A westbound Milwaukee Road freights rolls along the river’s south bank, while on the opposite side a Northern Pacific freight rumbles east.



The Milwaukee Road Pipestone Pass route is primarily ABS-governed single track with frequent sidings for trains to meet, such as here at Piedmont. For the westbound freight led by motor E34A, the long 2 percent gradient climb of the east slope of Pipestone Pass is about to begin.



At Vendome, Milwaukee Road GE-built motor E36A ducks under Montana Highway 41 as it heads a westbound freight. Despite the relatively open nature of the land here, the westbound grade is already at 2 percent.



Among the compelling features of the Milwaukee Road’s crossing of Pipestone Pass was a long horseshoe to gain elevation between Vendome and Cedric. Eastbound on a wintry day, the freight in this scene is just clearing the horseshoe and was a few moments prior easing down the trackage in the immediate foreground.



Near Grace, Montana, as the railroad clung to the rocky cliffs above Fish Creek, the Milwaukee Road’s battle with the Rockies was truly dramatic. Westbound on the 2 percent grade, motor E36A is on the point as its train emerges from Tunnel No. 10 and eases atop a concrete retaining wall.



Having only briefly before crested Pipestone Pass, an eastbound freight has begun easing downgrade on the steep right-of-way bound for Piedmont. On the rear of the freight is one of Milwaukee Road’s unique home-built (in its Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shops) ribbed-side bay-window steel cabooses.



The west slope of Pipestone Pass was less demanding than its eastern counterpart, but only marginally so, with variable grades up to 1.7 percent. Between Janney and the summit of the pass, Milwaukee Road motor E49A hums over one of the line’s many towering steel trestles.



Snow is dusting the Montana landscape as a set of Milwaukee Road General Electric EF-series motors wearing the railroad’s classic orange, maroon, and black livery prepares to depart Butte Yard eastbound and do battle with Pipestone Pass.



The Milwaukee Road’s Rocky Mountain Division across Pipestone Pass was a railroad of extraordinary appeal and tough railroading challenges – and now, this remarkable and memorable experience awaits you with the Pipestone Pass: Three Forks – Butte Route for Train Simulator Classic, available at the Steam Store!