Train Simulator Classic News

[p][/p][p]Take the throttle for contemporary CSX heavy-duty railroading on the historic B&O Mountain Subdivision Route – with the new CSX Scenario Pack 03![/p][p]Stretching from the Potomac Valley of Maryland across the summit of the Alleghanies in West Virginia, the railroad was called the “West End” in an earlier time and then the Mountain Subdivision of the historic Baltimore & Ohio and today’s rail goliath, CSX.[/p][p]Train Simulator Classic’s acclaimed B&O Mountain Subdivision Route re-creates this famed 101-mile rail line that extends from Cumberland, Maryland to Grafton, West Virginia – and now CSX Scenario Pack 03 brings modern-day CSX railroading to this extraordinary route![/p][p]CSX Scenario Pack 03, created by High Iron Simulations, features ten new and realistic career scenarios that bring heavy haul railroading to life as CSX totes massive coal trains as well as manifest freight across the scenic and rugged spine of the Alleghany Mountains.[/p][p]Set in the era from 2014 to the present day, CSX Scenario Pack 03 will put you at the throttle of five locomotive types ranging from third-generation titans such as General Electric’s ES44DC to CSX’s unique and versatile SD40-3 rebuilds, all ready to tackle the route’s unforgiving 2.2 percent twisting grades and tonnage.[/p][p]The Mountain Subdivision, opened in 1852, has through its long history been renowned for coal-hauling, and you will handle 100+ car loaded unit coal trains with head-end and DPU (distribution power unit) locomotives as well as manned helpers to lift tonnage over the Alleghanies. You’ll also climb aboard CSX power to usher empty trains back toward the mines, operate the line’s workhorse manifest freight, and handle local and switching duties.[/p][p]With CSX Scenario Pack 03, you will:[/p]

• [p]Make an end-to-end, Grafton-to-Cumberland run across the Mountain Subdivision in a challenging four-part scenario. En route, the train will, over specific portions of the line, authentically operate with and without mid-train DPU locomotives and with and without rear-end manned helpers.[/p]
• [p]Take the controls of CSX’s westbound workhorse manifest freight – symbol Q-317 – in a two-part scenario that includes the tough climb of legendary 17-Mile Grade and the equally unforgiving descent of Cranberry Grade.[/p]
• [p]Aboard a CSX EMD GP40-2, work the Mountain Subdivision’s westbound L-163 local freight, handling switching duties en route at Keyser, West Virginia, and the sprawling paper plant at Luke, Maryland.[/p]
• [p]Handle a heavy coal train coming off the ex-Western Maryland Thomas Subdivision bound for Newport News, Virginia. It’s a snowy, slippery day, but your power set led by a veteran CSX General Electric C40-8W will be up to the task.[/p]
• [p]Work a westbound empty hopper train that’s also been called upon to lug overflow manifest tonnage from symbol freight Q-317. With a trio of CSX’s unique SD40-3 rebuilds, you’ll make a pickup at M&K Junction, then climb the Cheat River Grade.[/p]
• [p]Serve as engineer of loaded eastbound coal train U787 making the crossing of Newburg and Cranberry Grades on a wintry day. Despite the weather, local railfans surely will be out, because on the point of your train is a power-pooled BNSF diesel.[/p]

[p]Note: For full use, this scenario pack requires the B&O Mountain Subdivision Route; CSX Hanover Subdivision Route; BNSF ES44DC Loco Add-On; CSX ES44AC Add-On Livery; GP40-2 Loco Pack Add-On; and CSX SD80MAC Loco Add-On. The ten new career scenarios of CSX Scenario Pack 03, based closely on actual railroad operations and train symbols, deliver the remarkable experiences of big-time, heavy haul railroading on one of America’s most historic, scenic, and challenging mountain railroads. From High Iron Simulations, CSX Scenario Pack 03 is available now at the Steam Store![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p]Train Simulator Classic’s acclaimed B&O Mountain Subdivision Route re-creates the famed 101-mile rail line that extends from Cumberland, Maryland to Grafton, West Virginia – and now CSX Scenario Pack 03 brings modern-day CSX railroading to the extraordinary route! In the Potomac River Valley, CSX General Electric ES44AC diesels meet powering eastbound coal and westbound empty trains.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]With CSX Scenario Pack 03, you’ll make a 100-mile Grafton-to-Cumberland run across the Mountain Subdivision in a challenging four-part scenario. With a duo of CSX ES44AC diesels on the point, the heavy coal train rolls east near Thornton, West Virginia (above), then nears the end of its journey as it enters Cumberland, Maryland (below).[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Behind a pair of veteran General Electric C40-8W diesels, CSX’s westbound manifest freight workhorse – symbol Q-317 – is slowly clawing its way up legendary 17-Mile Grade and has just cleared Hitchcock Tunnel en route to the line’s summit at Altamont, West Virginia.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Working the Mountain Subdivision westbound local, a duo of Electro-Motive GP40-2 diesels are bridging the North Branch of the Potomac River as they switch the massive paper plant located at Luke, Maryland.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Snow is falling as CSX GE C40-8W 7853 leads a unit coal train off the ex-Western Maryland Thomas Subdivision and ducks under the Mountain Subdivision main line near West Virginia Junction as an eastbound coal train powered by EMD SD40-2 diesels glides overhead.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]At Tunnelton, West Virginia, a set of unique CSX SD40-3 rebuilt diesels have westbound mixed tonnage on the move. The SD40-3 is the result of CSX’s locomotive remanufacturing program based upon veteran SD40-2 diesels. With CSX Scenario Pack 03, you’ll climb aboard five types of second- and third-generation CSX diesel power.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Grinding upgrade alongside Racoon Creek, CSX unit coal train U787 passes through Newburg, West Virginia. Immediately ahead is an unforgiving climb to the top of Newburg Grade at Tunnelton. In the lead of the eastbound train is a power-pooled BNSF General Electric ES44DC.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]At Altamont, CSX GE C40-8W 7906 reaches the summit of the Alleghanies at an elevation of 2,826 feet above sea level. CSX Scenario Pack 03 delivers the remarkable experiences of big-time railroading on one of America’s most historic, scenic, and challenging mountain railroads. From High Iron Simulations, CSX Scenario Pack 03 is available now at the Steam Store![/p]

[p][/p][p]Train Simulator Classic, the ultimate railway hobby, is back for 2025 with three iconic routes from the wide world of railways. Click here to visit the store[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]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. You will experience all of this from the cab of the BR111 and the BR 189.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Get more out of Train Simulator Classic with the optional Rail Subscription. The perfect way to get started with the ultimate railway hobby, this includes the base game along with a selection of curated routes and locomotives ready to play. Get started here.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Train Simulator Classic, the ultimate railway hobby![/p]

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/