Train Simulator Classic 2024 News

Join us on Steam for March Madness, an annual event featuring a massive sale and loads of exciting Railfan TV broadcasts...

March Madness is now live on the Steam Store. From 14th March, through to the 28th March, you can look forward to huge discounts on Train Simulator as well as streams from our Railfan TV team, Steam reward giveaways for those watching the broadcasts and some exclusive videos from our special guests.

[h2]Head to the March Madness page to take part[/h2]

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/dovetailmarchmadness

[h2]Big Discounts[/h2]

During March Madness you can enjoy incredible discounts of 60% on Train Simulator 2022 Deluxe and up to 90% on Train Simulator Add-Ons. Climb on-board and visit the Kent Coast with the sprawling and complete Chatham Main Line, from regional express to bustling freight, experience a multitude of operations in Eastern Germany with Bahnstrecke Riesa - Dresden, and master the bustling southern portion of the “NEC” – from Baltimore, Maryland, to America’s capital city, with Northeast Corridor: Washington DC - Baltimore. Head to the store now to check out these amazing Add-Ons and more!

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[h2]Railfan this week TV[/h2]
Throughout the weekend we will be live on Steam, broadcasting on the March Madness page. We have guests joining that include exclusive feature videos from MegaSim, AJ Omega, Trainsimulatordriver and more!
Make sure you're tuning in to watch each night on Steam from 7 PM UTC. You can see this weeks schedules below, keep an eye on our social channels for next week's schedules. We’ll have more for you next week, including a dedicated Train Simulator stream with exclusive videos, interviews, and more!

As part of our latest update to the Chatham Main Line: London Victoria & Blackfriars - Dover & Ramsgate route, we added a little bonus for you to enjoy - the East Kent Railway!

See the latest patch notes here

Situated just to the East of Shepherdswell station lies the preserved East Kent Railway, this short heritage line stretches for a little over 2 miles and is all that remains of Colonel Stephens’ efforts to serve Kent’s Coalfields. Stephens’ specialty was to build cheap but effective rural light railways, and in his career would be involved in the engineering, building and managing of no less than 16 light railways in England & Wales.
Following the discovery of the Kent Coalfields before the First World War, during early efforts to dig a channel tunnel, plans were quickly drawn up to set up collieries and serve them by rail. The theory was flawless, it would bring great industry and business to otherwise lightly populated areas – the village of Aylesham, the station of which is situated on the Chatham Main Line, is just one example of the anticipated change as it was built in 1926 to house the miners expected to be living in the area.
The plan however did not go as expected, the vast network never materialised, and many of the collieries didn’t make it into production. Instead, what was built was a single line which branched off the Chatham Main Line at Shepherdswell and weaved its way to Richborough Port near Ramsgate. Coal traffic would traverse the line through the early 20th Century, alongside local passenger trains serving the nearby villages. Economics eventually got the best of the line, and it eventually closed for commercial operations.
With the valiant efforts of enthusiasts though, the line’s history was able to continue, a short section was restored and re-opened as a heritage railway. From Shepherdswell to the next station along the line, Eythorne, trains shuttle along this little stretch of line that recalls the history of Kentish light rail travel. Today the line is home to a wide variety of rolling stock, from small steam locomotives and diesel shunters right up to multiple units, including two Class 142s and one day, even a Class 365 will call the EKR home.
Alongside the latest update to the Chatham Main Line route, and thanks to Danny, our Senior Artist for Train Simulator, the East Kent Railway has been added as a free bonus onto the route, so hop off the train at Shepherdswell and explore what the East Kent Railway has to offer!



After alighting a Southeastern service at Shepherdswell (above) signs are immediately pointing one in the direction of the East Kent Railway; it’s only a couple of minutes' walk and before you know it, you’re transported back in time, and just in time too! Looks like a service is preparing for departure (below). Please note that all trains and rolling stock are available separately.





Immediately following departure, we crawl past the siding where the EKR stores most of its rolling stock, including the Class 142 Pacer, their most recent arrival (above). Meanwhile, a sign of things to come it seems, as it’s been said that a Class 365 will soon be sent to the EKR for preservation as a static display and will become a restaurant, exhibition area, and a major events venue. (below).





Only the best heritage railways feature a level crossing, always a fantastic place to watch an old steam locomotive roll by. Seeing it haul Mk2 coaches and part of a 4-VEP is unconventional, but very East Kent!



A short while later and the train arrives at Eythorne (above). Because there are no facilities to run locomotives around here, loco-hauled services must be top & tailed, and today a Class 08 is going to be taking us back towards Shepherdswell (below).






It’s a tough start for the 08 as it commences the steep climb back towards Shepherdswell. Despite the short line and inability to support large locomotives, the EKR’s unique topography and construction makes it nonetheless captivating.



At the midpoint of the journey is Golgotha Tunnel. At 436m long it is the 8th longest tunnel on a British heritage railway and follows the design principles of Colonel Stephens; a twin-track bore but with only a single track in the tunnel itself. This measure helped on saving costs in the long run.



And so concludes one of many return trips that can be enjoyed on the East Kent Railway, with a varied roster of steam, diesel and electric stock from Train Simulator’s extensive library, there is no end to what this little line can offer.



We return to the main line with the hopes of visiting the East Kent Railway again soon, it’s time to go back towards Medway and change for a Thameslink service into the capital. With the Chatham Main Line, the Thameslink BR Class 700 and new bonus East Kent Railway, tell your own Kentish rail stories in Train Simulator!

Take to the rails of the complete North Wales Coast Line, from historic Crewe to the picturesque Isle of Anglesey, aboard iconic Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast traction with Train Simulator’s North Wales Coastal.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1804511/Train_Simulator_North_Wales_Coast_Line_Crewe__Holyhead_Route_AddOn/

Explore the seaside today with North Wales Coastal: Crewe – Holyhead, featuring the Avanti West Coast Class 221 “Super Voyager”, and Transport for Wales BR Class 158 “Sprinter” and BR Class 175 “Coradia” DMUs.

Please note: if you own the original version of North Wales Coastal: Crewe - Holyhead, then you do not need to purchase this Avanti & TfW-branded add-on, it will already be in your library.

The Festival of Rail is now live on the Steam Store. Throughout the weekend (20-24 January) you can look forward to huge discounts on Train Simulator and Train Sim World 2 as well as streams from our very own Railfan TV team, reward giveaways for those watching the broadcast and some exclusive videos.

[h3]Head to the Festival of Rail page to take part.[/h3]

Join us from 20th-23rd January as we celebrate with our yearly Festival of Rail on Steam; featuring daily streams, community features and more!

The annual Festival of Rail begins Thursday 20th January on Steam, and as part of this our Railfan TV team will be broadcasting each evening from 7 PM UTC.

You can look forward to a developer update for Spirit of Steam (including the announcement of Train Sim World 2's first Steam route!) and a first look at the upcoming Creators Club for Train Sim World 2. Join us as we explore the scenic Welsh coastline in North Wales Coast Line: Crewe - Holyhead coming soon for Train Simulator 2022 and see exclusive videos from The British Ace, LauraKBuzz, Rob Jansen and more! See the full schedule below...











Festival of Rail will be live Thursday 20th January 7 PM UTC. Be Sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get regular updates on what's going on throughout the festival!