Train Simulator Classic News

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!

The scenic North Wales Coast Line: Crewe - Holyhead is returning to Train Simulator on January 20th, with Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales!



Let’s recap the history of this famed line…

Ever since the Act of Union in 1801, which saw Ireland become part of the United Kingdom, people have strived to improve the connection between the two isles. The 19th Century was still young, and all communication was bound by horse-drawn transport and sailing ships of the day. Ships for Dublin would arrive at Dun Laoghaire (formerly known as Kingstown), and frequently departed Holyhead, Wales – this was the shortest trip for boats to take.

As years went by, many improvements were made to existing roads in order to make the journey to Holyhead that much easier; however, nothing would revolutionise Welsh/Irish connections like the arrival of railways in the 1840s.



Two railway companies would form the basis of what is today the North Wales Coast Line. The first was the Chester and Crewe Railway, which linked the two communities in 1840, and only a few years later, the Chester and Holyhead Railway was incorporated. The latter’s route was proposed by the Father of Railways himself, George Stephenson, knowing full well that the coastal route along the Irish Sea would be best for hauling mail traffic to and from Ireland.

The full line was completed not long after and was ready to transform communications across seas by August 1848. Irish Mail would regularly work from London to Crewe, along the path of the West Coast Main Line, before continuing onwards to Holyhead and finally Ireland. By this point, the original Chester and Crewe Railway had already been absorbed by the Grand Junction Railway, and the Chester and Holyhead Railway followed suit in 1859 when it became part of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR).



The LNWR, being in control of the West Coast Main Line and now the line to Holyhead, saw an opportunity for a spike in tourist traffic. Trains were put on to serve seaside resorts like Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and along the Llandudno branch, setting in stone the line’s popularity. Without a doubt, the most iconic and historic point along the line is its proximity to Conwy Castle; in fact, the railway itself uniquely passes right alongside the ancient structure, and even passes through the still-standing city walls.

With the grouping of railway companies in 1928 to form the “Big Four”, the LNWR network became part of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway - a further popular era ensued. As British Railways arrived however, certain specials were cut from the timetable, and the North Wales Coast Line would relegated back to a freight-heavy powerhouse. Today, freight is less common among the line, although it has remained a local and long-distance passenger haven with Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast combining to serve the line dozens of times a day.



[h3]What happens if I already own them? [/h3]

North Wales Coast Line: Crewe - Holyhead will be arriving January 20th. Players who own both of the already existing Arriva and Virgin Trains branded routes, North Wales Coastal: Crewe – Llandudno and North Wales Coastal Route Extension: Crewe – Holyhead, will receive this new version in their library containing Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales. Do not worry the original routes and branding will still stay a part of your collection.