Train Simulator Classic 2024 News

Haul heavy freight from the spacious “comfort cab” of the Norfolk Southern SD70M, powering its way into Train Simulator courtesy of The Loco Shop.

Developed in the 1990s, the Electro-Motive SD70 was the next evolution in motive power, following on from the SD60. This new locomotive was designed to be more powerful, sat upon a better design of truck and was 1 ft longer than its predecessor.

The SD70 was soon followed by a revised design, the SD70M, which featured a wider nose and a “North American Safety Cab”, also known as a “comfort cab”, which offered a more wide-open environment for crew members compared to more standard designs. Over 1600 examples were built in total, with Norfolk Southern ordering and receiving only 68 between 2000 and 2004.

While diminutive in fleet strength, at 4000 horsepower a piece, Norfolk Southern’s SD70M locomotives are capable of delivering heavy-hauling capability on a variety of freight operations, including the movement of coal through the heart of Pennsylvania. Climb aboard the mighty Norfolk Southern SD70M in Train Simulator.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1637253/Train_Simulator_Norfolk_Southern_SD70M_Loco_AddOn/

Explore the full working life of a single locomotive fleet, from fresh off the production line to modified and in need of a clean, with NZTS Workshops’ extensive New Zealand DJ Loco Pack for Train Simulator.

The New Zealand DJ Class is a Bo-Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive which was in service from 1968 until 1991, hauling passenger and freight traffic over the rugged Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island. Built in Japan to replace steam traction, the DJ Class was known for its superior cab environment and good visibility, making it a frequent sight leading all sorts of mixed-traffic operations.
Throughout their career, the DJ Class was subject to many liveries, with no fewer than 10 main designs across their lifespan. Not only this, but the locomotives were also modified later in life to have a down-rated performance, altering their capability through to retirement.

For time-spanning use in Train Simulator, NZTS Workshops’ New Zealand DJ Loco Pack covers all the various liveries that the class has carried through its lifetime, complete with relevant modifications to represent the down-rated locos on the later liveries. Go to work across the decades with both passenger and freight duties to perform across the challenging landscape of the Midland Line.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1637258/Train_Simulator_New_Zealand_DJ_Loco_Pack/

Bienvenue en France and willkommen in Deutschland! Bahnstrecke Strasbourg – Karlsruhe is coming to the Train Simulator 2022 as part of the Deluxe Edition September 30.

The Rhine Valley Railway, or Rheintalbahn, dates back to the 1840s and stretches from Mannheim to Basel, linking multiple key cities along the way. The section between Karlsruhe and Offenburg was opened in stages throughout 1844, with 2 separate lines between Karlsruhe and Rastatt that each serve different towns. At Appenweier, the line also features a triangle junction where rails take a sharp turn westbound and cross the border into France, serving Strasbourg and beyond.

Developments throughout the line’s history has seen it upgraded over time to allow for higher and higher speeds, and today, it forms part of a major international network that links France, Germany and Switzerland with ICE and TGV trains at speeds up to 250 km/h. Naturally there is also high demand for cross-border freight traffic, with SNCF operating FRET services into Germany using the modern BR 186 locomotive, capable of working with multiple signalling and electrification types.

Explore this 112km (70-Mile) route from Strasbourg, France, to Offenburg and Karlsruhe, Germany, including both lines via Ettlingen and Durmersheim. Tackle a multitude of signalling and safety system types across multiple scenarios featuring dense passenger and freight services. Climb aboard the SNCF BR 186 and haul container traffic into Germany, make the return trip from the complex cabs of the TGV Euroduplex or ICE 3M, and hop on-board regional and additional ICE trains to Offenburg.

Bahnstrecke Strasbourg - Karlsruhe, one of Germany’s most important lines, awaits your arrival in the Train Simulator 2022 Deluxe Edition. The route will also be available separately at launch.

Stay up to date with Bahnstrecke Strasbourg – Karlsruhe and everything Train Simulator 2022 by following @railsimulator on Twitter and Facebook.

Train Simulator 2022 is coming soon to Steam with a new selection of routes.

The next instalment of the series is just around the corner, Train Simulator 2022 launches with 3 routes in one package. Get ready to operate in a dense commuter network with the BR Class 323 in Birmingham Cross City Line. Take control of the DB BR 429.1 FLIRT 3 across the picturesque Rhine Valley in Frankfurt – Koblenz and lastly, experience American passenger railroading at its best – with Amtrak’s Acela in Northeast Corridor: Washington DC – Baltimore. All of this awaits you in Train Simulator 2022, coming soon to Steam.

[h2]Birmingham Cross City Line[/h2]

Take control of the BR Class 323 EMU in London Midland livery along the 37-mile Cross City Line from Lichfield Trent Valley to Bromsgrove & Redditch via Birmingham New Street. Be ready to tackle the famed Lickey Incline, the steepest sustained main-line railway gradient in Great Britain; 1:37.7 for two miles between Bromsgrove and Barnt Green.



[h2]Frankfurt – Koblenz[/h2]

The 80-mile Frankfurt – Koblenz route serves a mix of regional and intercity traffic, and covers the Picturesque Linke Rheinstrecke from Koblenz Hbf to Mainz Hbf and Historic Mainbahn from Mainz Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. Conduct services here in the strikingly branded SÜWEX (Südwest-Express) DB BR 429.1 EMU.



[h2]Northeast Corridor: Washington – Baltimore[/h2]

The Northeast Corridor: Washington DC – Baltimore route extends from Washington, DC, 41 route miles north to Baltimore, where iconic Baltimore Penn Station rests near the north portal of the B&P Tunnel. This route includes a selection of realistic locomotives and equipment, including the Amtrak’s high-speed Acela and ACS-64.



We'll be talking more about Train Simulator 2022 in the coming weeks, including revealing the new route featured in the Deluxe Edition. Follow us on @RailSimulator on Twitter and Facebook.

New to Train Simulator is the Explorer Collection! This new range features fan favourite Dovetail Games routes that have been hand selected for both new and old players to try something different. All of the routes in the Explorer Collection have a new permanently reduced price – perfect for expanding your trains experience.

Highlights of the Explorer Collection include:
[h2]Norddeutsche-Bahn: Kiel - Lübeck[/h2]

The 80 km Kiel-Lübeck railway will allow you to experience Schleswig-Holstein at its scenic best, aboard hard-working traction such as the DB BR 648 DMU and DB BR 218 diesel locomotive, taking passengers across stunning vistas and through the heart of forested plains.



https://store.steampowered.com/app/1109209/Train_Simulator_NorddeutscheBahn_Kiel__Lbeck_Route_AddOn/?curator_clanid=958135&curator_listid=82770


[h2]LGV: Marseille - Avignon[/h2]
Serve 4 stations as you master the undulating nature of Southern France’s terrain and dominate the high-speed railways in the iconic TGV® Duplex in SNCF Livery that's capable of reaching 320 km/h. This 100km route is equipped with the TVM-430, a revolutionary in-cab signalling system designed for operating high-speed trains in high capacity.



https://store.steampowered.com/app/376938/Train_Simulator_LGV_Marseille__Avignon_Route_AddOn/?curator_clanid=958135&curator_listid=82770


[h2]South Western Main Line: Southampton - Bournemouth[/h2]

With a deep connection to key ports, and a history of summer specials taking Londoners to the coast, the SWML grew in popularity and now sees over 140 trains every day. Take the time to delve into the New Forest, and immerse yourself in the authentic traffic of the South Western Main Line: Southampton - Bournemouth!



https://store.steampowered.com/app/1055333/Train_Simulator_South_Western_Main_Line_Southampton__Bournemouth_Route_AddOn/?curator_clanid=958135&curator_listid=82770


[h2]Norfolk Southern N-Line[/h2]

The Norfolk Southern N-Line route brings to Train Simulator a distinctive railroading experience mixing both the classic charms of American branch line and short line railroading with the challenges and bustle of serving a wide range of lineside industries in the EMD GP40-2 and Norfolk Southerns hi-nose/low-nose GP 38-2s!



https://store.steampowered.com/app/980548/Train_Simulator_Norfolk_Southern_NLine_Route_AddOn/?curator_clanid=958135&curator_listid=82770


These are not the only routes included in the new Explorer Collection, we have much more for you to discover:

• The Rhine Railway: Mannheim – Karlsruhe
  
• Inselbahn: Stralsund Sassnitz
  
• Fife Circle Line: Edinburgh - Dunfermline
  
• Portsmouth Direct Line: London Waterloo - Portsmouth
  
• Granger Heartland: Kansas City Topeka
  
• LGV Rhone-Alpes Medditerranee Route Extension
  
• Hudson Line: New York - Croton-Harmon
  
• Soldier Summit
  
• Frankfurt High Speed: Frankfurt Karlsruhe Route Extension
  
• Salt Lake City Route Extension
  
• Koln Airport Link Route Extension
  

[h3]Link to the full collection here. [/h3]

Stay up to date on future Train Simulator releases, collections and more by following @RailSimulator on Twitter and Facebook.