Train Simulator Classic 2024 News

What has been happening on the Train Simulator Classic rails in April? Read on to catch up on this month’s new release and DLC updates.

[h2]Train Simulator Classic[/h2]

Thanks to all of you who have been providing feedback and taking part in the Train Simulator Classic Public Beta. Our latest build (77.1a), is still available to try out featuring performance updates and new tools for developers that show performance impact. You can find the full notes and link to join the Public Beta below.

• Public Beta Update Notes (External Link)
  
• Join The Public Beta
  

[h2]New Arrival[/h2]

Just one new arrival in April, but an exciting addition to US rails. The Empire State Express No. 999 from Machine Rail came thundering onto the rails of Boston & Albany earlier this month. Today, NYC&HR No. 999 is lovingly preserved at the prestigious Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, but with this superb pack, fabulous NYC&HR No. 999 and the luxurious Empire State Express are again ready to “highball” in Train Simulator Classic. An essential purchase for steam fans.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2662460/

[h2]DLC Updates[/h2]

There were two updates in April. First for the recent Tennessee Pass route from Milepost Simulations that included a selection of fixes as well as minor scenery and animation improvements. The second update was for U-Bahn Hamburg U1 from Just Trains. This makes the DT4 fully operable (previously AI only), and adds eight brand new scenarios to the German rapid transit route featuring the loco. Make sure you have automatic updates turned on to get these updates. Links to both store pages below.

• Tennessee Pass
• U-Bahn Hamburg U1

What routes have you been playing this month?

What has been happening on the Train Simulator Classic rails in March? Read on to catch up on this month’s news of new releases, Beta updates, DLC patches and more...

[h2]Train Simulator Classic[/h2]

This week our Public Beta was updated to version 77.1a. This update includes fixes and some new additional tools to help developers. These tools will help anyone working on Train Simulator Content to optimise content for the best performance. You can read the full update notes over on our forums. There is also a link below for info on how to join the Public Beta.

• Public Update Notes (External Link)
  
• Join The Public Beta
  

[h2]New Arrivals[/h2]

Releases for Train Simulator Classic in March started with the China Railways HXD1, a powerful freight loco nicknamed ‘Harmony’ which includes scenarios for both South West China High Speed and Longhai Railway. This was followed by the epic German urban loop Ringbahn Berlin Circle from Virtual Tracks, and new gameplay for Saluda Grade with a second scenario pack from High Iron. The last release for March arrived today, with a recreation of the legendary Rio Grande Tennessee Pass from Milepost Simulations. You can find links to all four new DLC below.

• China Railways HXD1
• Ringbahn Berlin Circle
• Saluda Grade Scenario Pack 02
• Tennessee Pass

[h2]DLC Updates[/h2]

March has also been a big month for DLC updates. Make sure you have automatic updates switched on to get these.

The ÖBB 1144 & CityShuttle Wiesel has been updated by Skyhook Games with a fantastic patch that features a variety of improvements. This includes updated sounds, updated scripts, cab texture updates, LZB implementation, a new ‘Cityjet’ livery for the Wiesel and some bug fixes. If you don’t own this loco now is the perfect time to pick it up.

Alongside this new updates have been released for the HXD1, DF11G, South Western Expressways and the Just Trains Common Library. You can read the notes on these through the link below.

• ÖBB 1144 & CityShuttle Wiesel Update Notes (External Link)
  
• HXD1, DF11G, SW Expressways Update Notes (External Link)
  

[h2]Your Hobby[/h2]

Our hobby section for Train Simulator Classic on Dovetail Live has had a refresh in March. A new ‘UK Intro’ feature has been added to give route recommendations for anyone thinking about starting a UK collection. We’ve also updated some existing guide articles – the Deutsche Bahn, German and Chinese features have all been refreshed this month. You can find all of these through the link.

• Your Hobby Feature (External Link)
  

Happy Easter Railfans! See you in April :)

The Steam Spring Sale has arrived, and with it discounts across a wide range of Train Simulator Classic and Train Sim World add-ons.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Read on for some recommendations for what to pick up for Classic this week...

[h2]Train Simulator Classic[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/24010/
Not just for new players, Train Simulator Classic gives you a great way to save on multiple routes. Explore the picturesque countryside of Bavaria with Pegnitztalbahn, cross viaducts and race through tunnels with Huddersfield Line, and take on the bustling Long Island Rail Road. All for -70% off. The same discount applies to the Deluxe Edition which also includes ECML and the Flying Scotsman Centenary Edition!

[h2]U-Bahn Hamburg U1[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2288624
An essential for railfans who enjoy rapid transit routes and urban exploration. The U-Bahn Hamburg U1 from Just Trains takes you on a tour of Hamburg. Visit residential neighbourhoods, wealthy districts and busy downtown areas as you deliver passengers to their destinations. Take control of the detailed HHA Type DT5 EMU complete with onboard computer, platform video feeds, and announcements spoken by Ingrid Metz-Neun.

[h2]Norfolk Southern Saluda Grade[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2403288/
The extraordinary challenges and memorable railroading of “the steepest standard gauge, mainline railway grade in the US,” comes to Train Simulator Classic with Saluda Grade. This memorable US railroad from High Iron Simulations is -50% off for the Spring Sale, and a new Scenario Pack for the route has been released this week giving you more to enjoy. Look out for the complete my collection bundle.

[h2]South Wales Coastal[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1429752
Directly connecting England and Wales, running under the longest river in the United Kingdom, the South Wales Main Line is one of the most important cross-border routes in the country. The route, set in 2016, representing a time before overhead wires were installed on the main line, making for a classic diesel experience. This popular route has its biggest discount to date during the Spring Sale with -80% off!

[h2]Wakayama & Sakurai Lines[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/376961
The perfect route for a Spring drive. The Wakayama & Sakurai Lines are one of the most picturesque Japanese suburban railways. Featuring farmland, valleys and local towns with a mix of modern and UNESCO listed historic architecture. The route is also well known for tourists visiting to see the stunning cherry blossoms throughout Spring, which you can also enjoy as you drive along this route. Get -55% off in the sale.

Browse these and more add-ons on the Steam Store.

If you want to see the Wakayama & Sakurai Lines or South Wales Coastal in action, join us on Railfan TV this Saturday 16 March at 1900 UTC on YouTube. Our Community Manager Jamie will be heading to Wakayama, and British Ace will be running a South Wales service.

Available now on the Steam Store, take a ride on Ringbahn Berlin Circle!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2662420/Train_Simulator_Ringbahn_Berlin_Circle/

Completed in 1877 the Berlin Ringbahn is an urban railway loop running around Berlin’s inner-city area and is a vital component of public transport for the city. The circular route features two S-Bahn lines (S41 and S42) that connect diverse neighbourhoods and districts around the city. Providing easy access to key hubs like the main Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Alexanderplatz which is a popular starting point for most tourists. Whilst travelling around the city you can take in panoramic views of the city, iconic buildings and surrounding urban landscapes.

The route in Train Simulator Classic features the modern Berlin Ringbahn. Set in 2022 here it comes complete with S-Bahn loop lines, a branch line in the north to Pankow, and drivable mainline from Treptower Park to Güterbahnhof Treptow. The lines, stations and surrounding city area have all been recreated in detail. Along with authentic signals, safety equipment and track markings this route provides an immersive realistic experience.

On the route you will take control of the Deutsche Bahn Class 483/484 EMU. Designed for use on this Berlin S-Bahn these modern and efficient locomotives, also known as the ‘Stadler GTW’, were introduced in 2021. You will take control of this sleek EMU in either 2-car (483) or 4-car (484) formation across 12 Career scenarios. These include challenges with full circle runs and short commuter services, allowing you to discover all parts of this route in a variety of weather conditions.

Start your journey on Ringbahn Berlin Circle in Train Simulator Classic, an historic line updated with contemporary functionality that gives you the perfect blend of past and present city transportation. Available now!

You can watch a preview of this route on Railfan TV with Jamie, watch on YouTube below.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

February may be the shortest month, but it’s been an action-packed month for Train Simulator Classic! In the past few weeks we’ve released new routes, new locos, updated the Public Beta and celebrated some major events. Read on for the round-up.

[h2]Train Simulator Classic[/h2]
The Train Simulator Classic Public Beta has been updated this month to 76.5a. This update is to work on fixes for some common crashes identified in the previous Beta update. You can find full update notes for this new Public Beta over on the official forum through the link below. If you’re using the updated Beta already, please let us know how you’re getting on over at that thread. You can also find a link below with information on how to join the Public Beta.

• Public Beta 76.5a Update (External Link)
  
• Join The Public Beta
  

[h2]New Arrivals[/h2]

The big new release for Train Simulator Classic this month was Feather River Canyon Enhanced from High Iron Simulations. Return to this popular US freight route with a new extended version that has been upgraded with new scenery, locos and rolling stock. A must for US railfans. Also released this month the picturesque central Austrian route Rudolfsbahn from RSSLO, the Eamnos VTG Wagon Pack from VirtualRailroads which brings new freight options to your German routes, and the China Railways DF11G passenger diesel from Just Trains. Links to this month’s releases below.

• Rudolfsbahn
• Feather River Canyon Enhanced
• Eamnos VTG Wagon Pack
  
• China Railways DF11G

[h2]Your Hobby[/h2]

This month we celebrated Chinese New Year with an updated hobby feature on Dovetail Live, Railfan TV stream and the launch of a new Train Simulator Classic Chinese Bundle on the Steam Store. This bundle includes Train Simulator Classic (with Pegnitztalbahn, Huddersfield, LIRR), South West China High Speed, Chengkun Railway, and the CRH2A loco. This is a complete my collection bundle with –40% discount, a great way to start or grow your Chinese collection.

Also in February we held our annual Festival of Rail event on the Steam Store. As part of this for Train Simulator Classic we revealed some upcoming releases on the Dovetail Direct stream. You can watch this segment below.

• Chinese hobby feature (External Link)
  
• Chinese Bundle
• Train Simulator Classic Dovetail Direct Video (External Link)
  

Let us know what you’ve been up to in Train Simulator Classic this month in the comments.