Train Simulator (Dovetail Games)

Train Simulator is a train simulation game developed by Dovetail Games.^[1] It is the successor to Rail Simulator, and was released online on 12 June 2009 and in stores on 3 July 2009.^[2]

The first release of RailWorks contained all of the five real-world routes of the original European and North American releases of Rail Simulator, and added three new fictional routes: a large UK goods yard, a route set in the Alpine region and a route based around Denver, Colorado.^[3]

It is a Steamworks title, which means it uses and requires Steam to activate and to deliver core game updates. Steam is used to deliver additional routes and locomotives in the form of downloadable content. The core game has received several free updates since release, including major new versions RailWorks 2: Train Simulator, RailWorks 3: Train Simulator 2012, Train Simulator 2013, Train Simulator 2014, Train Simulator 2015, Train Simulator 2016 and Train Simulator 2017 released between 2010 and 2016, respectively.

Releases

The first major update to RailWorks was RailWorks 2: Train Simulator, released on Steam on 18 October 2010 under the name RailWorks 2. Retail versions were released later that year. The new version contained a range of new features and enhancements, including enhanced menus, the new RS Cab Control driver interface and new RS Career System scenarios. Players could now earn Steam Achievements for completing scenarios, as well as compete and compare scores online via Steam Leaderboards. It also featured level crossing animations, among other improvements.^[4] RailWorks 2 featured the same routes and content as the original game, and only one new route: TestTraK, based on the Test and validation centre, a German testing facility owned by Siemens Mobility that is used for technical acceptance tests and approvals of locomotives and rolling stock.^[5] Contents in retail versions could vary in different countries to include local routes and locomotives. Owners of the original RailWorks received a free upgrade to the RailWorks 2 core technology via the Steam platform.

Screenshot of Train Simulator 2012 showing British Rail Class 37 diesel locomotive on Hedborough North.

RailWorks 3: Train Simulator 2012 was released on Steam on 23 September 2011 under the name Train Simulator 2012. Retail versions were released later that year. It contained a number of improvements and new features, including a new user interface, action-oriented loading screens, the new TSX game engine with multi-core and FXAA support and many graphical improvements (including extended draw distance, improved lighting and shadows, enhanced sky and water effects, new depth of field camera focus effect and particle effects – e.g. rain drops – on locomotive windows with working wipers), superelevation to allow simulation of curved tracks, improved track unevenness and cab camera movement increasing with speed, improved editing tools and others.^[6][7] The base package contained nine routes,^[8] and those who purchased from Steam or purchased the retail Deluxe Edition, also received the Horseshoe Curve route.^[9] Contents in retail versions could vary in different countries to include local routes and locomotives. Owners of RailWorks 2 received a free upgrade to the TS2012 core technology via the Steam platform.

Train Simulator 2013 was released on Steam in two editions. Standard Edition, available for a limited time, was released on 20 September 2012.^[10] Deluxe Edition was released on 10 October 2012.^[11] Retail versions were available from October that year. New features and improvements included Xbox 360 Controller support, Relay Play mode allowing for users to combine efforts to complete scenarios (removed since Train Simulator 2014), new menus and control options (including the new Quick Drive mode), updated HUDs, improved 2D task map and a new community download centre by Steam called Steam Workshop where players can share and download free user-created scenarios. It also featured enhanced graphics and performance improvements. A route included with the previous versions, Hagen–Siegen, was heavily updated and renamed to Ruhr–Sieg Line. Routes included with the Standard Edition were Sherman Hill, London–Brighton, Northeast Corridor and Isle of Wight. Deluxe Edition included Sherman Hill, London–Brighton and Munich–Augsburg.^[10] Contents in retail versions could vary in different countries to include local routes and locomotives.^[12] Owners of Train Simulator 2012 received a free upgrade to the TS2013 core technology via the Steam platform.

Train Simulator 2014 was released on Steam in two editions. Steam Edition was released on 26 September 2013, and Standard Edition on 7 October 2013.^[13] Retail versions were available from 4 October that year. It featured a new menu system, better graphics including increased draw distance and headlight flares, a new camera system with user-adjustable FOV, improved passenger appearance and behaviour, improved editing tools, expanded Quick Drive mode and an enhanced Career mode, letting players earn points towards medals, rewards and achievements. The new Engine Driver community website was made accessible in-game. The Steam Workshop feature had been expanded to support free user-created routes, in addition to scenarios, and the new Marketplace was designed to make it simpler to share and obtain new third-party payware content. Routes included with the Standard Edition were Hamburg–Hanover, London–Faversham High Speed and Donner Pass: Southern Pacific,^[14] and those who purchased the Steam Edition, also received an additional seven-mile (11 km) Sheerness Branch line in Kent (an extension to the London–Faversham High Speed route) and two extra locomotives (Class 466 and SD70M). Contents in retail versions could vary in different countries to include local routes and locomotives. Owners of Train Simulator 2013 received a free upgrade to the TS2014 core technology via the Steam platform.

Train Simulator 2015, was released on Steam on 18 September 2014 as Standard Edition and Steam Edition. Retail versions were available from 19 September that year. It introduced several improvements and a learning mode called TS Academy, a training area designed to introduce new players to the series quickly and easily. Routes included with the Standard Edition were East Coast Main Line: London–Peterborough, Northeast Corridor: New York–New Haven and Munich–Garmisch-Partenkirchen,^[15] and those who purchased the Steam Edition, also received the Pacific Surfliner: LA–San Diego route and two extra locomotives (Los Angeles Commuter Rail F59PH and San Diego Commuter Rail F59PHI). Contents in retail versions could vary in different countries to include local routes and locomotives. Owners of Train Simulator 2014 received a free upgrade to the TS2015 core technology via the Steam platform.

Train Simulator 2016 was released on Steam on September 17, 2015 as Train Simulator 2016: Steam Edition. This version provides a selection of new 'extreme' challenges set across a variety of different eras.^[16]

Features

The game features steam, diesel and electric traction trains; keyboard, mouse or gamepad control of throttles, brakes and switches with Simple and Expert driving models for varying player skills. A variety of scenarios are available for Standard and Career modes, as well as an exploratory style Free Roam mode. Quick Drive mode allows to pick a train (or to put together your own by snapping together cars), choose your route and set departure and destination stations, and decide on the time of day, the season and the weather. Cargos and passengers are animated, and weather changes dynamically with time. Steam Workshop allows players to upload and download additional user-created routes and scenarios.

Routes (Rail Simulator to TS2017)

The original RailWorks base package contained eight routes, now most of which are available as legacy DLC. The three fictional routes that were originally introduced in RailWorks and subsequently withdrawn in Train Simulator 2013 (Hedborough North, Seebergbahn and Castle Rock Railroad) are not available as DLCs, but are available as free downloads on Steam Workshop as official uploads by Dovetail Games, branded as Classic Routes. In 2010, users could add the free Port Road route DLC to their Steam accounts, but it is no longer available. Set in the final years of steam operations, Port Road represents the branch line from Dumfries to Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright, part of the now-defunct Dumfries to Stranraer line in Scotland.^[17] The route has since been re-released in the Western Lines of Scotland route, and was extended to Carlisle.

The previous version of the game, Train Simulator 2015, contained only three or four routes, depending on edition; East Coast Main Line: London–Peterborough, Northeast Corridor: New York–New Haven and Munich–Garmisch-Partenkirchen included with the Standard Edition, plus the Pacific Surfliner: LA–San Diego included with the Steam Edition. People who purchased Train Simulator before 18 September 2014 retained their original content, and have the option to purchase the new routes via Steam.^[13][18]

The current version of the game, Train Simulator 2016, contains three routes: Sherman Hill featuring the Union Pacific SW10, ES44AC, SD70M and GTEL. The Riviera line in the 50s contains the GWR Castle, King, Grange, modified Hall and Pannier classes. The West Rhine route contains the DB classes 101, 146.0, 146.2, 155 & 294. The Norfolk Southern Coal District route contains the Norfolk Southern ES44AC.

Editing tools

A complete suite of tools is also available to customize content, allowing terrain modeling either by hand using provided tools or via the import of DEM data from NASA; track construction based on a system of straights and arcs, allowing infinitely possible junction configurations, and scenery placement. A scenario editor allows the creation of tasks such as picking up passengers, hauling cargo and shunting wagons around yards. These tools also allow players to build unlimited sizes of layouts, create their own scenery and rolling stock and modify the provided content by adding features or re-skins.

Downloadable content

Various add-ons are available for Train Simulator, containing routes, locomotives and/or multiple units for Quick Drive use, as well as scenarios for Standard, Career and Free Roam modes.^[19] Examples include the fictional Rascal & Cottonwood route from All Aboard and packs of the LMS Jubilees and the GWR 4900 Class locomotives.

Critical reception

IGN gave RailWorks a 7/10 or "good" stating that the game "doesn't bring a lot of new stuff to the genre" and graphically "lacks the high-end flair of today's top-level titles".^[20]

On 17 March 2011, it was announced that RailWorks 2 had won the award for "Simulation of the Year 2010" by readers of Game Industry News (GiN).^[21]

Train Simulator 2014 received mixed or average reviews and holds a Metacritic score of 67, based on 6 critics.^[22]

The future of the franchise

Since 2014, Dovetail Games has been working on the next generation of the Train Simulator franchise,^[23] titled Train Sim World, utilizing Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4 technology and scheduled for release in Q1 2017 for PC and Xbox One.^[24]

Despite the new game, the company has said that it will continue to support, and even create new content, for the current generation Train Simulator.^[23]

References

External links

• Official website
• Railpage (Australia)
• Railworks America
• TrainSim (USA)
• UKTrainsim (UK)
• Railworks Czech (CZ/SK)
• Railsim-fr (France)