The Routes

Rail Simulator includes four real-world routes. Each one is on average 90 miles long and comes with several fascinating scenarios to involve you fully in the route, its rolling stock and its operations.

Bath to Templecombe - the route appears as it was in 1955, at the peak of the line's activity. A mix of passenger and freight stock in authentic colours represent the variety of operations that took place on this line.

Newcastle to York - featuring the route as it would have been in the mid 70s, when the line carried the highest volume of freight traffic. This route features the legendary Class 55 Deltic Napier diesel locomotive.

Oxford to Paddington - the main artery of the Great Western Mainline, operated by First Great Western. This is one of the UK's busiest routes and is modelled after the modern day line and its operations.

Hagen to Siegen (Germany) - long known as a major freight route for wood, coal and steel, this route was a main connection between the Ruhr area and Frankfurt. The opening of other routes have caused a decline of this winding valley line, but this freight and passenger route in Rail Simulator is modelled on the busy 1996-2001 period.

Detailed features

• Stunningly realistic graphics and sounds create a believable environment.

• Accurate train driving simulation - highly accurate handling characteristics.

• Steam, Diesel and Electric trains - contemporary and historic trains are included

• Three levels of driving difficulty - Easy, Intermediate and Expert mode. Easy provides an 'install and go' experience which allows even the novice driver to experience the thrill of train driving, whereas Expert mode requires the same attention to detail as driving the actual train; you'll need to take special care of every little detail!

• Passenger and Freight operations - The environments and rolling stock in the simulation let you focus on driving both passengers and freight, each needing its own specific skills.

• Hours of missions to test your skill as a driver - 15 scenarios to test your skill as a driver. Can you meet the demanding task of driving a busy commuter train? Or maybe collecting the components of a freight load and delivering all of the parts on time to the right destination? Your performance on each mission is measured to provide feedback on your driving performance.

• Free-roam experience - If you prefer a more leisurely approach, free-roam allows to you explore the routes at your own pace.

• View the action from any angle - You can choose to drive from the cab of your train, welding all the controls at the touch of a button; take a leisurely ride from one of the many carriages included; fly as high as a bird, taking in all the surroundings as you whisk along; maybe you wish to get up close to control all the junctions and switches from the track side.

• Fully functioning Turntables & Traversers - new functionality means you can interact with the environment, operate, and perform tasks with increased efficiency.

• Localised and accurate Signalling Systems - Rail Simulator includes an extremely flexible signalling system using LUA Scripts, providing each route with fully accurate and localised signal systems with real-world functionality including all the bells and whistles.

• Complete World Editing tool suite -  a full suite of editing tools so you can start creating your own fully interactive worlds; lay immensely complex track, place all manner of detailed scenery objects with great accuracy, and manipulate and texture the landscape.

User-created content

The ability to add additional material to the simulation was central in the design of Rail Simulator, allowing the easy addition of new routes, rolling stock and additional missions. User-generated content can be shared and used by other railway enthusiasts.