I don't know........

I feel a distinct lack of excitement. Honestly I haven't seen enough difference to make a difference between the last few versions, and I don't expect anything all that noticeable this time, either.

The only reason I might try it is that it will probably be free on Gamepass.....

Here is the FAQ, if anyone is curious.

 

If you like trains (and honestly, who doesn't?) check out "Derail Valley". Despite being smaller in scope, it's much more immersive in many ways. It's a bit like the "Flight Unlimited" of train sims - if you are old enough to remember that title. The trains feel more tangible - they have more of a sense of momentum, and they require more knowledge and thought to operate. 

TSW, for all of its dev resources and scope, always felt very shallow to me. Just one example - unless I'm missing something, there's no way to configure a device like the alpha bravo or other throttles to act as a controller. It also doesn't "feel" like I'm in a 10,000 ton vehicle. DV lets you configure any axis on any controller to reversers, throttle, etc...

Will definitely check out TSW 6 - always curious if they'll move the ball forward...

 

They should spend time working on rail physics like Run8. 
 

This installment looks beautiful as it always does. But it’s an old hag at this point.

It's cheaper than the New York City to Washington DC Acela speed train. "Fares for one-way business class service between Washington and New York on Friday, Aug. 29, ran $498 per trip per traveler" according to Amtrak's booking website.

A commuter works 200 days a year. The weekends are 2x52= 104 and he has vacations and holidays, say 60 days. So he works 365 -104+60 = about exactly 200 days.  $500 x 200 is $10,000 (one way). There and back daily would be $20,000 a year.

 

I would need an entire rail network included with the base package (not just 30 miles between London and Reading; to take the UK example in TSW5) to be interested in a train simulator. I suspect that will never happen, so I will stick to flight simulation.

3 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

I would need an entire rail network included with the base package (not just 30 miles between London and Reading; to take the UK example in TSW5) to be interested in a train simulator. I suspect that will never happen, so I will stick to flight simulation.

Its one of the issues for me. The old Train Simulator allowed outsiders to build tracks/routes, and some of the best came from third parties.

Despite early promises, Train Simulator is now a closed system, and severely limited because of it.

Also, despite the updated graphics, to me it reeks of staleness.

I find myself looking to other efforts, Like Century of Steam, Train Planet, Simrail etc.

(Or even something quirky, like MaSzyna)

Train Planet Demo

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2025Aug 28 by HiFlyer

My father was really fond of model trains, and in the early 70s of the last Century at my parents home we had a huge 2m x 3m board with a full train circuit, using both Lima HO and Jouef.... 🙂

I will probably create a garden model train one of these days... 

But then all of my few spare money will have to divert from flight simulation and rw flying into it 🙂

I did use Train Sim in the past though, and it was really fun !

 

The one I have as I like building my own.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/847177429

9 hours ago, Fielder said:

It's cheaper than the New York City to Washington DC Acela speed train. "Fares for one-way business class service between Washington and New York on Friday, Aug. 29, ran $498 per trip per traveler" according to Amtrak's booking website.

A commuter works 200 days a year. The weekends are 2x52= 104 and he has vacations and holidays, say 60 days. So he works 365 -104+60 = about exactly 200 days.  $500 x 200 is $10,000 (one way). There and back daily would be $20,000 a year.

 

That's absurd.

The passenger rail system in the USA is pitiful and expensive.  What really annoys me about Amtrak is not only is it expensive, but it is subsidized with taxpayer money on top of that.

European countries subsidize their rail, too, but the passenger rail network is much more extensive and convenient, as well as reasonably priced.

Dave

 

3 hours ago, G-RFRY said:

The one I have as I like building my own.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/847177429

I tried that years ago, but honestly just ended up confused at the way it was all organized

Well, as has already been said, it certainly seems pretty enough.

Interestingly, a user has figured out how to hack into the system, and is constructing an extensive 3rd party route.

Meanwhile.....

 

Bought TSW1, not support my throttle quadrant, refund.

And now settled with Zusi3.

I might give Derail Valley a look just for VR, but not yet, as I find myself not that into trains anyway...

See? Launch problems are not that uncommon....

 

You can always try gambling your way to a free railroad by making a bet..

https://youtu.be/_uIxToQzrBU?list=PL5NztToIINcPciDVG0lF5-Tekbm-eeqDb&t=1115

 

Edited September 25, 2025Sep 25 by Fielder