No More Paid Re-Skins for Waggonz Products

Waggonz have announced that from 20 December 2013 they will require that any re-skin of their products you wish to distribute, be freely available to everyone without any form of payment being required. However the new 'Re-skin policy' also states "This new policy will not remove/change any rights granted to you when you purchased one of our products." This is rumored to be because of the "controversial" Freightliner Class 90 re-skins of which currently several   versions are available. The railworkers.co.uk version is currently shown as "Out of stock" despite the fact it's a download although there is also a "get It Free For First Class members" button. While trainsimulatorscenarios.co.uk has made it's product available free of charge and reimbursed those who have already purchased it,  even though re-skins can still theoretically be sold until 20th December.

For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

GWR 56xx Update Avalible for Train Simulator 2014

An update is avalible for the 'GWR 56xx' adding TSX effects. The product is also available on Steam again.


For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

Three Country Corner Route Now Avalible Boxed.

The  Three Country Corner Route   from Just Trains is now available in a box for the same price as the download version. With free postage and packaging in the UK and only €5.00 in the Euro Zone or  $7.00 for the rest of the world. The route includes 80 miles of track through Austria, Germany and Switzerland, passing through 40 detailed stations and Four signalling systems. No new stock is included with the route however the route does include 10 Standard scenarios, 5 Free Roam scenarios and is Quick Drive enabled.
 
For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

Tram Simulator Düsseldorf Out Now!

It seems there is finally a dedicated tram simulator I'm surprised this didn't happen a while ago. Tram Simulator Düsseldorf  shows a lot of potential.

 The game is based on the U78 line in Düsseldorf operated by Rheinbahn. Focused on creating a realistic depiction of B80D vehicle. The game has most of the features you'd expect in a tram simulator including control of the doors, headlights mirrors etc. The U78 (the route included) take roughly 50 minutes to drive both above and below ground. Although most of the underground stations look very similar.

 The most interesting feature in my opinion though is the inclusion of a map editor. Currently you can not  put custom models in the simulator. However when asked Tony CEO Little Red Studuios  (exclusive to this blog) said: " The released version you cannot add custom objects or trains, this feature will come online with an editor update." I  asked about whether people will be able to release their creations commercially he replied: "Yes, we have plans to allow third parties to create content and integrate with the product. This will be enabled through an editor update." This would  open up the possibility of plenty of third party add-ons. Perhaps even one day a UK route like Manchester Metrolink or Blackpool.

Regarding official DLC Tony confirmed that they will be creating DLC  " ...with plans to add additional routes and increase the variety of passengers and vehicles" He went on to say "We are continually upgrading the current product increasing the complexity and accuracy of the environment and tram. You will occasionally be able to download these upgrades capturing any new features we add the overall franchise."


As you may have notices the graphics are not very good at all however it does one advantage over Railworks passengers actually board the Tram and sit down!













Tram Simulator Düsseldorf  is created by Little Red Studuios and published by Rondomedia. It is rated PEGI 3 and is not currently available in the UK although you can still purchase it online.

Thanks to Tony from Little Red Studios for taking the time to answer our questions.

For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

GWR 56XX Coming Soon to Train Simulator 2014

RailSimulator.com have just announced this via their page on Facebook.

For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

West Somerset Rail Out Now for Train Simulator 2014!

The West Somerset Railway  is now available to purchase on Steam for £19.99. Included with the route are three of  locomotives - Class 7F ‘No. 88’ in Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway livery, GWR Hall Class ‘Raveningham Hall’ and BR Green Class 33 ‘D6575’. Accompanying these locomotives are appropriate BR Mk1 coaching stock and GWR/BR freight wagons.

SDJR 88 stands at Minehead

It is of much high quality than the freeware Train Simulator 2014 and payware MSTS renditions of the route.


Also available both as a stand alone product or in a combined pack is 'WSR Diesels Locos Add-On' Including BR Class 03 and BR Class 47 with scenarios for the WSR which Armstrong Powerhouse's packs ave been updated to be compatible with. The combined pack costs £24.99 meaning it will be only £12.49 in the next Steam sale not bad for RSC.

The Class 47 and Class03 included with WSR Diesels Locos Add-On

For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

Trainz A New Era Update

After less than 24 hours, the Trainz: A New Era Kickstarter project had raced out of the station (there are just so many rail analogies, I can't stop myself). But a good first day doesn't mean the destination has been reached just yet.


The new version entitled Trainz: A New Era and official shortened as T2 promises to deliver highly improved graphics and physics if the target of  £95,980.03 is met. Including: Full World Shadows, High Dynamic Range Rendering, Native Multi-Threading, Real-Time Per-Pixel Lighting, Unlimited Seamless Streaming, Optimization for Panoramic and Close-Up Views, 64-bit Processing, Backward Compatibility and Advanced Graphics Shaders.

 Trainz (or Railway Simulator) has not proved that popular in the UK in recent years mostly because of competitors such as Railworks and lack of new content. Howether the UK is listed under new routes a content. But also Trainz has also (rightful) faced criticism for unrealistic sounds and simulation and  a World Editor which makea difficult to accurately model real routes.



There are also plenty of rewards to donating ranging from Digital Wallpapers to the opportunity to design your own special feature/function to be included in the final product! For more information and to donate click here.


For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

Two Versions Of Anglia Class 321 coming soon to Train Simulator

Well RailSimulator.com has officially announced the Class 321 add-on on Facebook. This comes as no surprise considering they posted a picture of the cab a while ago. But Armstrong Powerhouse are also working on a Class 321. The RSC is official and comes on Steam with a passenger view. The AP one is unofficial, has no passenger view and does not come on Steam but comes with highly realistic sounds and multiple liveries. Take your pick, personally I'd go for AP. Comparison below:

The RailSimulator.com product

The Armstong Powerhouse product.

For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

Class 455 Sound Pack from Armstrong Powerhouse Released

The long awaited Class 455 Sound Pack for Train Simulator 2014 was released today,which despite AP's posts on Facebook several months ago (which appear to have now been deleted!  it is nota "pro" sound pack. Not to fear though it still is of the same high quality you can expect from AP. It also includes 45 minute scenario for the London to Brighton route which sees you drive two Southern liveried class 455s between Selhurst Depot and London Victoria Also available free are high quality Southern re-skins for the class 455.
For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

Over Shap

Another Train Simulator 2014 route announcement, this one's from Keith Ross published by the money grabbing RailSimulator.com.And will feature the section of the West Coast Main line from Preston to Carlisle and Dumfries passing through the scenic Lake District entitled 'WCML Over Shap' (not shortened by me) When this route will be set has yet to be announced although it's probably modern day unlike West Coast Mainline North (which is set in the '90s) as it was not mentioned what year. Meaning that we're likely to see Virgin Class 390 Pendolino, Class 185 and First Trans Penine Express Class 350 add-ons following shortly.



 For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

London-Peterborough coming soon to Train Simulator 2014 on Steam

Yet another route has been announced by RailSimulator.com. This one as you may have seen in the title is a route from London-Peterborough officially named East Coast Main Line London-Peterborough. Included with route it would seem is a class 91 electric locomotive.


Combined with Newcastle to York Modern and Scottish East Coast Mainline will make up a fair chunk of the East Coast Mainline., it is also rumored that JustTrains are developing Edinburgh to Newcastle. Perhaps one day we will have the entire ECML (with a lot of multiple part scenarios) although I doubt anyone will drive in one go.







 For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

West Somerset Railway Not Created by TAA Developmets

Just a quick post that the (now confirmed) West Somerset Railway coming soon to Train Simulator 2014 on Steam is not the version created by TAA Developments they posted the following statement on Facebook:

"We are would like to make a statement regarding the West Somerset Railway.

At present we have not decided what action to take regarding publication of this route, however it certainly will not be published in the form of a preserved railway.

Development on the WSR has not proceeded for some time, as we were fortunately made aware that Rail Simulator were working on the same project.

At present we are still working on the Prairie locomotive.

In future we will not be making any publications regarding what projects we will undertake."
 The most disappointing part is the last sentence which I think is a slight over reaction.






 For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.

West Somerset Railway coming soon On Steam?

Anyone who has been looking at RailSimulator.com's page on Facebook in the past few days will have noticed two pictures posted with the line "Coming soon to Train Simulator....actually you tell us. Where do you think this is? Find out on Sunday only here on Facebook." The first one is not so obvious although a brief look at comments showed some correct guesses nonetheless.



It seems almost definatley to be the West Somerset Railway. The second picture was obvious for anyone who's ever been on the railway (comparison below) and if you're still doubtful Steam achievements for Train Simulator 2014 referring to the WSR were leaked yesterday. The West Somerset Railway is the longest preserved line in the UK and will be the first one from RailSimulator.com in a long time.


Above: Screenshot from RSC's "mystery route"
Below: Bishops Lydeard station on the West Somerset Railway.


All this is very interesting but just as interesting a few months ago the WSR was announced as TAA Developments (the creators of the Mid Hants Railway for Railworks)  next route, meaning they have probably partnered with RSC. They are currently working on the GWR Large Prairie and the South Western Mainline meaning it is quite probable these will be released on Steam.
 For all your latest rail and bus simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.