20/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/448191

Take control of an icon of Southern steam as the Southern S15 is now yours to enjoy in Train Simulator, courtesy of Partner Programme Developer, Bossman Games.



The S15 Class was originally formed from the mind of the London & South Western Railway’s Chief Mechanical Engineer, Robert Urie, as there was a need for a new locomotive to fulfil heavy freight duties in the early 1920s. Urie’s original mixed-traffic H15 design, which helped the LSWR in the midst of the war effort, would serve as the basis for his future locomotives.



With a more modern requirement - that would see a locomotive capable of serving south coast ports and running express dairy trains in and out of London - still in place, Urie changed key aspects of his H15 Class to produce a freight-dedicated locomotive. The result rolled out of Eastleigh Works in February 1920 as the S15 Class, and it was quickly established that this locomotive would be a very successful worker.



The first batch of LSWR’s S15 locomotives was 16-strong and finished production by May 1921. Two years later, the LSWR would be amalgamated into the Southern Railway as part of the Grouping Scheme, creating the “Big Four”. With this, Urie stepped into retirement and left Richard Maunsell to take over as Chief Mechanical Engineer, and with his new position, Maunsell took the opportunity to further develop the quickly proven S15 Class before a second batch was produced, and the resulting modifications were continued to see the class excel in service.



Based across the Southern Railway’s Western Region, from London to coastal ports of Southampton, Weymouth and beyond, the S15 Class was a well-abled freight locomotive that could shift heavy loads, at speed, with relative ease – and would often find itself at the helm of nightly express goods. Surprisingly, despite the specific design, and classification, that make the S15 a freight locomotive, the fleet was also found to be very capable at passenger work when required. This would make the S15s the longest lasting LSWR 4-6-0 engine in service.



The S15 Class held onto regular duties far into the 1960s, with the last being withdrawn in 1966. All 45 locomotives were sent to South Wales for scrap, but thankfully, a total of 7 were rescued and were only 2 of those have yet to be operational in preservation. Akin to being the longest lasting, the S15 is also the most prolific LSWR 4-6-0 to have survived the end of steam, and many enthusiasts get to enjoy a hint of yesteryear behind the powerful S15 Class.



From Bossman Games, the Southern S15 Class for Train Simulator brings challenging excursions to the exquisite West Somerset Railway (available separately and required to play the included scenarios).

20/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/448191

Take control of an icon of Southern steam as the Southern S15 is now yours to enjoy in Train Simulator, courtesy of Partner Programme Developer, Bossman Games.



The S15 Class was originally formed from the mind of the London & South Western Railway’s Chief Mechanical Engineer, Robert Urie, as there was a need for a new locomotive to fulfil heavy freight duties in the early 1920s. Urie’s original mixed-traffic H15 design, which helped the LSWR in the midst of the war effort, would serve as the basis for his future locomotives.



With a more modern requirement - that would see a locomotive capable of serving south coast ports and running express dairy trains in and out of London - still in place, Urie changed key aspects of his H15 Class to produce a freight-dedicated locomotive. The result rolled out of Eastleigh Works in February 1920 as the S15 Class, and it was quickly established that this locomotive would be a very successful worker.



The first batch of LSWR’s S15 locomotives was 16-strong and finished production by May 1921. Two years later, the LSWR would be amalgamated into the Southern Railway as part of the Grouping Scheme, creating the “Big Four”. With this, Urie stepped into retirement and left Richard Maunsell to take over as Chief Mechanical Engineer, and with his new position, Maunsell took the opportunity to further develop the quickly proven S15 Class before a second batch was produced, and the resulting modifications were continued to see the class excel in service.



Based across the Southern Railway’s Western Region, from London to coastal ports of Southampton, Weymouth and beyond, the S15 Class was a well-abled freight locomotive that could shift heavy loads, at speed, with relative ease – and would often find itself at the helm of nightly express goods. Surprisingly, despite the specific design, and classification, that make the S15 a freight locomotive, the fleet was also found to be very capable at passenger work when required. This would make the S15s the longest lasting LSWR 4-6-0 engine in service.



The S15 Class held onto regular duties far into the 1960s, with the last being withdrawn in 1966. All 45 locomotives were sent to South Wales for scrap, but thankfully, a total of 7 were rescued and were only 2 of those have yet to be operational in preservation. Akin to being the longest lasting, the S15 is also the most prolific LSWR 4-6-0 to have survived the end of steam, and many enthusiasts get to enjoy a hint of yesteryear behind the powerful S15 Class.



From Bossman Games, the Southern S15 Class for Train Simulator brings challenging excursions to the exquisite West Somerset Railway (available separately and required to play the included scenarios).

12/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/500218

Train Simulator’s North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines route brings you more than 100 multi-track route miles of challenging and diverse NJ TRANSIT® railroading -- and the hands-on experiences of working on one of North America’s busiest contemporary commuter railroads!



The North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines route is an expansion of the popular and acclaimed Train Simulator North Jersey Coast Line which now also includes NJ Transit’s iconic Morristown Line extending to Dover, New Jersey.



NJ Transit’s Morristown Line serves New York Penn as well as historic Hoboken Terminal and extends from Newark Broad Street across often-rugged northeastern New Jersey. The route extends under electric catenary west through “the Oranges” (East Orange, Orange, and South Orange), through Summit and to its namesake town of Morristown, then to Dover, New Jersey. The Morristown Line typically hosts more than 100 NJ Transit trains each weekday, operated with a captivating diversity of electric and dual-power locomotives and NJ Transit single-level Comet and Bombardier MultiLevel “push-pull” train consists.



NJ Transit’s bustling North Jersey Coast Line also serves New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal, then extends to Bay Head, New Jersey, operating via Amtrak’s bustling Northeast Corridor through Newark Penn Station and as far south as Rahway, then via the historic New York & Long Branch to the captivating seaside village of the Jersey Shore. Hosting the trains of NJ Transit and Amtrak, the Northeast Corridor section of the route is one of the busiest rail lines in North America, and the route is electrified as far as Long Branch, with the remaining 15 miles to Bay Head, New Jersey requiring dual-power or diesel locomotives.



The Train Simulator North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines route includes an authentic collection of NJT locomotives and commuter rolling stock including NJ Transit Bombardier/Adtranz ALP-46 electric and Bombardier ALP-45DP dual-power (diesel/electric) locomotives; NJ Transit Bombardier MultiLevel cab car and coaches, single-level Comet IV cab car and coaches, and single-level Comet V cab car.



The route serves more than 30 stations, ranging from urban New York Penn, Hoboken Terminal, and Newark’s Penn and Broad Street stations to a variety of rustic small-town and seaside depots, offering countless challenging and realistic operating experiences!

12/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/500218

Train Simulator’s North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines route brings you more than 100 multi-track route miles of challenging and diverse NJ TRANSIT® railroading -- and the hands-on experiences of working on one of North America’s busiest contemporary commuter railroads!



The North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines route is an expansion of the popular and acclaimed Train Simulator North Jersey Coast Line which now also includes NJ Transit’s iconic Morristown Line extending to Dover, New Jersey.



NJ Transit’s Morristown Line serves New York Penn as well as historic Hoboken Terminal and extends from Newark Broad Street across often-rugged northeastern New Jersey. The route extends under electric catenary west through “the Oranges” (East Orange, Orange, and South Orange), through Summit and to its namesake town of Morristown, then to Dover, New Jersey. The Morristown Line typically hosts more than 100 NJ Transit trains each weekday, operated with a captivating diversity of electric and dual-power locomotives and NJ Transit single-level Comet and Bombardier MultiLevel “push-pull” train consists.



NJ Transit’s bustling North Jersey Coast Line also serves New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal, then extends to Bay Head, New Jersey, operating via Amtrak’s bustling Northeast Corridor through Newark Penn Station and as far south as Rahway, then via the historic New York & Long Branch to the captivating seaside village of the Jersey Shore. Hosting the trains of NJ Transit and Amtrak, the Northeast Corridor section of the route is one of the busiest rail lines in North America, and the route is electrified as far as Long Branch, with the remaining 15 miles to Bay Head, New Jersey requiring dual-power or diesel locomotives.



The Train Simulator North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines route includes an authentic collection of NJT locomotives and commuter rolling stock including NJ Transit Bombardier/Adtranz ALP-46 electric and Bombardier ALP-45DP dual-power (diesel/electric) locomotives; NJ Transit Bombardier MultiLevel cab car and coaches, single-level Comet IV cab car and coaches, and single-level Comet V cab car.



The route serves more than 30 stations, ranging from urban New York Penn, Hoboken Terminal, and Newark’s Penn and Broad Street stations to a variety of rustic small-town and seaside depots, offering countless challenging and realistic operating experiences!

12/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/500247

NJ Transit’s classic Arrow III electric-multiple-unit railcars began rolling out of General Electric’s erecting halls four decades ago and have since become an iconic fixture of New Jersey’s commuter railroading scene, serving on many NJ Transit routes including the North Jersey Coast Line, Morristown Line, and Northeast Corridor.



A perfect addition to Train Simulator’s North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines Route, the venerable “Jersey Arrows” have a design heritage dating all the way back to the Pennsylvania Railroad’s MP85-class “Pioneer” electrics and similar “Silverliner” EMUs.



Beginning in 1978, 230 Arrow III cars were constructed by General Electric with carbodies supplied by Avco. The order consisted of 100 two-car married sets (with cabs on one end of each carbody and a shared pantograph) and 30 single cars with dual cabs. In the decades since, the Arrow III EMUs have served as workhorses across the NJ Transit electrified system, and 160 of the cars remain on the NJT roster today – and are expected to remain in service at least through 2020. A key reason for the longevity of the Arrow III railcars was a fleet-wide rebuilding program undertaken in collaboration with ABB Traction in the early 1990s that included replacement of the EMUs original DC propulsion with microprocessor-controlled AC systems as well as addition of dynamic-braking capabilities and other upgrades.



Train Simulator’s Arrow III puts you at the controls of these unique and noted electric-multiple-unit railcars, which are ideally suited for service on the North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines Route’s Morristown Line as well as on much of the North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor. The Arrow III EMUs have, over their long and storied careers, operated regularly from both New York Penn Station and historic Hoboken Terminal, providing countless and diverse authentic operating opportunities.



The Train Simulator Arrow III includes the two-car “married” set configuration and is masterfully re-created in exacting detail with realistic operating controls and passenger interior view. Take the throttle of a railroading legend – with the NJ Transit General Electric Arrow III EMU.

12/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/500247

NJ Transit’s classic Arrow III electric-multiple-unit railcars began rolling out of General Electric’s erecting halls four decades ago and have since become an iconic fixture of New Jersey’s commuter railroading scene, serving on many NJ Transit routes including the North Jersey Coast Line, Morristown Line, and Northeast Corridor.



A perfect addition to Train Simulator’s North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines Route, the venerable “Jersey Arrows” have a design heritage dating all the way back to the Pennsylvania Railroad’s MP85-class “Pioneer” electrics and similar “Silverliner” EMUs.



Beginning in 1978, 230 Arrow III cars were constructed by General Electric with carbodies supplied by Avco. The order consisted of 100 two-car married sets (with cabs on one end of each carbody and a shared pantograph) and 30 single cars with dual cabs. In the decades since, the Arrow III EMUs have served as workhorses across the NJ Transit electrified system, and 160 of the cars remain on the NJT roster today – and are expected to remain in service at least through 2020. A key reason for the longevity of the Arrow III railcars was a fleet-wide rebuilding program undertaken in collaboration with ABB Traction in the early 1990s that included replacement of the EMUs original DC propulsion with microprocessor-controlled AC systems as well as addition of dynamic-braking capabilities and other upgrades.



Train Simulator’s Arrow III puts you at the controls of these unique and noted electric-multiple-unit railcars, which are ideally suited for service on the North Jersey Coast & Morristown Lines Route’s Morristown Line as well as on much of the North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor. The Arrow III EMUs have, over their long and storied careers, operated regularly from both New York Penn Station and historic Hoboken Terminal, providing countless and diverse authentic operating opportunities.



The Train Simulator Arrow III includes the two-car “married” set configuration and is masterfully re-created in exacting detail with realistic operating controls and passenger interior view. Take the throttle of a railroading legend – with the NJ Transit General Electric Arrow III EMU.

06/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/376954/

Boasting over 570 km of truly rapid inter-city travel, the Southwest China High Speed Network, available for Train Simulator, is a wonder in and of itself; watch high-flying viaducts and scenic valleys soar past as you embark on one of the fastest sets of rails in the world courtesy of Partner Programme Developer Just Trains.



China has the largest High Speed Rail network in the world, with new, passenger-dedicated lines spanning a phenomenal 22,000 km across the mammoth nation, whisking millions of passengers between 29 of the country’s Provinces at speeds in excess of 350 km/h.



This vast network began in 1997 when a radical series of ‘Speed Up’ campaigns were undertaken to improve the sorry-state railways of China. Diesel-powered passenger trains were forced into sharing tracks with freight across the country, and when combined with the limiting topography that governed the network, many services were losing out to road and air traffic.

Between 1997 and 2004, five total ‘Speed Up’ campaigns were undertaken. Extra track was laid, many routes were electrified, steep grades were shallowed with tunnels and viaducts plus much more. By December 1994, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway was operating at 160 km/h, the first line to offer such a speed – only years later, this would be increased to 200 km/h post-electrification. This railway was also the first to separate freight and passenger operations, this was made possible in 2000 and 2007 by opening a third and fourth track; for sure, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway served as a model for what the whole country was destined to become.



By 2007, the first high speed rail lines had been completed, allowing for 250 km/h operation. Following the initial success, new routes would start sprouting across the country, and it wasn’t long before 350, even 380 km/h service was possible between the prominent cities and regions of China.

To lessen the impact on journey times, and to avoid the costs of land acquisition, a significant percentage of the Chinese High-Speed Railway network is built upon vast viaducts. Similarly, many tunnels are also present, further keeping the track as level as possible for the trains that cut through the landscape.



By 2011, passenger numbers had surpassed those of the major short-haul local flights, which found themselves all but replaced by high speed rail; people would opt to travel on the cheaper and hassle-free journeys through the countryside. Fast forward, and China’s high speed railway network handled over 1.44 Billion passengers in 2016, a record-breaking feat.

In order to operate this vast network, China was in need of various high speed train designs that would be capable of rapid acceleration, maintaining comfort, and above all – achieving high speeds. Ensuring local self-sustainability in the Chinese manufacturing plants, technology transfers were requested as part of the rolling stock bid; this would allow foreign successes to be utilised on the growing high speed lines.



One company in particular, Bombardier, had been sharing technology with China since 1998 and was able to provide their Regina family for 250 km/h operations on the new dedicated high speed lines. Construction of the new EMUs, which were classified as the CRH1A, was a joint venture between Bombardier and China’s manufacturers and a total of 186 8-car units exist today. Another of Bombardier’s designs, based on their Zefiro 250 family, was ordered as the CRH1E; a 16-car high speed sleeper EMU, the first of its kind in the world.

From Just Trains, the Southwest China High Speed Network delivers the breath-taking experience of racing through 570km-worth of Chinese valleys and hills.

06/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/376954/

Boasting over 570 km of truly rapid inter-city travel, the Southwest China High Speed Network, available for Train Simulator, is a wonder in and of itself; watch high-flying viaducts and scenic valleys soar past as you embark on one of the fastest sets of rails in the world courtesy of Partner Programme Developer Just Trains.



China has the largest High Speed Rail network in the world, with new, passenger-dedicated lines spanning a phenomenal 22,000 km across the mammoth nation, whisking millions of passengers between 29 of the country’s Provinces at speeds in excess of 350 km/h.



This vast network began in 1997 when a radical series of ‘Speed Up’ campaigns were undertaken to improve the sorry-state railways of China. Diesel-powered passenger trains were forced into sharing tracks with freight across the country, and when combined with the limiting topography that governed the network, many services were losing out to road and air traffic.

Between 1997 and 2004, five total ‘Speed Up’ campaigns were undertaken. Extra track was laid, many routes were electrified, steep grades were shallowed with tunnels and viaducts plus much more. By December 1994, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway was operating at 160 km/h, the first line to offer such a speed – only years later, this would be increased to 200 km/h post-electrification. This railway was also the first to separate freight and passenger operations, this was made possible in 2000 and 2007 by opening a third and fourth track; for sure, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway served as a model for what the whole country was destined to become.



By 2007, the first high speed rail lines had been completed, allowing for 250 km/h operation. Following the initial success, new routes would start sprouting across the country, and it wasn’t long before 350, even 380 km/h service was possible between the prominent cities and regions of China.

To lessen the impact on journey times, and to avoid the costs of land acquisition, a significant percentage of the Chinese High-Speed Railway network is built upon vast viaducts. Similarly, many tunnels are also present, further keeping the track as level as possible for the trains that cut through the landscape.



By 2011, passenger numbers had surpassed those of the major short-haul local flights, which found themselves all but replaced by high speed rail; people would opt to travel on the cheaper and hassle-free journeys through the countryside. Fast forward, and China’s high speed railway network handled over 1.44 Billion passengers in 2016, a record-breaking feat.

In order to operate this vast network, China was in need of various high speed train designs that would be capable of rapid acceleration, maintaining comfort, and above all – achieving high speeds. Ensuring local self-sustainability in the Chinese manufacturing plants, technology transfers were requested as part of the rolling stock bid; this would allow foreign successes to be utilised on the growing high speed lines.



One company in particular, Bombardier, had been sharing technology with China since 1998 and was able to provide their Regina family for 250 km/h operations on the new dedicated high speed lines. Construction of the new EMUs, which were classified as the CRH1A, was a joint venture between Bombardier and China’s manufacturers and a total of 186 8-car units exist today. Another of Bombardier’s designs, based on their Zefiro 250 family, was ordered as the CRH1E; a 16-car high speed sleeper EMU, the first of its kind in the world.

From Just Trains, the Southwest China High Speed Network delivers the breath-taking experience of racing through 570km-worth of Chinese valleys and hills.

06/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/376955/

The breathtakingly fast CRH380A comes to Train Simulator for authentic and blinding Chinese high-speed action courtesy of Partner Programme developer Just Trains.



Following the introduction of passenger-dedicated high-speed railways throughout China in 2007, several iterations of modern-age multiple units have been manufactured to take full advantage of the growing network. Earlier models, such as the CRH380D and CRH380B, were derived directly from foreign technologies developed by the likes of Bombardier and Siemens; however, it was the intention to also utilise foreign components and build entirely unique high-speed stock, and by 2010, such a feat had been achieved.



The CRH380A, built by CSR Qingdao Sifang, was designed as a cutting-edge high-speed EMU that could easily achieve the typical, yet outstanding, 350 and 380 km/h speed limits. In testing, it achieved even higher speeds, with a 16-car variant exceeding 486 km/h, over 300mph! Being one of the fastest conventional trains in the world, the CRH380 was set to propel the millions upon millions of passengers that traverse China by high-speed rail every year.



Like the Shinkansen Series of Japan or the TGV Series of France, the CRH380A’s distinct streamlined nose is a formidable sight and paramount for attaining such high speeds. The sleek profile, combined with powerful traction equipment, required vibration and pressurisation systems and reliable high-speed bogies, allow for a unit which can do 0-380 in a mere 7 minutes, a fantastic achievement for rail traction. Of course, such speeds also require powerful and efficient brakes, and the CRH380 is fitted with top-of-the-range gear.



Boasting high capacity, and high speed, the CRH380A from Just Trains is the pinnacle of modern tractive technology, and serves the Southwest China High Speed Network route (available separately and required to play these scenarios) with pride.

06/04/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/376955/

The breathtakingly fast CRH380A comes to Train Simulator for authentic and blinding Chinese high-speed action courtesy of Partner Programme developer Just Trains.



Following the introduction of passenger-dedicated high-speed railways throughout China in 2007, several iterations of modern-age multiple units have been manufactured to take full advantage of the growing network. Earlier models, such as the CRH380D and CRH380B, were derived directly from foreign technologies developed by the likes of Bombardier and Siemens; however, it was the intention to also utilise foreign components and build entirely unique high-speed stock, and by 2010, such a feat had been achieved.



The CRH380A, built by CSR Qingdao Sifang, was designed as a cutting-edge high-speed EMU that could easily achieve the typical, yet outstanding, 350 and 380 km/h speed limits. In testing, it achieved even higher speeds, with a 16-car variant exceeding 486 km/h, over 300mph! Being one of the fastest conventional trains in the world, the CRH380 was set to propel the millions upon millions of passengers that traverse China by high-speed rail every year.



Like the Shinkansen Series of Japan or the TGV Series of France, the CRH380A’s distinct streamlined nose is a formidable sight and paramount for attaining such high speeds. The sleek profile, combined with powerful traction equipment, required vibration and pressurisation systems and reliable high-speed bogies, allow for a unit which can do 0-380 in a mere 7 minutes, a fantastic achievement for rail traction. Of course, such speeds also require powerful and efficient brakes, and the CRH380 is fitted with top-of-the-range gear.



Boasting high capacity, and high speed, the CRH380A from Just Trains is the pinnacle of modern tractive technology, and serves the Southwest China High Speed Network route (available separately and required to play these scenarios) with pride.