The March Madness sale may now be over, however there is still a chance to save on a selection of routes and locomotives over the next few days, head over to the Store and grab a last minute bargain before it is too late!

http://train-simulator.com/encore-sale-continue-to-save-on-selected-add-ons/

March Madness has begun and with it comes a variety of discounts to a number of Train Simulator add-ons!

With up to 75% off selected content there's no better time than now to add to your collection - store.steampowered.com/dlc/24010

17/03/2016

Dovetail Games, the award-winning creator of the best-selling Train Simulator franchise has today announced a global licensing deal with SNCF, granting it the rights to use the SNCF brand on a range of forthcoming content in the Train Simulator series, the first of which is scheduled to arrive in Q2 2016.

Released in September 2015, Train Simulator 2016 (TS 2016) is widely acknowledged as one of the most popular simulation products in the market.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with SNCF,” said Doug McConkey, Business Director at Dovetail Games. “SNCF is one of the most important and recognisable brands in the history of global railways and we are both honoured and excited to be bringing officially licensed SNCF content to Train Simulator and to be able to share the authentic SNCF experience with our community.”

Delphine Nathan, External Communications Director for Voyages SNCF added, “We are excited to be partnering with Dovetail Games to bring a new licensed product to the Train Simulator audience. We respect their approach in terms of delivering premium quality simulation experiences and look forward to seeing our brand featured in their product. This is a new area for us in terms of technology and user experience and we are excited to be entering into this space with Dovetail Games.”

17/03/2016

Dovetail Games, the award-winning creator of the best-selling Train Simulator franchise has today announced a global licensing deal with SNCF, granting it the rights to use the SNCF brand on a range of forthcoming content in the Train Simulator series, the first of which is scheduled to arrive in Q2 2016.

Released in September 2015, Train Simulator 2016 (TS 2016) is widely acknowledged as one of the most popular simulation products in the market.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with SNCF,” said Doug McConkey, Business Director at Dovetail Games. “SNCF is one of the most important and recognisable brands in the history of global railways and we are both honoured and excited to be bringing officially licensed SNCF content to Train Simulator and to be able to share the authentic SNCF experience with our community.”

Delphine Nathan, External Communications Director for Voyages SNCF added, “We are excited to be partnering with Dovetail Games to bring a new licensed product to the Train Simulator audience. We respect their approach in terms of delivering premium quality simulation experiences and look forward to seeing our brand featured in their product. This is a new area for us in terms of technology and user experience and we are excited to be entering into this space with Dovetail Games.”

16/03/2016

The BR 155 is considered around the world as the genesis of modern electro-motive traction, featuring unprecedented pulling power at the helm that has performed throughout Germany since the mid-1970s. Not only has this revolutionary locomotive operated under DR and DB, other companies such as PRESS, or Pressnitztalbahn have taken to the controls. Now you can experience the Electric Container in blue as the PRESS BR 155 & UN Style Military Wagons are available now to registered members of TS Rewards!

During the mid-1960s the standards for German freight locomotives were on the rise, not only was more power required but with the ever-increasing electrification there were not enough locos to work under the wires. With older locomotives unable to cope and some in need of being completely replaced, it was time for new traction to enter the scene.

The design was simple, an ergonomic, light and powerful Co-Co electric locomotive capable of hauling both passenger and freight stock. Three prototype locomotives known as the E 51 were ordered and completed by LEW Hennigsdorf in 1974. After 3 years of testing 270 production locomotives were ordered and delivered by 1984, DR would go on to classify the locomotives as the Class 250.

The Class 250 was a success, working passenger and freight services with ease, however freight was the focus for the 250s. Freight was so much of a focus that their introduction saw a decrease in the volume of road freight traffic. Following reclassification of the Class 250 to the BR 155 following Germany’s reunification in 1994, the locomotives saw a much more varied use throughout Germany, however it was most common to see them operating container freight.

In recent years the BR 155 fleet has experienced a multitude of bogie problems which has left them operating slower than before, this however has not deterred the entire roster from being withdrawn from service. While in excess of 130 BR 155s are still in operation with DB, other companies have also got a hold on these classic powerhouses. One example is Pressnitztalbahn (PRESS) who use one BR 155: 155 045-9, alongside a varied fleet of old and new diesel and electric German locomotives.

The latest iteration of epic TS Rewards content features the BR 155 045-9 in PRESS blue livery complete with loaded and unloaded UN Style Military Wagons with quick drive consists included. Also included is a bonus career scenario for Köln – Koblenz which sees you drive the DB BR 155 in the dead of winter, can you get the freight movement to its destination on time?

16/03/2016

The BR 155 is considered around the world as the genesis of modern electro-motive traction, featuring unprecedented pulling power at the helm that has performed throughout Germany since the mid-1970s. Not only has this revolutionary locomotive operated under DR and DB, other companies such as PRESS, or Pressnitztalbahn have taken to the controls. Now you can experience the Electric Container in blue as the PRESS BR 155 & UN Style Military Wagons are available now to registered members of TS Rewards!

During the mid-1960s the standards for German freight locomotives were on the rise, not only was more power required but with the ever-increasing electrification there were not enough locos to work under the wires. With older locomotives unable to cope and some in need of being completely replaced, it was time for new traction to enter the scene.

The design was simple, an ergonomic, light and powerful Co-Co electric locomotive capable of hauling both passenger and freight stock. Three prototype locomotives known as the E 51 were ordered and completed by LEW Hennigsdorf in 1974. After 3 years of testing 270 production locomotives were ordered and delivered by 1984, DR would go on to classify the locomotives as the Class 250.

The Class 250 was a success, working passenger and freight services with ease, however freight was the focus for the 250s. Freight was so much of a focus that their introduction saw a decrease in the volume of road freight traffic. Following reclassification of the Class 250 to the BR 155 following Germany’s reunification in 1994, the locomotives saw a much more varied use throughout Germany, however it was most common to see them operating container freight.

In recent years the BR 155 fleet has experienced a multitude of bogie problems which has left them operating slower than before, this however has not deterred the entire roster from being withdrawn from service. While in excess of 130 BR 155s are still in operation with DB, other companies have also got a hold on these classic powerhouses. One example is Pressnitztalbahn (PRESS) who use one BR 155: 155 045-9, alongside a varied fleet of old and new diesel and electric German locomotives.

The latest iteration of epic TS Rewards content features the BR 155 045-9 in PRESS blue livery complete with loaded and unloaded UN Style Military Wagons with quick drive consists included. Also included is a bonus career scenario for Köln – Koblenz which sees you drive the DB BR 155 in the dead of winter, can you get the freight movement to its destination on time?

11/03/2016

http://store.steampowered.com/app/325961/

The distinctive Class 58, nicknamed the ‘Bone’ because of its unusual shape with a wide cab at either end, is now available to lend some serious hauling power in Train Simulator.

The Class 58 was built between 1983 and 1987 by BREL in Doncaster Works as British Rail wanted a new freight locomotive that would be lower in cost and maintenance whilst being able to cope with the potential growth in rail freight in the 1980s. It was in the 1970s when BR started looking for this new locomotive when they turned to the American design of a modular structure, meaning the loco would be made up of standardized sections that attach to the underframe, allowing for easy maintenance and lower building costs.

Fifty Class 58s were built in total and were initially used on coal trains, however that was short lived as they were entering service around the same time of the miner’s strikes of 1984/5 and so were used on a variety of freight services. Contrary to the claims made in the 1980s, the Class 58s proved less successful on various types of freight services when compared to the Class 56s due to an increase in the amount of wheelslip occurred, which was mainly caused by the design of the bogies.

Despite being built for exclusively freight use, the Class 58s did haul various passenger services for example when a loco failed and a backup was required. They also played a key role in ‘Spin and Win’ charters, with 58017 being the only member of the class to have not hauled a charter service. Having started life in the BR RailFreight livery, the 58s have seen a variety of different liveries following sectorisation and privatisation including Coal Sector Triple Grey, Mainline Freight and EWS.

The Class 58s started to be withdrawn from service in in the late 1990s and by 2002, the last few finished operating in the UK. This wasn’t the end of the Class 58 though, in 2000 the Spanish infrastructure operator GIF hired eight Class 58s from EWS, where they have been constantly used up until today and other Class 58s were sent for work in France and the Netherlands. This cascade of Class 58s saw them in a unique set of liveries not usually found on British locos including GIF and ACTS. In the UK, one loco has survived into preservation, 58016 which was bought by the Class 58 Locomotive Group.

The BR Class 58 for Train Simulator, developed by Skyhook Games, includes both BR Railfreight and BR Coal Sector liveries, HAA hopper wagons and PGA wagons. The pack also includes a short Academy tutorial to introduce you to the Class 58’s controls.

The locomotive is also Quick Drive compatible, giving you the freedom to drive the BR Class 58 on any Quick Drive enabled route for Train Simulator, such as those available through Steam. Also included are scenarios specifically for the Great Western Main Line route (available separately and required to play these scenarios).

11/03/2016

http://store.steampowered.com/app/325961/

The distinctive Class 58, nicknamed the ‘Bone’ because of its unusual shape with a wide cab at either end, is now available to lend some serious hauling power in Train Simulator.

The Class 58 was built between 1983 and 1987 by BREL in Doncaster Works as British Rail wanted a new freight locomotive that would be lower in cost and maintenance whilst being able to cope with the potential growth in rail freight in the 1980s. It was in the 1970s when BR started looking for this new locomotive when they turned to the American design of a modular structure, meaning the loco would be made up of standardized sections that attach to the underframe, allowing for easy maintenance and lower building costs.

Fifty Class 58s were built in total and were initially used on coal trains, however that was short lived as they were entering service around the same time of the miner’s strikes of 1984/5 and so were used on a variety of freight services. Contrary to the claims made in the 1980s, the Class 58s proved less successful on various types of freight services when compared to the Class 56s due to an increase in the amount of wheelslip occurred, which was mainly caused by the design of the bogies.

Despite being built for exclusively freight use, the Class 58s did haul various passenger services for example when a loco failed and a backup was required. They also played a key role in ‘Spin and Win’ charters, with 58017 being the only member of the class to have not hauled a charter service. Having started life in the BR RailFreight livery, the 58s have seen a variety of different liveries following sectorisation and privatisation including Coal Sector Triple Grey, Mainline Freight and EWS.

The Class 58s started to be withdrawn from service in in the late 1990s and by 2002, the last few finished operating in the UK. This wasn’t the end of the Class 58 though, in 2000 the Spanish infrastructure operator GIF hired eight Class 58s from EWS, where they have been constantly used up until today and other Class 58s were sent for work in France and the Netherlands. This cascade of Class 58s saw them in a unique set of liveries not usually found on British locos including GIF and ACTS. In the UK, one loco has survived into preservation, 58016 which was bought by the Class 58 Locomotive Group.

The BR Class 58 for Train Simulator, developed by Skyhook Games, includes both BR Railfreight and BR Coal Sector liveries, HAA hopper wagons and PGA wagons. The pack also includes a short Academy tutorial to introduce you to the Class 58’s controls.

The locomotive is also Quick Drive compatible, giving you the freedom to drive the BR Class 58 on any Quick Drive enabled route for Train Simulator, such as those available through Steam. Also included are scenarios specifically for the Great Western Main Line route (available separately and required to play these scenarios).

From Thursday 3rd March to Monday 7th March, Train Simulator 2016: Standard Edition will be temporarily available for all Steam users free of charge as part of Steam’s Free Weekend program!

What does this mean?

If you do not yet own Train Simulator, you will have the chance to learn how to drive trains in our TS Academy before setting off on a voyage across our three main routes: Riviera Line in the fifties, Sherman Hill and West Rhine: Cologne – Koblenz completely for free!

Train Simulator 2016: Standard Edition will be free to play from 6pm UK time, Thursday 3 March until 6pm UK time, Sunday 6 March. Ts2016 will be 50% off for an extra 24 hours after that to give you one last chance to pick up and enjoy!

Update 07/03/2016

Enjoy your time with Train Simulator 2016 over the weekend? Pick it up on Steam now while it's 50% off! Hurry though this offer is for a very limited time: http://store.steampowered.com/app/24010/

03/03/2016

Since our introduction of the Academy to Train Simulator, we have been collecting your vital feedback on how to improve the user experience, and refine it to a point where learning how to master your machines could not be easier.

We have taken into account this feedback and following a long process we have today released a major overhaul of the entire TS Academy. Virtually everything about the Academy has been altered, please see a list below detailing what we consider to be the most vital improvements to your TS Academy experience.

Changelist:

• Latest PZB developments added to BR189 electric locomotive
  
• Latest braking system developments added to SD70 diesel locomotive
  
• Control sensitivity improvements made to BR 4F steam locomotive
  
• 1000XP per scenario added (Over 40,000XP available to be gained from completing Academy)
  
• Progression order improved based on research of real driver training
  
• Improved scenario name convention and expanded descriptions to be more friendly and consistent
  
• Improved the display and consistency of in-game messaging to the driver
  
• Streamlined driver requirements depending on the purpose of the lesson
  
• Unified environmental conditions across TS Academy, and fixed minor scenery bugs
  
• Completely new translations for all languages (Spanish to be added at a later date)

The TS Academy update will download automatically from Steam. If you have any problems/queries with regard to the update, leave a comment below or submit a ticket to our support site where our Support Team will be ready to assist.

The TS Academy update will be at least 350mb in size.