27/02/2018

http://store.steampowered.com/app/678001/Train_Simulator_Woodhead_Electric_Railway_in_Blue_Route_AddOn/

A rich history of modernisation and refinement awaits you on the Woodhead Electric Railway – see for yourself how advances in power and route design gave new life to a struggling operation. From the first days of this route steep and unforgiving gradients combined with heavy coal trains to make it a challenge for steam trains, so even as far back as the GCR days, discussions of electrification were taking place…

Words were turned into actions by the LNER in 1936, who planned out the electrification of the line between Sheffield and Manchester, including the branch line to Wath, and even had a majority of the overhead gantries in place before the start of the Second World War. While the conflict halted the project, it was reinstated as soon as the war ended, however one big change to the line was added into the plan.

To traverse the Pennines, the Woodhead Line when built bored through the landscape with tunnels stretching to 3 miles long. Initially, a single-track tunnel “Woodhead 1” was opened in 1845 and was one of the longest in the world, this was soon followed by “Woodhead 2”, another single-track pathway though the Pennines. Enclosed, and damaged due to years of use by steam locomotives, it was decided that the electrified line would pass through “Woodhead 3”, a new twin-track tunnel that could incorporate the wires.

A small fleet of 8 BR Class 506 EMUs were constructed for passenger use - these 3-car units would operate between Hadfield, Glossop and Manchester throughout their working lives. The 506s were rather unique, along with the 76s and the Woodhead Line itself, in being electrified to 1500V DC, instead of the conventional 25 kV AC, this different electrification made it easier for heavy trains to use regenerative braking on the unrelenting downhill sections.

Despite the modernisation and new fleet, the Woodhead Line was closed to passenger traffic in 1970, this controversy was due to the Hope Valley Line being all around more convenient, albeit less direct. The Woodhead Electric Railway in Blue captures the route as it was in its waning years, and in addition to that, covers extra mileage such as the Glossop Branch and Reddish depot. If that wasn’t enough, the included traction; Class 08, Class 76 and Class 506, will all come equipped with Pro Range functionality for those who like an extra challenge. Glory in a piece of Railway history and experience the improvements that gave a brief second life to a truly wonderful route!

27/02/2018

http://store.steampowered.com/app/678001/Train_Simulator_Woodhead_Electric_Railway_in_Blue_Route_AddOn/

A rich history of modernisation and refinement awaits you on the Woodhead Electric Railway – see for yourself how advances in power and route design gave new life to a struggling operation. From the first days of this route steep and unforgiving gradients combined with heavy coal trains to make it a challenge for steam trains, so even as far back as the GCR days, discussions of electrification were taking place…

Words were turned into actions by the LNER in 1936, who planned out the electrification of the line between Sheffield and Manchester, including the branch line to Wath, and even had a majority of the overhead gantries in place before the start of the Second World War. While the conflict halted the project, it was reinstated as soon as the war ended, however one big change to the line was added into the plan.

To traverse the Pennines, the Woodhead Line when built bored through the landscape with tunnels stretching to 3 miles long. Initially, a single-track tunnel “Woodhead 1” was opened in 1845 and was one of the longest in the world, this was soon followed by “Woodhead 2”, another single-track pathway though the Pennines. Enclosed, and damaged due to years of use by steam locomotives, it was decided that the electrified line would pass through “Woodhead 3”, a new twin-track tunnel that could incorporate the wires.

A small fleet of 8 BR Class 506 EMUs were constructed for passenger use - these 3-car units would operate between Hadfield, Glossop and Manchester throughout their working lives. The 506s were rather unique, along with the 76s and the Woodhead Line itself, in being electrified to 1500V DC, instead of the conventional 25 kV AC, this different electrification made it easier for heavy trains to use regenerative braking on the unrelenting downhill sections.

Despite the modernisation and new fleet, the Woodhead Line was closed to passenger traffic in 1970, this controversy was due to the Hope Valley Line being all around more convenient, albeit less direct. The Woodhead Electric Railway in Blue captures the route as it was in its waning years, and in addition to that, covers extra mileage such as the Glossop Branch and Reddish depot. If that wasn’t enough, the included traction; Class 08, Class 76 and Class 506, will all come equipped with Pro Range functionality for those who like an extra challenge. Glory in a piece of Railway history and experience the improvements that gave a brief second life to a truly wonderful route!

Arriving March 15th, Train Sim World: Northeast Corridor New York!

Our next expansion for Train Sim World, entitled “Northeast Corridor New York”, captures the busy and vital portion of Amtrak’s electrified Northeast Corridor in and around the New York City area, and is Available to Pre-Order now!

The experiences that lie ahead on the NEC within Train Sim World are tantamount to excitement, so to get on board, head to the Store and pre-order Train Sim World: Northeast Corridor New York today!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/577357/Train_Sim_World_Northeast_Corridor_New_York/

Arriving March 15th, Train Sim World: Northeast Corridor New York!

Our next expansion for Train Sim World, entitled “Northeast Corridor New York”, captures the busy and vital portion of Amtrak’s electrified Northeast Corridor in and around the New York City area, and is Available to Pre-Order now!

The experiences that lie ahead on the NEC within Train Sim World are tantamount to excitement, so to get on board, head to the Store and pre-order Train Sim World: Northeast Corridor New York today!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/577357/Train_Sim_World_Northeast_Corridor_New_York/

FSX developers Just Flight have added to their stable of famous WW2 warbirds on Steam with the release of the Vought F4U Corsair

Probably the most recognised US Navy aircraft of WWII, due to its distinctive folding cranked-wing design, Just Flight’s recreation features a fully functioning virtual cockpit, intricate cowl flap mechanisms, oil cooler and intercooler doors, wing folding mechanics, tail hook, animated bomb and drop tank release and more. The Royal Navy F4U-1B clipped-wing variant is also included. Full details including features and paint scheme information are available here

The Vought F4U Corsair™ joins a growing fleet of WW2 classics for FSX: Steam Edition, including the Battle of Britain Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Grumman F4F Wildcat & Martlet. Click here to take a look at all these classics, plus other civil and military aircraft from Just Flight.

FSX developers Just Flight have added to their stable of famous WW2 warbirds on Steam with the release of the Vought F4U Corsair

Probably the most recognised US Navy aircraft of WWII, due to its distinctive folding cranked-wing design, Just Flight’s recreation features a fully functioning virtual cockpit, intricate cowl flap mechanisms, oil cooler and intercooler doors, wing folding mechanics, tail hook, animated bomb and drop tank release and more. The Royal Navy F4U-1B clipped-wing variant is also included. Full details including features and paint scheme information are available here

The Vought F4U Corsair™ joins a growing fleet of WW2 classics for FSX: Steam Edition, including the Battle of Britain Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Grumman F4F Wildcat & Martlet. Click here to take a look at all these classics, plus other civil and military aircraft from Just Flight.

21/02/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/677950/Train_Simulator_Bessemer__Lake_Erie_Route_AddOn/

The drama and challenges of classic American heavy steam railroading in the 1920s roars into your collection with the extraordinary Bessemer & Lake Erie route!

Masterfully created by G-TraX, the Bessemer & Lake route brings to life the B&LE during the heart of the steam era and includes the B&LE’s rugged line from the shores of Lake Erie at Conneaut, Ohio to North Bessemer, Pennsylvania, as well as a variety of important B&LE rail yards, secondary lines, rail interchanges, and coal branches! The entire route has been refined to give 70 miles of the most entertaining and exhilarating experiences this railroad has to offer.

The Bessemer & Lake Erie was a railroad created to serve the steel industry and deliver iron ore from Great Lakes freighters docking at Conneaut Harbor to steel mills located around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. B&LE complemented its ore movements with the haulage of bituminous coal from the mines of western Pennsylvania, and the railroad also totted its share of general freight and operated limited passenger services.

Conneaut Harbor was the essence of America in the industrial age. Great Lakes freighters laden with iron ore arrived at Conneaut and gigantic Hulett unloaders transferred ore into B&LE hoppers. The Bessemer & Lake Erie route for Train Simulator re-creates Conneaut in remarkably authentic fashion, right up to including fully functional Hulett unloaders!

Conneaut is one of five major yard and terminal complexes featured in route. Albion, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania (home to three yards and key railroad interchanges); and North Bessemer, Pennsylvania (where the B&LE interchanged with Pittsburgh’s Union Railroad), each host railroad facilities. At B&LE’s hometown of Greenville, Pennsylvania, the railroad’s expansive facilities include the line’s erecting, car, and locomotive shops, highlighted by a transfer table and 17-stall roundhouse. And on a route rich with lineside industries, among the most important is the massive Standard Steel complex at Butler, home to steel production, rail car-building, and automobile production.

To move its tonnage (and passengers), the Bessemer & Lake Erie route includes two authentic steam locomotives – the B&LE’s venerable 0-6-0 steam switchers constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909, and the railroad’s powerful D-1-A class 2-10-2s built by Baldwin in 1919. And the Bessemer & Lake Erie route includes an extraordinary selection of period-authentic rolling stock, with boxcars, flatcars, gondolas, hoppers, refrigerator cars, tank cars, pickle cars, cabooses, crane cars, and heavyweight baggage, coach, and commuter coaches all included, many in various liveries and with multiple loads.

It’s time to experience the famed B&LE – and the memorable and captivating era of 1920s American steam-era railroading – with the Train Simulator Bessemer & Lake Erie route!

21/02/2017

http://store.steampowered.com/app/677950/Train_Simulator_Bessemer__Lake_Erie_Route_AddOn/

The drama and challenges of classic American heavy steam railroading in the 1920s roars into your collection with the extraordinary Bessemer & Lake Erie route!

Masterfully created by G-TraX, the Bessemer & Lake route brings to life the B&LE during the heart of the steam era and includes the B&LE’s rugged line from the shores of Lake Erie at Conneaut, Ohio to North Bessemer, Pennsylvania, as well as a variety of important B&LE rail yards, secondary lines, rail interchanges, and coal branches! The entire route has been refined to give 70 miles of the most entertaining and exhilarating experiences this railroad has to offer.

The Bessemer & Lake Erie was a railroad created to serve the steel industry and deliver iron ore from Great Lakes freighters docking at Conneaut Harbor to steel mills located around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. B&LE complemented its ore movements with the haulage of bituminous coal from the mines of western Pennsylvania, and the railroad also totted its share of general freight and operated limited passenger services.

Conneaut Harbor was the essence of America in the industrial age. Great Lakes freighters laden with iron ore arrived at Conneaut and gigantic Hulett unloaders transferred ore into B&LE hoppers. The Bessemer & Lake Erie route for Train Simulator re-creates Conneaut in remarkably authentic fashion, right up to including fully functional Hulett unloaders!

Conneaut is one of five major yard and terminal complexes featured in route. Albion, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania (home to three yards and key railroad interchanges); and North Bessemer, Pennsylvania (where the B&LE interchanged with Pittsburgh’s Union Railroad), each host railroad facilities. At B&LE’s hometown of Greenville, Pennsylvania, the railroad’s expansive facilities include the line’s erecting, car, and locomotive shops, highlighted by a transfer table and 17-stall roundhouse. And on a route rich with lineside industries, among the most important is the massive Standard Steel complex at Butler, home to steel production, rail car-building, and automobile production.

To move its tonnage (and passengers), the Bessemer & Lake Erie route includes two authentic steam locomotives – the B&LE’s venerable 0-6-0 steam switchers constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909, and the railroad’s powerful D-1-A class 2-10-2s built by Baldwin in 1919. And the Bessemer & Lake Erie route includes an extraordinary selection of period-authentic rolling stock, with boxcars, flatcars, gondolas, hoppers, refrigerator cars, tank cars, pickle cars, cabooses, crane cars, and heavyweight baggage, coach, and commuter coaches all included, many in various liveries and with multiple loads.

It’s time to experience the famed B&LE – and the memorable and captivating era of 1920s American steam-era railroading – with the Train Simulator Bessemer & Lake Erie route!