Dear Flight School players,

Our goals with Flight School were twofold: to create an entry level sim for people new to the hobby and to implement technical functionality to build upon in the future. Now, we have expanded our goals for our upcoming simulator, a platform we plan to expand upon and support for years to come.

We will still retain the ethos of introducing beginners to the hobby, but without compromising on the depth and complexity demanded by more experienced flyers by implementing a much clearer curve to mastery in our upcoming sim. With this in mind, we have made the decision to retire Flight School. The sim and all of your saved data will remain in your Steam library, however it is no longer available for purchase.

We will have more announcements about our upcoming sim in the following weeks as well as something special for existing Flight School owners to thank you for your continuous support and feedback

- Dovetail Games Flight team

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.

In response to your important feedback on a variety of add-ons available for Train Simulator 2017, we have today released a patch for ÖBB 1044.

Changelist:

• Updated German Manual
  
• Fixed Sifa Lights
  
• Updated Simple Controls
  
• Updated quick drive names
  
• Working horn button
  
• Working sander button

This patch will be approximately 85MB.

If you own the ÖBB 1044, the 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.

In response to your important feedback on a variety of add-ons available for Train Simulator 2017, we have today released a patch for ÖBB 1044.

Changelist:

• Updated German Manual
  
• Fixed Sifa Lights
  
• Updated Simple Controls
  
• Updated quick drive names
  
• Working horn button
  
• Working sander button

This patch will be approximately 85MB.

If you own the ÖBB 1044, the 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.

24/03/2017

In response to your important feedback on a variety of add-ons available for Train Simulator 2017, Smokebox has today released a patch for the AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157, Here's the details of what has been addressed:

- Improvements to the smoke effects Better chuffing at higher speed with a short cut-off

If you own the AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157, the 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 AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157 update will be approximately 59MB in size.

24/03/2017

In response to your important feedback on a variety of add-ons available for Train Simulator 2017, Smokebox has today released a patch for the AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157, Here's the details of what has been addressed:

- Improvements to the smoke effects Better chuffing at higher speed with a short cut-off

If you own the AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157, the 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 AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157 update will be approximately 59MB in size.

The time to save in the March Madness Sale has arrived! Expand your Train Simulator collection with our many discounted routes and locomotives that bring iconic locations and bustling operations to virtual life! Hurry though, the chance to grab a bargain won’t be around forever!

Check out what's on offer here:
store.steampowered.com/dlc/24010