The Story So Far...
If you’re just joining us and are learning about Train Sim World 5 for the first time... welcome! There’s a lot to catch up on!
Over the last few weeks we’ve been showcasing all the new content available, from routes, to locomotives and the new features.
Here’s a summary of everything we’ve put out so far!
Dovetail Direct – The Big Announcements!
- Train Sim World 5, Out Now
- Train Sim World VR: New York, Wishlist Now
- Train Sim World Tycoon, Coming Soon
Train Sim World 5: West Coast Main Line
Train Sim World 5: San Bernardino Line
Train Sim World 5: Frankfurt - Fulda
Train Sim World 5: All You Need to Know
How to Download?
Our FAQs also have information for new and existing players on how to download Train Sim World 5 on each platform. We also have this in handy video format for Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox players.
Here, you can also find technical information about how profile transfers work, how to continue use of the PC Editor (beta) and information about achievements and Creators Club content.
Launch Times
Full Launch for all Editions of Train Sim World 5 begins at the following times:
- 1600 BST for PlayStation and Xbox players
- 1800 BST for Steam and Epic players
There’s also a Day One Patch releasing today. Read the full Patch Notes.
Compatible Content
Downloadable across all platforms
All players can today begin downloading their Compatible content for use in Train Sim World 5. You can learn more about how to access Compatible content in our FAQs.
Add-ons will be available for download from 1600 BST (Xbox / PlayStation) and 1800 BST (Steam / Epic Games Store). Steam players who were granted Early Access should already be able to access their Compatible Content.
Free Starter Pack - Out Today
Train Sim World 5: Free Starter Pack launches today on all platforms for both new players who want to try out Train Sim World for the first time and for players of previous TSW titles, who want to bring their existing collection over to the latest version of the game.
No new routes are included in the Starter Pack, but selected new features like the upgraded Live Map and Fast Travel are, along with the 8F Steam locomotive, Class 66 diesel locomotive, BR 146 electric locomotive and Class 323 EMU.
Train Sim World 5: Free Starter Pack is available to download until 17th October 2024. Once downloaded, it's yours to keep forever!
If you'd like to then play one of the latest Train Sim World 5 core routes, you can purchase one of the available bundles. You can also purchase future Train Sim World 5 Add-ons, such as the forthcoming MBTA Commuter or West Coast Main Line: Preston - Carlisle route Add-ons.
Players of TSW2020, TSW2 and TSW3 can also use the Free Starter Pack to upgrade selected route Add-ons in their collection to the Remastered versions, including Dresden-Riesa, West Somerset Railway and Cathcart Circle Line.
If you’re a PlayStation player that’s making the jump from TSW2020, TSW2 or TSW3, we have specific instructions on how to switch over to Train Sim World 5.
Train Sim World 5: Standard Edition
If you pre-ordered Train Sim World 5: Standard Edition, on any platform then you can now download and play!
Train Sim World 5: Regional Editions
German, USA & UK Regional Editions
If you're looking to dive into Train Sim World 5 via one of the three Regional Editions, you can now do so.
The Regional Editions contain the Training Center and a choice of one core route Add-on:
- German Regional Edition (Frankfurt-Fulda)
- USA Regional Edition (San Bernardino Line)
- UK Regional Edition (West Coast Main Line)
Deluxe Edition loco Add-ons
FlixTrain Vectron & Avanti West Coast Pendolino
If you did opt for Standard Edition and would like to get into the cab of either the FlixTrain BR 193 Vectron, or Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino, you can do so with separate loco Add-ons that are now available on all platforms.
The FlixTrain Vectron brings additional services to Frankfurt-Fulda, but could be used on a variety of German route Add-ons in Free Roam, whilst the iconic Avanti West Coast Pendolino adds more services to West Coast Main Line, as well as AI traffic to players with both the Cathcart Circle Line & ScotRail Class 380 Add-ons.
Train Sim World 5: Boxed Edition
We can confirm that a boxed copy of Train Sim World 5 will be coming to consoles in early 2025.
Play Now! 10 Things To Try in Train Sim World 5:
1: Learn to Tilt! Drive New Trains
The ICE-T and Avanti West Coast Pendolino are the two standout additions to the Train Sim World fleet, with Training Center tutorials available for the first time you enter the cab! Though many of the buttons, systems and the cab layout may be similar to other trains in the series, getting to grips with the speed and braking is a must for all players and where better to do this than our dedicated Training Center.
You’ll need to learn the tilting functions of both trains to achieve higher permitted speeds. This is manually operated using the GNT safety system in the ICE-T and on West Coast Main Line, there is a Scenario which requires the Pendolino’s TASS function to be disabled.
The DB BR 114 and MP36PH-3C might also be new for many players, with slight variations in operation from similar locomotives seen from previous Train Sim World Add-ons.
2: Tickets please! Try Conductor Mode
Conductor Mode is a brand-new feature in each of the Train Sim World 5 core routes, and features as part of service mode, rather than in specific set Scenarios.
Operate the door controls, notify the driver / engineer and begin checking those tickets! You’ll also have to move pesky baggage out of the aisles and keep an eye out for your next station stop.
Conductor Mode is available on the following trains:
- Class 350 EMU in West Coast Main Line
- DB BR 114 and Dostos in Frankfurt-Fulda
- Metrolink MP36PH-3C / F125 and bi-level coaches in San Bernardino Line
3: Route Hop and continue your session
Route Hopping is a new feature allowing you to hop between routes from your collection that share a common location without going back to the main menu.
In Train Sim World 5: Deluxe / Special Editions, you’ll be able to do this from the get-go between San Bernardino Line and Cajon Pass at San Bernardino.
Special Edition players can also do this at Fulda and continue their journey to Kassel or Würzburg or at Queens Park / Harrow & Wealdstone on West Coast Main Line and run the rest of the Bakerloo Line.
4: Cheat! Use Fast Travel to grab Collectibles
The new Fast Travel feature is perfect for those that quickly want to see what’s going on elsewhere with the route they are playing. This might be useful for when you’ve ended a service and want to start from the other end of the route again, or perhaps run a different kind of service from elsewhere, without returning to the main menu.
But! We know people like to speedrun grabbing those collectibles, including the adorable delivery bots from WCML shown above. With plenty scattered about all three core routes, Fast Travel is an open door for quickly mopping them up.
Using Fast Travel also introduces you to the new-look Live Map! This now shows a handy legend, signal aspect direction and useful live information on trains travelling round the route. Exploring, pathing and observing the rails around you is now much easier and more interesting, with more detail than ever before.
5: Submit your Photos with #TSWRailShots
Screenshot taken by Beta Tester Federico Di Liberto
Photo Mode has had an upgrade! You can now pause the action, change the weather, time of day and get creative with camera options and settings to create true masterpieces showing trains at their best.
From 17th September (1800 BST) to 24th September, we’ll be looking for the best Photo submissions across Social Media and our Forums. That means you’ve got 5 whole days to hone your skills!
The winner will receive a printed version of their railfan shot, signed by members of the Train Sim World 5 Development Team. For more details, keep an eye on our socials. Links are at the bottom of the article.
6: Get Colourful with Creators Club!
If you really want to stretch your creative legs, Livery Designer, Scenario Planner and Formation Designer are all available for you to chop and change your trains and run them in a variety of ways, colours and formations – your way!
If that sounds like too much effort, there’s already thousands of creations available to download from Creators Club. From wacky space-age liveries, to ‘alternate reality’ timetables and formations that aren’t available in timetable mode.
New Decals are also available use in Livery Designer, so get designing and show them off on your favourite locomotives.
If you’re an ambitious PC player and want to begin making your own Train Sim World content, the PC Editor (Beta) will continue to be available for Train Sim World 5. We have more information about how this works and how to make use of it if you’re coming from Train Sim World 4 in our FAQs.
Alongside the upcoming launch of TSW5, we’ve made some improvements to the TSW5 PC Editor, which includes the key fixes we wanted to address. Additionally, we’ve introduced some core changes to TSW5 itself that will better support the loading of mods.
7: Operate both Vectron variants!
Deluxe / Special Edition contains the striking, green FlixTrain BR 193 Vectron for hauling passenger services across Frankfurt – Fulda. But the DB BR 193 Vectron is also included for freight services, meaning both red and green variants, with slightly different cab layouts, can be run along the same route.
8: Refamiliarise yourself with Free Roam
Free Roam was the most significant new feature in Train Sim World 4 and still offers a fresh, flexible way to play in Train Sim World 5!
In timetable mode, spawn in trains and set paths wherever you like, mixing in amongst the traffic and operating services not covered in the base timetable. Head into a siding, run round in a platform, head out of the map or insert a service of your choice.
Be prepared though! You might come across unexpected signal aspects, unusual pathing options and trains blocking your way if you haven’t quite pathed your trains correctly. If you’re stuck, no worries! Just delete the train in front of you and continue on your way.
9: Relax. Railfan. Ride the rails.
If you’re after a slower pace of play, take to the routes on foot and explore the environment at leisure! Find those collectibles, jump on a train or railfan at your favourite spot and watch the timetable unfold.
There are unique dioramas to observe, stunning scenery to admire and even the odd easter egg to find! But we’ll leave the exploring up to you. You might even spot one of our newly licensed Airbus aircraft flying overhead and of course, our diverse passengers. Commuters with briefcases, coffee addicts and others glued to their phones can all be bumped into across the core routes.
If you have Special Edition, with additional back catalogue routes from the collection, you’ll see extra trains moving around and will be able to play additional services too. Players with existing back catalogue routes will be able to download their collection on Steam, with other platforms releasing this content on full launch (17th September).
10: Complete Mastery Challenges
Mastery Challenges require you to perform certain tasks on a route, like completing certain Scenarios or travelling a certain number of miles in a specific locomotive. Tier 1 Challenges unlock Decals for use in Livery Designer. Tier 2 Challenges unlock toggleable Scenery Tiles.
The Scenery Tiles for the core routes range from adding some artificial wildlife in Milton Keynes, to an airshow taking place at Gelnhausen. Travel the distances, complete Scenarios and work the timetables to unlock them!
What’s Next? - Future Routes and Content
If you’re keen to hear about what’s next for Train Sim World 5, head over to Part One and Part Two of our August Roadmap where we talk about some of the exciting new routes coming as Add-ons to Train Sim World 5.
This includes first routes in both the Netherlands and Wales as well as MBTA Commuter and Just Trains’ West Coast Main Line: Preston – Carlisle.
We’ll have more to share in our October Roadmap which will come on Tuesday October 8th!
Have questions? Feedback? Get in touch!
Our handy FAQs should give you all the information you need, along with the various information threads on our Forums.
You can also follow us on socials to keep up to date with everything happening through launch and beyond!
Find out more about Train Sim World 4 by following @trainsimworld on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.
