RailSimulator.com Newsletter

GP9 - 20 May

Built by the General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between 1954 and 1959, these 1,750-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives were put to use across the whole of the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. More than 3,400 examples were built, making the 4-axle ‘Geep’ one of the best-selling US locomotives of all time. A number of GP9s remain in service today on short lines and industrial facilities, and as switchers for the major railroads, though they can be difficult to spot as they have mostly been extensively rebuilt. This versatile locomotive will be a great add-on for US railfans, whether you are switching or hauling on the mainline.

4GIG - 20 May

Once a very familiar sight across the railways of southern England, the 4CIG electric multiple unit is a classic example of the heritage ‘slam-door’ passenger trains which once formed the backbone of southern passenger services. Extensive 3rd-rail electrification of the Southern Region led to the widespread adoption of these practical EMUs, and the 4CIG (British Rail Class 421) was initially introduced on the London-Brighton Line before being pressed into service on the Portsmouth Direct Line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour. The 4CIG untis received a facelift in the late 1980s, and wer eventually withdrawn from mainline passenger service in the early 2000s.

F40PH + Cabbage Car - late summer

A replacement for the EMD SDP40F, the F40PH was the first series of locomotives to be built specially for Amtrak. Based on the proven GP40 series, the 3,000 horsepower F40PH was built to haul passenger services and has proved so useful that many of these 100mph locomotives have now passed into new ownership and are continuing to provide sterling service. An interesting variation is the F40PH is the ‘Cabbage’ car, a converted type with the power units removed and baggage space created inside the body, accessible by a side door.

Ohio Steel Part 2 - late June

All Aboard have once again raised the bar with this addition to the popular Ohio Steel Expansion Pack released for RailWorks 2 last autumn. Set in the boom years of central Ohio’s steel-making region and industrial heartland, the Ohio Steel railroad offers hours of entertainment for the hard-working freight train and switcher driver, with its myriad of depots, plants and yards. This extension takes the line all the way to Massillon Ohio, where a steel mill and blast furnace provide plenty of traffic for this busy line.

Class 33 -late June

The Class 33, affectionately known as the ‘Crompton’, was built for British Rail between 1960 and 1962 for use initially on the Southern Region. 98 of these 74-ton diesel-electric locomotives were built, with their Sulzer diesel engines giving a top speed of 85mph. The Class 33 proved to be a versatile locomotive and survived in service right up to 1998.

NEC + AEM7 - 24 June
The Northeast Corridor Expansion Pack will be a recreation of the line from New York Penn Station through to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, part of the busiest railroad passenger line in the US. With overhead electrification now providing power for both low-speed and high-speed passenger services, the NEC runs along the route of historic railroad lines dating back to the 19th Century and the days of steam. Currently, efficient electric locomotives serve the cities along this busy route including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston. The Northeast Corridor Expansion Pack will include the AEM7 electric locomotive and is coming to RailWorks in June.

Acela - 8 July
The Acela hauls a high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston via Philadelphia and New York. The Acela runs at speeds of up to 150mph on certain stretches of the line, thanks to its pair of 6,000 horsepower driving cars, and it uses a tilting system enabling it to take bends at higher speeds and reduce journey times. Popular with commuters and business travellers, the Acela reportedly carried more than 3 million passengers in its first year of service.

Class 455 - 22 July
The Class 455 electric multiple unit entered service in 1982, and continues to carry passengers across the south of England today. 137 Class 455 sets were built as part of the modernisation of passenger services in the south, and with sliding doors and a 75mph top speed they were an ideal replacement for many of the older EMU types such as the 4CIG. The Class 455s were designed for inner-suburban services and as such, they lack first class seating and were initially built with a 2-3 seating layout.

Drive a Steam Train – early May
Have you always wondered what it is like to drive a steam train? Perhaps you wanted to try a train simulator like RailWorks 2 but thought they were too complex or involved? Drive a Steam Train is the perfect first step into the world of virtual train driving. With Drive a Steam Train you can follow driving tutorials to learn how to use the authentic steam locomotive controls, and once you are feeling confident there is a selection of easy, medium and difficult scenarios for you to attempt. Developed by the team behind RailWorks 2, Drive a Steam Train includes everything you need to get into the cab and drive highly-realistic 4F, 7F and Black 5 steam locomotives through the beautiful Mendip Hills. Drive a Steam Train is ideal for those of you who have steam in your veins… and even if you are an experienced driver, you might find that Drive a Steam train teaches you some new tricks!
*Please note that Drive a Steam Train is a completely separate, stand-alone product which does not require RailWorks 2 or any other software to play.




GP9 - 20 May
Built by the General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between 1954 and 1959, these 1,750-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives were put to use across the whole of the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. More than 3,400 examples were built, making the 4-axle ‘Geep’ one of the best-selling US locomotives of all time. A number of GP9s remain in service today on short lines and industrial facilities, and as switchers for the major railroads, though they can be difficult to spot as they have mostly been extensively rebuilt. This versatile locomotive will be a great add-on for US railfans, whether you are switching or hauling on the mainline.

4GIG - 20 May
Once a very familiar sight across the railways of southern England, the 4CIG electric multiple unit is a classic example of the heritage ‘slam-door’ passenger trains which once formed the backbone of southern passenger services. Extensive 3rd-rail electrification of the Southern Region led to the widespread adoption of these practical EMUs, and the 4CIG (British Rail Class 421) was initially introduced on the London-Brighton Line before being pressed into service on the Portsmouth Direct Line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour. The 4CIG untis received a facelift in the late 1980s, and wer eventually withdrawn from mainline passenger service in the early 2000s.

F40PH + Cabbage Car - late summer
A replacement for the EMD SDP40F, the F40PH was the first series of locomotives to be built specially for Amtrak. Based on the proven GP40 series, the 3,000 horsepower F40PH was built to haul passenger services and has proved so useful that many of these 100mph locomotives have now passed into new ownership and are continuing to provide sterling service. An interesting variation is the F40PH is the ‘Cabbage’ car, a converted type with the power units removed and baggage space created inside the body, accessible by a side door.

Ohio Steel Part 2 - late June
All Aboard have once again raised the bar with this addition to the popular Ohio Steel Expansion Pack released for RailWorks 2 last autumn. Set in the boom years of central Ohio’s steel-making region and industrial heartland, the Ohio Steel railroad offers hours of entertainment for the hard-working freight train and switcher driver, with its myriad of depots, plants and yards. This extension takes the line all the way to Massillon Ohio, where a steel mill and blast furnace provide plenty of traffic for this busy line.

Class 33 -late June
The Class 33, affectionately known as the ‘Crompton’, was built for British Rail between 1960 and 1962 for use initially on the Southern Region. 98 of these 74-ton diesel-electric locomotives were built, with their Sulzer diesel engines giving a top speed of 85mph. The Class 33 proved to be a versatile locomotive and survived in service right up to 1998.

NEC + AEM7 - 24 June The Northeast Corridor Expansion Pack will be a recreation of the line from New York Penn Station through to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, part of the busiest railroad passenger line in the US. With overhead electrification now providing power for both low-speed and high-speed passenger services, the NEC runs along the route of historic railroad lines dating back to the 19th Century and the days of steam. Currently, efficient electric locomotives serve the cities along this busy route including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston. The Northeast Corridor Expansion Pack will include the AEM7 electric locomotive and is coming to RailWorks in June.

Acela - 8 July The Acela hauls a high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston via Philadelphia and New York. The Acela runs at speeds of up to 150mph on certain stretches of the line, thanks to its pair of 6,000 horsepower driving cars, and it uses a tilting system enabling it to take bends at higher speeds and reduce journey times. Popular with commuters and business travellers, the Acela reportedly carried more than 3 million passengers in its first year of service.

Class 455 - 22 July The Class 455 electric multiple unit entered service in 1982, and continues to carry passengers across the south of England today. 137 Class 455 sets were built as part of the modernisation of passenger services in the south, and with sliding doors and a 75mph top speed they were an ideal replacement for many of the older EMU types such as the 4CIG. The Class 455s were designed for inner-suburban services and as such, they lack first class seating and were initially built with a 2-3 seating layout.

Drive a Steam Train – early May Have you always wondered what it is like to drive a steam train? Perhaps you wanted to try a train simulator like RailWorks 2 but thought they were too complex or involved? Drive a Steam Train is the perfect first step into the world of virtual train driving. With Drive a Steam Train you can follow driving tutorials to learn how to use the authentic steam locomotive controls, and once you are feeling confident there is a selection of easy, medium and difficult scenarios for you to attempt. Developed by the team behind RailWorks 2, Drive a Steam Train includes everything you need to get into the cab and drive highly-realistic 4F, 7F and Black 5 steam locomotives through the beautiful Mendip Hills. Drive a Steam Train is ideal for those of you who have steam in your veins… and even if you are an experienced driver, you might find that Drive a Steam train teaches you some new tricks! *Please note that Drive a Steam Train is a completely separate, stand-alone product which does not require RailWorks 2 or any other software to play.