What routes are available in Train Sim World?
Train Sim World offers routes across Britain, continental Europe, the United States and Canada, covering high-speed main lines, urban commuter networks, heavy freight and preserved railways. There is no single universal route list: the exact catalogue depends on the Train Sim World generation, edition, platform, region and add-ons you own.
Which countries and lines are represented?
The catalogue is strongest in Britain, Germany and the United States, with additional routes in Austria, Switzerland, France and Canada. This table lists representative route add-ons from across the Train Sim World product family; it is not a permanent storefront inventory, as bundles and licensing can change.
| Region | Examples of Train Sim World routes | Main driving styles |
|---|---|---|
| Britain | West Coast Main Line: London Euston–Milton Keynes; East Coast Main Line: Peterborough–Doncaster; London Commuter; Southeastern Highspeed; Great Western Express; Bakerloo Line; Blackpool Branches; Fife Circle Line; ScotRail Express: Edinburgh–Glasgow; Spirit of Steam; Peak Forest Railway | Intercity, commuter, Underground, high-speed and steam |
| Germany and Austria | Kinzigtalbahn: Frankfurt–Fulda; Schnellfahrstrecke Kassel–Würzburg; Schnellfahrstrecke Köln–Aachen; Nahverkehr Dresden; Hamburg–Lübeck; Bremen–Oldenburg; Ruhr-Sieg Nord; Vorarlberg; Semmeringbahn | ICE services, regional passenger trains, S-Bahn and freight |
| Switzerland and France | Arosalinie; Bernina Line; Luzern–Sursee; LGV Méditerranée: Marseille–Avignon | Mountain railways, regional services and TGV high-speed running |
| United States | San Bernardino Line; Antelope Valley Line; Cajon Pass; Sand Patch Grade; Sherman Hill; Horseshoe Curve; Clinchfield Railroad; Boston Sprinter; Northeast Corridor: New York–Trenton; Harlem Line; Long Island Rail Road and LIRR Commuter; Peninsula Corridor | Commuter rail, Northeast Corridor passenger services and heavy freight |
| Canada | Oakville Subdivision: Hamilton–Oakville | Freight switching and main-line operations |
Route names can be misleading. London Commuter depicts the Brighton Main Line, while similarly named products such as Long Island Rail Road and LIRR Commuter are separate releases. Extended or rebuilt editions can also cover different track mileage, so check the supplied route map rather than relying on the title alone.
Does the Train Sim World base game include every route?
No. A numbered Train Sim World edition normally includes a small selection of routes, while most of the catalogue is sold as separate route add-ons. A starter package may provide only the Training Center, so always read the edition's included-content list before buying.
- Route add-on: adds the physical railway, scenery, timetable and normally one or more playable trains.
- Locomotive add-on: adds rolling stock or extra services but does not add a new railway.
- Gameplay pack: changes or expands services on an existing route and may require other content.
- Timetable layer: uses compatible trains from another owned add-on to populate extra services; missing layers do not mean the route installation is broken.
If the different editions and modes are unfamiliar, our beginner setup guide explains what to install and drive first.
Do older Train Sim World routes work in newer games?
Many older routes work in later Train Sim World releases through compatible-content support, but ownership does not automatically transfer between unrelated stores or platform families. Use the same account and store ecosystem, then install each owned route separately through the platform's add-on manager.
Some legacy products have technical or licensing exceptions, and an older add-on may remain downloadable for an existing owner after it is no longer sold. Console storage and content management also differ from PC, as covered in our comparison of Train Sim World platform support.
How do I check the exact routes available on my platform?
The platform store and your owned-content manager provide the authoritative route list for your particular game generation and account.
- Identify your release and edition. Check which numbered Train Sim World game and bundle you own.
- Filter for route add-ons. Do not mistake a locomotive, livery or gameplay pack for a complete route.
- Read the compatibility label. Confirm that the product supports your Train Sim World release and platform before purchasing it.
- Inspect dependencies. Look for a required parent route or train, especially with locomotive and timetable expansions.
- Check installation status. An owned route may still need to be downloaded manually before it appears in the route-selection menu.
Which Train Sim World route should I buy first?
Choose by the type of railway operation you want rather than route length alone. High-speed fans should favour LGV, ICE or British main-line routes; dense commuter timetables suit London, New York and German regional networks; American mountain routes are better for long freight trains; preserved lines suit slower steam or heritage operation.
Our route recommendations compare the strongest choices by driving style. If you mainly want to place compatible trains without following a fixed timetable, first check how Free Roam works on an owned route.