Explore US routes and locomotives in Train Simulator Classic, including Union Pacific, BNSF, Amtrak and commuter DLC, compatibility and caveats.
Train Simulator Classic has a large US catalogue covering Union Pacific and BNSF mountain freight, eastern main lines, Amtrak inter-city services, commuter rail and historic operations. Notable routes include Sherman Hill, Soldier Summit, Marias Pass, Tehachapi Pass, the Northeast Corridor, Peninsula Corridor and Clinchfield Railroad, with locomotives sold both in route packs and separately.
Which US routes are available in Train Simulator Classic?
The principal US route add-ons cover western mountain railroading, busy passenger corridors, commuter networks and historic freight operations. The catalogue is not fixed: older routes can be withdrawn from new sale while remaining usable by existing owners, and the starter bundle has changed between editions.
| Route type | Notable US routes | Typical operations |
|---|---|---|
| Western mountain freight | Sherman Hill, Soldier Summit, Marias Pass, Stevens Pass, Donner Pass, Cajon Pass and Tehachapi Pass | Long intermodal, manifest, coal and heavy climbing services, often with distributed or helper power |
| Eastern passenger and freight | New York–New Haven, Northeast Corridor: New York–Philadelphia, Northeast Corridor: Washington–Baltimore and Springfield Line | Amtrak electric services, regional passenger trains and mixed freight |
| Commuter and coastal | Hudson Line, North Jersey Coast Line, Peninsula Corridor, Pacific Surfliner, Miami–West Palm Beach and The Racetrack between Chicago and Aurora | Stopping commuter work, push-pull trains and inter-city passenger services |
| Historic and specialist | Clinchfield Railroad, Horseshoe Curve, Feather River Canyon, Sacramento Northern and Alaska Railroad | Classic diesel, steam, electric interurban and remote mixed-traffic operations |
These are the best-known choices rather than every legacy or third-party release. Our broader Train Simulator Classic route catalogue also covers Canadian, British, German and other international content.
Which US locomotives and trains can you drive?
US rolling stock ranges from modern six-axle freight diesels to Amtrak electrics, commuter multiple units and large steam locomotives. Exact liveries and variants depend on the route bundle or separate locomotive pack.
| Operator or sector | Representative locomotives and train types |
|---|---|
| Union Pacific | GE ES44AC, EMD SD70M, SD60M and GP40-2, plus Big Boy, Challenger and FEF-3 steam locomotives |
| BNSF | GE ES44DC and Dash 9-44CW, EMD SD40-2 and GP38-2 |
| CSX and Norfolk Southern | AC6000CW, ES44AC, Dash 9, SD40-2, GP40-2 and GP38-2 variants |
| Amtrak | Acela Express, ACS-64, AEM-7, P42DC, P32AC-DM, F40PH and F59PHI |
| Commuter rail | NJ Transit ALP-45DP and ALP-46, Metro-North M7A and M8 units, Caltrain F40PH and MP36PH variants, and Metra F40PH-family power |
| Historic railroads | Southern Pacific SD40T-2, GP9 and Cab Forward; Clinchfield F7 and SD40; Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 and K4 |
Some entries are complete trainsets or electric multiple units rather than locomotives in the strict sense, but they appear as drivable stock in the simulator.
Are all US routes and locomotives included with the base game?
No. Buying Train Simulator Classic does not unlock the full US catalogue, and the routes supplied with the starter edition depend on which edition was purchased.
- Route DLC normally provides the railway, scenery, scenarios and at least some appropriate rolling stock.
- Locomotive DLC adds a specific engine and may require a separate route for its included scenarios or assets.
- Scenario and asset packs can require both a route and one or more locomotive products; they do not necessarily add a new drivable train by themselves.
A mistake we see constantly is assuming that every locomotive pictured on a route belongs to that route package. Check the listed requirements and learn how route, locomotive, asset-pack and scenario DLC differ before diagnosing missing content.
Does every US locomotive work on every route?
No, not automatically: infrastructure, scenario definitions, dependencies and power systems determine where a locomotive can be used properly.
- Quick Drive compatibility: the route needs suitable start and destination markers, while the locomotive needs a valid Quick Drive consist. Owning both products does not guarantee that every combination appears in the menu.
- Electric traction: an ACS-64 or AEM-7 needs a route configured with suitable overhead electrification. Third-rail units such as the M7A are similarly route-specific.
- Scenario dependencies: Career and Standard scenarios call for exact stock. A similar locomotive from another pack will not be substituted automatically.
- Operational fit: a diesel may load physically on many routes, but signalling, cab systems, clearances and period accuracy can make the combination unsuitable.
The scenario editor can place compatible stock on another route, but replacing an existing engine can disturb couplings, service instructions or timings. Follow our procedure for swapping locomotives without breaking the consist.
Which US route should you choose first?
Choose by operating style rather than route length alone, because steep freight, electric passenger and commuter routes demand very different driving skills.
- Choose Sherman Hill, Soldier Summit, Marias Pass or Tehachapi Pass for long trains, dynamic braking and sustained gradients.
- Choose Clinchfield Railroad, Donner Pass, Horseshoe Curve or Feather River Canyon for historic freight power and older operating practices.
- Choose a Northeast Corridor route or New York–New Haven for Amtrak electrics, cab signalling and higher-speed passenger work.
- Choose Hudson Line, North Jersey Coast Line, Peninsula Corridor or The Racetrack for frequent stops and push-pull commuter operations.
- Choose Pacific Surfliner for diesel passenger running or Alaska Railroad for remote, scenic mixed operations.
Our comparison of standout US freight and passenger DLC gives more detail on Tehachapi Pass, Clinchfield Railroad and other strong first purchases.
Why might a US route or locomotive be missing?
The usual causes are a missing dependency, installation being disabled, looking only under Career or Standard scenarios, regional licensing, or the product having been withdrawn from new sale. BNSF-branded products and branded variants can also differ between sales regions, so two players may not see an identical catalogue.
First confirm that the route and locomotive are both installed, then check Quick Drive and the editor rather than relying solely on the scenario list. Existing ownership, installation status and availability for a new purchase are three separate things.