As an avid traveler who rides trains all over the world, I’m also a big fan of trains simulators and while many are passionate about Dovetail Games “Train Simulator World” for its graphics and its growth throughout the last eight years, the grandaddy of the Train Simulator games as a whole is Train Simulator Classic.
Released in 2009, its still the undisputed king with thousands of DLC and community support, it’s a software that will probably live on forever. But do know that in 2026, people who play “Train Simulator Classic” and its many DLCs are in it for the experience, not so much for the graphics.
Granted, it’s amazing to see how in its 17 years, many are able to squeeze whatever they can from this older engine. It’s not the easiest when it comes to other Train Simulators. You will fail many times as the game can be unforgiving and reading the original manual is a plus.
TRAIN SIMULATOR: GLASGOW SUBWAY (THE ROUTE AND ITS INCLUDED STOCK)
This 2022 DLC from Scottish studio Thomson Interactive (from one of the well-known train sim gurus, Alan Thompson) is a fun DLC from one of the developers best known for creating DLC focusing on the Scottish Railway ala ScotRail and Switzerland ala RhB (Rhaetian Railway).
The subway is well captured on the video game with the second generation Metro Cammell rolling stock with its orange livery, its brick flooring and its yellow walls. Keeping the notable orange the first generation was known for (which had been around since 1896 through 1977).
The Metro Cammell second gen stock has been around since 1977, refurbished in 1995 and retired in June 2024. So, at the time of release, this DLC was a way to respect this second generation stock which was replaced with the futuristic Third generation Stadler unit with a white livery but orange doors.
Finding a subway on Train Simulator is rare, so I feel that is what makes this DLC special. This is one of the more cheaper alternatives when compared to the Metropolitan Line (which you have to purchase the route and the train separately). This one comes with the both, so no worries of having to purchase anything additional.
It’s also one of the well-rounded DLC to own for those who like casual, less frustrating drives.
Sure there are long 40 minute career scenarios but you also get seven career scenarios and one free roam scenario.
While this does allow for controller-use, you probably will find yourself preferring to use the mouse and keyboard which makes it much more convenient.
IS IT MORE LONG RIDES OR CONSTANTLY STOPPING? HOW ARE THE CONTROLS?
Like any subway, you are going to be stopping at many stations within a short duration, so you will need to learn how to utilize your braking and most of all using Control-Plus-Equal buttons to switch cabs. You won’t leave your seat and walk to the next cab, just the three combination of buttons.
KEY TIPS
1. Save at each station
2. T is to open the doors
3. Make sure you look out to make sure signal lights are not red.
4. CTRL-Plus Sign and Equal Sign to switch cabs
5. Refer to the manual (afterall, this is Train Simulator Classic not Train Simulator World)
IS IT A SCENIC VIEW?
With this being a subway DLC, you are primarily going underground. When you are outside, sure you can view outside but most of the time, your vision will be watching your train and the station stop areas.
GRAPHICS:
As mentioned, people purchase Train Sim World for graphics, not many people play Train Simulator Classic for graphics. It’s very appreciated when a developer goes out of its way to for a good looking DLC, but that’s literally squeezing things out of a turnip. In this case, trying to squeeze whatever you can from a 2009 game engine.
With that being said, Glasgow Subway looks good for TLC. It’s a 2022 release and I saw no problems with artifacting, slowdown, screen tear.
And because you are not playing a high-graphic DLC, that means it won’t take a lot of space your harddrive (687MB). It may also work well for those running potato computers.
But do not expect “Train Sim World” graphics nor seeing NPC’s walking around for this DLC. Similar to other “Train Simulator Classic” DLCs (and other older simulator games and their DLCs), characters are static/cutouts. I will say that the character cutouts look pretty cool and modern. Sure, would love to see moving NPC’s, like Metropolitan Line, but then you would be paying more for that.
You will see other similar AI rolling stock running on its own schedule, so that’s always cool to see.
So, for a TLC DLC, it looks very good.
JUDGMENT CALL:
First and foremost, let me first preface that there are different kinds of railfans. Those who like to ride them. Those who like to build N-Scale or HO-Scale dioramas and run their rolling stock. Those who take pictures of them and those who are very much hardcore into the engineering of them. So, when it comes to the video games, you are going to see people who represent different sides of a rail fan.
I have ridden a good lifetime of trains worldwide but I’ll tell you the right now, if you were to ask me if I know the sounds of this and that. I will not know. I remember the stock, the station, the station jingles, announcements and experiences themselves, so with this review, I’m not going to say it sounds like the original because it’s not my forte as a railfan.
I will say that this is an enjoyable DLC which can be purchased under $12.50 (US) and it comes from the awesome team at Thomson Interactive who have developed many favorites for well over a decade and continues on with Alan Thomson Simulation featuring numerous creative enthusiasts of train simulations and is involved in numerous collaborations.
While it may seem this is one of Thomson’s last “Train Simulator Classic” DLC releases for now along with another route released in 2023, and focusing more on “Train Simulator World”, this DLC is no doubt special.
With that being said, TSC similar to other games like OMSI 2 are simulation games with a loyal community. Sure, not everything is perfect. But when it comes to train simulators featuring rolling stock and routes all over the world, Train Simulator Classic is the undisputed king.
And having a subway included for the game, “Train Simulator: Glasgow Subway Route” is a wonderful, respectful DLC to Glasgow Subway (which has been around since 1896) and the Clockwork Orange ala its second generation stock.
For those who are new to TSC and not a hardcore pro, you will enjoy the Train Simulator: Glasgow Subway Route!
Recommended!
