2026 REVIEW:
For today’s review, I go back 14 years ago.
The early years of “Train Simulator Classic” (ala “RailWorks 3: Train Simulator 2012”) and of course, since the release of DLC, there have been improvements to “Train Simulator Classic” and how developers are really trying to squeeze a lot out of a very old engine and for the most part, seeing impressive creations. While it’s sibling, “Train Simulator World” has now poised itself of getting the love and fanfare thanks to easier and forgiving gameplay and magnificent graphics.
With that being said, while TSW is popular for today’s graphic loving gamers, “Train Simulator Classic” is still the definitive train simulator. With hundreds of DLCs and community support, it’s still the world’s best train simulator.
With that being said, “Train Simulator Classic” as it did in 2009 and to 2026, while it remains a wonderful game, it’s also one heck of a game that is known to be unforgiving, challenging, long and frustrating because you can give your all, but in the end, while you may complete a scenario, doesn’t mean you will earn any points, stars or anything special.
Part of the problem with “Train Simulator” is that some DLC’s demands you to be on time. Punctuality is king and if you are late and don’t arrive in time, you fail. Even if you go at a super high speed, you will go through curves that will affect drive quality. So, in essence, some DLC scenarios are easy to fail and if you are able to pass, you feel that sense of accomplishment. But if you drive for over an hour or nearly two hours, nothing is more frustrating to find out by the end of a long ride that you failed.
Before I get to my review, I am a train fan who travels worldwide to ride in trains, collects trains (N-Gage) and is passionate about train simulators and raised on “Densha de Go” and play many train games to this day. But with that being said, I am not the technical train fan who looks for perfection in depiction or sound. While there are some people who are hardcore about that. I am not that type of railfan.
Nor am I going to say, “purchase a weather pack, sound pack or liveries” from another site. If you have the money to do so and the technical know how to do so, go for it! The beauty of simulators especially for trains and planes, you have that freedom thanks to its supportive community.
Now on to my review.
Great Western Main Line Route Add-On (2012)
The Great Western Main Line is the main line railway in England managed by Network Rail and the majority of the passenger services upon it are provided by the current Great Western Railway franchise.
Opened in 1841, the Great Western Main Line is utilized by the Great Western Railway (GWR) which includes the Inter-city trains and services, Heathrow express trains, Elizabeth Line Services and CrossCountry long distance trains.
So, the line services West London and many towns and cities. So, one of the questions many people may ask is if the DLC covers a lot of West London? Considering it was made in 2012, what we do know is that the line covers Oxford Station (in central southern England) to London Paddington (a district in West London, England in the City of West Minister).
GAMEPLAY:
The Great Western Main Line Route Add-On comes with eight scenarios and comes with three stations: Class 43 High Speed Train (HST) with two livery, Class 166 DMU in First Great Western livery (two versions) and Network Southeast livery and Class 47 in BR Railfreight, BR Blue and Rail Express liveries.
Because the Great Western Main Line is considered one of the primary route add-ons for “Train Simulator Classic” for British trains, this route is essential because many British Rail trains available for TSC needs this route. And fortunately, it can be purchased at $3.59US (and sometimes lower).
So, a lot of the trains that have BR (British Rail), EWS (English, Welsh & Scottish Railway) or trains that have “Class” require this route to work! So, if you want to use British trains and run their scenarios, then this is a mandatory must own DLC!
GRAPHICS:
Of the older routes that show its age, “The Great Western Main Line” is a DLC released in 2012 and looks like a route from that era. And I know that may make someone to not want to even get this DLC.
But there is one thing I need to emphasize is that “Train Simulator Classic” uses a graphics engine from 2009, so whether a game made in 2026 or a game made in 2012, great graphics are not what “Train Simulator Classics” is known for. If you want great graphics, then “Train Simulator World” is for you. If you want realism, then “JR East Train Simulator” is for you! Yes, there are companies who have managed to squeeze something cool from “Train Simulator Classic” but great graphics are not something you should be be prioritizing. Your priority are the trains and the trains abilities to use that route and the experience.
Many British trains use “Great Western Main Line” and to enjoy the experience of those trains, you need to purchase this DLC.
Last, on the graphics part, sure leaves and greenery look oldish, but seeing the cities and also riding the route at night is pretty cool! It’s a highly detailed map for its time!
JUDGMENT CALL:
In someways, a part of me was hoping that we would see an enhanced revision of the older TSC classic routes. But with DoveTail Games announcing that while “Train Simulator Classic” will continue, its legacy is left to third party creators. Which is nothing new as another older bus simulator, “OMSI 2” was abandoned by its creators but kept alive by its community and still has new DLCs being released for it.
It is no surprise that DoveTail Games is focused on the future of “Train Simulator World and their other upcoming games, which makes sense. There is only so much that can be done for “Train Simulator Classic” on their end and by making it a 64-bit game in 2019, that decision made a huge impact that “Train Simulator Classic” will continue on for many years to come and not suffer the problems that “OMSI 2” Bus Simulator is experiencing as a 32-bit software that has to be updated and receive a 4GB patch often.
While “Train Simulator Classic” is still the definitive train simulator, DoveTail Games is making it known that if you want better graphics, then “Train Simulator World” is what you want. But with hundreds of DLCs available on STEAM and even more available on the websites of third party creators, there are so many trains that are worth owning and worth playing.
“Great Western Main Line” is not the prettiest route but its still functional and if you are able to separate yourself from it’s 2012 graphics, what you have is a map that works well for many of the trains and is only 160MB and comes with several trains with extra livery. And in 2026, you can get it for $3.59 or less when it’s on sale (“Train Simulator Classic” happens several times a year).
The routes are long, great for many to build their scenarios on but don’t be fooled by its aged graphics, you get your money’s worth with this DLC. It’s practically essential and it must be emphasized, it’s a mandatory DLC worth owning if you want to run many British trains and its scenarios.
