Train Simulator 2021

[LUYMun]

Armstrong Powerhouse have released their Class 378 Enhancement Pack, finally bringing the unit back following the discontinuation of the bundled Electrostar Sound Pack many years ago: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/enhancements/emu_ep/class_378_enhancement_pack

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

This pack is available for £11.99 if you already own the Class 375/377 Enhancement Pack or Class 377/379/387 Enhancement Pack.

What is included?

2 liveries (see screenshots above for details)

Improved cab visuals with new shading, weathering & reflections

Detailed internal & external audio

MITRAC - Train Management System (TMS)

GSM-R

Driver Only Operation (DOO)

Wheelslip Protection (WSP)

User controllable scrolling destination display

3 realistic & engaging scenarios for the DTG North London & Goblin Lines route

And much more!

 

[Rail Quest]

Armstrong Powerhouse have released their Class 378 Enhancement Pack, finally bringing the unit back following the discontinuation of the bundled Electrostar Sound Pack many years ago: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/enhancements/emu_ep/class_378_enhancement_pack

It seems the video trailer for it is picking up more dislikes than usual (using the Return Youtube Dislike extension which, whilst not entirely accurate, does provide a somewhat reliable indication of a video's general popularity):
I can't really see why though, is there something people don't like about this pack? Don't get me wrong, this is far from the negativity towards the Cloud EP but its also below what AP's videos usually get.

 

[LUYMun]

At a glance the 378 EP doesn't offer much to justify its £14.99 price. Sure it's a model that fills the Electrostar gap, but it has used the same sounds and functionality as them plus only comes in two liveries. It seems something that would be better off being wedged in one of the other Packs and charge a higher price, which I'm sure folks wouldn't mind, or being priced at less than £9.99.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

In belting news ATS have decided to sack off their idiotic installer that never works - sense at last.

 

[Class15]

At a glance the 378 EP doesn't offer much to justify its £14.99 price. Sure it's a model that fills the Electrostar gap, but it has used the same sounds and functionality as them plus only comes in two liveries. It seems something that would be better off being wedged in one of the other Packs and charge a higher price, which I'm sure folks wouldn't mind, or being priced at less than £9.99.

They could at least have done the 378205 Pride livery

 

[LUYMun]

The latest Armstrong Powerhouse newsletter this month has revealed some changes made to AP’s existing products, with many now getting ‘AI horns’ allowing for them to sound the horn in the background.

AP is also teasing us with work on the Class 92 as an Enhancement Pack, intending to replace the old 92 Sound Pack. New features include newer textures, auto numbering, inclusion of GSMR and NRN radios, and improved cab functions.

Full information about the 92 is quoted below via this link: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/latest_newsletter

After a short rest following the the release of the HST (MTU) Pack, we have begun work on a new enhancement pack. As aluded to in our last newsletter, it's an old sound pack being brought up to modern enhancement pack standards. What is the loco/unit in question though? The Class 92! A fascinating loco with a chequered history.

Using the old sound pack as a base, we begun with liveries. The old sound pack came with a few liveries but these were of a low standard compared to now and didn't even feature autonumbering...! They were promptly thrown in the bin and completely new versions produced with proper high quality texturing and weathered variants. Most liveries and logo variations that these locos have carried over the years are now covered.

Our attention then turned to functionality. The sound pack was actually already fairly good in that respect with the annunciator screen and temperature simulation. There are many small things that have become standard with our packs that were lacking though, which might not be headline features but are small things which come together to greatly improve the driving experience. Think gradient correction, AI horns, consistent key commands,different cab camera angles, projected light from the headlight which fades in as darkness falls.

Something we are also trialling with this pack is the inclusion of a simplified GSM-R & NRN radio. Without considerable work which simply isn't feasible unless a kind individual donates their time, it's not possible to add new 'click spots' (items you can click in the cab) without the ability to distribute an edited version of the original model, which isn't possible when we are using someone else's model in an enhancement pack. To date, this has precluded us from including GSM-R & NRN radios in many enhancement packs, but we now feel something in this department is better than nothing. As a result, you will be able to register the GSM-R or NRN radio in this pack, but the registration process automatically occurs upon pressing a key command. Instead of typing in the headcode and signal number (GSM-R) or zone number (NRN) on the keypad, this information is now taken from the locomotive's number in the scenario editor.

This as far as we have got so far with more work to be done on functionality/features as well as giving the sounds a good overhaul using new recordings where they are now available to us.

In other Christmas news, AP, JT and DTG are offering a sale on their products until the New Year, with prices cut up to 40%, 50% and 80% respectively.

 

[Rail Quest]

AP is also teasing us with work on the Class 92 as an Enhancement Pack, intending to replace the old 92 Sound Pack. New features include newer textures, auto numbering, inclusion of GSMR and NRN radios, and improved cab functions.

As cool as it'll be to see the 92 back in a proper EP, I can't help but think AP are missing a trick with their selection of enhancement packs thus far. The 60 is a loco that's seen far more use compared to the 92 IRL and in a more desperate need of a rework by AP and yet nothing.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

As cool as it'll be to see the 92 back in a proper EP, I can't help but think AP are missing a trick with their selection of enhancement packs thus far. The 60 is a loco that's seen far more use compared to the 92 IRL and in a more desperate need of a rework by AP and yet nothing.

Richard from AP has mentioned on an Alan Thomson stream before (quite a while ago now actually) that this is something they have in the pipeline, as well as a class 70 EP.

AP always strive for the highest quality so I’d rather they wait until they’ve got decent sounds etc done and then release the EP.

Really interested to see the new GSM-R they’ve mentioned in the newsletter - a good way around not doing a whole new cab but still getting GSM-R functionality.

 

[Class15]

The 60 is a loco that's seen far more use compared to the 92 IRL

While this is partly true, “far” is an exaggeration - both types have been very poorly utilised. Also you are missing that 92s do passenger work on the Sleeper which is a very popular train with enthusiasts.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

While this is partly true, “far” is an exaggeration - both types have been very poorly utilised. Also you are missing that 92s do passenger work on the Sleeper which is a very popular train with enthusiasts.

Agreed. And we now have Mk5s in TS plus the whole (I think?) WCML. It would be great if ATS can sort the merge so one could drive from Euston to Preston in one go but as far as I understand it the project is on hold as they can’t find a way to make it stable.

 

[Class15]

Agreed. And we now have Mk5s in TS plus the whole (I think?) WCML. It would be great if ATS can sort the merge so one could drive from Euston to Preston in one go but as far as I understand it the project is on hold as they can’t find a way to make it stable.

Absolutely - I’m more of a route builder but it would be really cool to drive a 92 + mk5 set all the way!

 

[Rail Quest]

While this is partly true, “far” is an exaggeration - both types have been very poorly utilised. Also you are missing that 92s do passenger work on the Sleeper which is a very popular train with enthusiasts.

Agreed. And we now have Mk5s in TS plus the whole (I think?) WCML. It would be great if ATS can sort the merge so one could drive from Euston to Preston in one go but as far as I understand it the project is on hold as they can’t find a way to make it stable.

That's fair enough. Personally though, I struggle to see why people would want to do the full sleeper runs in a 92 - you'd be sat with the speed set holding you comfortably at the same low(ish) speed for a considerable amount of time. A driver I spoke to in the past commented that it was a very boring shift. Mind you, I say that as if I don't predominantly spend my time in the simulator running container trains hauled by sheds with them in notch 8 for an ungodly amount of time

Richard from AP has mentioned on an Alan Thomson stream before (quite a while ago now actually) that this is something they have in the pipeline, as well as a class 70 EP.

This sounds really promising, hopefully something comes of it eventually.

 

[LUYMun]

While this is partly true, “far” is an exaggeration - both types have been very poorly utilised. Also you are missing that 92s do passenger work on the Sleeper which is a very popular train with enthusiasts.

The 92s would be better utilised on TSC if the whole of the WCML was available to play, which there doesn't exist one, instead only broken up into different sections (South, Trent Valley, North, Over Shap) and even in different eras. I'm sure someone might merge them one day...

 

[Rail Quest]

AP 92 EP is out: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/class_92_enhancement_pack

No real surprises in this one, though the cold start was an unexpected inclusion. Very nice! Anyone tried it?

Discount for owners of the original 92 sound pack as well which is a nice touch. Brings price down to £12.99

 

[Class15]

AP 92 EP is out: https://www.armstrongpowerhouse.com/class_92_enhancement_pack

No real surprises in this one, though the cold start was an unexpected inclusion. Very nice! Anyone tried it?

Discount for owners of the original 92 sound pack as well which is a nice touch. Brings price down to £12.99

Once my computer is working again, I’ll be getting it I expect!

 

[43055]

ATS have released a class 360 improvement pack and its free!

Class 360 Improvement Pack – Alan Thomson Simulation

alanthomsonsim.com

 

[Rail Quest]

Fantastic news from the AP newsletter this morning: they have announced a version 2 of their class 66 enhancement pack. This is well needed in my opinion, given the variety of freight wagons that we've seen added recently. They've shared a picture of an EWS liveried example with the new visuals.

February has been a month of two halves. The first half was spent beginning work on a '2.0' upgrade to our Class 66 Enhancement Pack. With this pack being nearly 8 years old now, we thought it was time that such a vital part of the UK rail scene was given some love again. Our remit so far for this upgrade is (subject to change):

- Redo liveries with higher resolution visuals and weathered variants

- New liveries which have appeared in the last 8 years

- Reduce the requirements so only the DTG EWS Class 66 V2.0 is required for all liveries to work

- Newly modelled headlight variants + new headlights variants which have appeared in the last 8 years

- Improve functionality to include features expected in our new releases

- Improve sounds using new recordings and/or better mixing/implementation

Those are the main bits but we expect there to be many other smaller changes too. With such a rich variety of wagons now available for the simulator, this should be the perfect pack to finally make best use of them. When it will appear though is now a bit of an unknown; see below.

Source: AP Newsletter February 2025

They've also teased that something else is in the Pipeline but haven't stated what. Given their wording and Precision Locomotive Development recently announcing they're working on a class 47, my guess is that they have started collaborating towards this.

The second half of the month stopped the first half in its tracks as a project many years in the works kicked into gear again. We're not at liberty to say what it is yet, especially as it could quite easily go dormant again, but rest assured, it's a goodie.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Fantastic news from the AP newsletter this morning: they have announced a version 2 of their class 66 enhancement pack. This is well needed in my opinion, given the variety of freight wagons that we've seen added recently. They've shared a picture of an EWS liveried example with the new visuals.

Source: AP Newsletter February 2025

They've also teased that something else is in the Pipeline but haven't stated what. Given their wording and Precision Locomotive Development recently announcing they're working on a class 47, my guess is that they have started collaborating towards this.

Agreed. The current AP 66 is good but it’s great to hear they’re going to bring the pack up to date in line with their current standards.

I’d also guess at the thing in the pipeline being a 47. The tone of the newsletter is tentative but the fact they’ve even mentioned it is very promising as it’s something that has been desired in TS for a long time.

 

[LUYMun]

The Southeastern Network route, available on Train Simulator's Steam Workshop, has been updated to include the Bexleyheath branch, though this now extends the route requirements to the Huddersfield line: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2905241934

 

[SeanG]

Some of these route merges now have so many requriements I don't know how they can fit on people's computers without crashing the things!

 

[Rail Quest]

They've also teased that something else is in the Pipeline but haven't stated what. Given their wording and Precision Locomotive Development recently announcing they're working on a class 47, my guess is that they have started collaborating towards this.

I’d also guess at the thing in the pipeline being a 47.

I'm wondering if the mysterious project in the works is in fact not a 47, but still a collaboration with PDL. I've checked PDL's In Development page this afternoon and they've added (not sure when it was added) a "Mystery Add-On" which has already progressed into the Artwork phase (see attached), where the 47 currently is. Whatever this refers to would more suitably match AP's mysterious tone from the previous news letter. I suppose the next news letter is approaching so it will be interesting to see if AP spill the beans or not.

Source: https://www.precision-loco.co.uk/in-development.html
[Link directs to Precision Locomotive Development website In Development page]

 

[365 Networker]

I'm wondering if the mysterious project in the works is in fact not a 47, but still a collaboration with PDL. I've checked PDL's In Development page this afternoon and they've added (not sure when it was added) a "Mystery Add-On" which has already progressed into the Artwork phase (see attached), where the 47 currently is. Whatever this refers to would more suitably match AP's mysterious tone from the previous news letter. I suppose the next news letter is approaching so it will be interesting to see if AP spill the beans or not.
View attachment 177188
Source: https://www.precision-loco.co.uk/in-development.html
[Link directs to Precision Locomotive Development website In Development page]

It's unlikely, but it would be quite nice to see some more slam-door EMUs - A decent EPB or perhaps a 310-312. A new class 90 would be a good idea too.

 

[Rail Quest]

In their latest newsletter sent today, AP haven't confirmed what this task was that they're working on but confirm it involves a third-party as per the quote below:

Last month, we left you with the news that we were working on a secret project but failed to mention an important part of the puzzle. This project involves a third party, hence it suddenly falling in our laps halfway through last month. After some further work in the first couple days of March, it was handed back so we shall see whether it materialises.

Aside from that, they've been doing a lot of liveries for the upcoming 66 EP V2 (37 liveries apparently) including GBRf special examples. They've attached some screenshots which I've attached. Just going off the screenshots, the quality of these looks to be excellent and a big step up from the V1 offering.

 

[365 Networker]

In their latest newsletter sent today, AP haven't confirmed what this task was that they're working on but confirm it involves a third-party as per the quote below:

Perhaps it's the Waggonz 153/155. They started work a few years ago:-

 

[Wivenswold]

Richard mentioned a few years ago that he'd love to make a slam-door EMU. He made a trip to Merseyside to record a Class 508 compressor as they use the same one as the Class 312.
I'm crossing everything that it's an AC slam-door EMU. I know the Class 309 preservation group was working on a 309 but that seems to have gone quiet for the last 2 years as relocating and refurbishing the real one became a priority.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

The ATS 755 is about to be released this evening. Let’s see how much it’s gong to be…

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2025 ==

The ATS 755 is about to be released this evening. Let’s see how much it’s gong to be…

Update - it’s £37.99 but cheaper if you’re a subscriber and/or own the 745.

If you own the 745 it’s £27.99 and with a sub on top of that it’s £19.99.

The 755 also comes with an upgraded version of AP’s Wherry Lines route.

 

[Class15]

Update - it’s £37.99

Seriously? Compared to AP’s prices this is an absolute joke.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Seriously? Compared to AP’s prices this is an absolute joke.

Yes - same price as the 745. You do get the upgraded route at least with the 755.

It’ll be interesting to see reviews and how well it sells. I play TS regularly and download scenarios all the time - it has been noticeable that very few scenarios for the 745 have been made.

 

[Rail Quest]

The ATS 755 is about to be released this evening.

Awesome!

it’s £37.99

Aaaaaaand that's me out

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Awesome!


Aaaaaaand that's me out

Same. I just wouldn’t drive it enough to warrant forking out that much.