Peak Forest Railway - Out Now!
Train Sim World® 3: Thameslink BR Class 700/0 EMU Add-On · published
Master 1960s Steam! Train Sim World 3: Peak Forest Railway: Ambergate – Chinley & Buxton, featuring the new LMS Fowler 4F, is out now!
Peak Forest Railway is set in 1963, a time during which the final steam services were still working hard with the impending introduction of more diesels looming nationwide. Take to the footplate of three steam locomotives and recreate various operations of the era, including the banking services for heavy limestone trains.
Steam Locomotives
Three LMS steam locomotives, two previously seen in Spirit of Steam, come as part of Peak Forest Railway running a variety of passenger, freight, shunting and banking operations.
LMS Fowler 4F
A new steam locomotive! Well... sort of. The LMS Fowler 4F has actually made a brief appearance in Train Sim World before, as a Scenery Tile for those who completed Tier 2 of the West Somerset Railway Mastery Challenges!
The LMS Fowler 4F becomes the third steam locomotive introduced to Train Sim World 3 and works a host of services in Peak Forest Railway. This 0-6-0 tender loco was coming to the end of its time during this period, with all examples withdrawn by 1966. The narrow cab windows and improved steam engine physics in recent updates will provide an enjoyable challenge for both new and experienced steam locomotive players.
You can read more about the recent steam locomotive physics improvements, relevant for Peak Forest Railway and Spirit of Steam, in our Forum Update.
LMS Stanier 8F
Joining the 4F with freight workings is the LMS Stanier 8F from Spirit of Steam. These locomotives were also being withdrawn around this time in Britain, though many were also seen working across Europe both during and after the Second World War. The 8F will be seen in game heading up freight, with the 4F sometimes required to bank at the rear for limestone trains – a unique mode of operation for this route. They will also work local freight with various freight wagons.
You can learn more about how and where the real world LMS 8F was used in the article LMS 8F: Used Far and Wide, over on We Are Railfans.
LMS Jubilee
Also included from Spirit of Steam is the LMS Jubilee, seen in the used condition representative of late 1950s / early 1960s. Local stopping and express passenger services will feature the Jubilee and Mk1 coaches along with the occasional light locomotive movement.
Hauled behind these three locomotives is a selection of rolling stock from Spirit of Steam, including the 20t Brake Van as well as a new wagon in the ICI Hopper Wagon, used to haul limestone.
Route
Today, the line between Ambergate and Chinley, along with the branch line to Buxton, is no longer continuously linked and is instead segmented into various sections with different uses. For example, the 8.5 mile stretch now forms the popular Monsal Trail walking and cycling route. Peak Forest Railway is a chance to go back and relive the days when the full length of this line was in operation.
Though busy scenes like this at Bakewell Station are long gone, the station building, platforms and opposing wall still remain along the Monsal Trail.
Stations at Hassop and Great Longstone are similarly left for walkers and cyclists to admire as they pass through. In game, players will be able to appreciate these locations from the footplate.
If you want to see more of Train Sim World 3: Peak Forest Railway and missed the Railfan TV team on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch last week, you can still view the preview stream. And if you want to learn more about features in the route Add-on, our ‘10 Things You Might Not Know’ video is also available to view.
Peak Forest Railway 10 in 10
There’s also helpful tips and support over on our Support Pages, including a handy Gameplay Guide.
And if this is the first time you’re hearing about our latest addition to the steam era in Train Sim World, head over to the May Roadmap, where you can learn more about the improvements made to steam locomotive physics for both Peak Forest Railway and Spirit of Steam, along with news of other forthcoming routes and locomotives.
Train Sim World 3: Peak Forest Railway: Ambergate – Chinley & Buxton route Add-on is available now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for £29.99/$39.99/€35.99.
Historic Journeys Add-ons Bundle
Players on Steam can add more routes and locomotives at a discounted rate on Train Sim World: Compatible content linked to Britain’s steam and diesel past with the Historic Journeys Bundle. The bundle includes:
- Peak Forest Railway: Ambergate – Chinley & Buxton, set in 1963
- Northern Trans-Pennine: Manchester - Leeds, set in 1983
- Spirit of Steam: Liverpool – Crewe, set in 1958
- Tees Valley Line: Darlington – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, set in 1989
Train Sim World: Historic Journeys Bundle is available exclusively on the Steam Store. It will be available with ‘Complete My Collection’, meaning if you have some of the above listed content already, you can save by getting a bundle offer on the remaining content.
Previous purchase of Train Sim World 3 is required in order to make use of this bundle.
Find out more about Train Sim World 3 by following @trainsimworld on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.