The Rails Are Yours from 1800 BST today! Early Access is here for Train Sim World 5: Deluxe & Special Editions and in this article, we’ll cover how you can get straight into the action.
Missed out on pre-order? Fear not! You can still pre-order Deluxe and Special Editions and gain immediate access to Train Sim World 5 until full launch on 17th September.
Train Sim World 5: All You Need to Know
Launch Times
Early Access for Deluxe / Special Edition begins at the following times:
1800 BST for Steam players
During Early Access you will have access to the full game, including everything in your chosen bundle (Deluxe/Special). For the first time, Steam players will have the opportunity to download their Compatible Content during Early Access.
Players on other platforms can learn more about when they can access their Compatible content in our FAQs.
Here, you can also find technical information about how profile transfers work, how to continue use of the PC Editor (beta) and information about achievements and Creators Club content.
Upon Full Launch on Tuesday 17th September, the following Editions will release:
- Train Sim World 5: Standard Edition
- Train Sim World 5: Free Starter Pack (available to download until 17th October and yours to keep forever).
- Train Sim World 5: Regional Bundles (containing Training Center and your choice of one Core Route)
- Separate Loco Add-ons for the FlixTrain BR 193 Vectron and Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino
Train Sim World 5: How to Download?
Our FAQs also have information for new and existing players on how to download Train Sim World 5 on each platform. We also have this in handy video format for Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox players.
Play Now! 10 Things To Try in Train Sim World 5:
1: Learn to Tilt! Drive New Trains
The ICE-T and Avanti West Coast Pendolino are the two standout additions to the Train Sim World fleet, with Training Center tutorials available for the first time you enter the cab! Though many of the buttons, systems and the cab layout may be similar to other trains in the series, getting to grips with the speed and braking is a must for all players and where better to do this than our dedicated Training Center.
You’ll need to learn the tilting functions of both trains to achieve higher permitted speeds. This is manually operated using the GNT safety system in the ICE-T and on West Coast Main Line, there is a Scenario which requires the Pendolino’s TASS function to be disabled.
The DB BR 114 and MP36PH-3C might also be new for many players, with slight variations in operation from similar locomotives seen from previous Train Sim World Add-ons.
2: Tickets please! Try Conductor Mode
Conductor Mode is a brand-new feature in each of the Train Sim World 5 core routes, and features as part of service mode, rather than in specific set Scenarios.
Operate the door controls, notify the driver / engineer and begin checking those tickets! You’ll also have to move pesky baggage out of the aisles and keep an eye out for your next station stop.
Conductor Mode is available on the following trains:
- Class 350 EMU in West Coast Main Line
- DB BR 114 and Dostos in Frankfurt-Fulda
- Metrolink MP36PH-3C / F125 and bi-level coaches in San Bernardino Line
3: Route Hop and continue your session
Route Hopping is a new feature allowing you to hop between routes from your collection that share a common location without going back to the main menu.
In Train Sim World 5: Deluxe / Special Editions, you’ll be able to do this from the get-go between San Bernardino Line and Cajon Pass at San Bernardino.
Special Edition players can also do this at Fulda and continue their journey to Kassel or Würzburg or at Queens Park / Harrow & Wealdstone on West Coast Main Line and run the rest of the Bakerloo Line.
4: Cheat! Use Fast Travel to grab Collectibles
The new Fast Travel feature is perfect for those that quickly want to see what’s going on elsewhere with the route they are playing. This might be useful for when you’ve ended a service and want to start from the other end of the route again, or perhaps run a different kind of service from elsewhere, without returning to the main menu.
But! We know people like to speedrun grabbing those collectibles, including the adorable delivery bots from WCML shown above. With plenty scattered about all three core routes, Fast Travel is an open door for quickly mopping them up.
Using Fast Travel also introduces you to the new-look Live Map! This now shows a handy legend, signal aspect direction and useful live information on trains travelling round the route. Exploring, pathing and observing the rails around you is now much easier and more interesting, with more detail than ever before.
5: Submit your Photos with #TSWRailShots
Screenshot taken by Beta Tester Federico Di Liberto
Photo Mode has had an upgrade! You can now pause the action, change the weather, time of day and get creative with camera options and settings to create true masterpieces showing trains at their best.
From 17th September (1800 BST) to 24th September, we’ll be looking for the best Photo submissions across Social Media and our Forums. That means you’ve got 5 whole days to hone your skills!
The winner will receive a printed version of their railfan shot, signed by members of the Train Sim World 5 Development Team. For more details, keep an eye on our socials. Links are at the bottom of the article.
6: Get Colourful with Creators Club!
If you really want to stretch your creative legs, Livery Designer, Scenario Planner and Formation Designer are all available for you to chop and change your trains and run them in a variety of ways, colours and formations – your way!
If that sounds like too much effort, there’s already thousands of creations available to download from Creators Club. From wacky space-age liveries, to ‘alternate reality’ timetables and formations that aren’t available in timetable mode.
New Decals are also available use in Livery Designer, so get designing and show them off on your favourite locomotives.
If you’re an ambitious PC player and want to begin making your own Train Sim World content, the PC Editor (Beta) will continue to be available for Train Sim World 5. We have more information about how this works and how to make use of it if you’re coming from Train Sim World 4 in our FAQs.
7: Operate both Vectron variants!
Deluxe / Special Edition contains the striking, green FlixTrain BR 193 Vectron for hauling passenger services across Frankfurt – Fulda. But the DB BR 193 Vectron is also included for freight services, meaning both red and green variants, with slightly different cab layouts, can be run along the same route.
8: Refamiliarise yourself with Free Roam
Free Roam was the most significant new feature in Train Sim World 4 and still offers a fresh, flexible way to play in Train Sim World 5!
In timetable mode, spawn in trains and set paths wherever you like, mixing in amongst the traffic and operating services not covered in the base timetable. Head into a siding, run round in a platform, head out of the map or insert a service of your choice.
Be prepared though! You might come across unexpected signal aspects, unusual pathing options and trains blocking your way if you haven’t quite pathed your trains correctly. If you’re stuck, no worries! Just delete the train in front of you and continue on your way.
9: Relax. Railfan. Ride the rails.
If you’re after a slower pace of play, take to the routes on foot and explore the environment at leisure! Find those collectibles, jump on a train or railfan at your favourite spot and watch the timetable unfold.
There are unique dioramas to observe, stunning scenery to admire and even the odd easter egg to find! But we’ll leave the exploring up to you. You might even spot one of our newly licensed Airbus aircraft flying overhead and of course, our diverse passengers. Commuters with briefcases, coffee addicts and others glued to their phones can all be bumped into across the core routes.
If you have Special Edition, with additional back catalogue routes from the collection, you’ll see extra trains moving around and will be able to play additional services too. Players with existing back catalogue routes will be able to download their collection on Steam, with other platforms releasing this content on full launch (17th September).
10: Complete Mastery Challenges
Mastery Challenges require you to perform certain tasks on a route, like completing certain Scenarios or travelling a certain number of miles in a specific locomotive. Tier 1 Challenges unlock Decals for use in Livery Designer. Tier 2 Challenges unlock toggleable Scenery Tiles.
The Scenery Tiles for the core routes range from adding some artificial wildlife in Milton Keynes, to an airshow taking place at Gelnhausen. Travel the distances, complete Scenarios and work the timetables to unlock them!
Full Launch Coming Soon: Tuesday 17th September
On Tuesday 17th September, we’ll be updating this article to cover the full launch of Train Sim World 5.
In addition to the information above, we’ll also be giving details on:
- Compatible Content Rollout for all platforms
- Train Sim World 5: Standard Edition
- Train Sim World 5: Free Starter Pack
- Train Sim World 5: Regional Bundles
- Separate Loco Add-ons for the FlixTrain BR 193 Vectron and Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino
Have questions? Feedback? Get in touch!
Matt and the Railfan TV team will be back to talk Train Sim World 5 and answer any questions during our next livestream on Full Launch Day Tuesday 17th September at 1800 UTC.
In the meantime, our handy FAQs should give you all the information you need at this stage of Early Access, along with the various information threads on our Forums.
Find out more about Train Sim World 4 by following @trainsimworld on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.