Train Sim World 7: West Cornwall Local: Penzance - St Austell & St Ives Route Add-On is a simulation title that adds a detailed 44-mile railway route set in early 1990s Cornwall to the core Train Sim World experience on PC. Players operate classic British diesel locomotives across the Cornish Main Line and the St Ives branch, handling passenger shuttles and freight movements through rolling hills and coastal sections. The add-on recreates the line as it appeared before British Rail privatisation, with accurate track layouts, stations, and period-appropriate operations.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on realistic train operation using the SimuGraph vehicle dynamics engine. Drivers manage acceleration, braking, and speed limits on a route that includes steep gradients up to 2 percent and tight curves. The BR Class 150/2 Sprinter handles regional passenger services in Regional Railways livery, while the BR Class 37/5 in Railfreight Grey livery pulls YCV Turbot and YGB Seacow wagons on freight duties. Cabs feature high detail with authentic controls and performance characteristics that reflect real-world handling of these locomotives.
Scenery includes the distinctive Cornish landscape with its hills, countryside, and the scenic St Ives Bay Line that attracts tourist traffic. Services run on an extensive 24-hour timetable, requiring players to maintain schedules while navigating single and double track sections. Route tasks provide additional objectives such as completing specific runs or managing operations at key locations like Penzance and St Austell.
Game Modes
Journey Mode combines more than 24 hours of sequential activities, allowing players to progress through linked services and jobs across the route. Timetable Mode populates the line with scheduled passenger and freight trains running throughout a full day, giving options to take control of any service or observe AI traffic. Five detailed scenarios deliver objective-based challenges focused on passenger shuttles, freight hauls, and specific operational tasks.
Accessible training modules introduce the locomotives and route features through interactive lessons. Players can also ride as passengers, complete standalone route tasks, or use the Scenario Planner and Livery Designer to create custom experiences. Free roam elements support exploration at any time of day without fixed objectives.
Route and Locomotives
The route covers the western end of the Cornish Main Line from Penzance to St Austell plus the four-mile St Ives branch. It opened in 1867 as part of the Great Western network and was converted from broad gauge to standard gauge in 1892. In the simulation, services include local Regional Railways passenger runs and freight movements over the hilly terrain. The BR Class 150/2 serves as the primary passenger unit, while the Class 37/5 provides motive power for heavier freight consists with the included wagons.
Download size stands at 3.2 GB, and the content runs on Unreal Engine 4 technology with compatibility for later Train Sim World features where applicable.
Is It Worth Playing?
This add-on suits players who enjoy precise train simulation with a focus on British regional operations from the early 1990s. The combination of passenger shuttles on the coastal branch and freight challenges over gradients offers variety for those who value timetable adherence and realistic physics. Training modules and scenarios provide structured entry points, while the full timetable supports extended sessions.
Reception among players has been mixed, with praise for the route's challenging topography and locomotive detail balanced against criticisms of scenery fidelity and occasional operational quirks. It appeals most to dedicated simulation enthusiasts seeking authentic Cornish rail experiences rather than broad appeal or high production polish. Those interested in the specific era and locomotives will find substantial content, particularly when acquired at a discount during sales.
