West Somerset Railway (and Class 52) Review ~ Train Sim World 4

Although the West Somerset Railway add-on was released for Train Sim World in 2018, I avoided buying it for a long time because I didn't want a heritage railway without steam locomotives.
More recently - in February 2024 - Dovetail released a big update for this route that significantly improved the WSR's quality; there's even a 'steam gala' timetable to boot, although DTG reused the existing steam locomotives instead of trying to make at least one new engine (such as the GWR 'Manor' class 4-6-0).
I finally caved and bought the West Somerset Railway on the same day the update dropped. It was an absolute steal at 80% off, and it only cost me $7.19 (NZD). Besides the route itself, I also picked up the Class 33 and Class 52 diesel locomotives, which were also heavily discounted.

[@StrikeEagle78]

Nice lengthy review. However to point out something from the tail end of the video. This wasn't a proper DTG effort to rework the WSR as you see it now. It was the effort of just one of their employees who used the route in their spare time to learn and test things until he came up with this end result. It was so good, that DTG released it. Goes to show what could have been if DTG had had the foresight to have created an open sim where there could have been a more vibrant freeware and pay ware community. Instead their Scrooge-like miserly ways have driven away a huge chunk of their user base.

[@narskip]

what... Oh good christ, well credit where it's do I suppose

[@StrikeEagle78]

@@narskip Exactly. If it was up to DTG as a company they would have left WSR on the scrap heap like the rest of their routes.

[@Alph4Omeg4]

Only business, nothing personal...

[@derekwildstar731]

Yes Credit where it's due. I'm glad to see that Dovetail gave this route a new coat of paint.

[@TB76Returns]

It was certainly refreshing to see a steam timetable on the WSR, as well as being able to give the 4f a decent long run. I've had this route since my early days of TSW, and it is much welcome. I have heard that the doing a rework of LIRR, but we didn't hear anything about it from Dovetail Direct

[@volvoolympianforever]

The lack of variety for liveries on the Class 52s really shows… D1015 had the unique golden ochre livery, an experiment by BR much like D1000’s desert sand. Not to mention BR blue with small warning panels that D1015 carries currently

[@FoxtheRailfan-iv9ij]

Something that I would like to see for TSW is a West Coast Railways Railtour Pack which would give reskins of locomotives such as the class 37, class 33 and class 47, as well as some coaches such as MK1’s. This could mean that we could have more realistic railtour consists instead those BR blue consists that look like they have time travelled from the past.

[@FATTY_BATTY.]

6:42 I live in Carnforth and am a Volunteer for west coast railway, im surprised my little town is know across the world 😊

[@Patrick_RBX]

i myself a person from germany have used the Molli Bahn once in 2020, when i went on holiday for a week in Nienhagen (a small village near the coast in the region of rostock). It has been a pretty pleasent experience

[@thunderbird5364]

Great review, could you possibly make a review on the tees valley line in the future?

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

Funnily enough, I'm already considering that route for the next review.

[@MM-fz2qn]

It is my most favorite from british routes, waiting for it@@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga

[@Wishful-Thinking]

I get all the small details that annoy purists are not ideal for them but remember TSW is aimed at a broader audience than just a PC based fully accurate train sim for out and out train geeks, that’s why it’s been released on console and has things like collectables etc. For the average Joe Bloggs who just has a passing interest in trains this refreshed free update for WSR by a talented dev in his own time is spot on. It always makes me smile when watching these reviews how the reviewer gets their knickers in a twist about the small purist details. Whilst it’s very interesting to learn about the small purist details and the history of trains in general which I enjoy learning about it just shows me they really don’t understand the particular consumer market TSW is aimed at which basically is a market that plays to BOTH the casual and nerdy train fan. You might not agree with me here but you pays your money and makes your choice so a review that highlights more what’s good as well as bad about TSW with regards to casual train fans would be more than welcome.

[@lazerjet899overshoots8]

Currently North Star isn’t on the WSR at the moment and she is in BR Blue livery she is currently on lone to the North Yorkshire Moor Railway due to a weight problem on the line I don’t know if it’s going to return (I know this stuff cause I’m a local to the line) and the route scenery is kinda wrong in a lot of places but that’s me knowing the line really well. But I agree with a lot the things your said.

[@devontrainspotting]

The reason for all the layers from NTP and TVL is because it's a diesel gala timetable, not regular service, with visiting locos. Also , the 20s, 45s and 37 have all visited the WSR in recent years. Infact two weeks ago a pair of 20s visited for their 'Summer Diesel Festival', so i don't really get the point about purists. Other than that great review, keep up the good work.

[@Gideonsmythe]

Having played WSR just once prior to the update the difference is night and day. I'm not a fan of preserved railways in simulators due to the low speeds, but it's gone from a 3/10 to 7/10. The guy who reworked this route in his spare time should be given a big pay rise and the task of bringing other old routes up to TSW4 standards. Starting with GWR.

[@irvinetam3454]

You can pretty much get away with having any diesel locomotive on a train sim route based on a heritage line. Class 37's have visited many times and will continue to. Good video though. Well researched and your passion shines through.

[@poisonedbread6663]

As always, it was a great review. The one thing that this update proves is that the developers themselves are clearly talented, but its just the higher ups that clearly give things unrealistic timings. I mean, don't forget that a DTG employee (forgot who, unfortunately) did update BKL to give it a new timetable, and SKA is getting a new timetable. This is one of the reasons I actually don't hate skyhook - they actually remade the MML instead of releasing more rushed low quality routes - I didn't mind the few skyhook gameplay packs because to be fair they do need a paycheck at the end of the game.

[@mattbedford1275]

I totally agree. They should have at least included a few resident engines for the WSR route. The Manor class would’ve been more than ok with me. I’m seriously considering going back to Train Sim Classic. As I just can’t justify spending such extortionate prices for addons.

[@mattbedford1275]

I would also add that, the ability to not be able to edit liveries on certain engines should’ve been something amended with all the recent updates.

[@nathanchan4653]

If DTG hadn’t put steam locomotive development on a hiatus, a GWR 5700 and 6400 Pannier tank engines would’ve been ideal for the West Somerset Railway along with the GWR auto coach for “push-pull”

[@FoxtheRailfan-iv9ij]

I think this is a nice update but it’s a shame that we still don’t have a GWR steam loco for the route. Another issue is that the buildings at stations haven’t been updated and still don’t have modelled interiors, which I think is a shame.

[@IDKovers]

I really like the WSR simply due to the sheer amount of different trains you can see and drive, I just really like the variety

[@JoeK25301]

On heritage railways, the timetable diagram are not always seen as being important and are only templates. Nene Valley Railway has the anagram of "Not Very Reliable".

[@ethmister]

Class 33 very much all rounder underrated locotives. These are the main diesel traction on this route as the perfect loco for any heritage railway.

[@declangaming24]

Yeah the only things I need for this route is peak forest, class 33, 31 ect

[@Thattrainguy4334]

Just so you know, steam is going to be made in tsw, just not now

[@Thegamingrobot1358]

The class 33 could easily be reliveried and added to a few routes in Civil Engineers, BR blue and railfrieght grey liveries though it might mainly be considered a SR locomotive trains tend to... travel.

[@TB76Returns]

It doesn't have Livery Creator compatibility as of yet

[@MrThatnativeguy]

I have always enjoyed this route,ive been playing it since TSW1, although i realize others may not like the low speed and short distance, it is unique in that it is mostly single track throughout with the only train meets being at stations, the class 33 is one of my favourite (Diesel) Locos in game, I just love the sound of a Sulzer engine.

[@declangaming24]

That's why you forget the speed limit go fast and then wait 10 minutes at each station

[@WhisperingWiltshire]

I really like it, but my only thing i don’t like it is the 5MPH SPEED LIMIT at the crossing before Dunster but thst is the real speed limit, ridiculous.

[@3rdrailtv]

Idk why steam and diesel don’t run together as they do in real life

[@CallumDoyle-mw1px]

ikee it''i play it most days

[@Grumpy_Englishman]

Dtg could update all their routes but won't ......this was just a part time by one man not so much dtg as a whole. As for the models it's still one of the oldest routes the update didn't really change how it looks ...

[@CallumDoyle-mw1px]

Ilke the west somersest railway remained route beecose it as got steam trains and it's good .

[@RandomUsername2004]

Gameplay packs re a waste of money and If DTG never Bother to make Good Route And Stop Reusing Trains from other Route Good Review

[@MM-fz2qn]

Locomotives in addon are NOT good value at all, they do not have layer in any other british route, not in single one! Capable of high speed they are useless on West Somerset!

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

I'm getting you're referring to the 33 and 52.

[@Highland_Beastie]

The class 33 layers into SEHS as a railtour.

[@MM-fz2qn]

yes, those two, I have them for long time, DTG never allowed them to use in Tees Valley, West Cornwall or Northern Trans Penine, it is sad

[@declangaming24]

Yeah most of the vintage trains layer into the WSR and the WSR 52 and green 47 can appear on the GWE, Midland mainline

[@crypticallly]

Is it bad I prefer train simulator classics graphics

[@poisonedbread6663]

To be honest with RWenchancer and Poke's reshade preset, it genuinely does. My issue with TSW graphics is that it's oversaturated, and everything looks a little *too* colourful persay.

[@75jonesy]

Not at all, I prefer it but it doesn't run as well on my laptop