Train Sim World 3 will add Derby, Leicester and Nottingham in Midland Main Line, the latest route Add-on by Skyhook Games and Dovetail Games.

Route Add-ons continue to cover an extensive part of the British rail network, and this latest addition will encompass three cities at the heart of the country’s rail operations. Derby, Nottingham and Leicester have been recreated for the next instalment, giving players some historically significant rails to roll on this month.

Train Sim World 3: Midland Main Line has been developed by Partner Programmer developer and art outsourcing studio Skyhook Games, which has worked on the 38-mile rail route from Derby to Leicester in detail, following feedback and suggestions from the growing online Train Sim World community. Train Sim World 3 was praised by RailAdvent in our review.

The environment will incorporate many iconic landmarks, which will be familiar to locals, visitors and rail enthusiasts, including Radcliffe Power Station, Red Hill Tunnel and twelve stations, all in full 3D detail, recreated by a team of specialist artists. Derby, whose railway station features as one of these landmarks, was recently named as the home of Great British Railways HQ by the government, following a national competition and public vote.

Users will be able to get in the cab and explore the route from their home computer or console, living out the fantasy of a train driver in the heart of the East Midlands. Players can also explore the stations around the route, and sit in a carriage and enjoy the journey as a passenger.

The iconic Class 43 HST (known to many as the InterCity 125) is one of two trains to operate on the route, this time featuring the Paxman VP185 power unit and the previous East Midlands Trains livery. This is the first appearance of the Class 158 in Train Sim World, bolstering the timetable and offering a different driving experience to the high-speed trains. These units were built in Derby, adding some home-grown traction to the route’s services.

Train Sim World 3: Midland Main Line route Add-on is available to pre-order from today 11 April on the Steam Store with a 10% pre-order discount. It will release on 18 April on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for £29.99/$39.99/€35.99.

Tom Foster, lead developer for the project from Skyhook Games commented, “The Class 158 was built from the chassis up for Midland Main Line. Every Loco is a unique beast, and it was important for us to get the details right. Not just the visuals, but the feel too! However, we have strived to make the loco accessible not just to the superfans [of Train Sim World], but also the casual enjoyers too. We hope you love playing it, as much as you do riding them!”

Matt Peddlesden, Executive Producer at Dovetail Games says: “It’s always exciting to introduce a brand-new train operator to Train Sim World, so I’m delighted that we’re bringing some of the bright and colourful East Midlands Trains fleet to the game. With tons to do and in a new part of the country, this fantastic route Add-on is going to keep you driving!”