Free Train Simulator Routes
Hayling Island Route / Portsmouth / Chichester / Hayling This is a pretty basic route but it free and good fun. My old Hayling Island route I did for Rail Simulator, its modernised a bit and a third rail added. This was one of my first routes. No DEM files were used so is mostly flat earth.
'Stand-alone' Open Rails Installation

The Craven Timber railway can be installed using the Open Rails (OR) railway simulator and does not require MicroSoft Train Simulator (MSTS) to be installed. The following method is recommended for users who do not have MSTS already installed.
Note: No responsibility is accepted for any damage done to your computer. This install is done at your risk.
It should also be noted that the operation of other routes, following these instructions, may or may not be succsessful, as they may be missing key MSTS files necessary for the Route or Rolling Stocks correct operation.
If you would like to provide any feedback in regard to these instructions, please contact me through the contact page.
Base Software Required
- Below is where you can find our Routes carefully re-created in Train Sim form.
- Browse and download a wide range of Train Simulator freeware routes including Train Simulator free routes, Train Simulator free addons and Train Simulator routes free download.
- Explore the stunning scenery of the Sichuan Province with SimTech Vision’s Chengkun Railway: Hanyuan – Puxiong for Train Simulator! Built between 1958 and 1970, this route was established to become a key passenger and freight corridor in southwest China, linking major towns and cities.
This software must be installed on your computer first. Check and install software as required.
Step 1 - Download and install DirectX 9c or higher.
Step 2 - Download and install NET Framework 3.5 SP 1
Step 3 - Download and install XNA Framework 3.1
Train Simulator Content Required
Note: This will create an appropriate folder structure to hold all relevant content installs. The folder root structure is << C:Open Rails Train Simulator >>. Copy ('Ctrl-C') this path code and then paste ('Ctrl-V') it into the following steps wherever you are requested to enter a path name.
Step 5 - Download and install Newroads v4.0 for End-User - select 'Standard', and install in << Open Rails Train Simulator >> folder.
Step 6 - Download and install Xtracks v3.20 for End-User, in << Open Rails Train Simulator >> folder. The exe may not work unless MSTS is installed. You will need to download zip version (xtracksf.zip) unzip and extract the << Global >> folder into the << Open Rails Train Simulator >> folder.
Step 7 - Download and install NSWGR Buffer Extras (NB: When installing into OR only instance, the batch file may indicate an error. This is ok and should still allow OR to operate)

Step 8 - Download and install NSWGR Locomotive Smoke Extras
Step 9 - Download and install Craven Timber Railway Rolling Stock
Step 10 - Download and install soundsets for NSW Bogie Freight Wagon Sounds
Step 11 - Download and install soundsets for NSW 4 Wheel Coal Wagon Sounds
Step 12 - Download and install C30 Tank Locomotive file (AU_nswC30_MSTS1_Setup.exe) to provide a cabview for your locomotive (see Craven Timber Rolling Stock loco readme).
Step 13 - Download and install 2 Cyclinder Sound Set (Steam) to provide appropriate sounds for your locomotive (see Craven Timber Rolling Stock loco readme).
Step 14 - Download and install UK Whistles Pack to provide appropriate sounds for your locomotive (see Craven Timber Rolling Stock loco readme).
Step 15 - Download and install OR Dummy Sound file (this is a dummy wav file to enable OR to operate.
Open Rails Software Required
Step 16 - Download the latest version of Open Rails - 'Ready to Run' Program.
Step 17 - Unzip Open Rails files and copy into << Open Rails Train SimulatorProgram Files >> folder.
Step 18 - Run Open Rails Train Simulator and select 'Add' under Options => Folders, then browse and select << C:Open Rails Train Simulator >> folder, name the folder 'Open Rails'.
You can then select routes and activities as desired. Refer to detailed Open Rails Operational Manual for more information.
In OR, you will be able to select different activities, paths and consists, but not be able to create them at the moment as only access to MSTS will enable you to build new activities and paths.
You could create or midify consists if you wish to change the train composition for an activity by usinfg the Consist Editor function of Route Riter
.
Additional Software Required for Base Activities
Once you have run the default activity, you might like to run some of the other activities for Craven, to do this you will need to:
Download and install the Activity that you want, make sure that you read the readme file.
Download and install the CCA Carriages (NSWGR FO Suburban Set)
Download and install the NSW Bogie Passenger Carriage Soundset
Basic Open Rails Command Keys
Camera Controls
Move the camera with the arrow keys, or hold right click and move mouse to rotate camera
- 1 - cab ( simulated for now ) - left and right arrows shift position
- 2 - front of train
- 3 - rear of train
- 5 - passenger view
- 6 - brakeman view - home and end move to front and back of train
- 8 - free camera
- ALT + ENTER - toggles fullscreen on and off
Basic Train Controls
To operate the train, use the following keys (for more controls and details, refer to Open Rails documentation):
- W - Forward
- S - Reverse
- D - Increase Throttle
- A - Decrease Throttle
- ‘ (quotation mark) - Apply Train brakes
- ; (semi-colon) - Release Train brakes
- [ (Left Bracket) - Apply Engine brakes
- ] (Right Bracket) - Release Engine brakes
- G - Change turnout (point) – AHEAD of Direction
- SHIFT + G - Change turnout (point) – BEHIND Direction
- X - Sander On/Off
- Press & Hold ‘U’ Key and mouse click on coupler - Coupling/Uncoupling
- H - Press key to move to Dim, then Bright - Engine Lighting – Off, Dim, Bright
- Ctrl + H; Press key to move to Dim, then Off - Engine Lighting - Bright, Dim, Off
Basic Information Views
To view relevant information, use the following keys (for more details, refer to Open Rails documentation):
- 0 - Compass
- F1 - Information Monitor - this provides a detailed list of key commands.
- F4 - Track Monitor
- F8 - Switch Monitor
- F9 - Train Operations Monitor
- F10 - Activity Monitor
Train Simulator 2020 Free Routes
European, preferably.
I've nearly given up by now, I think i just don't get the concept of content for Train Simulator. When confronted with the fact that there is so much payware DLC for TS, people will usually respond by saying two things: First of all 'you don't need all the DLC, you pick what you're interested in', and right after that 'also, there's lots of freeware content, too!'
Now, every single freeware route on 3rd party sites I've encountered so far and found remotely interesting does need a lot of DLC. Want an Austrian route? Got to own Semmeringbahn and Dreiländereck ('Three Country Corner'). German routes? Don't even try without owning München - Augsburg.
I get why, obviously. People use assets from the other routes, so they can't be provided along with the free route. But it's a steep obstacle for someone new to Train Simulator, especially someone who doesn't plan on spending a lot of time with it.