Train Sim World 2: Long Island Rail Road: New York - Hicksville Route Add-On is a simulation game focused on operating commuter trains along one of America's busiest rail corridors. Players take the role of an engineer on the Long Island Rail Road, managing electric multiple units through dense urban traffic and tight schedules between New York City terminals and suburban stops on Long Island.
Gameplay
The core experience centers on the LIRR M7 electric multiple unit, a workhorse EMU with more than 800 examples in service on the real railroad. Controls replicate the actual cab layout, including authentic DC electric power systems that respond to real-world performance data for acceleration, braking, and handling. Players manage power draw from the third rail while navigating a 42-mile network that runs from Penn Station through the busy junction at Jamaica and onward to Hicksville, with additional coverage of Atlantic Terminal and Long Island City plus the Hempstead branch.
Operation demands precise timing to keep commuter services on schedule across 26 stations. The route includes high-traffic sections where more than 1,000 trains pass through Jamaica daily, requiring careful attention to signals, speed restrictions, and station stops. Sound design draws from on-site recordings of the M7, delivering realistic motor hums, brake applications, and track noise that change with speed and load. Visual detail extends to the cab interior and surrounding environment, allowing close inspection of trackside infrastructure and station architecture during runs.
Beginners receive guided tutorials that introduce the M7's systems step by step, while experienced players can skip straight to full procedures that test advanced techniques such as energy-efficient running and recovery from minor delays. The simulation engine handles the physics of electric traction accurately, so small errors in throttle or brake application quickly affect arrival times.
Game Modes
Service Mode provides a full 24-hour timetable where players work through a sequence of passenger services, starting and ending shifts at different times of day. This mode emphasizes consistent on-time performance across multiple trips while dealing with the constant flow of other trains on the shared main line.
Five standalone scenarios place the player in specific operational situations, each designed to highlight different aspects of the route such as peak-hour movements through Jamaica or branch-line workings on the Hempstead line. These scenarios run from start to finish without the broader timetable structure, allowing focused practice on particular skills.
Additional options include riding in passenger view to observe the route from the seats, positioning the camera trackside to watch trains pass, and searching the environment for 100 hidden collectibles that include route maps, fire extinguishers, city posters, and fence repairs. These elements encourage exploration beyond driving duties and reward repeated visits to stations and yards.
Route and Equipment Details
The add-on recreates the western end of the Long Island Rail Road with high fidelity to real infrastructure. Key terminals at Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, and Long Island City anchor the western end, while the line extends east through Jamaica to Hicksville. The Hempstead branch adds extra mileage and operational variety with its own set of stops and junctions.
Every station stop follows authentic platform layouts and track configurations. Signals, speed boards, and overhead structures match the prototype, giving engineers the same visual cues they would encounter on the actual railroad. The M7 cab features working gauges, switches, and displays that match the real units, supported by the SimuGraph vehicle dynamics system for consistent handling under varying loads and weather conditions.
Is It Worth Playing?
This add-on suits players who enjoy methodical, schedule-driven simulation rather than fast-paced action. The combination of realistic controls, a dense timetable, and collectible hunting provides hours of engagement for those interested in American commuter rail operations. Accessible entry points through tutorials make it approachable for newcomers to the genre, while the depth of the 24-hour service mode and scenario variety rewards repeated play for veterans seeking precision and route mastery. The focus remains squarely on the LIRR M7 and its 42-mile corridor, delivering a self-contained experience centered on keeping New York-area commuters moving on time.
