Train Simulator: DR BR 86 Loco Add-On is a simulation title for PC that adds the German Class 86 steam locomotive to the core Train Simulator experience. Players take control of this 2-8-2 tank engine, which served as a mixed-traffic workhorse on branch lines across Germany and neighboring countries from the late 1920s onward.
Gameplay
The DR BR 86 recreates the locomotive in its DB and DR service configuration, complete with the familiar black and red livery from the 1930s. It operates as a steam engine fitted with later safety equipment including the PZB system, reflecting its continued use into the 1970s and 1980s. The add-on supplies matching rolling stock in the form of Ucs wagons finished in black and white with DB markings, along with Shimms wagons carrying DB Schenker and Railion schemes.
Driver Assist supplies real-time guidance on throttle, brake, and fire management to maintain peak performance. The locomotive supports Quick Drive, allowing placement on any compatible route without restriction to specific scenarios. Controls follow standard steam locomotive procedures, with attention to boiler pressure, water levels, and the transitional wartime simplifications such as altered cab windows and wheel designs that appear on later-built examples.
Game Modes
Three dedicated scenarios run on the Köln-Koblenz route. Going On An Adventure Part 1 and Part 2 form a two-part freight or passenger sequence, while Steaming Through offers a separate run highlighting the locomotive's capabilities on the Rhine corridor. Additional player-created content appears through the in-game Workshop system, expanding options beyond the included routes.
Quick Drive serves as the primary free-form mode, letting users select the DR BR 86 and any supported consist on routes that accept the feature. The included wagons integrate directly into these sessions for varied freight operations.
The Locomotive in Context
Built between 1928 and 1943, the Class 86 saw production by multiple German manufacturers, with 776 examples completed. Early units included counter-pressure brakes for mountain work, while post-1942 examples adopted simplified wartime construction. Operators included Deutsche Bundesbahn, ÖBB, and PKP, and the type handled heavy ore trains alongside Class 52 locomotives in some services. Retirement timelines varied, with the final scheduled example withdrawn after sixty years of service.
Twelve locomotives survive in preservation, distributed across Germany, Austria, and Poland. The add-on focuses on the operational appearance rather than preserved condition, presenting the engine as it ran under DB and DR ownership.
Is It Worth Playing?
This add-on suits players who already own Train Simulator and seek a detailed steam locomotive for branch-line and mixed-traffic duties. The combination of period-accurate livery, included freight wagons, Driver Assist tutoring, and route-specific scenarios provides focused content without requiring additional purchases beyond the base game and the Köln-Koblenz route. Those interested in German steam operations from the mid-20th century will find the handling and visual presentation match the historical description supplied in the product materials. Workshop scenarios extend replay value for users who enjoy community routes and timetables. Overall it delivers a self-contained expansion centered on one locomotive class rather than broad new systems or campaigns.
