Train Simulator: LGV Rhône-Alpes & Méditerranée Route Extension Add-On is a simulation title for PC that adds a detailed high-speed rail route to the Train Simulator Classic base game. The add-on recreates 309 km of French LGV infrastructure running from Lyon Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu and Gare de Saint-Exupéry TGV south to Marseille Saint-Charles. Players operate TGV Duplex trains in authentic SNCF liveries across scenic southern France terrain that includes tunnels, high-speed viaducts, and varied landscapes.
Gameplay
The core experience centers on realistic train operation at speeds up to 320 km/h on key sections and 300 km/h elsewhere. The route features the TVM430 in-cab signaling system throughout most of its length, which displays speed instructions directly to the driver and supports high-frequency timetables without reliance on trackside signals. The final approach into Marseille switches to conventional French BAL signaling. Accurate physics model the handling characteristics of the TGV Duplex, including acceleration, braking, and performance under different load conditions.
Scenery reproduction emphasizes the undulating terrain and engineering features of the real LGV Rhône-Alpes and LGV Méditerranée lines. Stations such as Avignon and Aix-en-Provence appear alongside the airport connection at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry. The simulation rewards precise speed management and adherence to signaling displays, especially during sustained high-speed running.
Game Modes
Seven career scenarios provide structured passenger services with the TGV Duplex. These include The French Connection Part 1 and Part 2, Lugdunum to Massalia, Let There Be Light, Forward Forward Lyon, Storm Before the Calm, and Heatwave. Each scenario focuses on timetable adherence and route-specific challenges such as weather variations or operational constraints.
Quick Drive mode allows free-form operation on the full route or selected sections. Additional player-created scenarios are available through the in-game workshop system, which supports ongoing content expansion without extra cost.
Route and Technical Details
The extension triples the length of an earlier Marseille-Avignon route by connecting it northward through Valence to Lyon. The combined line opened in stages between 1992 and 2001 and now supports regular TGV services. In the simulation, the full 309 km distance is modeled with correct gradients, curvature, and infrastructure details that affect train performance and driver workload.
Two TGV Duplex liveries are included: the standard SNCF scheme and the Carmillon variant. Both trains exhibit realistic power delivery and braking curves suited to the route's demanding high-speed profile.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception for this route add-on stands at mixed levels, with 51 percent of user reviews rated positive. The simulation appeals most to players who enjoy precise high-speed rail operations, signaling systems, and long-distance timetable running on a single-player basis. Those seeking extensive variety may find the seven included scenarios limited without supplementing them through workshop content.
The add-on suits enthusiasts of French high-speed rail history and realistic cab signaling. Its technical accuracy in TVM430 implementation and train physics provides focused depth rather than broad accessibility. Players already invested in the base simulation and compatible routes will find the most value in extending their existing setup with this southern France corridor.
