Train Simulator: Network SouthEast Class 159 DMU Add-On brings a detailed train simulation experience to PC players, focusing on realistic diesel multiple unit operations in a British rail setting.
Gameplay
In this simulation add-on, you take control of the Class 159 diesel multiple unit, handling tasks like accelerating, braking, and managing speed through varied terrain. The train features a three-car setup with a leading driving motor composite that includes a first class section, a motor second trailer, and a reversed driving motor second vehicle. You navigate gradients and stops, reflecting the unit's 400hp engine designed for challenging routes. Controls emphasize authenticity, with options to couple units into six-car formations for larger passenger loads up to 424 people. The experience captures the transition from older loco-hauled trains, highlighting reliability and efficiency on south west England lines.
Visual and audio elements enhance realism, including liveries from Network SouthEast and South West Trains, plus an included High Speed Train in InterCity Swallow livery. You monitor instruments and respond to signals, making decisions that affect performance on routes with short distances between stations.
Game Modes
The add-on supports Quick Drive mode, where you select the Class 159 and operate it on any compatible route, providing flexibility for custom sessions. Scenarios offer structured challenges, such as Extended Service, Final Sprint, and Starcross Express, set on the Riviera Line from Exeter to Paignton. These involve timed runs, passenger stops, and route-specific tasks.
Additional content comes through community-created scenarios available for download, extending play with user-generated routes and challenges that integrate the Class 159.
Key Features
This add-on recreates the Class 159 as it appeared in the 1990s for Network SouthEast, before 2000 refurbishments, and in its later South West Trains form. Modifications like cab updates and the powerful engine allow smooth handling of steep sections. The package includes 246mb of content, with compatibility for coupling and multi-unit operations.
- Three-car DMU configuration
- Multiple liveries for historical accuracy
- Integration with existing Train Simulator routes
Is It Worth Playing?
For enthusiasts of rail simulation who enjoy detailed vehicle handling and British train history, this add-on delivers focused content on a specific DMU class. It suits players interested in realistic operations rather than broad action, with ongoing compatibility in current versions of the simulator. If you own the base game and the Riviera Line route, it adds value through dedicated scenarios and drive options, making it a solid choice for expanding your collection without overwhelming complexity.
