Train Sim World 7: West Midlands Railway & CrossCountry BR Class 170 DMU Add-On delivers a focused railway simulation experience centered on diesel multiple unit operations along the Birmingham Cross-City Line. This add-on introduces the BR Class 170 in two liveries and expands service variety on an existing route, emphasizing realistic diesel traction challenges such as the steep Lickey Incline.
Gameplay
The core loop involves operating the Class 170/5 two-car and Class 170/6 three-car diesel multiple units between Birmingham New Street and Bromsgrove. Drivers handle true-to-life performance characteristics, including suspension behavior and acceleration on gradients, while managing services that call only at University station and overtake Class 323 electric multiple units. Livery-specific cab layouts and passenger interiors differentiate the West Midlands Railway version from the CrossCountry variant, which includes first-class seating. Original Adtranz-style headlight clusters appear on both, and the models incorporate updated cab details and interior arrangements drawn from real fleet variations.
Realistic handling extends to powering through the Lickey Incline, where diesel power requires careful throttle management compared to electric stock. Layered AI traffic from other add-ons populates Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley with Class 350 units and Avanti West Coast Pendolino movements, alongside Transport for Wales services at the main station. Conductor Mode adds functionality for passenger interactions during runs. The SimuGraph vehicle dynamics engine and Unreal Engine 4 underpin the physics and visuals for consistent train behavior across sessions.
Game Modes
Three dedicated scenarios place players directly into Cross-City Line duties with the new Class 170 formations. An enhanced timetable layers additional WMR and CrossCountry services onto the route, providing dozens of playable runs focused on the Bromsgrove to Birmingham New Street corridor. Training Center tutorials cover the diesel multiple unit controls and route-specific procedures before entering full operations.
Scenario Planner compatibility allows custom timetable creation and service design, while Formation Designer and Livery Designer tools support modifications shared through the Creators Club. Free-roam exploration and timetable-driven sessions form the main single-player structure, with AI traffic increasing route density during playable hours.
Route and Services
The add-on builds on the Birmingham Cross-City Line by inserting new WMR and CrossCountry Class 170 diagrams between Bromsgrove and Birmingham New Street. West Midlands Railway services account for over 150 total movements with 58 playable, while CrossCountry adds over 180 movements including 31 playable. Additional layered services introduce Class 350 runs between Birmingham New Street and Aston, plus empty coaching stock movements and longer-distance CrossCountry patterns that traverse the playable area.
These additions create a busier operational environment around England's second city, with services extending to destinations such as Hereford, Great Malvern, and Worcester for West Midlands Railway and Cardiff to Nottingham patterns for CrossCountry. The timetable integrates with existing Class 323 traffic for overtaking sequences and station activity at Birmingham New Street.
Technical Features
Highly detailed driving cabs replicate authentic controls and instrumentation for both subclasses. Passenger interiors reflect operator differences, with the CrossCountry model featuring first-class accommodation absent from the West Midlands Railway version. The models support coupling of two-car units into four-car formations, and hidden longer consists appear in the timetable.
Download size stands at 294.7 MB. The content remains compatible with prior Train Sim World releases as layered material, though full functionality requires the separate Birmingham Cross-City Line route purchase.
Is It Worth Playing?
This add-on suits players who already own the Birmingham Cross-City Line and seek diesel traction variety alongside a denser timetable. It introduces the first CrossCountry-branded content to the series and provides specific playable services on the core corridor while layering AI movements for added realism. Feedback highlights the timetable enhancement as a strong point for route longevity, though some note audio mixing adjustments between idling, coasting, and braking phases. Those interested in UK regional diesel operations and timetable management will find the most value, particularly when combined with the route's existing electric multiple unit services and Conductor Mode features.
