Introduction
Reinstalling Train Simulator is fundamentally one of the easiest methods of restoring the software to the default “factory” state (the term factory simply means to restore to a state as originally intended by the manufacturer)
IMPORTANT:Please ensure you have backed up any custom developed content, such as that you would normally find within the Railworks folder, before you attempt to reinstall Train Simulator
The reinstallation process below will remove all the content contained within the Train Simulator installation folder, and you will lose all data that has not been backed up beforehand.
Please proceed with the instructions below at your own risk, as we are not able to accept responsibility for issues arising because you have not taken steps to safeguard irreplaceable data beforehand.
Clearing the Steam Download Cache
Clearing your download cache is a necessary pre-cursor to reinstalling the game, because it can help resolve problems where a game won't start or download.
- Open Steam.
- Click on Steam, Settings from the top menu.
- Go to the Download tab.
- Click on Clear Download Cache.
- Then click OK to confirm.
Reinstalling Train Simulator
- Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
- Right-click on Train Simulator and select Manage > Browse Local Files.
- A File Explorer window will open showing the Railworks installation folder. Leave the window open and return to Steam.
- Then, right-click on Train Simulator and select Uninstall and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Go to Steam > Exit.
- Swap back to the Railworks Folder opened in Step 2 and DELETE everything.
IMPORTANT: Step 6 is critical, as Steam can leave files and folders behind that need to be manually deleted. These 'remnants' may be third-party add-ons or modifications you have installed that were not downloaded from Steam.
- Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
- Click on Train Simulator and click the Install button on the right. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process.