Introduction
Whether you are a new or returning player, you may find this guide useful for explaining many of the unique features of Train Sim World 6. The guide is ordered to take you through the first steps of purchasing and downloading the game, through to exploring all the available features.
Purchasing Train Sim World 6
If you want to know your options before purchasing Train Sim World 6, please head over to the Train Sim World 6 FAQ. This section of the FAQ covers bundle configurations, discounts, prices, and Xbox Game Pass.
How to Download Train Sim World 6
To get started, you will need to download Train Sim World 6 and any add-ons your bundle entitles you to. This means you may have multiple items to download to access everything you have purchased.
Instructions: How to Download Train Sim World 6
How to Download Add-ons for Train Sim World 6
To make the most of your add-on collection you will need to download the TSW 6 version of any add-ons you already own, when they become available.
Instructions: How to Download Add-ons for Train Sim World 6
First Time Setup Guide
Starting a new game can be an overwhelming experience, but our first time setup guide will take you through everything you need to know step by step.
Instructions: How to setup Train Sim World
Graphical Settings (PC Only)
To understand how your PC and graphical settings affect performance, please check out the following guides:
Technical Issues
If you are having trouble running the game on PC, we would recommend that you start with our troubleshooting guide. However, if your PC has underlying issues that need to be addressed, your best option will be your local computer repair shop.
- Troubleshooting Crashes & Other Technical Issues Guide
- Intel 13th & 14th Gen CPUs Crashing on Unreal Engine Games
- How to diagnose unexplained random crashes
- Advice for Unsupported Intel Arc Graphics Cards
Controls
The basic driving operations use just a few buttons, but there is a a lot more to remember for more advanced players. No matter how you choose the play (Gamepad, Keyboard, or RailDriver), our guides have you covered.
Training Center
The Training Center is the best place to learn basic train operations, to individual loco tutorials. To learn more about the Training Center and how it can support you, please visit the support article: Training Center.
To The Trains
Here is where you will access the majority of your content, and different game modes.
Choose a Route
This is the most effective way to access all the content included with a route add-on. Selecting Choose a Route, will give you four Game Mode to choose from.
Quick Play
If you are not sure what to play next, Quick Play can be an easy way to automatically select something based on how much time you have to spare. Quick Play will take it's selection from anything you have yet to complete. By default this will also include Training Modules, but this can be disabled under Settings HUD & Gameplay.
Rail Journeys
Journey mode allow you to select a route then be taken on a guided experience which will take you through all the highlights of that route. This is a great option for beginners as it will start you off with training modules and steadily progress on to more complex challenges. Journey mode will remember which scenarios you have completed, so you can carry on when you left off next time regardless of progress made in other game modes.
Train Depot
The Train Depot will give you the option of 3 different Game Modes, then allow you select with loco you want to play that Game Mode with.
Game Modes
Click on the links below to learn more.
Journey Mode
Timetable Mode
Conductor Mode
Scenario Mode
Free Roam Mode
Creative Tools
Click on the links below to learn more.
Photo Mode
Livery Designer
Scenario Planner
Formation Designer
Creators Club - Online Sharing Hub
Pause Menu Options
You can access the pause menu at any time during gameplay by pressing relevant key/button on your platform. While you have the pause menu open, you can swap between tabs to access different information and options.
Pause Menu Button/Key
- PC - Esc Key
- PlayStation - Options Button
- Xbox - Menu button
Options
- Main Menu - Return to the main menu and choose something else.
- Restart - Restart the current session.
- Settings - Access the settings menu.
- Photo Mode - Open photo mode.
- Save - Save the current session, which can be resumed from the main menu.
- Exit Game - Quit to Desktop.
HUD Guide
Get a quick reminder of what everything on the HUD does.
Control Guide
Not sure how to acknowledge a PZB warning? Use the in-game control guide to lookup every button and key used in the game or check out our Train Sim World Controls Guide.
Overview
The overview provides an upcoming view of speed limit and gradient changes. This is also where you will find the physics reset button, if you get stuck while setting up a train.
Map
The map can be expanded by opening the full screen route map. From here you can view your location, objectives, signals, and switches. Tooltips will appear when you hover the cursor over something like another service. However, it is important to note that the simulation is paused and you cannot interact with switches from this map. For switch operation, please open the in-game map.
Schedule
The schedule logs completed objectives and what's coming up next.
Help
Access to Training Center resources are just a few clicks away. Quickly, look up a signalling guide or jump into a tutorial.
Message Log
Review the message log to catch something you may have missed.
Tips & Tricks
How to find a loco
The game will group variants of the same train. If you are having trouble finding a specific loco, select the nearest match and check for variants.
In the example below, selecting the 766.2 DBpbzfa DB, will show us two different variants of that loco. Variants will be displayed on the right-hand side of the screen under Official.
Train Faults
Train Faults will be a series of non-fatal faults that can be easily reset. Players will get a pop up when a fault occurs so that they can then take the necessary action to clear it. In all cases, Train Faults will only apply to the player train and not AI trains.
Important: Player Assist notifications must be enabled to see Random Fault messages.
Trains Faults are applied contextually on a per loco basis. The following list shows what faults can be expected per loco.
| Loco Name | Faults |
|---|---|
| NJ TRANSIT® Arrow III |
Wiper Stuck Headlight Fuse Ditchlight Fuse Marker/Platform/Number Fuse Cab Heating Fuse Passenger Door Stuck Pantograph Drops |
| NJ TRANSIT® ALP-45DP |
Wiper Stuck Headlight Fuse Ditchlight Fuse Cab Heating Fuse Pantograph Drops |
| GWR Class 150 |
Wiper Stuck Diesel Engine stalls Passenger Door Stuck |
| CrossCountry Class 220 Voyager |
Wiper Stuck Diesel Engine stalls Passenger Door Stuck |
| DB BR 442 |
Wiper Stuck Circuit Breaker Opens Pantograph Drops Handbrake Applies Passenger Lights Off Tempomat Zero Speed Passenger Door Stuck |
| DB BR 294 |
Wiper Stuck Handbrake Applies Control Stand Deactivate Diesel Engine stalls |
How to Resolve Train Faults
| Fault | Resolution | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Door Stuck | Manually inspect every door for gaps. The faulty door will be slightly ajar. Open and close the door to resolve. | |
|
Wiper Stuck
|
Turn the wipers to the Off/Park position. Then, turn them back to On. | |
| Headlight Fuse | Open the rear fuse panel and find the Headlight fuse. Flip the fuse to the On position. | |
| Ditchlight Fuse | Open the rear fuse panel and find the Ditchlight fuse. Flip the fuse to the On position. | |
| Marker/Platform/Number Fuse | Open the rear fuse panel and find the Marker fuse. Flip the fuse to the On/Cut-In position. | |
| Cab Heating Fuse | Open the rear fuse panel and find the Heating fuse. Flip the fuse to the cut-in position. | |
| Pantograph Drops | Raise the pantograph using the pantograph control switch. However, it's possible this may need to be done in a different vehicle of the formation. | |
| Diesel Engine stalls |
The engine start-up process varies between locos. However most locos will have an Engine Start/Stop button in the cab. This is often train-lined in MUs (Multiple Units). You will need to come to a complete stop, fully apply the brakes, reset all the controls to their original positions and Stop the engine. Then hold the Engine Start button to restore power. |
|
| Circuit Breaker Opens | Close the Master Circuit Breaker via the switch in the cab. However, it's possible this may need to be done in a different vehicle of the formation. | |
| Handbrake Applies | Release the handbrake via the Wheel, Lever or electronic button controls. | |
| Passenger Lights Off | Restore Passenger Lighting via the Train Line, Train Light, or Aux Lighting control in the cab. Press the button or move the switch to the On position. If it is a Train Line or HEP system, then find the Start control. | |
| Tempomat Zero Speed | Turn Off the Speed Control, then turn it back On. | |
| Control Stand Deactivate |
Random Behaviours
(Main Menu > Settings > General)
These settings will allow you to fully customise how frequently random events and train faults affect your gameplay.

Random Events
Signal Delays - Signal Delays will occur in timetable mode, meaning certain signal aspects will alter later than is normally expected in Train Sim World. Whilst the effect might not be immediate in one isolated delay, the knock-on effect may result in AI trains overtaking yours or a build up of delays over the course of a full service run.
Signal Delays will be available in the new routes and will be applied to back catalogue routes for Train Sim World 6 players.
Temporary Speed Restrictions - Signs will appear beside the track to give a visual indication of where any restrictions start and end.
The HUD will also react to these restrictions, giving you a clearer guide as to when you need to slow down to comply with the restrictions.
After reviewing the complexities of adding non-authentic assets to certain routes (i.e. modern-day assets on a historic route, or German signage appearing on a Dutch route, for example), we will just be implementing this for launch on TSW6 routes and will review opportunities to add to older content in the future.
Digital Display Screens
Modern trains often use digital displays to operate critical functions, but this can be fiddly to control. Our new interactive displays in Train Sim World 5 will allow you to fill the screen with the interactive display and prevent the camera from moving. Interaction with the display is done using a virtual cursor that can be moved using a controller, mouse or keyboard depending on what your platform supports. This feature will work with any locomotive using digital displays.
Reset Physics Simulation Button
(Pause > Overview > Reset Simulation Physics)
Locomotives are complex machines and it is possible to get it in a state where it may be difficult to figure out why it isn't doing what you want it to do. Rather than checking hundreds of buttons and levers, we have simple answer to this problem. You can now reset the physics simulation using the dedicated button in the pause menu. This will reset your loco to the state in which it was found at the beginning of the scenario. This means you can use basic start-up procedures to get yourself up and running again, rather than complex troubleshooting.
To learn more about your loco's start-up procedure, please play through the tutorial in the Train Center (Main Menu > Training Center >
Mastery Rewards
(Main Menu > Live > Mastery Rewards)
Tier 1 Mastery Rewards can be something like extra decals for the Livery Designer. Tier 2 Mastery Rewards provide an "Overlay" for a route, which changes the appearance of a route in interesting and unique ways. You can toggle the appearance of an overlay from the same menu. To complete each tier you must earn progress towards Mastery Challenges, that require you to be signed into Dovetail Live.
Additional Learning Resources
Gameplay Guides:
- Bahnstrecke Leipzig - Dresden
- Morristown Line: New York & Hoboken - Dover
- Riviera Line: Exeter - Plymouth & Paignton
Download Instructions:
Technical Assistance:
- Troubleshooting Crashes & Other Technical Issues Guide
- Intel 13th & 14th Gen CPUs Crashing on Unreal Engine Games
- How to diagnose unexplained random crashes
- Advice for Unsupported Intel Arc Graphics Cards