If you want detail and accuracy, it's Dovetail Games who are able to provide it.
 
That's never more true than when being applied to the Train Sim World franchise, a set of games that draw in railway fanatics in droves.
 
Next up on Dovetail's quest for world domination is Train Sim World 3, as players get ready to master the machine and battle the elements with the next evolution in the franchise.
 
Train Sim World 3 will, as you would suspect, follow on nicely from Train Sim World and Train Sim World 2, stopping off at the Xbox, PlayStation, and PC stations come 6 Sep 2022.
 
Available to pre-order from today, Train Sim World 3 will see Dovetail take the next step with their franchise, as they give Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC players the opportunity to get down with the nitty gritty of the railways.
 
When Train Sim World 3 releases in September, it will look to break all-new ground in the realism stakes, pushing out new weather dynamics, longer routes, and a dedicated Training Center that has been designed to cater for new and experienced players alike.
 
But neatly, connecting things back to the games which have gone before it, Train Sim World 3 will also support add-ons from Train Sim World 2, in terms of the routes and locos that are available.
 
It's this which will let players carry all the routes and engines they already own into Train Sim World 3, continuing to get involved in some of their favorite content.
 
There's new stuff in Train Sim World 3 though, and one of the biggest additions will be a brand-new dynamic weather system delivering beautiful volumetric skies, all powered by a new lighting system enhancing realism and immersion.
 
You'll find that trains can now be driven through the most extreme elements of weather, snow, thunderstorms, and even across those dreaded leaves on the line.
 
Each of this will alter the driving experience, requiring players to pay close attention to track conditions.
 
You'll finally get to find out exactly why those leaves on the line are such an issue, posing some serious challenges for drivers as they can greatly reduce the friction between wheels and rail that trains need to pull their heavy loads of goods or passengers.
 
There's more though, and with the new Training Center feature, players will discover a place to learn how to drive the locomotives featured in Train Sim World 3 on a brand-new route.
 
With new gamers continually being introduced to the world of trains, and new locomotives being added for experienced players, this feature is designed to ease everyone into the satisfying experience of operating large, powerful, machines.
 
"For Train Sim World 3, the team have done an amazing job enhancing and building on the immersive experience of our previous titles.
 
The new lighting system transforms the visuals along with all-new weather dynamics that will significantly impact the operation of trains in-game," said Matt Peddlesden, Executive Producer at Dovetail Games.
 
"This and the development of our dedicated Training Center, guiding users through the controls, will see Train Sim World 3 bring existing players new and exciting challenges, whilst giving those new to the franchise an enjoyable introduction to the railway world."
 
But what about those routes?
 
Well, three routes demonstrate the variety of railway operations seen across the globe.
 
California's Cajon Pass is a location popular with railfans, providing the gradients to challenge BNSF's ES44C4 and SD40-2 locomotives as they haul some of America's longest trains from San Bernardino to Barstow.
 
In Europe, the power is translated to pure speed as players concentrate on operating Germany's high-speed ICE 1 and ICE 3 passenger trains across viaducts and through tunnels forming the longest route ever created in the Train Sim World franchise, the 116 mile/187 kilometer Kassel-Würzburg route.
 
It's that speed which is also pivotal in the extended and enhanced version of the fan favorite Southeastern Highspeed route, depicting the English county of Kent between London, Ashford, and Dartford as well as the Chatham main line.
 
Britain's fastest domestic passenger train, the Class 395 Javelin, joins the slower, but no less engaging, Class 375 and 465 EMUs on busy commuter services southeast of the capital.
 
Much like previous, players of Train Sim World 2 and its add-ons will be able to continue enjoying its wealth of routes and locomotives, ensuring a smooth transition between titles, however, you shouldn't expect to see the new Train Sim World 3 features added to these routes.
 
Future add-ons will also see locomotives decoupled from their routes, allowing more freedom in being able to operate purchased locomotives beyond their intended setting.
 
How do you get involved?
 
Well, there's a selection of introductory packages which will be available, from the Starter Packs that give you a foot up, containing the brand-new Training Center and one route expansion, to the Deluxe Edition which includes an upgraded version of the eagerly anticipated Spirit Of Steam add-on that was released earlier this year for Train Sim World 2 and brought steam locomotives to the game for the first time.
 
We'll be sure to remind you when Train Sim World 3 arrives on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC through Steam and Epic Games Store on 6 Sep 2022.
 
You'll find pre-orders opening up from today on the usual digital stores.
 
A Deluxe Edition is available for US$59.99 and four Starter Packs are each available for US$39.99.
 
That Deluxe Edition gives a 10 percent discount if pre-ordered, while all pre-order purchases will grant a 4 day Early Access pass to the game, as well as a bonus decal pack to use within the livery editor to share on Creators Club.
 
Neil Watton.