This is a new project our studio has been working on over the past six months. It’s designed for the PC versions of TSW and TS — we hope you like it! Why You'll Love It: Full-Metal Build This thing is solid — made entirely of metal for that premium, durable feel you can trust for years of simming. Three Independent Levers with Smooth Damping Throttle, brake, and idle — each with satisfying mechanical resistance to bring you closer to the real train-driving experience. Compact but Heavy Roughly the size of a keyboard, but weighs 5kg — so it stays firmly in place no matter how intense your session gets.
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That looks amazing! My Raildriver has served me well for 20 years, but I'd would love to upgrade to something like this.
Definitely interested, when do you expect it to be released? Also the music on your video is terrible!
You can already buy this controller. Have a look at your website. https://www.simworkshop.net/de/products/tsc-x-train-simulator-controller
Just finished my review of your new train controller! Great job on the product, and I’ve gotta say, the customer service has been AMAZING. Big props to the team for both the build and the support. Here’s the video if anyone wants to check it out.
I just tried to order one but the only country it would let me select at the address screen was china.
Thanks for the review, it feels like a solid product that just needs to do liiittle bit more product testing before it's ready, but once the material problems you mentioned are solved, I'm almost surely getting one. So manufacturer, please keep us updated on what changes you are applying
I wonder how this would get on with tap changer controls? Be interested to see the feedback from the first customers.
Thank you for the review, it was very useful. I’m on the fence - it sounds better than the RailDriver (which I have had for years) - but it’s still a lot of money so I’m going to give it some thought. Please do let us know about how it works with tap-changers, as that’s an essential for me. The RailDriver now works well with tap-changes (and it’s very satisfying driving them with a controller).
Here’s a quick demo using the tap changer controls! There’s strong resistance, and it holds steady at every level, even when the input difference between taps is really small. Thought I’d attach a video to show you in action!
It looks nice and sturdy, and seems well worth the money for its build quality. By looks and presumed operation, I prefer the rotary lever console shown in another thread more. Though it is less compact already. The SimHogger US vertical control stand replica is almost USD 1000 complete as a kit, with probably another $500 or so in shipping, taxes and customs duty. It looks rather nice, properly assembled and painted, but 3D printed plastic doesn't seem to have the same 'feel' as those more sturdy vertical or horizontal levers shown here. Plus like already mentioned, a controller should be usable for steam, Diesel and electric traction of all kinds. So notches, escutcheon plates, mechanical resistance should be removable/adjustable in the ideal controller. Then there is the problem of interfacing to all the different games, sims with their various serial, USB or even proprietary ports and protocols.
Looks interesting, the idea of a more sturdy train sim controller that is not all plastic, is appealing, Open source software is stated on the website, which is?, it is proprietary to this device only, or?
Hello SGTDRE, As far as I know, he wrote to me at the time that this controller works with the Ts World Raildriver software and joystick interface from CobraOne. https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...joystick-interface.61440/page-17#post-1004894
I had a feeling that was what the program was. But... There is a bit of an issue now, see here. https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...joystick-interface.61440/page-17#post-1004960
I read through that thread but am still not clear whether an amicable arrangement was reached. It looks like, maybe?
The program is still not available so I would say no. I'd love to purchase this bit of hardware, however its a large investment which without official support is at risk of being made worthless at any point, which makes me nervous to buy if I'm honest.
After a sucessful conversation with Spark Chen from SimWorkshop, he is sending me a TSC-X for testing and development purposes. I have agreed to allow them to continue to direct their customers to my software and I will add native support for their hardware in both my programs. I have now reinstated the download links Chris
Definitely interested. Anyone know how it works with trains that have separate power and brake levers (like the 158 for example)? The demo videos only show it being used as a combined power/brake. Additionally, has anyone from the U.S. ordered one and received it yet? What shipping method was used and how bad were the tariffs on it?
Why are the Lever Handles so long? As I said looks interesting, I can't say I like it, don't have it, and can't afford it right now, Are there any plans to update it further and maybe even shorten the lever handles?
For U.S. customers, we use a bulk air shipment method: Your order is first shipped in bulk to the U.S. by our logistics partner, who then handles customs clearance on your behalf. After that, the package is delivered to your address via FedEx. This means you won’t need to pay any additional customs duties, and the entire process usually takes around 15 days from dispatch. The total shipping and customs cost is approximately $139.11, but you only need to pay $56.96 — we cover the remaining cost to keep it affordable for you.
Hi there, thanks for your honest feedback — we really appreciate it! About the Lever Handle Length: The longer lever handles were designed to increase travel distance and fine control, especially for simulation users who value realism and gradual throttle or brake input. That said, we totally understand that handle length is a matter of personal preference. Future Updates: Yes, we’re always working on improvements based on user feedback. A future version with shorter or customizable lever handles is definitely something we're considering, especially for users who prefer a more compact setup or play in tighter spaces. Even if you’re not ready to purchase now, we’re glad to have your thoughts — they help us build better gear for the community. Stay tuned!
I like the long handles. It allows you to get your whole hand on the lever - as you would in real life - rather than having to move it with the tips of your finger and thumb, as you do with the RailDriver (which feels miniaturised). The customisable handles thing is interesting though. In real life trains have a lot of different handle types, so the ability to detach a handle and replace it with one which is realistic for the type of train you're driving would be a great addition (either supplied as part of the package, or as an add-on which could be bought separately). For example: HST power handle (brake handle is similar, as are handles on class 15x, 390 and many other UK trains) Class 170 power/brake handle (class 377 and many others are similar)
I was never really interested in the Raildriver as it looked a bit flimsy, but now with this more sturdy controller with some nice looks, I gotta say, i'm very interested in this! With some variants for the handle as mentioned in the post above, this is a immediate purchase for me!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful suggestion — we completely agree with you! We’re actually already working on this idea. The handle on the current TSC-X is fully detachable, and we’ve reserved a modification interface specifically to allow future customization. Swapping it out is very simple. We plan to offer a range of interchangeable handle styles in the future to match different types of train controls. Our current plan includes two options: Purchase directly from us – We’ll produce and ship the handles to you, although please note that international shipping may cost around €40–50. Download and print yourself – We’ll make 3D print models available on our website, allowing you to print locally. This will likely be a much more cost-effective solution. Thanks again for your valuable feedback — it truly helps us make the TSC-X even better!
That sounds good. The shipping costs do sound high though. For those of us without a 3D printer handy, would the shipping costs be lower if we bought the main console and the add-on handles at the same time (i.e. could they be packaged together?)
Yes, if you purchase the main console and the add-on handles at the same time, we can absolutely package them together to save on shipping costs. This combined shipment would be much more cost-effective than sending the handles separately later. We always recommend bundling accessories with the main controller if possible, especially for international orders, as it significantly reduces overall shipping fees and simplifies customs processing. Additionally, we’ve already started designing the add-on components, and we're trying to use parts that are available on Amazon or other local platforms whenever possible. This way, users without access to a 3D printer can conveniently purchase compatible parts locally — which is also a great way to reduce shipping costs.
i definitely keep an eye out on this Controller never really liked the RailDriver from P.I. Engineering because of the several flaws it has
Very good looking product thus far, and I am liking the communication you keep open with the community, Spark Chen I am strongly considering buying this at some point in the near future! One question I'd have is about other buttons/switches/knobs. There is quite a bit to do with what is existing on the controller, but one thing that I'd wonder is if you are considering the possibility of swapping these buttons/switches, or making additional "boxes" with maybe a country set (say PZB buttons + Pan-Up/MCB-Close for Germany, Alerter/Horn for the US, if you can manage some generic arrangement ofr buttons for British trains even though it's tough because of the sheer amount of differences between cabs lol), or also modulable? Other things of course that I would also wonder about is if you can modify the way the levers travel; many people have suggested steps/notches, although understandably it's probably harder to retrofit on the existing product, but in that case having a future or different version with such a fitting; or one like on the German trains which has a spring loaded front step for the brakes, combined lever travels, or just one step in the middle with the travel of either front or back-side being smooth...There's obviously a lot of possibilities. One of the biggest challenges that you will undoubtedly be facing with a train sim controller is the differences between countries, and thus the different demands of people based on what they play; so I was mostly wondering if you thought of such solutions to try and address these and hopefully be able to reach as many people as you can. Best of luck for your business, you have a promising future ahead!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging message — it truly means a lot to our team! We’re very happy to hear that you like the look of the controller and appreciate the communication we’ve been maintaining with the community. It’s feedback like yours that motivates us to keep improving and stay connected. Regarding your suggestions — they’re spot on and align very closely with the direction we’ve been exploring. Modular button/switch panels: Yes, we are indeed considering add-on modules or swappable "country sets" with region-specific layouts — such as PZB/MFA controls for Germany, Alerter/Horn switches for US trains, and something more generalized for UK-style setups (as complex as that might be!). Our aim is to provide flexibility while keeping the base unit compact and clean. ⚙️ Lever mechanics & tactile feedback: We’ve received a number of requests about stepped or notched lever movements, and while it’s difficult to retrofit into the current design, we are prototyping new mechanisms that could support features like notching, detents, or even spring-loaded braking steps (similar to German trains). Your detailed description was very helpful. Global adaptability: You’re absolutely right — one of the biggest challenges is accommodating the diverse control philosophies from different countries. We’re working hard to strike a balance between modular expandability and universal compatibility. A flexible ecosystem is very much part of our long-term vision. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your ideas. We'd love to keep hearing your thoughts as we move forward — your feedback helps shape our development roadmap. All the best, and we’ll be here when you're ready to climb aboard.
