Tsw 6 Starter Pack - Is It Worth Switching Now?

Discussion in 'TSW General Discussion' started by jstange, Sep 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM.

  1. jstange

    jstange Member

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    Easy question, as the title says - is it worth it to switch over to TSW6 from TSW5 now if there is no route you need it for?

    Or another way to go about it - is there a reason one should stay with TSW5 for now? I have no problem with big downloads but currently do not have the space to hold both with all the DLCs...
     
  2. ElBriseto

    ElBriseto Well-Known Member

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    Personally I'm staying on TSW 5, until I have a TSW6 route or there is a big patch on the no-TSW6 route because in itself there will be no difference
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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  3. f__s_cw

    f__s_cw Well-Known Member

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    I’d still recommend switching over to tsw6 even if you don’t intend to buy any routes at the moment. The free starter pack will only be free for a finite amount of time, and having it will mean you can access tsw6 routes, whereas staying on tsw5 would prevent that
     
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  4. Emmy_MAN

    Emmy_MAN Well-Known Member

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    If you ever want to buy new tracks, you will need TSW 6.

    So it's best to get the TSW 6 Free Starter Pack, which is free.
    This gives you a free version of TSW 6, and you can then buy new tracks for TSW 6.

    The Free Starter Pack is normally only available for 6 weeks, after which you would have to buy TSW 6.
     
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  5. georgedayy7

    georgedayy7 Member

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    Sorry if this sounds daft but if I switch to tsw6 right now using the free starter pack do I have to then still buy it after the 6 weeks? I’ve never done it this way before I usually pre order
     
  6. ---DMY---

    ---DMY--- Member

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    No, you can download the free starter pack for free during 6 weeks, but once you have it, you keep it, and you do not have to pay anything afterwards.
    On the other hand, if you fail to download it during those 6 weeks, then it's over, you'll have to pay. ;)
     
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  7. Emmy_MAN

    Emmy_MAN Well-Known Member

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    Just as ---DMY--- writes.
    This way, you can switch to TSW 6 free of charge and then only have to purchase the routes you want.
     
  8. joffonon

    joffonon Well-Known Member

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    Just to be clear, you don't have to download it in the 6 weeks, you have to claim it on your platform.

    There is no downside whatsoever in claiming the starter pack, even if you don't download it for months. You can still carry on playing TSW5 then switch when you want to.
     
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  9. ---DMY---

    ---DMY--- Member

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    Relevant precision. I made a shortcut.
    In other words, in Steam, you just have to "add it to [your] library", and download if/when you want !
     
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  10. jstange

    jstange Member

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    My question was probably misunderstood, I of course already claimed TSW 6 starter pack so now I can install it any time in the future.

    The question was - is there a reason why I should not move all my DLCs under TSW6 now, probably because of lower performance, bugs,...?

    I do not wish to delete TSW5, download hundreds of GB of TSW6 only to find out there is a major issue and reinstall TSW5 back...
     
  11. WVUadam

    WVUadam Well-Known Member

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    Better to change over so you continue to get updates.
     
  12. jack#9468

    jack#9468 Well-Known Member

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    TSW5 won't be supported going forward, so if you want updates or to try the new routes, then TSW6 is the way to go.

    You can keep both installed simultaneously if you wish.
     
  13. bobskate#5131

    bobskate#5131 New Member

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    If you have the starter pack, can you just buy the Morristown Line, or do you have to buy the Deluxe version to get it?
     
  14. Asheix

    Asheix Well-Known Member

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    I started the download and immediately paused it after a few MB just to have the starter pack added to my account. A 197 GB download for a game I am barely playing due to boredom isn't worth the rush to me having only played 76.8 hours of TSW 5. Not even recently announced DLC appeals to me and I may sit this new title out and casually play TSW 5 whenever the mood fancies it.
     
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  15. Mich

    Mich Well-Known Member

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    They clarified from the beginning that they have no interest in the new routes.
    Also, updating to a new game just because there might be some update in the future to warrant it is just silly. Honestly maybe a handful of routes get worthwhile updates during a single installment of TSW. It's also possible that TSW6 could have new bugs early on that make it worse initially. Case and point I just saw a new thread talking about the CSX SD40-2 not appearing in TSW6's Sand Patch. Honestly "updates" in reality can go in any direction, up, down, sideways, northeast, or whatever, there's a lot of benefits to having a non-updating, stable branch of a game that people undervalue immensely.
    Not in their entirety, they mentioned not having the storage space for both being installed at once in the OP.
    Obviously they could partially install parts of it, but again, honestly I feel it's too much effort to research and work out which routes are better in each version. Especially in this early juncture when I don't think everyone has fully worked out what issues exist yet in TSW6's back catalog. I'm sticking with TSW5 for a few months, I'd advice OP do the same.
     
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  16. vodka#2734

    vodka#2734 Active Member

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    It's worth upgrading to Part 6, at least because of the performance optimizations. On the SBD in Part 5, the FPS at Union Station was around 50 and dropped below 30. Until you move the channel. Now I see 70 FPS and then a drop to 40, which is an excellent result, in my opinion.
     
  17. jetgriff

    jetgriff Well-Known Member

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    I downloaded it as soon as it was available, the free version. (I did this with TSW5).
    Everything I had and all my settings come with it.
    As I only like old British stuff I already have all I need.
    But in case something new in BR steam or diesel comes along I need to be ready.
    Been playing a few routes today and actually all is exactly the same.
    Need Great Western Express update pretty urgent now.
    Otherwise no problems.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2025 at 5:30 AM
  18. ericb

    ericb Active Member

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    It actually doesn’t matter. Just purchase pick the train you want to operate drive and go wild. If there any bugs or crashes bypass that and act like it never happened and walk away.
     
  19. IronBladder

    IronBladder Well-Known Member

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    I claimed TSW6, but only installed it with one route, using Steam's Manage DLC facility.

    Over time I'll migrate my TSW5 routes over and then uninstall TSW5, unless some routes I like don't work with TSW6.
     
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  20. f__s_cw

    f__s_cw Well-Known Member

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    As long as you have the starter pack you can buy any dlc individually
     
  21. markmcqn

    markmcqn New Member

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    Id still get the free starter pack because even if you don't want any of the base routes their might be a route you want in the future and it will save you having to buy the base game as well as the route you want
     
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  22. Killer-Of-Night

    Killer-Of-Night Well-Known Member

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    Get it now while its available, since it is free, and you are not obliged to install it if you want to stick with TSW5 for now.
     
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  23. phillipa#1949

    phillipa#1949 Active Member

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    Welcome Back everyone to the sixth instalment of our beloved game my Advice is if you have played the last 5 versions then Yes Get the free starter pack its not worth buying it as a new but if you have not played the last 5 versions or at least one version of Train Sim World i will leave it up to you entirely in how you want to purchase & play but if you have played the last five versions then i would recommend the free upgrade you have till the 11th November 2025
     
  24. Wivenswold

    Wivenswold Well-Known Member

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    Can't agree more with most in here.
    The current routes and locos announced/leaked for TSW6 won't be the end of it. There's 8 months of releases in 2026 before TSW7 comes out, if one of them turns out to be the thing you've been wanting in TSW for ages, an upgrade could be costly.

    It's free. Do it.
     
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  25. nika gear5

    nika gear5 Staff Member

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    Hi guys, here's more information from our FAQ for those interested in claiming TS6 Starter Pack while it's free: Train Sim World 6 FAQ – SUPPORT CENTER
    As Wivenswold and others have commented, this way you can just purchase any content that may interest you in the near future without you having to buy the core package.
     
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  26. Lark_tsw

    Lark_tsw New Member

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    I am keeping both on my system right now. I am happy with 5 but there is a time limit on getting the free starter pack, so I got it. I will try both for now.
     
  27. jonnyd7

    jonnyd7 Member

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    Yes you can buy it and the ALP45 separately. I ended up getting the deluxe because for the price of the Deluxe, I was getting the other 2 routes and extra trains and it was a better deal overall since I’ll use them all. If you won’t then buying separately makes sense.
     
  28. Doc_Savage

    Doc_Savage New Member

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    Get it while you can, Plus performance wise( well for meanyways) I can now run my pc game settings on ultra maxed out. couldnt do that on Tsw5
     
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  29. TemporaryAl

    TemporaryAl Active Member

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    I mean, from going around the forums a while, no, not really worth it, if you're not getting any new routes at the moment, or at least not until you see in patch notes for TSW6, an update for any bug(s) that you may find gamebreaking in your TSW5. But don't hold your breath.

    At the moment, it's TSW5 but yellow. It's *that* little of an upgrade.
     
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  30. Mich

    Mich Well-Known Member

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    I hate to be that guy, but it needs to be said quite a few of you (Even a staff member which shocks me) are misunderstanding OP, he already has the free starter pack redeemed,
    The question has never been "Do I redeem the free upgrade", it's whether it's worth reinstalling everything today for the current upgrades.
     
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  31. jetgriff

    jetgriff Well-Known Member

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    I forgot that, my tsw6 download was 91gigs. took 3 hours.
     
  32. 21c164fightercommand

    21c164fightercommand Well-Known Member

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    I did exactly as ironbladder, installed TSW6 without DLC and used symbolic links to mount DLC from TSW5 into the TSW6 Content folder. Branded SJSF and its trains still work and are having their CalTrain markings.

    Over time, when the upgraded to TSW6 equivalent of a DLC appears, I'll tick the box in de DLC pane and have Steam download the new version.

    So far, everything seems OK during a few test runs.
    I hardly play the game, so do not like to waste some 300 GB storage on duplicate DLC, almost all of which has been abandoned by DTG and probably never will get updated to suspension, faults, announcements and other gimmicks.
     
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  33. eMAyTeeTee

    eMAyTeeTee Well-Known Member

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    You don't have to waste 300gb on duplicate dlc, you can delete tsw5 and it's dlc once you have 6
     
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  34. IfICanDream

    IfICanDream Active Member

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    I got the starter pack yesterday. I’m not trying to accomplish anything in the game specifically. I just like to play it. And I don’t see any reason not to upgrade. I will buy TSW6 eventually. But I decided to see how the game worked now, especially since I hadn’t played it that much in the past six months.
     
  35. WaveyDavey

    WaveyDavey Well-Known Member

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    Another daft question..... I take it you can install the free version and then switch it to the deluxe version when it's on sale etc.....
     
  36. IfICanDream

    IfICanDream Active Member

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    Including the new DLCs?
     
  37. IfICanDream

    IfICanDream Active Member

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    Yes. That's what I intend to do. The game usually goes on sale at Christmastime. Which isn't all that far away when you think about it.
     
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  38. bobskate#5131

    bobskate#5131 New Member

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    I decided yesterday, since it has been years since I had TWS, to purchase the Deluxe Package. So far, I really like it. Lots to learn.
     

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