Precision Locomotive Developments (formerly Bossman Games), as of the 12th of June, will be withdrawing their SR / Bulleid Light Pacific from sale where it's currently 50% off for those wanting to purchase it before it goes. It's not sold on Steam, only their website for those unaware. If your line of TSC interest is in UK steam definitely grab it as not only as per usual for PLD it's an incredibly detailed loco but a LOT of third party developers use it in their scenarios as a requirement. As far as I can tell there has been no reason given for it's withdrawal as of yet.
https://www.precision-loco.co.uk/sr-br-bulleid-light-pacific I might get it but it would just be AI as I cannot drive a Steam loco Electrics and Diesels no problem
From Steam Sounds Supreme, who make a sound pack for it. Changes to PLD Light Pacific Sound Pack As many will have seen, Precision Locomotive Developments have announced that their Bulleid Light Pacifics are being withdrawn from sale on 12th June, 2026 and have been heavily reduced in price (SEE HERE) In light of this announcement, we have taken the decision to make some changes to our PLD Light Pacific Sound Pack. The bonus content that we included - the Rebuild Bulleid Light Pacific sounds - will become the focus of the pack, and the sounds for the original condition Bulleids will be taken out. The pack will be renamed PLD Rebuilt Light Pacific Sound Pack, with the Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific sounds taking centre stage. The price will be reduced as well. Current owners will receive the update for free and efforts will be made to update the Rebuilt Light Pacific part of the pack where possible, including adding some scenarios. If you already have the sound pack and wish to maintain the sounds for the original condition Light Pacifics, then keep the current installer safe. In the meantime, grab the current version of the Bulleid Light Pacific Sound Pack while you can HERE
It's puzzling why just the light pacific (un-rebuilt) is being withdrawn. There was speculation on Facebook (so probably untrue) that PLD wanted to improve the model, but I really can't see any need for it. Licensing issue perhaps? But where would that come from? The light pacifics were all named after locations or RAF subjects, so it's hard to see what IP would be infringed.
I don't have any interest in driving Steam locos You cannot see the signals properly out of the cab because of the boiler and too many valves and the like Give me an Electric loco any day - driving a loco where you need to notch up/down is challenging on a line with gradients like the Class 86, DB 103/110/140 etc, OBB 1042/1142, CFR 40, SNCF 6500 to name a few.
I agree wholewheartedly, but I still enjoy steamers. Those who like to drive complex "advanced" locos cannot possibly observe all signal, it is partly down to the in-cab view being so badly configured in almost every model. For me, I stick to Simple mode and Head Out view - and enjoy the scenery. That being said, PLD's idea of Simple mode is not exactly simple, so I use mine almost exclusively for AI with the wonderful choice of numbers/names. I would be very surprised if the model isn't being withdrawn in preparation for an improved one, which would be a bit of a dirty trick given PLD and SSS are being so keen to sell their products while still available, if they then expect everybody to buy a new one. John
To each their own. I find steam locos are usually the most exciting to drive because when it comes to them there is a whole lot going on and I feel the sense of speed is a lot greater on steam locos. So driving on long runs with a steam loco feels as if it’s over really quick whereas long runs on a diesel or electric loco can sometimes feel pretty boring. My only catch is that I will drive any steam loco as long as it has a functioning automatic fireman system, because at the end of the day on this simulator you are the driver and I feel needing to learn and manage the responsibilities of the fireman while driving at the same time is well beyond my capacity. Luckily all the simpler steam locos work perfectly fine with the inbuilt Automatic Fireman gameplay option but some of the very complicated locos from Caledonia Works, PLD, Just Trains, etc don’t but nowadays they always have their own Automatic Fireman scripted and you can enable it with a preset keybind. I bring this up because some older advanced steam content from the likes of Just Trains have an Automatic Fireman option, yet for some reason the AF will only manage the fire and not the water too which really ticks me off because managing water levels is also the responsibility of the fireman, not the driver and it’s beyond my understanding. It’s a pain when you’re driving a long run and suddenly you’re out of water thinking the AF was managing that for you as it should but turns out it wasn’t the whole time!
Digital Traction made one of these, which you purchased through Just Trains, that is no longer available. I have it.
Main issue I have with steam and some british early diesels is trying to manage braking using vacuum brakes - it's alot harder than using air.
