I've had my first couple of days behind the controls of a real train. I've been driving since MSTS from a young age and recently switched careers to become a train driver. I'm based in the Netherlands. I was amazed by how familiar it felt to sit behind the controls, and how well i actually drive the trains. My mentors didn't believe it was my first time driving trains. They were actually bored because they didn't have to intervene. Fluent stops at stations, following signals and speed restrictions, it all went naturally. Many people believe consumer train simulators are just games, but having witnessed how much it helped me on my journey, i know it's more than that. It's amazing to live in times like these, where consumers have access to sims like TSW which can act as study-level on some aspects. Of course, there's much more to driving trains than just driving them, but it definitely kick-started me in to the right direction. What are your experiences on this subject? I'd love to read your stories!
I've been flight siming for about 35yrs and my wife bought me a flight in a cesna 172 for my birthday a couple of yrs ago, the instructor was so impressed he let me land back at the airfield (with his hands on the controls too) and asked if i had ever taken any lessons as i knew all the systems how to fly an approach, talk to ATC and configure the aircraft for landing, siming is amazing but experiencing the feel of how the aircraft moved under your own hand makes siming now so much more, almost made me book in for my PPL but i couldn't afford it LOL
Find a way to get it, even if it means selling your soul (just kidding)!!!! It's tough but a really enjoyable process!!
I know exactly how you feel. Did the same thing 8 years ago, went from TSW on Xbox to driving Class 66's up the WCML in real life. Since then I've added Class 92's, the Caledonian Sleeper and last week I added Class 99's to my traction card. Will be the 1st driver to drive the new loco through London from London Gateway to Hams Hall on a intermodal train, still having to pinch myself that I'm driving trains, let alone doing industry firsts. Nice to see someone else on the forums that's gone from "street to seat".... 4M47 - Wednesday 17th June 2026
Of course, you don't need to become a driver to experience TSW in real life PS: bonus points for guessing the station
Back in 2019 I got to drive D123 at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, England. Because I'd been driving "Peaks" on North Transpennine I had a good idea of what to do, and my mentor for the day was impressed.
Pretty special day yesterday. First driver of the Class 99 on the WCML with a full intermodal train from London Gateway through to Hams Hall. This was the first commercial train that GBRf have run using the new Class 99. They are absolute weapons, and will be the face of railfreight for the next 30 years. Coming daily in July 2026 to the WCML and East Mids Gateway area.
The 99 seems like a no-brainer for TSW. Most of the systems are already in game along with the route to go on, there's a demand for it and it's flexible enough (multi-modal) to use in Free Roam just about everywhere. But I get that it's "still being rolled out" and all. Give it time I suppose.
As an ex driver, I passed out on the class 47, then converted to class 08, 31 & 37’s my first few years were spent on DMU’s, class 101 and 105 before electrification on the North London Line when I then went onto class 406 DC EMU’s and eventually the class 313. Then went on to AC EMU’s classes 302, 305, 308 & 309 then 315, 310, 312 and 321/322. Eventually went on to class 86 and 90 AC electric locomotives. Happy days!
Absolutely top drawer! Pls post more about it as you progress… who knows.. maybe some videos to boot.
