Game Crashes Caused By Gpu Usage Spikes

A hardware problem has crossed my mind a few times. But I've not noticed any performance issues or crashing in any of my other games. It's only TSC that is having these issues, which seems more like a software issue than a hardware one.

 

I am currently on version 596.49 (the most recent version as of yesterday), which I updated to in response to the crashing as an attempt to fix it.

 

I still have no idea what this or your previous comment says

 

Bild på engelska!

 

I have just rolled back my graphics driver version to version 591.59 to see if maybe there was some conflict with newer versions of NVDIA drivers, but the issue is still occuring. While looking throught the LogMate logs, I keep being drawn to three specific lines that keep appearing in every log, regardless of the conditions. The first line(s) are the aforementioned:

[Content] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\DataManagement\cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 421 = Blueprint set not found : Kuju, RailSimulatorCore
[Content] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\DataManagement\cBlueprintLibrary.cpp : 452 = Blueprint set not found for: Cameras\EditCamera001.xml

The second line is:

[Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = fail IMAGE<--------------------------------

(Something I probably should have mentioned earlier - the game does not have any loading screens after pressing the "start" button on the scenario. Since the game still periodically starts, even without these loading screens, I don't think that these are the main issue causing the crash, but I thought it was a good idea to include it anyway.)

The third line is:

[Camera] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\GameManager\cTrackIRManager.cpp : 355 = NaturalPoint TrackIR: DLL Location key not present

I am unsure if (and potentially how) these three lines are connected, but each one could potentially be the source of the issue.

 

There are plenty of things to try by using Google.

Why Does My GPU Spike to 100? A Comprehensive Guide

GPU Crashing Under Load [Causes and Fixes for Nvidia or AMD Cards]

GPU 3D Spikes to 100% Then Crashes G | NVIDIA GeForce Forums

 

There is a new Nvidia driver out, version 610:47

 

Looking for answers I found this thread
https://steamcommunity.com/app/24010/discussions/8/4349995730775758882/

Try installing the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version, you can get it from here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170
You want x64, Train-sim Steve has updated the core to vs22 and recommended to install the compatible version.

Also what settings are you running monitor?
Borderless, Full Screen or Windowed?

I find Borderless works well but the other can cause problems

 

I've read through that discussion, and tried running the game with the "-safemode" launch option, but it doesn't seem to have fixed much. I recently redownloaded the most recent version of the C++ Redistributable, and again, no luck there. I've been running the game on borderless mode since well before these crashes started.

 

I've had a look at all 3, but none seem to have any relevant information to this issue beyond verifying that it is indeed probably a software issue rather than a hardware one.

 

Have you run scandisk?

 

Did you try any of the suggestions in those comments? You won't know whether they work unless you try them, rather than writing them off.

 

I think you mentioned - or I read it wrong - that you can change the Nvidia settings but they don't stay to those settings?

Could that be causing a problem?

 

Based on what the 3 links you provided suggest:

Link 1:
Update graphics card drivers - Already tried that
Close background apps - Game still crashes on Windows Safemode with minimal background processes running
Lower video quality settings - I'm testing this on the lowest in-game graphics settings
Update PC BIOS and Windows - I'll try that tomorrow when I have time
Run Hardware Diagnostics - "The Windows Memory Diagnostic tested the computer's memory and detected no errors"

Link 2:
Uninstall/reinstall graphics drivers - Already tried that
Specific game or application related issue - Seems to be the case, but no clue what specifically is doing it
Conflict with application/software running in the background - Game still crashes on Windows Safemode
BIOS issue - Going to look into that tomorrow
Loose connectors/faulty PCIe cable - All connections are tight
GPU and VRAM overheating/VRM overheating - Temperature never exceeded 49°C
PSU issues - My PC's PSU (Corsair CV550 Bronze Rated) should be easily able to keep up with a base RTX 2060, even under heavy use (such as while gaming)
Defective or faulty PSU/Graphics Card - Seems possible, and I'll take a look over the weekend, but it still seems more likely to be a software issue if it's only one game that's having this problem

Link 3:
Corsair RAM - My PC doesn't use corsair RAM, it uses 2x8GB Adata Gammix RAM.

Yes, I may have been a bit quick to write those links off, but I'll see what I find over the weekend after the BIOS update and hardware inspection.

 

That doesn't seem to be the issue - every time I have gone back and checked on the game's preferred graphics settings, they've always been on "High Performance".

 

I did last night, and apparently no issues were found.

 

An ethusiastic nerd pontifications:
So you opened the command prompt ie cmd.exe as administrator and ran sfc /scannow and that returned no issues? Unusual if not run frequently!! It maybe worthwile to also run the DISM commands see below
Have you tried openhing windows in "SAFE" or with a "Clean Boot" mode - does tsc run OK (Google both)
It might be worth opening task manager - performance - Memory and see how much of your 16GB of installed RAM has been cached - if its high that can affect performance, etc. There are YouTube videos showing how to release that cache if it is significant.
With only16GB RAM you will probably using the Paging File somewhat, that can retain data forever and it can affect some software if not cleared regularly. It may be worthwhile using a search engine on how to change the location of the paging file to a new area on your HDD/SSD or how to clear it every time windows closes (great for security too).
I guess that you have enough free storage on your TSC disk - SSD/HDD?
Finally run the DISM commands - Google.
Defrag HDD or TRIM - SSD (both built into Windows)
The above ONLY shows that Windows or one of its apps is not to blame for your issue - nothing else.
Otherwise, as Trev suggests, suspect a hardware issue.
pH (always neutral)

 

I suspect the power supply.

 

not many people have a spare graphics card lying around

 

Habe mein Beitrag wieder entfernt. werde hier keine Beiträge Schreiben. nur noch im Deutschen Forum

 

Apologies for not updating for a few days, been a bit busy. I've been following along with what you guys have been saying, and trying the software-related ones when I have time. Still no luck so far. Nothing in Peter's message yielded any results, and the BIOS update didn't seem to do much either. I also took the opportunity to check my PC's hardware over the weekend, and nothing seemed to be amiss there either - no loose connections, no leaks anywhere, no significant dust buildup. I wondered if perhaps there was an interrupt problem, so I tried to move my GPU to another slot on my motherboard, but I only have the one.

 

Having just done some more testing, I've determined that this issue seems to only be affecting the routes, as all the rolling stock that I currently have installed (all stock DTG products) load fine in the consist editor - the crash only happens when attempting to load a route.

 

I've just replied to your other thread - I'm having exactly the same issues as you. TS was working, then suddenly not.

Have an Ryzen 7 9850x3d, 32gb ddr5, a 5070ti, plenty of horsepower for this. Everything else works without issue.

Did have RW Enhancer installed, have pretty much done all the things you've tried. So if nothing else, perhaps its not just you going mad, there's at least one more of us pulling our hair out with this!!

Also to note - this happens with different versions of TSC - I have the latest, also v74.8 and v75.8 and all display the same behaviour

 

Just picked an entirely random scenario on a default route, these are the last 10 lines of the logmate record - just cuts off part way through one of the scaleform instructions.

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = minRot: 180

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = hourRot: 129

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scheduler] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\GameManager\cSchedulerModule.cpp : 381 = cSchedulerModule::unregisterRenderable
2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = SELECTED ID = 84727879-7cdf-435b-b728-735a538f3531

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = groupField.text = Class 101 DMU

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = RSTextbox change: text = Various wagons stored in Reading Yard are to be moved out today due to track work and de-weeding. Your job is to shunt the wagons to form the train before it heads out with a mainline diesel. Good luck., textFieldtext= Various wagons stored in Reading Yard are to be moved out today due to track work and de-weeding. Your job is to shunt the wagons to form the train before it heads out with a mainline diesel. Good luck.

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = SMALL HAND ANGLE: 179.9841306128232

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = BIG HAND ANGLE: 180

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = image ready: ..\..\Assets\RSC\DieselShunterPack\railvehicles\diesel\class08\freight\engine\LocoInformation\image.png

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManager.cpp : 92 = 1

2026/06/07 22:41:24.136 - [Scaleform] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\WindowsManager\cScaleformManage

 

What you should generally do is triage, try to reproduce the issue.

On one hand, drivers can be an issue sometimes, mine is not updating anymore but there may be issues with newer ones. So you may try and roll back. Your system may try and force an update, but even if it lasts for an hour, you can test it.

On the other, there is a standard procedure regarding TSC, figuring out the issue.
First of all, 99.9% of the cases is content issue. TSC wasn't ever stellar at handling errors, with varying consequences.
Several issues surfaced with the 64 bit transition (in 2019), some of them still persist, albeit minor (sound related). Others with later changes to code, such as LUA update. In some cases trying the 32 bit client can be a workaround - if you just want to experience some content.

So you could start and install a minimal TSC - really just a couple basic DLC and the core game. Turn off all workshop downloads locally.
Try that it still works fine. If so, create / update a backup. If failed, note the faulty content and revert to your backup.
Add something, be it a new DLC, workshop content, enhancement. Return to the previous point.

As for workshop, add items 1-2 at a time. It tends to extract garbage which can break startup procedures such as scanning the scenarios or listing them or anything in-between.

I also recall a few complaints about enhancements not working very well with the most recent versions.

 

I've already tried to launch the game on older driver versions, but it didn't solve the problem. Likewise with trying the 32-bit client. I'm currently testing these solutions with just the base game and the academy routes - all other add-ons, be they from steam or 3rd parties, have been uninstalled and cannot be found anywhere in the game's folder. Also, I've never installed any workshop content.

 

Have just completely nuked the last TSC install I had, cleaned the registry, deleted all known components, re-installed from fresh, same crash - properly at a loss.

One thing I did remember was that TSC didn't always get on with eye tracking software - I had some once to try out, and deleted it as it didn't work for me, but it messed with TSC then.

In the log, I found these entries:


2026/06/09 20:06:50.663 - [Camera] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\GameManager\cTrackIRManager.cpp : 51 = NaturalPoint TrackIR: Init
2026/06/09 20:06:50.663 - [Camera] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\GameManager\cTrackIRManager.cpp : 69 = NaturalPoint TrackIR: DLL Found [E:/Program Files (x86)/opentrack/modules/]
2026/06/09 20:06:50.663 - [Camera] - Trace d:\build\CoreRelease\Code\DLLs\GameManager\cTrackIRManager.cpp : 77 = NaturalPoint TrackIR: Failed to Initialise

As far as I can tell, I don't have any NaturalPoint files installed, this E:/Program Files (x86)/opentrack/modules/ doesn't exist on my PC.

Red herring??

 

Found a registry key from this steam forum chat:

TSC "detects" TrackIR by looking up the client library location in registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\NaturalPoint\NATURALPOINT\NPClient Location

It reads the location from Path key there, and checks if NPClient64.dll library is present at that location. That's it, it doesn't check if the library is even loaded.

Deleted the registry entry, but no joy, same crash, hey ho.

 

Mine seems to do a similar thing with "cSchedulerModule.cpp". I've attached a copy of the logmate file from just now, and it seems to cut that process off almost immediately - it only just appears at the very bottom. Since this is (apparently) the bit of TSC that is responsible for background stuff, including allocation of memory and graphics queues, this might be something.

 

I guess at least we might be narrowing it down a bit. Your issue looks almost identical to mine. I've just nuked my install again, and wiped the nvidia drivers to see whether there's anything there. Just re-downloading a cut down version and will try it again before bed. Not really holding out much hope tbh - if I don't get anywhere this weekend, I'm going to log a ticket on Monday, see if we can get some help from DTG

 

In the most unsurprising news, exactly the same, crash as soon as trying to start any scenario.

DTG Jamie - apologies for the ping, and I know you're unlikely to see this before the weekend, but is this something you think you might be able to get us some help with? According to Steam, I've over 3000 hours in this, probably many hundreds of pounds of content over the years, and just want to get the thing working again! Any help would be gratefully received.

 

So in further disappointing experimentation, I've "reset" windows 11, no improvement. I've swapped off my 5070ti onto the onboard Radeon GPU and no change. I've set all the Railworks files and folders to read only. Pretty much all the same outcome.

One thing I have noticed, and don't know if the same is true of your install valentahst#5181 I've no thumbnails, they are all greyed out with the circle with a line though it.

I'd already temporarily disabled Norton with no impact, but I'm wondering if this is related?

 

Right - actual progress (although I've no idea what on earth its about) - I've got my TSC working if I'm disconnected from the internet. I have both wifi and ethernet (although use wired ethernet with wifi switched off normally) - if I disconnect both, TSC scenarios load straight up, no drama. Plus the ethernet in, or turn the wifi on, bang, straight OOM crash.

Can you give that a try valentahst#5181 and see whether its the same for you. Not really any idea where to go next with it, but it's at least positive progress for a change!

 

I've been doing some more experimentation today, and I'm still very puzzled. I've got firewall rules all set up for railworks64.exe, as noted previously, disabling all Norton services doesn't make a difference, yet pull out the ethernet cable, and everything is all good. Feels like something it blocking something TSC finds important, next step will be interrogate the router and see if there's anything in there, but certainly a head scratcher. Still, at least there's an (inconvenient) workaround, will still probably log a ticket next week

 

Well, the good news is I seem to have fixed the issue. The bad news is, doesn't really make any sense, so I'm not entirely convinced!!

I messed about enabling and disabling ethernet and wifi via the bios, with no impact. Was wondering whether the bios update I'd done to accept my new processor had changed anything, but there was a warning on the Asus website that I couldn't roll it back to a previous version, so hey ho.

Anyway, after a re-boot, I was looking at the NordVPN screen (I use NordPass and got NordVPN as a bundled thing) and I wonder what would happen if I connected to a different country, would it make any difference. So I VPN'd to Germany. And lo and behold, TSC worked, while on the internet.

I connected to the USA - same. Then connected to a UK VPN, which also resulted in TSC working.

I then disconnected the VPN, fully expecting the CTD to return. But no. All still works. No VPN, on the internet, everything working (except I've weirdly lost menu music, but I can live with that). Even all the thumbnails are back.

I'd like to say I've done a masterful job in troubleshooting this, and have got a fix for the ages, but sadly not. Better luck than judgement!

Hopefully this will help others figure out what their weirdness in TSC is and resolve it - I hope valentahst#5181 comes back and gives us an update.....

 

Matt you are an absolute legend.

I've launched the game with my VPN enabled and set to a Dutch server, and everything seems to be working fine again. The game also now seems to be launching even with the VPN disconnected, with all the previously missing thumbnails.

I'll try adding some of my DLC and 3rd party content back to see if they cause any problems, but at least the core game is working again!

 

Could you guys try Cloudflare Warp (you can download from 1.1.1.1), and see that if you run TSC while having Warp active? This VPN issue intrigues me a lot (so much that I am going into a deep dive into it.)

 

Yes, excellent, really pleased it’s worked for you too! I’ve been pondering what’s happened, and can only assume that enacting the VPN session has created or amended a setting somewhere that now allows traffic through - feels like it was crashing trying to launch the “advert” screens that happen while routes load. Anyway, fixed for now, been an interesting exercise!

Cheers to all that tried to help too

Matt

 

Sometimes ISPs put restrictions on what people can do. It may be a good idea to contact your ISP and see if they can sort things out if that is the problem. Most people don't have this issue. In all the time that I have had TSC (2010), I have never had issues with the internet connection. The only one I have had was slow downloads from Steam a few years ago, which I got sorted with Steam.

 

Oddly enough, my TSC reverted to the same issue last night - a quick reconnect to a UK VPN fixed it though.

Disntry and download that cloudflare warp briefly, but my browser seemed to have a bit of a hissy fit about it