“Experience the Cutting-Edge: Train Simulator Classic Beta Test Unleashed for All Enthusiasts”

Attention Train Simulator Classic enthusiasts! We have reached an exciting stage in the development process where we are inviting you to participate in Beta Testing the latest improvements to the core builds. Your valuable feedback from the previous phase has been taken into account, and we understand your desire for the option to opt into updates while still having a fallback option. So, here’s how we’ll proceed moving forward.

To try out the new features, bug fixes, and more, you’ll need to opt into the Beta. Detailed instructions can be found later in this article under the section “Opting in and Opting Out.” This Beta will be what we call a “Rolling Beta,” meaning it will continue for a year or more, with new features and fixes being introduced to the Beta first. After receiving your feedback and making necessary adjustments, these updates will then be rolled out to the Live Public branch. Throughout the Public Beta, you can expect regular builds depending on the ongoing work.

So, what’s new in the first Beta? We’re thrilled to introduce the upgraded implementation of the Lighting, 3D Skies, and 3D weather engine, SilverLining by SunDog Software. This version brings a host of improvements and fixes to the Dynamic Lighting and 3D Weather in Train Simulator. Over the next year, we will fine-tune this plugin based on your feedback to take advantage of additional performance enhancements. This means you can look forward to greater detail, stunning skies, and enhanced environmental effects. Already, you’ll notice a difference in how snow and rain render as you drive, with a more realistic representation of distance-based visibility.

Before you dive into the Beta, we want to emphasize the importance of caution. As with any beta software, there are no guarantees or warranties implied. While we make every effort to ensure that builds are suitable and usable for players, it’s impossible to account for every eventuality, PC configuration, or player ability. So, expect crashes, things not working as they should, and potential performance issues. Opting into the Beta is entirely at your own risk.

Before opting into the Beta, it’s crucial to back up your content. While the chance of anything we upload affecting your collection is minimal, we cannot guarantee that opting into the beta branch won’t trigger a verify process initiated by Steam itself. This process can take time, especially if you have a large content library, and may overwrite modified files. To safeguard your collection, make sure to back up your Content and Asset folders. If you need assistance with this process, reach out to our Customer Support or ask for help in the forums.

We recommend setting aside a couple of days if you have a substantial content library. Spend the first day backing up your content and considering all aspects, including accompanying applications and supporting documentation. On the second day, opt into the beta and allow Steam to complete the verify process if necessary.

Opting in and out of the Beta may be required multiple times during testing. To opt into the Beta, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to your Steam Games Library and find Train Simulator.

2. Right-click on Train Simulator and select Properties.

3. In the Train Simulator Properties dialog, click on the Betas option on the left-hand side.

4. In the “Beta Participation” dropdown box on the right, select “public_beta.”

5. Close the Train Simulator Properties dialog.

6. A download will begin, and once completed, you will have successfully opted into the Beta.

To opt out of the Beta, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to your Steam Game Library and locate Train Simulator.

2. Right-click on Train Simulator and select Properties.

3. In the Train Simulator Properties dialog, click on the Betas option on the left-hand side.

4. In the “Beta Participation” dropdown box on the right, select “none.”

5. Close the Train Simulator Properties dialog.

6. A download will commence, and once completed, you will have opted out of the Beta and returned to the live public build.

To provide your feedback, we have set up a dedicated forum on Dovetail Live. Please use this forum exclusively for posting feedback on the Beta and focus on the aspects currently being tested. Avoid sending your feedback to Customer Support, as it will be rejected. Let’s respect our partners and refrain from bombarding them with support requests if any issues in the beta affect their products. Instead, post your feedback in the forums, as it is our responsibility to ensure that all content remains usable in both the Beta and Public Live build.

With each new build we upload, a corresponding forum post will outline the changes, current build number, and key areas to test. Core code updates are typically small, around 60 MB or less. If you receive a download without an accompanying forum post, it likely means something in your content library has been updated, and the core will remain unaffected. You can verify this by checking the build number at each