Train Simulator: KwaZulu-Natal Corridor: Pietermaritzburg-Ladysmith Add-On DLC

After reading the mixed reviews, I was reticent about purchasing the add-on, but during the sale I took a chance and bought it. I was pleasantly surprised by the content. Having lived in that part of the world most of my life, I found I recognised features here and there in the add-on, which made the experience all the more pleasurable. The rocky outcrops, trees, hills and plains are not bad representations of the place, so I have to say I feel rather good about my purchase and I recommend it. If you are a South African, ex-South African, or you've lived in the Natal region, you'll enjoy the add-on.

Although this route is from 2014, so is a little out of date, I was quite impressed by the quality of the class 6E1 locomotives. However, there are a few drawbacks to this expansion pack, including the fact that it is fairly pricey for what you get. I don't want to spend more than R400 on something like this, especially because it's not worth the money. I'd rather pay at least R100 - R200 for it. Second, the texture/scenery quality isn't outstanding, but it's acceptable. As someone who owns all of the Johansteam packs, I can state that the bulk of them aren't of high quality, but this is without a doubt the best of the bunch. The route is wonderful. I always enjoy travelling on a train with the sound of that wonderful 6E1 locomotive, therefore I stayed awake the entire trip.

To put it simply... It looked interesting but the locos and route are extremely dated for a 2014 release, and because this route is narrow gauge, you won't be able to use any other locos on it excepted maybe the forest rail locomotives.

Sorry for my english. Although there were some bad opinion on this track, I think that in the context how this track were created - read the interview - I need to put thumb up. Track is really very nice, really, and quite complex to drive a train due to ups and downs and tight curves. Passangers wagons are not so nice and also locomotive is not so perfect inside, but overal feeling from riding this track is very good. What is really pitty that there is no other consists for this track width for train simulator as loco add on - until now. But current offer buy this track as twin pack (with Outeniqua Choo Tjoe) is really great! In interview were also information that there should be third track and GMAM Garrat so I looking forward and hope it will come early.

We grew up near Pietermaritzburg and used to explore the railway lines, plantations and train tunnels around that area extensively, so I am very happy I purchased this addon on sale recently. The scenery is accurate to the area and this addon brings back some good memories. The Cedara tunnels are the longest in South Africa I think, 6 024 m. Don't let the overly bright coffee-pot put you off, I recommend this addon.

This is a beautiful line, great scenery, very demanding for the driver. A real challenge. You certainly will not fall asleep while driving. Also very nice workshop items available. A pity there is no other engine but nevertheless recommended.

Despite the mixed reviews I was sooo looking forward to this route and I bougt it in a sale. South Africa is a country we don't see in Train Simulator often, and it's a very nice change for the usual American and European routes. Basically the only reason I'm downrating this add-on is because of the extremely limited Quick Drive. Quick Drive only lets you drive up to the next 1 or 2 stations. There are a number of starting points, but a lot of sections aren't covered by the very short sections that Quick Drive allows you to drive. It is IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy the whole route, or even most part of it, in Quick Drive. Ok, so the graphics aren't too amazing. The locomotive interior is a tad dissapointing, and the passenger wagons are pretty much dissapointing. But I can all live with that. I did a quick google search and apparently people have run into the Quick Drive limitations years ago, so it doesn't look like the developer is going to do anything to address the issue. A real shame, because I was really looking forward to a South African route.

Recommended for one reason alone; The scenery is unlike ANY other routes that have ever existed in Train Simming. The narrow gauge, the sparse trees and Savannah. It's just a great break away from all the rolling English hills and huge American cities and deserts. Yes, the rolling stock is more crude that other more modern DLC, but if you want this scenery, you put up with it. The unique rolling stock design and markings and local buildings are a nice change of pace as well. It's a great way to see a different part of the world for the price of a cross country bus ticket. Highly recommended as a change of pace, you may want to wait for a sale for more value if you like.

Definetely not the best choice. Looks like that developers made this route in a hurry. This DLC is lacking content soooo bad. There are quite a few scenarios for the route, Workshop is also almost empty . There is only one loco and just 5 coaches (2 cisterns, 2 hoppers and one passanger) for it. Thats all, nothing more. Second complaint - lack of details. DLC locomotive 6E1 looks like it was carved with axe - lame model, lame textures. And yeah, sounds...sounds, which will make you deaf after 5 minutes. Same for coaches. Cmon, coaches in MSTS looked way better than these carved abominations. Same for track details. Most of the time it's empty land with few trees and houses all around. And besides that all objects are lamely placed: river banks carved in grass texture, buildings floating in the air, horribly placed car roads, etc. Not to mention track overhead line - it just hangs ideally straight (in real life it will cut your pantograph in two just in a couple of minutes). Yeah I know, that route is very long, but c'mon, look at Marias Pass DLC - route is longer than KwaZulu, but level of details is way higher, not to mention way better made ES44DC and SW1500. To summarize: + Good length of route + The only one African route so far in a game + electrified route + "Free" locomotive and coaches - Too few scenarios + almost empty workshop for this route - Low quality of locomotive - Route is poorly detailed - Low quality of route details Well, it's not the worst route, but it definitely don't cost 30 Eur, even 15 Eur is too much for it.

Most people buying this DLC don't live in South Africa or wasn't in South Africa. I've seen this DLC has receive a lot of bad recommendations, because of shoddy craftmanship. I agree, but the reviews pointing it in the wrong places. I, for who lived in South Africa and travelled on these trains, going to give a proper review for which I think is wrong and right in this DLC. Here is a brief summary of what you can expect of this DLC The route: [list] [*]Lenghty route [*]Drive through plains, hills, mountains and a dam [*]Many tunnels and long tunnels [*]Narrow gauge [*]South Africa [/list] This route is the best representation of what its like in KwaZulu-Natal. You see lots of plains with grass, lots of grass. Trees is abudant in the mountains, usually pine or "Bloekom" as we call it. I've seen people complain about rivers being full of grass and dirt, well, in most cases it is dried up, because this is a dry area. It usually rains in the summer, but the scorcing sun vaporises all the water in the rivers. We have a serious water problems here and have to save as much water as possible. Most building is "reused". The buildings looks similar in Natal as in the game, I cannot see any fault with it. I 've seen many HOP houses alongside the tracks, those "mud" houses. They are government houses for the poor people and they do like those in the game. The locomotive: [list] [*]There is only this one electric locomotive [*]Its LOUD [/list] The reason why only one locomotive is available is this package is there is only this type on the corridor. Transnet have began to upgrade the 6E1 to the new 18E in 2009 nationally. This route setting is clearly as it was in 1999 and thus the 6E1 only existed for this line. We have over 3000 of these locomotives in our country and its our main locomotive. Diesels is extremely rare on this corridor, because it is expensive to run them. We don't have oil and have to import them, thus make them expensive. The 6E1 uses electricity which is generated by burning coal and we got reserves of coal. People complain about the noise, but if you travelled on them, then you will complain. They ARE that LOUD! Especially the blowers when they accelerate. Those blowers can make you deaf, therefore train drivers got headphones for ear safety. The texture is well made, actually the locomotives is too clean. I've seen much dirtier ones in my life. I only got a complaint about the cab. They remember the stove, but it has low polygons. The instruments is okayish. The only real problem what I have with it is, WHERE IS THE SERIAL PARALLEL switcher!!! This locomotive work exacly the same as those Class 76 on the Woodhead DLC. The rolling stock: [list] [*]You only get 5 different versions, a coach, open wagons, tank wagons and a caboose. [*]They small variants [*]Not so highly detailed [/list] The rolling stock is good and they invested time to get the bearings right, those big chunky spinning rings on the wheels. The texturing is a bit dull, to neat to be precise. I've expected some dirt on the passenger coaches! The freight wagons texturing is well made. Conclusion: The route is well made, but the locomotive need attention if you mostly drive inside it. The sound is perfect, they sound exactly the same as those in the game. The DLC feels it has been made 2 years ago, the developer remember to put cab lights in, but there is no superelevation. If you live in South Africa and considering buying this, then get it! It's the best representation of how it looks in Natal. For people outside, you can buy it to get a different feel of our country, it feels different, for sure. If you are serious about the quality aspects and expect this DLC to have completely different stuff, then you might be dissapointed. The developer used what this game offered to create this route which represent the actual one very well. The price is a bit high, I must say. Buy it on a sale or something of the like, but I recommend it to my fellow "vriende en burgerlikes"