Train Simulator: The Story of Forest Rail Route Add-On DLC

Having just bought this route in the Steam sales, Overall it is a nice scenic route with a very natural feel like you would get in the remote suburbs of Japan. However this route is mainly single tracked with some passing points. So if you are looking for something with more action like lots of AI traffic for example. Then this route is certainly not for you and I would consider looking for alternatives like the WCML North. But the reason I bought this route is because it is the only (at the time of writing) Japanese route available commercially. The route pack does come with two trains included which one is a Kiha 750 Diesel Railcar (this is the one shown in the screenshots) and the second unit is a weird looking Railbus which looks similar to a Toyota HiAce minibus that is inspired from those Mitsubishi Rosa minibuses that are used in Hong Kong. Its quite a crude looking vehicle to say the least and personally I think something like the Kiha 58 or the Kiha 183 would have been more viable options for this route as it would have fitted in the scene better. But that is just merely my opinion. The route is unique to say the least but I would only recommend this route to those that want to try something new or to those that like quieter suburban lines. Its a good route and a nice first try, so lets see some more modern Japanese routes become available in the future. As something like a Kyoto to Osaka route in the Kansai region would be great. Overall Rating: 7/10.

I am only fairly new to train simulators, have maybe 20hrs at this point in TS, and I think most of those have been on this route. Something about this noisy rickety tractor masquerading as a train in pleasant mountain scenery and the Japanese Schoolgirl who haunts the back of the passenger carriage relaxes me. I think its lovely. Not a huge amount of content, but is nice for a hour or two doing one line or the other just to chill out. Get it on special for like $10 and its worth it. Simple to drive, simple to manage the lines.

I was beyond excited with this one when it came out back in the day, Ive since repurchased it and run it through yet again, and still love it. Its a bit dated now, but the whole idea of the scenarios being a story really set this route apart, I think. The locomotives are nothing to brag about by today's standards, but they are nice and unique. The sounds could use adjusting. The scenery is great still. The free roam playability is a bit low with given content, but I personally use Machine Rail's brazilian narrow gauge items to spice it up a bit. There are a few coal mines on the route that one can edit and use MR's gondolas and perhaps one of the little 4-6-0s to give a bit of variety. All in all, I adore this one. Highly recommend.

This route and its scenarios are a bit of a curate's egg. There are good elements but on the whole it lacks any depth or reason to want to play it. The following elements are germane. Firstly the route doesn't vary much scenery wise, all is of a sameness albeit with gradient changes and curves, but none are challenging and the whole thing is a bit bland. The locos provided are interesting and offer a bit of variety to the TS stable, but the downside is that the passengers are anime like and unrealistic and more suited to a cartoon role than TS, even my grand kids thought this aspect to be not appropriate. Then moving on to the scenarios provided, the career ones have never worked at all and just freeze TS, the Standard scenarios work just fine but are banal and try to be story based, again with the anime figures as well. The rail cars used in the career scenarios work just fine in quick drive, so the problem with the career scenarios is obviously game based. I have tried all of the usual fixes, they still don't work. To summarize then, nice railcars, the hint of a different flavour in scenery, ridiculous anime figures, weak play value, a lunatic story line and no lasting interest value. I'm not sure why this route was made as it does nothing to enrich the library of content on TS and is as I said at the outset a real "curate's egg", which is a pity as I truly wanted to enjoy it. My advice would be to take a pass on this route as there are so many others which are way better.

I think this is one of my favorite map :) Realy amazing DLC, must have for all who likes moutains and nature landscape. If you like fast and urban map do not buy it, but if you prefer quiet and chill out routes with cool landscapes this is the best choice. Also if you like nature and moutains routes I recommends Donner and Marias pass :) Have good Training ;)

I was quite intrigued by this DLC. It's not often you see an anime inspired route with storytelling elements in a train simulator. In true Studio Ghibli fashion it's all about Chisa a young woman moving to a small town to work for the local train company and then things doesn't entirely turn out as expected. The route looks like what you'd expect in an anime movie, with hilly terrain, lush forests, flowery fields and fireflies at night. I suggest putting on some relaxing music in the background and enjoy the lighthearted story and beautifull scenery. In the pack you'll get three "story" missions where you'll be driving the Kiha 720 railbus (a somewhat interesting "train"). And then there's 5 career scenarios where you can drive the Kiha 750, the "proper" train in this DLC (with Chisa standing in the back as your conductor). Both are pretty straightforward and easy to drive, though the "forest rail" is quite the rollercoaster with plenty of hills to traverse both up and down. You can also use the route and stock in quick drive mode if you so desire. Honestly I wouldn't mind more DLCs like this. If you are a fan of anime and trains (why would you be reading this review if you don't like trains?) or just looking for something less serious and different, you owe it to yourself to buy this route.

A really beautifully made and scenic route. I reckon I have found my new favourite for Train Simulator ^.^

It's beautiful, quirky, and overall awesome. Two really odd locos to come with the route give an authentic experience. The standard scenarios just put a smile on your face and the career scenarios are fun too. The best DLC pack to date that I have bought!

+ 5 career scenarios with realistic timetables + 3 normal scenarios ("the story") + A unique landscape that's clearly different from the usual American/European routes + Set in an older time period, this route is even different from Wakayama-Sakurai Lines + The Kiha 750 has an unique look and is simple to operate + The Kiha 720 is even more unique, a 16-seats bus converted for rail traffic + The route is pretty long and has several passenger stops along the way + Mountainious route with plenty of bridges and tunnels - Single line route leaves little opportunities for AI traffic - Only two pieces of rolling stock (two railcars, no additional wagons) - Since the only other Japanese route is electrified, there's no other Japanese trains to run here - The route is extremely hilly, so to avoid speeding, you're constantly managing throttle/brakes, and little time to enjoy the landscape - The villages all look a tad similar - Scenarios sometimes require you to set switches manually, so you need to remember that too

The Story of Forest Rail is flat out my favorite addon of Train Simulator, and it keeps me up at night knowing people haven’t experienced this route which could be called a “experiment.” Let’s all be honest here for a moment, Train Sim is all about driving trains. Yet as I found out in my Isle of Wright review, sometimes driving a train just isn’t enough. Looking back on my favorite routes and addons, all of them have something that keeps me coming back. The Maerdy Branches show a railroad both when it was thriving and when it was dying, The Sacramento Northern route allowed me to experience a piece of history that has completely vanished from America and American culture in the form of interurban railways, Yet The Story of Forest Rail trumps them both even with a apparent lack of content. How you ask? With an incredible anime inspired world, charming trains, and best of all a story. I shall try my best to not spoil anything for you, but should you buy this route on steam, make sure you download the 2 extra missions in the workshop. They are the climax of the story and very important. Anyway, you start out as a young girl, starting her career as a train driver. Starting in a bus converted for rail use, you deal with the problems of a poorly funded, freshly reopened railway until the railway company can afford a real rail car. Your conductor also joins you, providing insight on the area and some interesting commentary as things inevitably go wrong. It’s strangely immersive, like a good anime. However, I should say, I recommend getting the Just Trains. There are animations in these missions that seem to not want to work, as I learned seeing someone play the JT version after I got the steam version. Also, there’s a small piece of a bridge missing on one of the large loop bridges you’ll have to pass over. Story aside, the route is light on content. It only includes 2 rail cars, the bus and Kiha rail car. However, the route is jaw dropping and hard to drive. It feels like a roller coaster as you go up and down through overly banked corners for the speed. It’s cool, and best of all fun. All in all Story of Forest Rail is a experience, a package well worth the price! It’s honestly about the only route that I’ve ever begged to get some DLC for. Just be warned, this is an experiment in storytelling in train sim, but as long as you go into this knowing, you’ll have a good time!