Train Simulator: Wakayama & Sakurai Lines Route Add-On DLC

I love this route. It's a tad short, but nicely detailed. Plenty of stations and urban railroad make the 80km/h line speed feel actually pretty fast. Both the 103 and 105 EMUs can be driven by the player, but they're very similar. Easy to control, only the brakes are very sensitive. Scenarios have in-train voice announcements, but not in Quick Drive. There's a reverse point in Takada (works in Quick Drive). Route is mostly single track, with only multiple tracks at stations. No AI traffic in Quick Drive. And the best thing is, IT'S IN JAPAN! A nice change from the usual European and American landscape. Looks a lot better than the Chinese routes too.

I grew up riding the 103 series and I can say that the route gives a very good overall representation of Japan. The positives: - The 103 series has great detailed textures throughout. Cab, external model and passenger view is fantastic. - Cab has great functionality with switches and the ability to change headcode and destination blinds by interacting with the machinery. - The physics of the 103 series feels good on the whole. - Fantastic weather effects in the included scenarios that make the driving very engaging. - Conductor announcements also adds to the authenticity. - The Japanese train safety system is included which is a nice touch. - The line itself is single track but is made exciting through having to perform switchbacks. - Great, custom Japanese station assets. However, this route has many tiny niggling details that are off, so for those overly familiar with Japan, you may find it disappointing. - The motor sounds of the 103 is passable, the horn and ATS-P are not. Most crucially, it is missing the classic JNR blower sound. (An excellent free sound mod exists but the website is down at time of writing). - Perhaps, a little too much acceleration from 70km/h onwards on a unit famed for low speed performance, but infamous for lacklustre high-speed characteristics. - Trackside vegetation feels oversaturated. - Conductor announcement timing is off. In real-life, announcements are made after the rear of the train has completely left the station, not the moment the train starts moving. - The tone of voice and speed of speech is not authentic. - The vegetation placement blocks signals and violates the 600 metre signal visibility rule in Japan, and there are no repeaters either. - The 105 series feels like a rushed job with dodgy braking physics, when the train is mechanically almost identical to a 103. - The 105 series is made up of a 103 cab and a converted 103 motored carriage. The game depicts a double-ended 103 cab and no converted carriages. - The sky colour can change very rapidly (bright to dark in 1 second) during weather events which is off putting. Despite the long list of minor issues, I thoroughly enjoy driving on this route and would recommend it wholeheartedly to a foreign audience. A moderate recommendation to an audience who is very familiar with Japan, more due to the lack of Japanese routes on TS. I wish Union Workshop the best and hope for even better Japanese routes down the line.

Very good Japansese route for this game, I would like to say that is MOSTLY STUNNING BEATIFUL! I'm mostly impressed with Union Workshop and their hard work making this route as they can. PROS: +The 103 is well detailed both outside and inside. +A very good security system while approaching red signals (ATS) which is like AWS and PZB combined. A bell just ring which you have to acknowedge within 5 secs. and it plays a nice tone until you stop. +So much settings in cab! +Changable train rollsigns and numbers! +Announcements spoken when you depart or arrive a station. +Station makrers to tell you where you should stop. +Good environment on the route! +This route isn't short with both lines combined, will take a hour to get through both lines. +7 scenarios! CONS: -Only one train to drive while the other (105) is AI only. Maybe they didn't get the cab shot to make it that way but you can still drive it in freeroam by creating a consist. -I have a computer with an quad core Intel Xeon E3-1240 and a GTX 760 2GB and this route seem to lag in certain areas, EVEN WITH NO ANTI-ALIASING. This route really beats the Maglev by chance and I really enjoyed The Story of Forest Rail. I really don't consider paying $40 for this but hey, you get a highly detailed route with two detailed trains even the one you can't drive in. I would get recommend to get this on a sale for a bit off unless you a fan of Japanese trains or add this to your TS collection badly. I will rate this 8.5/10.

I am wholeheartly Impressed with this route!! UWS has done it again with amazing detail and sounds. My only real gripe is the 105 is not drivable...But it isn't that big of a deal to me. Look forward to see if UWS releases any content to go along with this route! 10/10!

Beautiful route, no question. And as others have said, more Japanese routes would be very welcome. Diesel and steam freight and passenger would go down well, I'm sure. Be aware that this already excellent route serves as one of the dependencies for a couple of freeware routes to be found on RW Central: https://www.rwcentral.com/files/file/3-zr-railway/ https://www.rwcentral.com/files/file/4-nishikigawa-seiryu-line/ Other DLC needed for both but all this gives a very good start for a sound Japanese collection. More, please.

The route comes with 7 scenarios (in career mode) to get you started. The route is another much needed Japanese add-on that fills the void in terms of lack of Japanese routes and also the 103 Series EMU train is quite nice to drive. Having read on the forums that some users cannot get the headlights to work. They DO work but they use a different setup. The route itself is about 40 miles but you get two lines that connect at Takada. The shorter line goes east to Sakurai from Takada whilst the Wakayama line that is longer goes south as far as Gojo and not all the way to the Wakayama as originally thought. But its a nicely made route in my opinion and if the developer Union Workshop would consider extending the line to Nara, Oji and Wakayama. This could be a potentially great route to have for those that are interested in Japanese trains like I am. Here is a video of the route. http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=734532707 Overall Rating: 8/10.

Simply a Beautiful route. It is kinda dissapointing that you can't drive the 105s, but i'm looking forward to what else could come to this route. (the developers of the original route said that they're likely to add the 201, and 221 EMUs to the route) :D

What is arguably one of the most gorgeous routes for Train Simulator, coupled with one of the easiest trains to drive in the game makes this addon definitely worth picking up. As many people have often said, Train Simulator is lacking in Japanese routes, an unusual predicament as the country itself is full of varied and extremely busy routes in real life. Fortunately, this route and the trains which come with it have brought some much-needed attention to this underused country in Train Simulator, and it is easy to tell that a lot of work has gone into this product. Firstly, let's talk trains. This addon comes with two, the JNR Class 103 and Class 105, both well-known workhorses of JR East's services. While both are drivable, it's a bit of a shame that there are no Standard or Career Missions for it, although it is perfectly usable in Free Drive on any electrified route - I had quite a bit of fun doing the run from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin in the 105! https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=838257639 Both the 103 and 105 are beautifully and accurately modelled and textured, giving the feel of the real train inside and out. Japanese trains are known for their ability to both accelerate and come to a halt quickly, and this has been properly replicated in this addon. If you're not watching the speedometer you can easily start speeding, although the simple 7-set series brake can quickly bring your speed under control. Much like the Class 483 that comes with the Isle of Wight route, the 103 and 105 are trains that you can get moving in seconds. Now, on to the route itself. To say this route is varied is an understatement; You'll be travelling through dense urban areas one minute, then through the lush and green countryside in the next. There seems to have been great attention to detail involved; petals blow from the Sakura trees and a wide array of tree types stop the countryside from being too 'cookie-cutter' like some addon routes. Both lines are characterised by flat ground and small hills, and boy is it fun to gather some speed and comfortably ride down a hill at 60 mph! Finally, it's time for my thoughts on the career missions. As mentioned before, there are no missions for the Class 105, which is a bit of a shame. However, the missions for the 103 balance this out sufficiently, although you have to be prepared to do some micromanaging if you want to get the best scores. As is true in real life, the Japanese railways are known for their need to be as on-time as possible, and for the unforgiving consequences that lateness will result in. Expect to be given a fair challenge, with every missed second coming back to bite you. Even the easier missions require you to pull out of the station with seconds to spare after loading up, and it is recommended that you be familiar with the train before giving the missions a go (although this shouldn't take too much time, as mentioned earlier with how easy it is to master the 103 and 105.) In conclusion, this addon is absolutely brilliant, and worthy of being in any user's library. While there are a few let-downs, such as the absence of any missions for the 105, the bulk of the addon more than makes up for it. I wholeheartedly recommend that you pick this up when you have the chance.

Well kids this is it. With DTG shifting focus on TSW, this is the only true Japanese route we will see. luckly its amazing! I also want to start off by saying the steam store page is outdated. the AI 105 is now playable with two career scenarios added for it. Pros: amazing route 103 is detailed beyond 90% of most TS loco's true to live ATS system custom japanese assets Cons: nothing

Edit: I am at 3rd scenario, and I really don't know what to set on roll-sign and service number, can somebody help me? ---- Nice DLC featuring uncommon location. Pros: 1. Nice modeled Trains 2. Good physics, mainly brakes, which are a disaster in various other DLCs 3. Nice "security system", ATS, which is like a hybrid between AWS and PZB 4. Many settings in-cab 5. Spoken station annoucements 6. Stopping markers for individual doors, which just screams Japan 7. Enviromental effect (I don't want to spoil it) rock. Neutral (not prefered by me): 1. I haven't driven the whole length, but atleast much of it is one track, I prefer multi-track routes. 2. Slow operation speed, 60 - 80 km/h Bad: 1. The track surroundings look somewhat outdated, but there are some nice effects like falling leaves. Nothing tragic. 2. Only one train. 3. Rain is falling though passanger area :-D Note: I still think that if DLCs were cheaper, maker would profit more, because $40 is just too much, considering I bought GTA 3, VC, SA, EfLC and IV for $15... but I am train junkie, so.. :) Note2: I purchased "Story of forest rail" which I consider bad, and Shanghai maglev, which I returned to steam. This is the first route that I like from this developer. Overall recommended Scenario: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=729992633