ScotRail BR Class 158 Sprinter DMU – Dev Diary
We recently brought the ScotRail Class 158 to TSW but we thought you may be interested to know how we did it. Well, here’s how this all came to be!
What is a Class 158?
A Class 158 is a diesel multiple unit consisting of two cars with driving cab at each end and interconnecting corridors to allow passage through the entire train to another connected unit if one is attached. Known as an Express Sprinter, over 170 were built and introduced into service on the UK rail network in the 1990s. They’re capable of running at up to 90mph and can accommodate between 140 and 200 passengers in a two by two with centre isle interior layout.
What does a Class 158 do?
Over 30 years in service the Class 158 train has proven to be highly successful at completing its intended duties of traversing the rolling and meandering landscape of the midlands and northern England and Scotland. Having provided a significant step up in passenger comfort compared to the trains they replaced; this mantra has been maintained over the decades despite the UK rail network evolving from national Government management to the heavily segmented private sector operation of today. During all this the Class 158 has seen so many upgrades, adjustments, changes and overhauls that finding even two a-like can be a challenge. They have operated for no less than eight different rail companies so far.
Is this the first time they have appeared in Train Sim World?
No, this is the second instance of this train appearing in the simulator. The first iteration was an East Midlands Trains Class 158 that appeared with the Midland Main Line Add-On (also by Skyhook Games) which in TSW provides the ability to drive express and local trains between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, set in 2018.
How did the ScotRail Class 158 come about?
As previously mentioned, the sheer diversity of flavours the Class 158 can be found in, not only through time, but also across geographical regions meant it was always part of the plan when developing this unit in Train Sim World for it to appear in different guises.
Following the successful and highly praised East Midlands Trains Class 158 on the Midland Main Line Add-On, we wanted the next variant to be of a Class 158 that had taken a separate evolutionary path in reality, rather than simply provide the same unit in a different time period. Scotland was the first place the real Class 158s ever operated and while other fleets have been moved around the UK and served different journey types over the years, the Scottish fleet have largely remained in place ever since that initial introduction. With no less than three railway lines of Scotland to choose from in Train Sim World, this made the choice to represent the potential home turf of the Sprinter Express an obvious next choice.
What had to be done?
To complete the ScotRail Class 158 we first had to collect as much reference of the prototype as possible and identify differences to that of the already generated East Midlands Trains version we had. More than one reference trip was completed alongside the usual photographic resource trawl. This research highlighted significant changes to the front-end cab and internal passenger environment, as well as the obvious change in applied livery. Once a full list of all these differences had been drawn up, reviewed and checked for completeness, we copied and began adjusting the original 3D model. This was followed by texturing and animation rework, and adjustment, updating or complete replacement of affected functionality. New features such as the drivers cab fan and scrolling LED passenger information displays were also implemented and circulated for feedback. This process probably took the longest as we cycled refinements with the testing team.
While the train itself was undergoing transformation the gameplay was being formulated through research and tabulation of the units’ movements across the routes chosen to be supported. During development of this data into working timetables and scenarios within Train Sim World it became apparent that the initial vision of coordinating release with the addition of the newly constructed Leven extension to the Fife Circle Line Add-On by Rivet Games was not going to occur, thus key stakeholders needed to be informed with news articles and store copy requiring adjustment to ensure accuracy in product details.
In the run up to release of the ScotRail Class 158 Add-On for Train Sim World, various amounts of screenshots and videos required capture. This was complicated by the development of new iteration of the base software meaning careful review by multiple parties was required for any material to be green lit for publication. However, with great coordination and cooperation all requirements were met for a July 2024 release, to great anticipation and fanfare.
Here’s a few photos we captured during development!
1. The updated passenger compartment for the ScotRail 158, viewed in the editor
2. The updated cab for the ScotRail 158, and its animation flow graph in the editor
3. The player objectives and functionality graph of a ScotRail 158 scenario in the editor
4. A tiny view of the Edinburgh to Glasgow timetable, showing trains running services between Edinburgh and Glenrothes/Cowdenbeath
What happens next?
Despite release, development has not stopped for the ScotRail Class 158. Alongside other productions the team continue to finish the full intended gameplay line up such as the inclusion of a new timetable to incorporate the Leven extension to the Fife Circle Line. To mark this addition, we have also been granted official permission by ScotRail themselves to include a full recreation of the specially commissioned and unique Levenmouth Rail Link livery as applied to unit 158719. These exciting additions and more are yet to be released at the time of writing this article, but excitement for them has already started building from our ever-enthusiastic train simulation player base.
take a look at the ScotRail 158 in action!
What’s next?
Well, if you’re following us on X, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok then you already know. If you aren’t, be sure to! It’s the best way to stay up to date with the latest developments.
An update for the ScotRail 158 which includes fixes & improvements, brand new livery & more are coming soon. But, that’s not all… Cargo Line Vol. 3 and 4 are currently in the works, keep your eyes open for more in the near future.
Train Sim World 4: ScotRail BR Class 158 Sprinter DMU Add-On is available now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation & Epic Games Store!
If you’d like to find out more about this add on, check our announcement blog here!