Train Sim Germany (TSG) is formed of numerous individual developers working on Train Sim World projects. Readers of our recent Roadmap will note their development work on the first German steam locomotive in the future Neckartalbahn route Add-on, with other members working on the BR 420 Add-on and more.

The group has been creating content for both Train Simulator Classic and Train Sim World since 2011 both as a contractor and as a Partner Programme developer.

Previous Train Sim World releases include the G6 shunting locomotive and the fan-favourite Niddertalbahn route Add-on, as well as Train Sim World’s first ‘Expert’ level locomotive: DB BR 101 and the first German main line diesel locomotive with the DB BR 218.

The 1990s were a period of change for Germany’s railways, classic traction was being sidelined by new generations of motive power, and multiple manufacturers with competing ideologies were being merged under Adtranz. While the likes of intercity trains got the BR 101, originally an ABB design, one of the new arrivals for freight haulage was the BR 145, which was derived from an AEG prototype, the BR 128.

A total of 103 BR 145s would be built between 1997 and 2000, their sleek exteriors providing a stark contrast to the boxy standards of the previous generation. Meanwhile under the hood, with modern screens in the cab and powerful asynchronous electric motors, they started the transformation of Europe’s cargo-hauling fleet and went on to inspire the design of the iconic TRAXX family.

In this Add-on, the BR 145 features not only the standard Deutsche Bahn livery, but RBH blue as well - a new freight brand for Train Sim World. The 'NV' variant of DB BR 145 is also included representing their limited use as passenger locomotives and this variant includes a highly detailed FT95 PIS System plus changes to the cab and machine room.

Brand new T3000e container flats are included in this Add-on, alongside Expert-upgraded versions of existing and commonplace wagons; the Zacns, Habbiins and Sggmrss 90.

Like the previous Expert DB BR 101 Add-on, the Expert BR 145 has implemented a number of 'Expert' features that go into a complex level of detail not seen in other locomotives and trains in Train Sim World.

These features are focussed on providing an intimately complex experience for the most hardened TSW players and can be disabled in the Main Menu (Expert Mode -> Off) for a more typical level of interaction in the cab.

But that's not all! With the BR 145, TSG will also be keeping your busy outside the locomotive with Expert Coupling! Climb between the loco and wagons, pick up the chain and hook it up yourself - don’t forget to connect the brake pipes!

Thermal simulation also affects the exterior; you may have to unfreeze the brakes in the cold by 'hammering' them or stop the locomotive and fix overheating. These elements are visual and can be seen in effect. External fuses are also now simulated.

It will be possible to encounter stuck brakes, which will begin to overheat. There is also a chance that you will pass a hot axle detector and the responsible signaller will call you to advise you of this. Be careful! Certain wagons do not respond well to quickly applying and releasing brakes, which might trigger these issues.

For accurate freight train simulation, TSG have implemented an automatic Bremszettel in the cab, with all the needed information on length/wagon weight to calculate the PZB data more easily. This means that you don’t need to calculate or obtain the information beforehand.

Via the table (shown above) you can find your train's maximum speed, brake percentage required and even the different brake modes for each wagon type. The 'Einstelltabelle' on the cab's back wall will help you enter the correct values.

This is especially helpful if you encounter any broken wagons. When spawning consists in timetable mode with Expert Mode enabled in the Settings, you will now have a chance for broken wagons to spawn and for varied brake performance throughout the train.

During development, audio was recorded from a real BR 145 locomotive and the respective freight wagons.

Like the Expert DB BR 101, the fault-finding aspect to this release is fully simulated. This is different to the Train Sim World 6 core feature of 'Train Faults' and presents instead a number of complex faults to be diagnosed and remedied using the interactive in-cab screens and fuses / breakers. This includes various faults, from harmless to serious, and for the first time these pages have been translated to English for ease of use.

A series of Scenarios and Tutorials will be able to guide the player through the fault-finding process.

A Manual will also be provided to assist players with this process and certain elements will require reading before embarking on services.

A total of 5 Tutorials and 4 Scenarios are included on an advanced level, with the Scenarios requiring the Bahnstrecke Leipzig - Dresden route Add-on from Train Sim World 6.

The Tutorials are detailed, with some unique interactive elements and guide players of all abilities through the complex sequence of events required to operate the Expert level locomotive.

The locomotive will substitute into any appropriate freight service on route across the Train Sim World catalogue, similar to other freight locomotives in the game. Players will also be able to utilise the locomotive on any route Add-on in Free Roam.

Train Sim World® 6: Expert DB BR 145 Loco Add-On will be available from March 13th on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for €35.99/£29.99/$39.99

In case you missed it last night, join Executive Producer Matt, Community Manager Jan and Senior Technical Producer Lukas on both YouTube and Twitch for their preview of the Expert DB BR 145.

For our German audience, we also have a German-spoken preview, hosted by our wonderful ambassador TrainSimPlay on their channel, with Senior Technical Producer Lukas joining in to support, starting tonight at 18:00pm UTC on March 6th 2026.

So that you're ready for the event, be sure to join our fantastic communities for Train Sim World and all our titles, from our Dovetail Live forums, our new official Discord, and community-led spaces that we are active in – be sure to check this out below and talk directly to our teams!