Train Simulator is like a model train shop; There’s a lot of different trains available. If you’re going to buy everything that’s for sale, it’s going to be extremely expensive. Fortunately you don’t need it all. It’s unlikely you find every single piece of DLC interesting, and even if you would, you won’t have enough time to use it all.

Start small. Just like you’d do with a model railroad. Then expand at your own pace, or don’t expand at all. None of the DLC is essential, but it is essential to have something. Without a train and a railroad, there’s nothing to start playing with.

That’s why Train Simulator always comes with a small selection of DLC. It gives you a few routes and trains to play with. There are several “Editions” for sale. They all offer a different selection of DLC. Which one is the best, depends on your personal preferences. There’s a lot of different trains and routes, and the railroading experience varies a lot.

The community forums are always a good place to seek advice. Players can recommend you what to but, and what not to buy. Just keep in mind we get a lot of trolls about the price tag if you’d buy all the DLC. But as soon as it’s clear your seriously interested in Train Simulator, people will help. As personal preferences differ, it’s likely you’ll get different recommendations.

There’s some tricks and traps hidden in all the DLC though. The developer wants to make some money, but it doesn’t always use a strategy I support. It often leads to new players buying something while there is a better deal available. That’s why I wrote this guide. To help people to spot the traps in this awesome piece of software.

In general, before you buy anything I recommend you to do the following steps;

• Carefully read the Store page of every piece of DLC. The Store page tells you exactly what’s included. Especially read the small lines of text. The ones that do not catch the eye are usually the ones holding the most valuable and honest information.
  
• Read some reviews. DLC is made by different (third party) developers and the quality varies a lot. The reviews can hold useful information.
  
• Check the price history on https://steamdb.info/. This site keeps tracks of the price history of every game and DLC on Steam. Sales happen a few times a year and https://steamdb.info/ can tell you exactly how often and for which price things went on sale.
  
• Watch some YouTube videos. Just searching for the DLC name along with “Train Simulator” should give you quite a few movies of people playing and reviewing the content. It gives a good impression of the railroading experience.
  
• Ask the community for advice. Whenever in doubt, the community forums are always willing to help. A lot of people have been playing for years and are familiar with a large selection of DLC. Use their experience to your advantage.
  
• Wait for a sale. Found a nice piece of DLC? Add it to your wishlist and let Steam send you an email when there’s a sale. Sales can go up to 75% off or even more.

• European Loco & Asset Pack is included in several DLC. See https://steamdb.info/app/208300/subs/
  
• US Loco & Assets Pack is included in several DLC. See https://steamdb.info/app/208306/subs/

Some trains sold seperately are also included in other DLC. They may not include the scenarios.

• DB BR442 is included in the Mittenwaldbahn
  
• DB BR86 is included in the Wutachtalbahn
  
• Donnerbuchse coaches are included in the Krokodil

Some routes are part of another route. They may not include the scenarios. Check the included trains on the store page before you buy.

• Berlin-Wittenberg section is included in Berlin Leipzig
  
• South Wales Coastal section is included in Bristol-Swansea
  
• North Jersey Coast Line section is included in Morristown Line
  
• Chengdu-Suining section is included in South West China High Speed Network
  
• Hamburg-Lübeck section is included in Hamburg S1 S-Bahn

To be continued...

Gives you a section of railroad to drive on. Includes everything you need:

• manual
  
• at least one locomotive or multiple unit (could be one you already have)
  
• a selection of scenarios

Expands on a route. You will need the route it extents as a seperate purchase. Includes:

• manual
  
• another section of a railroad

Gives you a new train to drive on any compatible routes. Electric trains can only run on tracks with the correct electrification (overhead or third rail). Includes:

• manual
  
• the locomotive or multiple unit (could be one included in a route DLC)
  
• at least one livery
  
• at least one wagon or coach (in rare occasions no wagons or coaches are included)
  
• a tender (if relevant)
  
• at least one consist for Quick Drive (single loco without wagon counts as consist) (in rare occasions no consists are included)
  
• scenarios for one or more routes (you need to buy the route DLC to access these)

Includes multiple trains (locomotives and/or multiple units). Usually in the same livery or from the same compant or time period.

A wagon you can use in your own custom consists or scenarios

A livery for a train sold in another DLC (you need to buy this DLC seperatedly)

A set of scenarios for one or more routes using one or more trains (may require one or more routes, trains, wagons or liveries. You need to buy all the requirements in order to access the scenarios)

scenery items to be used in user created routes (only relevant when you’re building your own routes or want to use user created routes that are depending on this scenery pack)

These packs are used for several route DLC. Whenever you buy a DLC which requires it, you will get this pack for free. I recommend not to buy this pack on its own. Includes:

• manual
  
• a slection of trains and rolling stock
  
• scenery items and textures for route building
  
• consists for Quick Drive