The Spoorlijn Zwolle - Groningen route is the first DLC for Train Sim World that is set in the Netherlands. Featuring the modern-looking ATB‐Eg and the newer ATB-Vv version (Aka the "SNG"), as well as the uniquely-shaped NS ICMm3 "Koploper" (Frontrunner in English.) We also found that we had layers for the DB G6 Shunter from Rhein-Ruhr Osten and the BR 193 Vectron DB from Frankfurt Fulda, but sadly we couldn't get the Vectron to move for love nor money.
The route may not be the most spectacular, (the Netherlands are flat as the proverbial billiard table) but the scenery is pleasing on the eye, with dikes (levees in America) and canals the length of the route–the lines often run atop the dikes. The Netherlands is renowned for its extensive and sophisticated network of dikes, which are essential for flood protection and keeping the country's low-lying areas dry.
The Spoorlijn (Railway Line in English) also has a unique feature to look out for in the shape of stork nests, which are perched precariously above the track on the catenary. I saw most of these between Assen and Groningen but apparently they're dotted all along the route! Other noticeable details are more passengers with varied luggage, backpacks, hand bags etc and even passengers with walking sticks.
The Koploper's overspeed buzzer reminded me of a jarring alarm clock I had when I used to do a paper round at the age of 13–but you can be sure that you're not going to fall asleep when this or any of the safety systems are on.
One of the new modes added to TSW5, the Conductor mode, is available on the majority of services but doesn't seem to involve checking tickets, all you have to do is open & close the doors at stations, so it's rather boring.
The only things I could find wrong with the route were an oddly placed grass texture at Hoogeveen (growing through the wall of the station subway stairs), and someone at Dovetail still can't spell the word "receive", other than that, TSW5's first Dutch route is extremely good-looking and polished–as it should be at the price of £32.99 (£29.69 with Game Pass.)
Thanks to Dovetail Games and Indigo Pearl for the review code.