MBTA Boston–Worcester is a 44-mile (77Km) long route that heads east from the Massachusetts capital city, with 18 stations along the way. Veterans will be aware that Boston has already featured in Train Sim World in the Boston Sprinter route, which ran from Boston South to Providence, and was part of Rush Hour update.
A new locomotive to Train Sim World, the massive, bull-nosed MPI HSP46 is the star of the show, along with the CT5 double-decker Control Trailer Coach at the other end of the consist.
The other locomotive is the EMD F40PH-3C diesel-electric, which will be familiar to anyone who owns Boston Sprinter. The F40PH usually pulls 5-car consists, or pushes them if the CTC-3 cab car is controlling it. We were delighted to see 7 other locomotives given layers in MBTA!
Trackside detail is good, and the requisite amount of weeds and unkempt undergrowth are where you'd expect them to be. The scenery is pretty good throughout.
ATC and ACSES safety systems are extremely driver-friendly and instinctive to use. The tutorial could do with fine tuning though, as if you travel at the speed limit you'll overshoot the first station before the tutor finishes his spiel and the stop marker appears!
In keeping with recent Scenarios, this route has some imaginative ones, including running an extra early morning train on Patriot's Day (for the Boston Marathon.) For me the dynamic weather was terrible, but demonstrated how well TSW5 does rain and volumetric lighting.
I really enjoy this route, its varied scenery makes for an interesting experience, and now, in addition to Boston Sprinter, it feels like the 11th largest city in the U.S. has finally been well and truly serviced.
Many thanks to Dovetail Games and Lick PR.