This guide has been designed to help players get the most out of the Train Sim World 5: Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway. Below you will find information about the content available for this route, including links to community videos. Each of our video links demonstrate what a successful run may look like and can be used to help players having difficulty with a particular scenario.


For information about this add-on, please check out the Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway FAQ.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Requirements

Train Sim World 5: Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway is not at standalone product. It will require you to own Train Sim World 5 and the West Somerset Railway Route Add-on.

Purchasing Options

Your purchasing options for Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway will largely depend on what you already own. Therefore, we have broken down our answer into 3 situations.


I don't own Train Sim World 5, or any add-ons. What do I need to play?

  • Train Sim World® 5: Thomas & Friends™️Edition


I own Train Sim World 5, but I don't have West Somerset Railway. What do I need to play?

  • Train Sim World 5: Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway
  • West Somerset Railway Route Add-on

OR

  • Train Sim World® 5: Thomas & Friends™️Edition (You will not receive multiple copies of the base game if you already own TSW 5)


I own Train Sim World 5, and the West Somerset Railway. What do I need to play?

  • Train Sim World 5: Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway

Where can I purchase?

Train Sim World® 5: Thomas & Friends™️Edition

West Somerset Railway Route Add-on

Train Sim World 5: Thomas & Friends™ Visit the West Somerset Railway

Locomotives

  • Thomas the Tank Engine
  • Diesel

Learning Signals

PROCEED - You are free to proceed, the line ahead is clear

 

CAUTION - Slow down and be prepared to stop


STOP - You must stop before this signal and wait for permission to proceed

Typically, a stop light means the line ahead is not clear. Therefore, it is unsafe to proceed. Sometimes, it is a matter of waiting for the line to clear. For example, waiting for a passing train, or waiting for the level crossing to close and stop road traffic.


Example (Scenario - Devious Diesel):


If you are not sure what you should be doing, you can always contact the signaller for more information. At times, you will need to do this to request permission to proceed. You can do this by pressing the Tab Key and selecting Contact Signaller with the mouse. On a controller, simply hold the B/Circle button. The response from the signaller will be shown on screen.


Example:

Coupling and Uncoupling

Coupling and uncoupling can be done on foot or in the external camera. If you would like make these easier, try Automatic Coupling, as described below.

  • To leave the cab, press the E Key (Y/Triangle Button)
  • To access the external camera, press the 3 Key (Click In Right Analogue Stick/R3)

You can control your position and view using the WASD Keys + Mouse (Left + Right Analogue Stick). Use this to line yourself up with the gap between the wagons you want to couple/uncouple from. Aim your camera at the linkage between the wagons, then click the left mouse button (A/X Button) to couple/uncouple.


Example:


Automatic Coupling

Automatic Coupling can be enabled under Settings > Player Assist, which is on by default if you choose the Beginner when first starting the game. When this is enabled, gently bump into a wagon to couple, and click the left mouse button (A/X Button) when prompted to uncouple.



Simple Controls

KeyboardControllerDescription
MouseLeft Analogue StickMove around the menu
Left Mouse ButtonA/X ButtonSelect a menu item
Esc KeyB/Circle ButtonGo back


On Foot

KeyboardControllerDescription
WASD KeysLeft Analogue StickMove the character when on foot.
MouseRight Analogue StickTurn and look around
Left Mouse ButtonA/X ButtonInteract with characters, doors, or controls
E KeyY/Triangle ButtonStand/Sit
Step Up/Down
Tab keyLeft D-Pad ButtonOpen the spawn menu in Free Roam mode
9 KeyView Button/TouchpadOpen the Map
Esc KeyMenu/Options ButtonOpen the Pause Menu


Driving

KeyboardControllerDescription
A KeyRight TriggerGo Forwards
D KeyLeft TriggerGo Backwards
E KeyY/Triangle ButtonStand/Sit
1-3 KeysClick In Right Analogue Stick/R3Switch Camera
WASD KeysLeft Analogue StickMove Camera
MouseRight Analogue StickLook with Camera
Space BarClick In Left Analogue Stick/L3Whistle/Horn
9 KeyView Button/TouchpadOpen the Map
Esc KeyMenu/Options ButtonOpen the Pause Menu

Story Mode

From the main menu, select the Thomas and Friends button, then Start Story. Story mode, will teach you how to drive, and take you through Thomas's adventures on the West Somerset Railway. From here you can select any chapter, but we would recommend that you complete them in the order shown below. However, if you get stuck, you are free to return to the main menu and choose another scenario.


Chapters:

Free Roam Mode

Free Roam can be accessed from the main menu, by selecting the Thomas and Friends button, then Free Roam. From here you have a few options to customize your experience.


1) How do I configure Free Roam mode?

  • Start At - Choose the location you wish to start at.
  • Time of Day - Select any time of day.

Dynamic Weather

  • Date - The date will affect the ambient temperature and the weather conditions available.
  • Weather Preset  - Clear, Foggy, Light Clouds, Light Rain etc...

Custom Weather

  • Date - The date will affect the ambient temperature and the weather conditions available.
  • Weather Preset  - Clear, Foggy, Light Clouds, Light Rain etc...
  • Fog Density - How far you can see in foggy conditions.
  • Precipitation - How much rain/snow is in the air.
  • Wetness - How wet the ground and platforms are.
  • Snow Level - How much ground snow there is, if available within this weather preset and date.
  • Cloud Level - How much cloud coverage there is.
  • Wind Strength - Affecting sound effects and tree animations.


2) How do I Explore in Free Roam mode?

Once you have loaded into the route with your chosen settings, you are free to explore on foot with the WASD Keys + Mouse (Left and Right Analogue Sticks).


3) How do I Spawn a Train?

  1. When you are ready to start placing some trains and wagons, look at an empty spot of track and press the Tab key (Left D-Pad).


  1. From here, select Spawn New Train with the mouse, or the left analogue stick. 
  2. Now, select Filter, check Simple Controls and press Confirm.


  1. Then, select either Thomas the Tank Engine or Diesel, and a list of formations will be display in the right-hand menu. Formations represent different configurations of Thomas/Diesel with the available wagons.


  1. Select a formation from the list, then press Spawn.
  2. While looking at the empty track, press the X Key (Triangle/Y Button) to spawn the formation. You may need to move around a bit to fit larger formations on the track. The front of the formation will always spawn facing towards you.


4) How Do I Duplicate the Last Spawned Train?

  1. To respawn a copy of the last train/wagon spawned, press the Tab key (Left D-Pad).
  2. Then, select Respawn Last with the mouse or the left analogue stick. You may need to move around a bit to fit larger formations on the track. The front of the formation will always spawn facing towards you. 


5) How Do I Delete a Train?

  1. To delete a train, look at it and press the Tab key (Left D-Pad).
  2. Then, select Delete Train with the mouse or the left analogue stick. 


6) How Do I Explore the Route?

In Free Roam mode, signals will still be active, which means you won't get far before running a red signal! To avoid this, we will need to set a destination, so the Dispatcher can let us through.

  1. First, enter your train and sit/stand at the Engineer's position by pressing the E Key (Y/Triangle Button).
  2. Now, open the Map with the 9 Key (View Button/Touchpad).
  3. You can find your train on the map by looking for the yellow train icon, or by clicking the middle mouse button (Up D-Pad) to re-centre on the player.


  1. Zoom in with the mouse wheel (Right Trigger) to get a better look at your train.
  2. Left click (A/X Button) on your train to display the Sandbox Options.
  3. Select Set Path, then choose where you want to go by moving the map by holding the right mouse button (Left Analogue Stick). Zoom In/Out of the map with the mouse wheel (Right/Left Trigger).


  1. Once, you have found a destination, Left click (A/X Button) on the track and select Confirm.
  2. You will be returned to gameplay and your objective will be updated with the selected destination. You may now drive to the destination and the signals will let you through, unless you are waiting on passing traffic.

Achievements

  • TWS: Thomas Mainline Certified! (Complete the Thomas Tutorial)
  • TWS: Diesel Mainline Certified! (Complete the Diesel Tutorial)
  • TWS: Devious Driver (Complete scenario "The Devious Diesel")
  • TWS: Search and Rescue (Complete scenario "The Hunt for the Missing Gifts")
  • TWS: Problem Solver (Complete scenario "A Problem to Solve")
  • TWS: Thomas Ten (Drive Thomas for 10 miles within the speed limit)
  • TWS: Diesel Ten (Drive Diesel for 10 miles within the speed limit)

Media

TSW Add-On Database

Please visit the Train Sim World Add-On Database for further details on this add-on, including:

  • Game Mode & Feature Support
  • Additional Layers
  • Platform Differences
  • Gen 8 Compatibility