A retro setting, a classic locomotive and cross-border travel. Mittenwaldbahn is coming soon from the TSG team, releasing on February 11th!
Mittenwaldbahn: Innsbruck - Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The route, set in 1989 and developed by Train Sim Germany (TSG), features cross-border running between Austria and Germany and introduces the classic Krokodil style locomotive to Train Sim World.
About TSG
Train Sim Germany (TSG) 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 Route
The might of machinery makes a molehill out of a mountain – step back into 1989 and embark on a daring climb. Featuring steep gradients, stunning scenery and the iconic ‘Krokodil’, head off on a nostalgic adventure between Germany & Austria!
Also known as the Karwendelbahn, the Mittenwaldbahn traverses the Alps between Bavaria, Germany and Tyrol, Austria. Talks of a mountain railway went back as far as the 1880s, although no trains would turn a wheel over the pass until 1912. The line was planned to be electrified from the start, to make tackling the route much easier.
Even with electric traction, traversing a mountain range is no small feat for a standard gauge railway. The Mittenwaldbahn features many tunnels and iconic bridges, with incredible ruling gradients as steep as 3.8%. Such lines offer challenge, but also scenic wonder; take-in the sights of the peaks and valleys, with the rails rising as high as 1.1km above sea level and Seefeld providing the summit of the route.
Along the route lie principal stations at Innsbruck, Mittenwald and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, punctuated by impressive infrastructure such as the bridge over the Schlossbachklamm. The area is known for its ski resorts and services will vary between those transporting ski tourists and local freight for the towns situated along the route.
The Trains
ÖBB 1020 ‘Krokodil’
Joining Train Sim World for the first time is the classic European shape of locotmotive often given the term ‘Crocodile’ or ‘Krokodil’. The term extends to different classes of locomotive in mainly Switzerland but also Austria, Germany and others beyond that. The long ‘snouts’ at either end are reminiscent of those from reptilian nature, with the cab and pantographs and transformer located in the central section. Many examples of this locomotive style date back to over a century ago.
The ÖBB 1020 ‘Krokodil’ dates from later with examples built between 1940 and 1956. As a result, this locomotive offers a vastly different sort of driving experience to that of other European locomotives in Train Sim World. Turning the control wheel results in the taps visibly moving in the machine room as you travel up and down the mountainous route.
DBB BR 111
in DBB Blue and Cream livery
Joining the ‘Krokodil’ is the BR 111 previously seen in Bahnstrecke Salzburg-Rosenheim and the separate Train Sim World 5 Gameplay Pack. In both of those settings, it represented a classic form of traction over more modern locomotives.
In Mittenwaldbahn instead the 111 offers a ‘more modern’ experience over the ageing ÖBB 1020 and comes in a new livery of DBB Blue and Cream, making a change from the ubiquitous red paint seen in this part of Europe.
For Mittenwaldbahn the cab and exterior have been worked on to better represent this locomotive as seen in the late 1980s, including a reworked cab layout. The above image shows the reworked older cab for Mittenwaldbahn (left) and the more modern version seen in Pfälzische Ludwigsbahn: Mannheim – Kaiserslautern and Bahnstrecke Salzburg - Rosenheim (right).
This locomotive will also feature the safety system Indusi, rather than PZB. This safety system was previously seen on the Niddertalbahn’s BR 365. Player that are not familiar with this system will be able to learn more with the route’s Manual, which will be published around the release.
Coaches and Wagons
n-Wagen ‘Silberlinge’ Bn and ABn, IC coaches, Es50, rmms663, Tadgs and Shimmns wagons
Facilitating both passenger and freight services is a selection of rolling stock, with both new additions and reliveries of stock seen in previous route Add-ons.
‘Silberlinge’ Bn and ABn coaches in DBB brushed metal livery are hauled by both locomotives for passenger trains along the route, with notable weathering on the roof. Mixed rakes of IC coaches in both DBB blue & cream, and red & cream liveries offer a more presentable setting for passengers.
For freight trains, two new wagons are included in the Add-on: the DBB Es50 and DBB rmms663 with the latter hosting four different types of loads! Tadgs 959 and Shimmns 708 wagons are also included, in new DBB liveries.
Timetable and Gameplay
The timetable will feature services focused primarily on the ÖBB 1020 which has 104 playable services, with a supporting 63 services from the DBB BR 111.
Both of these locomotives haul trains across the entire route which is punctuated by single-track running which create bottlenecks and limit the number of services running at one time.
Additional Service Layers
Two additional services layers will feature for players that have other Add-ons in their collection.
These are:
- BR 365 from Niddertalbahn, operating playable services between Garmisch and Mittenwald (5 playable services in total).
- BR 103 from Linke Rheinstrecke, operating AI services at Innsbruck
Players with the recently released Pfälzische Ludwigsbahn route Add-on will also be able to utilise a rail tour layer from Mittenwaldbahn featuring the BR 103 from Linke Rheinstrecke and the IC Coaches. Players can also create their own ÖBB 1020 rail tours on other routes with Free Roam or Formation Designer!
Collectibles
Along the way there’ll be plenty of collectibles to find and tasks complete, including putting up stickers, replacing milk bottles and tidying up luggage racks and ski equipment.
Train Sim World 5: Mittenwaldbahn: Innsbruck - Garmisch-Partenkirchen route Add-on will release on 11th February for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Epic Games Store, and Steam for €39.99/£32.99/$44.99
Find out more about Train Sim World 5 by following @trainsimworld on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.