Train Sim World 7: Riviera Line: Exeter - Plymouth & Paignton Route Add-On delivers a detailed train simulation experience on PC focused on the historic South Devon Main Line and its coastal branch. Players operate modern Great Western Railway services across 60 miles of track that wind through hilly countryside and cling to the English coastline, with stops at 14 stations including the recently added Marsh Barton.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on realistic train operation using the SimuGraph vehicle dynamics engine. Drivers handle acceleration, braking, and route-specific challenges such as steep gradients on the South Devon Banks and exposure to coastal conditions along the Dawlish Sea Wall. The Class 802 bi-mode multiple unit provides power for longer intercity runs between Exeter and Plymouth, while the Class 150/2 Sprinter manages frequent local stops on the Paignton branch. Cabs feature authentic controls and instrumentation that reflect real performance characteristics, including suspension behavior and handling under load. On-board passenger announcements play at stations, and random events like signal delays or temporary speed restrictions can affect timetable runs. Route tasks encourage exploration of specific sections or completion of operational goals, while Free Roam allows unrestricted movement across the network with any available train.
Game Modes
Training Center modules introduce the fundamentals of each locomotive through structured lessons on controls and procedures. Scenarios present objective-based challenges that test skills in varied conditions, such as weather impacts or station operations. Timetable mode places players into a full schedule of services drawn from real-world patterns, with AI traffic filling out the network and layers adding extra GWR and CrossCountry trains when purchased separately. Journey Mode sequences training, scenarios, and selected timetable services into a progressive experience. Guard Mode lets players act as conductor on suitable trains, managing doors and passenger interactions between stations. Free Roam supports custom exploration and ad-hoc services without fixed objectives.
The Route
The layout splits at Newton Abbot, with one branch following the coast through Torre and Torquay to Paignton and the main line climbing inland via Totnes and Ivybridge toward Plymouth. Scenic variety comes from red sandstone cliffs, beaches, and rolling Devon countryside, all rendered with attention to station details and authentic GWR branding. Visible AI steam locomotives operate at Paignton and Totnes, representing heritage services on connecting lines. The route supports additional timetable layers that introduce Class 166 Turbostar units, HST formations, and CrossCountry Voyagers for greater service variety.
The Trains
Two primary locomotives arrive with the add-on. The Class 802/0 and 802/1 units appear in GWR Green livery and handle express passenger duties with strong performance on undulating terrain. The Class 150/2 Sprinter in matching livery covers regional stopping services with its distinctive diesel-mechanical characteristics. Both feature highly detailed interiors and exteriors that match operational standards, and they integrate with the route's timetable and random event systems.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback highlights the route's strong scenery, station modeling, and timetable depth as standout elements that deliver satisfying sessions for those who enjoy methodical train driving. The combination of coastal running and demanding gradients creates varied challenges that reward precise control. Support for Conductor Mode and Journey Mode adds flexibility for different play styles, while compatibility with Creators Club tools allows customization of liveries and formations. The add-on suits enthusiasts seeking realistic UK rail operations on a compact yet varied network, particularly those already familiar with the Train Sim World series. Positive reception centers on the overall polish and operational authenticity rather than any single feature.
