Train Sim World: Long Island Rail Road: New York - Hicksville Route Add-On is a train simulation title focused on operating commuter services along one of America's busiest rail corridors. Players take charge of electric multiple units on a detailed recreation of the Long Island Rail Road network, managing schedules through dense urban terminals and suburban branches while handling the demands of high-frequency traffic.
Gameplay
The core experience centers on realistic operation of the LIRR M7 electric-multiple-unit. Controls replicate the actual cab layout with accurate responses to throttle, braking, and power management under DC electric systems. Performance matches real-world data, including acceleration curves and handling on the 42-mile route that runs from New York Penn Station through Jamaica to Hicksville, with extensions to Atlantic Terminal and Long Island City plus the Hempstead Branch.
Sound design draws from on-site recordings of the M7, capturing motor hums, track noise, and station announcements. The environment includes 26 stations with appropriate platform details, signaling, and surrounding cityscape. Players navigate busy junctions where more than 1,000 trains pass daily, requiring precise timing to maintain schedules for the roughly 350,000 weekday commuters the real railroad serves.
Technical underpinnings rely on SimuGraph vehicle dynamics and Unreal Engine 4 for consistent physics and visual fidelity. The route spans key New York-area infrastructure, placing emphasis on commuter rail operations rather than freight or long-distance services.
Game Modes
Five detailed scenarios provide structured tasks that range from routine commuter runs to more complex movements through the network. These sessions focus on on-time performance and proper handling of the M7 in varied conditions.
Service Mode delivers an extensive 24-hour timetable containing 181 individual services. Players select shifts and work through the full daily cycle, responding to the constant flow of trains at major hubs like Jamaica.
Additional options include riding as a passenger to observe operations from inside the train, viewing activity from trackside locations, and free exploration for locating 100 collectibles such as route maps, fire extinguishers, city posters, and fence hole repairs. Tutorials cover both basic controls for new users and advanced procedures for experienced operators.
Route and Equipment Details
The add-on recreates the primary New York commuter corridor with high fidelity to station layouts, track configurations, and branch lines. The M7 serves as the featured equipment, reflecting the hundreds of units in actual LIRR service. Cab interiors feature authentic instrumentation and lighting that respond to time-of-day changes.
Collectible hunting adds a light exploration layer without altering the primary focus on timetable adherence and safe operation. The overall design prioritizes the challenges of dense commuter railroading over open-world freedom.
Is It Worth Playing?
This route add-on suits players who enjoy precise simulation of electric commuter operations and the logistics of busy terminal movements. It delivers consistent depth through its timetable services and scenario variety, supported by accurate modeling of the M7 and the 42-mile network.
Those interested in American railroading or seeking a focused single-player experience will find the combination of tutorials, collectibles, and extended timetable services rewarding. The title maintains its value for repeated play through the daily service cycle and the demands of navigating one of the country's most active rail junctions.
