Climb aboard and take the throttle of one of North America’s most historic – and fastest – steam locomotives and “highball” the fabulous Empire State Express with New York Central & Hudson River 4-4-0 No. 999, masterfully created for Train Simulator Classic by Machine Rail!
On the spring afternoon of March 10, 1893, at Syracuse, New York, veteran engineer Charley Hogan and fireman Al Elliot climbed aboard New York Central & Hudson River No. 999, a beautiful black and silver 4-4-0 constructed earlier that year at the railroad’s West Albany (New York) Shops. No. 999 had been built for speed, as her seven-foot-tall driving wheels attested, and before the day was done, she would forever log the numerals “999” into the history books.
No. 999 that day was powering NYC&HR’s Empire State Express, the railroad’s new flagship operating between New York City and Buffalo, New York. With Hogan at the throttle, No. 999 and the Empire State Express ran on schedule to Rochester and then continued the westward journey. Flashing through Batavia, New York, at upwards of 90 miles per hour, Hogan pulled No. 999’s long throttle wide open as the Empire State Express rolled onto a 14-mile stretch of track that had received particular care from NYC&HR’s track gangs in the prior days.
The miles clicked by ever faster, passing in 41 seconds, then 38, then 33, and finally a stop watch recorded a mile passed in 31.5 second …. 112.5 miles per hour!
The next day, The New York Times reported the event and proclaimed a “new world’s record of a mile in thirty-two second was made,” adding that from aboard the train, “the clicky clack of the rails sounded like the roar of musketry and the telegraph poles along the track seemed liked pickets in a fence.”
As the special care given the NYC&HR main line in advance and the presence of reporters on board that day’s plush, four-car Empire State Express revealed, No. 999’s record run of March 10 was not by happenstance. No. 999 was scheduled to soon be exhibited at the famed 1893 Chicago Columbian Exhibition (World’s Fair) and the record run was envisioned by NYC&HR management (NYC&HR became New York Central in 1914) to help make her a star of the show and promote the lavish Empire State Express.
With Machine Rail’s NYC&HR No. 999 and Empire State Express DLC for Train Simulator Classic, you’ll experience the “Queen of Speed” in all its glory. The locomotive is superbly re-created and features remarkable detail, sounds, and a realistic cab with a wide range of interactive controls. And the pack includes the complete equipment set of the Empire State Express, including heavyweight wooden combine (two versions), parlor car, and exquisite observation car – all with beautiful interiors!
In a special four-part career scenario created by High Iron Simulations, you’ll climb aboard NYC&HR No. 999 for an end-to-end run of the Train Simulator Classic Boston & Albany: Boston Springfield route (which was part of the New York Central) for a fictional 1958 excursion run celebrating the 60th anniversary of NYC&HR No. 999’s record-setting run.
Today, NYC&HR No. 999 is lovingly preserved at the prestigious Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, but with this superb pack from Machine Rail, fabulous NYC&HR No. 999 and the luxurious Empire State Express are again ready to “highball” in Train Simulator Classic!
Included Scenarios
The Empire State Express No. 999 Loco Add-On includes 4 Career scenarios for the Boston & Albany - Boston to Springfield route:
NYC&HR Excursion Part 1
NYC&HR Excursion Part 2
NYC&HR Excursion Part 3
NYC&HR Excursion Part 4
More scenarios are available on the Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!
Key Features
New York Central & Hudson River 1893 Class N/C-14 4-4-0 steam locomotive No, 999
Empire State Express consist, including combine (open and closed-door versions), parlor, and open-end observation cars
Exacting visual features and details
Authentic cab and operating controls with a variety of interactive features
Realistic sounds
Beautiful and authentic car interiors
Four career scenarios on the Boston & Albany route (available separately)
Quick Drive compatible
Download size: 449 MB
