Train Sim World 7: BR Class 20 'Chopper' Loco Add-On delivers a focused train simulation experience centered on the English Electric Type 1 diesel locomotive, later classified as the BR Class 20. This add-on brings the distinctive single-cab design and 1000hp power unit to the Tees Valley Line route, where it handles light mixed-freight duties. Players operate the locomotive in its BR Railfreight livery, often coupled nose-to-nose in pairs to improve forward visibility and increase hauling capacity for heavier loads such as steel or limestone.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around realistic diesel locomotive operation on industrial routes. The Class 20 features a rear-mounted cab with controls that face both directions, giving it a tank-engine profile and requiring careful management of direction changes. Authentic sound recordings capture the engine's characteristic chopper noise under load, while the SimuGraph vehicle dynamics engine models true-to-life acceleration, braking, and handling characteristics. The included PGA hopper wagons support freight tasks, with players managing loading, coupling, and route navigation across the Tees Valley Line's network of yards, terminals, and main lines.
Detailed cab interiors include interactive controls and safety systems that demand precise inputs during operations. Performance remains consistent with historical data for the Type 1 locomotives that replaced steam power on midlands and Scottish freight services from the late 1950s onward. The add-on also extends compatibility to the West Somerset Railway for additional timetable services, expanding opportunities for varied freight runs without altering the fundamental simulation focus.
Game Modes
Three dedicated scenarios provide structured objectives on the Tees Valley Line, guiding players through specific freight tasks and route familiarization. Interactive training modules cover locomotive controls, safety procedures, and basic operations to build foundational skills before tackling full duties.
Timetable Mode integrates the Class 20 into the route's 24-hour schedule, adding extra freight services that increase overall traffic density. This mode emphasizes adherence to timetables while interacting with AI traffic and signals. The locomotive also appears in Timetable Mode on the West Somerset Railway, offering further scheduled freight opportunities on that separate route.
Locomotive Details and Route Integration
The BR Class 20 stands out for its historical role in British Railways dieselisation, with 228 units produced between 1957 and 1968. Its single-cab layout and headcode discs reflect early diesel design choices, while preserved examples continue to operate on heritage lines today. In the simulation, the Railfreight livery and paired operation replicate common real-world practices for improving visibility and power on demanding freight hauls.
Integration with the Tees Valley Line centers on industrial freight such as limestone transport in PGA hoppers, fitting the route's steel and coke traffic patterns. The add-on requires separate ownership of the Tees Valley Line route to access all content, ensuring the locomotive layers directly onto existing track, signals, and scenery.
Is It Worth Playing?
This add-on suits players who enjoy detailed British rail simulation with an emphasis on freight operations and classic diesel traction. The accurate sounds, cab detail, and handling model deliver a satisfying experience for those interested in the Class 20's unique characteristics and its continued use in preservation. Steam user reviews rate the content positively at 84 percent, reflecting appreciation for the sound quality and physics implementation. It provides targeted value for owners of the Tees Valley Line seeking additional locomotive variety and extra timetable services rather than broad new routes or modes.
