Saluda Grade - Out Now!

Saluda Grade: Legendary, historic, and both respected and feared by the generations of railroaders who tamed it – now comes to Train Simulator Classic with the Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route! Available now on the Steam Store.

Created by acclaimed developer High Iron Simulations, this new Norfolk Southern (ex-Southern Railway) “Pro Range” route for Train Simulator Classic extends 70 mainline miles from Asheville North Carolina, to Spartanburg, South Carolina, and include the legendary and daunting 4.7 per cent grade that ascended the east slope of North America’s magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains.

The climb and the descent of 4.7 percent Saluda Grade represented one of the greatest challenges in the history of North American railroading, and with this new Train Simulator Classic “Pro Range” route you’ll experience those challenges in full and ultra-realistic fashion. And in addition to unrivaled Saluda Grade, the route is tough and unforgiving from end to end, with numerous grade of more than 1 percent stretching in roller-coaster, “saw tooth” fashion over virtually the entire length of the line.

As is a hallmark of High Iron Simulations’ routes (which include the popular CSX Hanover Subdivision and B&O Mountain Subdivision routes), the new Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route is richly detailed, authentic, and includes a wealth of locomotive, rolling stock, and realistic scenarios.

Set in the 1980s/early 1990s, the route is remarkable for its variety of operations and railroading experiences. Anchored by sprawling Asheville and Spartanburg (Hayne) yards, the route features sidings, spurs, and branches that serve more than 40 industries, including the Skyland coal-fired power plant, the Cane Creek industrial complex, wood and lumber yards, and numerous cement, quarry, warehousing, and manufacturing industries.

Between Asheville and Spartanburg, you’ll also witness – and battle – the majestic and rugged Blue Ridge Mountains, totting tonnage through meticulously re-created and hallowed railroad locations such as Saluda and Melrose, Summit Lake and Tryon, Sand Cut and Tallowpot Rocks, Landrum and Biltmore.

Providing the motive power and included with the route are three all-new models of Norfolk Southern Electro-Motive diesels of the route’s era:

Each of the locomotives features advanced and realistic air braking, dynamic braking, and performance which promise to make the challenges of the Saluda Grade route both extraordinary and authentic. To help you master the challenges of Saluda, the “Pro Range” route includes:

Answer the call and accept one of North America’s greatest and most memorable railroading challenges, with the Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route for Train Simulator Classic, now available at the Steam Store!

Created for Train Simulator Classic by acclaimed developer High Iron Simulations, the new “Pro Range” Saluda Grade route extends 70 route miles across the Blue Ridge Mountains from Asheville, North Carolina to Spartanburg, South Carolina. On the west end of the line near Busbee, North Carolina, ex-Southern Railway SD40-2s roll an eastbound freight. Note: Screenshots may depict content while in development.

The now-available Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route is set in the 1980s/early 1990s. In a wintry scene, a pair of Electro-Motive SD40-2s stride past the classic Southern Railway depot at Hendersonville, North Carolina. Today, the beautifully preserved depot is home to a model railroad club.

A Norfolk Southern local powered by a pair of GP35s is tucked into the short siding at Flat Rock to meet westbound empties powered by SD40-2s. High- and low-nose, all-new models of the landmark EMD SD40-2 are joined on the now-available route by Norfolk Southern’s unique ex-Southern high-nose, AAR truck-equipped EMD GP35.

Formed from the Green River high in the Blue Ridge, Lake Summit’s scenic tranquility is broken as 12,000 diesel horsepower bridge the neck of the lake and cart the empty hoppers of the Belmont Coal Train back toward Virginia. As is a hallmark of High Iron Simulations’ routes (which include the popular CSX Hanover Subdivision and B&O Mountain Subdivision routes), the new Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route is richly detailed and authentic.

The hamlet of Saluda, North Carolina rests at the summit of its namesake and legendary grade. On a snow-dressed afternoon, Norfolk Southern SD40-2 3313 and kin have just brought the third section of a heavy woodchips train up the 4.7 percent climb from Melrose. For westbound trains, “doubling the hill” (and frequently “tripling the hill”) was standard procedure.

In one of American railroading’s greatest, and most captivating, challenges, the massive Belmont Coal Train makes its careful descent of Saluda Grade, following the path of the rushing North Pacolet River. The new “Pro Range” Saluda Grade route for Train Simulator Classic replicates the procedures and challenges of operating on the historic grade with remarkable authenticity.

Seldom in the annals of North American railroading has a place as remote and unpopulated as Melrose, North Carolina been a siren to generations of train-watchers. Located at the base of the 4.7 percent climb to Saluda summit, Melrose was where trains were split for “doubling (or tripling) the hill” and hosted the grade’s run-away track No. 2.

It was at Tryon, North Carolina that the railroad’s ascent of the Blue Ridge began earnest, with a tough, twisting, unrelenting 1.4 percent grade extending from Tryon to Melrose. A quartet of potent EMD SD40-2s pass the handsome Tryon depot (above), while above Tryon and approaching Melrose (below), a woodchips train claws upgrade set against the inspiring Blue Ridge Mountains.

When not tackling grueling grades, much of the Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route features a roller coaster profile with “saw tooth” grades of up to 1 percent which require an engineer’s constant attention to both throttle and brakes. Single track and signaled, much of the Saluda Grade route features 40 mph running except when torturous mountain grades and curves reduce track speeds.

Working locals, switching, and hauling heavy tonnage – the new Saluda Grade route will keep you busy! The route features sidings, spurs, and branches that serve more than 40 industries, including the Skyland coal-fired power plant, the Cane Creek industrial complex, wood and lumber yards, and numerous cement, quarry, warehousing, and manufacturing industries. At the Skyland power plant, a pair of Norfolk Southern EMD diesels are switching a long cut of hoppers (above), while on the east end of the route near Sigsbee, South Carolina, a pair of GP35s switch a chemical plant (below).

Hayne Yard in Spartanburg, South Carolina marks the east end of the new Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route. Passing the yard’s wye and engine terminal, a westbound woodchips train begins its run on a rainy day (above), while on a sunny autumn afternoon, east- and westbound trains meet at Hayne (below).

At famed Saluda, the massive Belmont Coal Train is about to begin its careful descent of the extraordinary and legendary 4.7 percent grade. Now is the time to answer the call and accept one of North America’s greatest railroading challenges, with the Saluda Grade: Asheville – Spartanburg route for Train Simulator Classic, available at the Steam Store!