The Festival of Rail 2026 on Steam is the must-attend event for railway simulation enthusiasts, featuring spectacular discounts of up to -90% on a wide selection of railway games and their expansions. Organized by Dovetail Games, this annual festival celebrating the world of trains offers, from February 5 to 12, special deals primarily targeting Train Sim World and its numerous additional contents. Whether it’s new routes, accurate locomotives, themed packs, or remastered DLCs, this week is perfect for enriching your library without breaking the bank.
Here is what awaits you during this exceptional week:
- Promotions up to -90% on routes, locomotives, and additional content;
- The launch of new live content on Dovetail Games’ YouTube channel to mark the event;
- High-quality remasters and updates that bring famous lines back to life;
- A diverse selection between new releases and classics of railway video games;
- Partner offers, including a first-ever discount on an external DLC.
This first preview invites you to discover, section by section, how to make the most of this unique opportunity to fully experience the Festival of Rail 2026.
- 1 Exceptional discounts on Steam railway games for all types of players
- 2 An event that energizes the railway simulation community with announcements and exclusive content
- 3 Remasters and updates: rediscover legendary lines in a new light
- 4 A varied selection and advice to optimize your purchases during the Festival of Rail
Exceptional discounts on Steam railway games for all types of players
The main appeal of the Festival of Rail 2026 lies in its unprecedented promotions across the entire Train Sim World range. These discounts reaching up to -90% allow acquiring content often reserved for larger budgets. For example, the DLC Train Sim World 6: Northern Trans-Pennine: Manchester – Leeds is offered at only €2.49, an excellent opportunity for realism & immersion lovers to explore a very detailed line.
Beyond the spectacular -90%, other offers highlight the festival:
- NJ TRANSIT ALP-45DP at -30% for €11.89, ideal for fans of recent North American rolling stock;
- CrossCountry BR Class 220 Voyager, also at -30%, at the same price, for fans of modern British trains.
These historically low prices reflect a clear strategy from Dovetail Games: making sophisticated DLCs accessible, often reserved for a niche of expert enthusiasts, while attracting casual players.
A significant diversity in offers is also observed to reach all types of players:
- Beginners can afford affordable experiences like New Journeys – S-Bahn Köln BR 423 for under €2;
- Collectors and advanced players can complete their sets with cargo packs or specific locomotives;
- The “essence of simulation” segment benefits from discounts encouraging discovery and experimentation.
This range ensures that everyone can build a personalized library according to their affinity with rail, from simple visual pleasure to advanced simulation.
| Content | Discount | Price after discount (€) | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train Sim World 6: Northern Trans-Pennine | -90% | 2.49 | August 2025 |
| NJ TRANSIT ALP-45DP | -30% | 11.89 | September 2025 |
| CrossCountry BR Class 220 Voyager | -30% | 11.89 | September 2025 |
| Island Line 2022: BR Class 484 EMU | -60% | 9.19 | August 2025 |
| New Journeys – S-Bahn Köln BR 423 | -60% | 1.59 | August 2025 |
These various prices and contents offer both an opening to beginners and a stimulating range for seasoned players, resulting in a smoother and more exciting consumption dynamic.
An event that energizes the railway simulation community with announcements and exclusive content
Besides price promotions, the Festival of Rail 2026 is positioned as a community celebration where enthusiasts can discover new live content. The launch at 18:00 UTC on February 5 is marked by a live broadcast on Dovetail Games’ YouTube channel, announcing a new production from their railway universe.
This moment is eagerly awaited by the community because it emphasizes the importance of associating railway heritage with constant innovation. It is the best proof that railway simulation does not simply revisit past eras but knows how to offer true new beginnings with modernized gameplay mechanics and ever more immersive environments.
These streaming sessions also allow:
- Exploring behind the scenes of railway game development;
- Getting exclusive previews on the genre’s future developments;
- Interacting with developers and other passionate players;
- Participating in contests and themed community sessions.
This interaction creates a strong bond between players and creators, enriching the overall experience.
Train enthusiasts know how valuable these announcements can be for an immediate investment, as a novelty often promises more than mere entertainment: it opens the way to new sensations and unprecedented strategies in management and driving.
The role of additional content in loyalty and diversity
DLCs and expansions, usually costly in normal times, become accessible and appealing during this festival. Whether you favor long contemplative sessions or technical, precise driving, these contents complement and diversify the gaming experience.
An example of a highly sought-after item: the Island Line 2022 offered at -60% for €9.19 provides users with rolling stock and a route that change driving habits, within a unique island environment. Perfect for varied pleasures and challenges.
Remasters and updates: rediscover legendary lines in a new light
The remasters presented during this festival offer an excellent opportunity to rediscover already known lines, but profoundly enhanced. Schnellfahrstrecke Köln-Aachen benefits from a -60% discount during the festival and hits an all-time low price of -75%. This type of content attracts players sensitive to refined graphics and increased gameplay precision.
One of the highlights is undoubtedly the release of the Great Western Express Remastered pack, available from February 6 at 10:00. Priced at €11.99 with a 60% discount, this remaster brings:
- A complete overhaul of lighting and textures,
- Two new stations, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park,
- Reworked platforms at Ealing Broadway,
- Immersive improved sound with new audio mixing,
- Improvements to existing rolling stock.
These enhancements reinforce immersion and fully justify the rerelease at these advantageous prices.
The attention to detail significantly changes the impression left by a line. Rather than mere landscapes scrolling by, one is truly immersed in a universe where every stop, every signal, every sound element contributes to the overall atmosphere.
A varied selection and advice to optimize your purchases during the Festival of Rail
Given the abundance of offers presented during the Festival of Rail, it is useful to maintain a clear purchasing strategy to make the most of the special deals. Here are some proven recommendations for the situation:
- Spot record lows: prioritize DLCs showing a record discount to optimize your budget without regret;
- Alternate between routes and locomotives: to immediately vary your sessions and avoid boredom from monotonous gameplay;
- Watch remastered content: they often offer improved quality and playability daily;
- Evaluate bundles: prefer those combining routes + rolling stock for a richer, coherent experience;
- Take advantage of partner offers: such as the first -25% discount on Mittenwaldbahn: Innsbruck – Garmisch-Partenkirchen (TSG), a great opportunity without forced purchase constraints.
The Festival of Rail thus encourages building a coherent universe at your own pace, cleverly combining new releases, classics, and thematic deepening. This approach, whether an amateur or an experienced player, guarantees enjoyable game progression and constantly renewed pleasure.
These tips that turn a railway game collection into a true immersive experience
Taking time to choose before buying helps fully live each session by avoiding overload or scattering. A library built around carefully selected contents offers smoother and more intense simulation results. To maximize passion, it is also advisable to adopt a qualitative approach by combining:
- Varied environments, between urban, regional, and international lines;
- Rolling stock covering different eras and technologies;
- An exploration of specific themes like freight transport or station maneuvers.
In summary, the Festival of Rail 2026 represents an ideal week to feed your passion through wise purchases, exclusive announcements, and an active community where exchanges and wonder are at the heart of the pleasure.
