The Sand Patch Grade is a classic and challenging North American freight route that has been a staple of the Train Sim World series since its inception. Spanning approximately 52 miles of demanding track through the Allegheny Mountains, it is renowned for its steep gradients and authentic, heavy-haul CSX operations.

Route Details

The simulation covers the CSX Keystone Subdivision, running from the extensive Cumberland classification yard in Maryland to Rockwood, Pennsylvania.

• Location: Cumberland, MD to Rockwood, PA.
• Scenery: The route is famous for its max 1.94% gradient, the historic Sand Patch Tunnel, and two detailed mine branches (Shaw Mine and Rockwood Mine) where players can load coal.
• Operations: Gameplay focuses heavily on diverse freight traffic—including coal, intermodal containers, and auto-racks. The daily Amtrak Capitol Limited passenger service also runs the line, although only freight operations are the focus in the simulation.

Included Locomotives

The add-on typically includes three iconic CSX diesel locomotives, each serving a specific operational role:

• AC4400CW: A powerful general electric locomotive suited for heavy mainline hauling.
• SD40-2: A versatile workhorse often utilized as a “helper” or “banking” locomotive for pushing trains up steep grades.
• GP38-2: Used primarily for intricate yard switching and sorting cars within the Cumberland Terminal.

Gameplay and Challenges

The Sand Patch Grade is highly regarded for its demanding and realistic physics. Players must master the use of dynamic braking and coordinate helper locomotives (known as banking communication) to manage the weight of heavy trains on the punishing slopes.

The add-on features:

• Over 24 hours of activities in “Journey Mode”.
• Five detailed scenarios and a 24-hour timetable mode for continuous operation.
• Training modules designed to teach the fundamentals of heavy haul operations.

Availability

As the very first route introduced to the franchise (originally in TSW: CSX Heavy Haul in 2017), Sand Patch Grade is a cornerstone of the Train Sim World experience. It has been made compatible with all subsequent titles in the series, including the latest Train Sim World 4 and Train Sim World 5.

You can purchase the Sand Patch Grade as a standalone add-on for your preferred platform. It is available via various official online stores, including Steam, Xbox, and the PlayStation Store.