I analyzed Steam reviews across all TSW versions starting at TSW2 to find the true community top routes. Here are the results! If this turns out to be completely duplicate information, so be it :) With over 150+ DLCs scattered across TSW 2 through TSW 6, I was curious about how routes truly stack up when you account for score and version decay.

Since there isn't an official Metacritic for Train Sim World afaik, I pulled the data via the Steam API and built a model to calculate a weighted average score for each add-on. To ensure older scores didn't distort the rankings, the formula applies a decay penalty to older releases while factoring in total review volume as they will probably be less positive in today's context. The "score" is 8 for "Very Positive" down to lower values for lower ratings on Steam. Per version: Review Count * (Score - Version Penalty). Summed, then divided by the total review count over all versions.

The Top 7 routes (According to the data) are from 6 distinct developers, which is very interesting! The top 2 are "Very Positive", released in 2026, and native for TSW6:

1. Vector Simulations CZ Liberec - Stará Paka claims the absolute top spot across 128 reviews. As a native TSW6 release, this Czech route made a massive splash in the community thanks to its authentic regional atmosphere, highly detailed rolling stock, and incredible trackside craftsmanship that sets a new bar for third-party add-ons.
2. Firefly Simulations Medway Valley Line shares the top spot across 60 reviews. Also debuting as a native TSW6 route, Firefly's debut route captured the hearts of UK railfans by delivering an exceptionally immersive Kentish countryside experience complete with dense timetable operations and spotless attention to historical detail.
3. Dovetail Games Spoorlijn Zwolle - Groningen holds a "Very Positive" on TSW5 and just a "Positive" on TSW6. Giving it a 7.6 weighted score across 173 reviews, which is the largest sample size in the top 7. Maintaining that high of a score with that many reviews shows how consistently solid the Dutch route turned out.
4. Just Trains WCML: Preston - Carlisle lands right behind it at a 7.6 weighted score across 91 reviews. Known for its massive scope, detailed signaling, and long-distance high-speed runs, Just Trains delivered a route that stays impressively consistent between Very Positive and Positive across versions starting TSW5.
5. Train Sim Germany Mittenwaldbahn holds the exact same weighted score as WCML across 85 reviews. TSG's signature attention to detail on signaling and overhead line equipment, combined with the scenic cross-border Alpine mountain pass, makes this one of the most consistently praised German routes in the entire franchise, starting on TSW5.
6. Rivet Games Berninalinie gets the 6th developer into the top tier with a 7.2 weighted score across 114 reviews. Despite Rivet Games having a somewhat mixed reputation in the community, they delivered a true masterpiece here, capturing the dramatic Swiss narrow-gauge gradients and mountain scenery that players clearly love even while originating from TSW4 originally.
7. Dovetail Games London Overground Suffragette line concludes the list on 7.2 weighted score across 117 reviews. Serving as Dovetail’s second entry in the top 7, this modern London commuter route proved to be a major hit thanks to its tight urban timetable and crisp execution, originating from TSW4.

What do you think of these results? Do any of these top placements surprise you, or does this line up with your personal tier list?

Hey everyone,

I'm in a bit of a rabbit hole and need some outside perspectives. I’m looking for a dual-purpose vehicle in the Netherlands: a reliable daily driver for myself only that can legally seat at least 4 (passenger registration / geel kenteken because of tax reasons) even though I take the chairs out anyway, but it also needs to act as a stealthy micro-camper. Because of ridiculous Dutch taxes (BPM and road tax), diesel is out. It has to be petrol. A currently business-owned van is very expensive too.

The strict constraints:

• Dimensions: Exterior height < 190 cm (parking garage) exterior length ideally < 450 cm (no Maxi/L2 needed). Interior length behind front seats must be at least 165 cm though.
• The Goal: It needs to fit a modular camper kit (like Tchao-Tchao or a DIY comb bed, or something like Modulcamper or whatever)
• The Engine: Absolutely NO Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (Berlingo/Partner/Combo/Doblo/Proace), NO Renault/Dacia 1.2 TCe (oil burners/wet belt issues), and NO old VW 1.2 TSI with the catastrophic timing chains.

The problem? The market is insane. Base vehicles are incredibly expensive right now because nobody bought a petrol minivan some years ago that are on the 2nd hand market now. Here is my sketchy but highly calculated shortlist.

Option 1: VW Caddy IV (2015–2019)

• 1.0 TSI (3-cylinder): Surprisingly tough and efficient. Can be tuned to 140hp. But it's a 3-cyl, and people want €15k–€16k for a 10-year-old one with 150k km on the clock. Underneath the facelift, this platform technically dates back to 2002 so it's getting old.
• 1.4 TSI (4-cylinder): Rock solid, smooth, tunes to 165hp. But prices are wild: €18k–€20k for a 7-year-old car on an outdated platform with 150k km.

Option 2: VW Caddy V (2021+)

• 1.5 TSI: New platform, driving way more like a modern luxury car. Very modern, but prices start at a painful €23k–€25k (e.g., €23k for a 2021 model with 123k km). (The Ford Tourneo Connect equivalent with the EcoBoost starts at a painful €30k+).

Option 3: Ford Tourneo Connect II (2018/2019+)

• 1.0 EcoBoost: Also technically shares its underlying architecture with a mid-2000s platform, so it's not a fresh design either. Only looking at late 2018+ models because they swapped the wet belt for a proper timing chain. Drives great, tunes to 145hp. Rare as hell on the passenger market though. Found one for €16k with 112k km at a dealer. Exterior looks nice, interior is okay but not my dream car.

Option 4: The Kangoo III Platform (Renault/Dacia/Nissan/Merc)

Specifically looking for the 1.3 TCe engine (2019+). Great motor, tunes to 165hp/300Nm.

• Dacia Dokker: Found a 2020 one with only 23k km for €18k (there are some nicer ones in Germany too). Downside: It feels like a tin can wrapped in cheap plastic. The Stepways, a tin can wrapped in plastic both inside and out, are quite a bit better. And has doors at the back which is a pro.
• Renault Kangoo: Way more premium, feels like a real car. Found a beautiful 2021 model with 64k km for €23k. When my money was quite infinite, this would probably be my dream choice.

Option 5: The Wildcard – Dacia Lodgy (1.3 TCe)

This is my budget-friendly out-of-the-box idea. No sliding doors, but if I rip out the back seats, it has the most length and enough height for a low bed platform. I can get a 2021 Stepway model with under 70k km for just €16k. Probably the best actual drive out of the lower-budget options, packed with Android Auto, Cruise, etc. Super stealthy because nobody expects a camper inside a Lodgy. Getting in and out is a bit awkward compared to a van, though, and it's ugly as f. And I want to be able to sit inside at a (small) table, not a full width bed only, so an MPV might be a bad cheap-out.

So now what?

I simply can't throw out almost 30k on the full project including the kit and all so buying a Kangoo is out of the picture. I refuse to spend €20k at an outdated 7-year-old Caddy IV 4-cylinder just because of the VW badge. Meaning I have to look at the lower tier . So here is the real choice at €16k:

Caddy IV (3-cylinder)

Tourneo Connect (3-cylinder)

Dokker TCe 130

Lodgy TCe 130

What would you do in this lower bracket? Go for the badge and the looks (Caddy/Tourneo) or go full budget-gremlin for the superior engine and features (Dokker/Lodgy)?

Cheers!

We want to do a hike next Saturday to lac blanc region. Options are taking the Flegere (or walking that valley stretch but that's not the issue) after that go to lac blanc via

* taking the direct route through the valley-like path

* taking the high direct route outside of the mountain

* taking the balcon Sud lower option, then Lacs de Cheserys

* going to index and taking the high route from there (telesiege is closed so I'd be a walking route)

All these can be the up or down, preferably a round trip so we choose two of possible.

I read balcon Sud > Cheserys > blanc > perseverence is doable and has snow last 15 minutes by now, but how about the others?