Rascal & Cottonwood Add-On for Rail Simulator (PC CD)

The R&C is a fictional/freelance route based on North American railroad practice. The "end to end" length of the line is around 20 miles serving various towns and industries en route. However the route author has used model railway style techniques to compress this into a slightly smaller circular area to give, as described in the manual, a more immersive and detailed world than following the linear course of an actual prototype line. Just the right amount of scenery vs trackage.The route is very well built and takes advantage of all the extra details and features you can incorporate in a RS route, compared to MSTS or Trainz. There's a selection of US motive power and freight stock (no passenger vehicles, unfortunately). The supplied SD40 is superb, well weathered and replete with very authentic heavy GM sound effects. Train physics are good - dragging a rake of eight loaded coal hoppers you need to plan ahead for braking etc.R&C comes with approximately 11 supplied scenarios which will enable users to familiarise themselves with the route before building their own activities.Finally the R&C is built with a great many custom items which will be particularly useful for RS users looking to build their own North American route.Despite my earlier, sceptical, review of Rail Simulator the programme has made quite a few advances and the "R&C" is a worthy add-on.