In Train Simulator Classic, the Clinchfield Railroad: Elkhorn City – St. Paul route is a gritty, high-detail immersion into Appalachian coal hauling. Developed by High Iron Simulations, this 41-mile expansion focuses on the Clinchfield’s northern end during the early 1980s—a period of heavy tonnage, transitionary diesel power, and the rugged scenery of the “Rio Grande of the East.”
📍 The Route: Coal, Tunnels, and Trestles
The Clinchfield is defined by its massive engineering feats, built to move millions of tons of coal through the unforgiving Appalachian Mountains.
- Engineering Highlights: Includes the legendary 7,800-foot Sandy Ridge Tunnel (the longest on the line) and the towering Pool Point Trestle over the “Breaks of the Big Sandy.”
- Industrial Backbone: The route features the critical yard and engine terminal at Dante, Virginia, and the sprawling McClure Mine complex. You’ll also navigate the 5-mile Haysi Branch (Greenbriar Branch), a remote and rugged segment for local mine runs.
- Challenging Grades: Prepare for 1.5% ruling grades that require expert throttle management and “blended braking” to prevent heavy coal drags from running away on the descent.
🚆 Included Power & Rolling Stock
The base pack captures the visual shift from first-generation veterans to the second-generation workhorses of the 1980s.
- Electro-Motive Fleet: * First Gen: Authentic Clinchfield-liveried EMD F7 and GP7.
- Second Gen: The ubiquitous SD40 and GP38.
- Rolling Stock: Features 70- and 100-ton coal hoppers and a period-accurate Clinchfield steel caboose.
🛠️ Technical Note: The “First Run” Physics Bug
A known quirk with this route involves the SD40 physics. On the very first run of a scenario after launching the game, the train may exhibit “free acceleration”—speeding up faster than realistic or even climbing hills at idle.
The Fix: Simply exit to the main menu and reload the scenario, or restart the scenario immediately after it loads. This usually resets the physics engine to its intended state.
🛒 Winter 2025 Pricing & Expansions
As of December 26, 2025, the Clinchfield is part of the Steam Winter Sale.
| Item | Standard Price | Sale Price (Dec 2025) |
| Clinchfield: Elkhorn City – St. Paul | $39.99 | $3.99 (90% Off) |
| Clinchfield GE U36C Loco Add-On | $19.99 | $7.99 (60% Off) |
| CRR Scenario Pack 01 (Marketplace) | $9.99 | $4.99 (50% Off) |
⭐ Historical Bonus: The Heavy Challenger
If you own the Heavy Challenger Pack, it includes a free historical update specifically for the Clinchfield E3 (4-6-6-4), allowing you to run 1940s-era steam operations over the modern route geometry.
