Train Sim World 7 Southern Pacific Ore Lines: Hayden Branch
High Iron Sim's Arizona copper mining route: heavy diesel haulage through the Sonoran Desert.
Heavy-haul American railroading
Southern Pacific Ore Lines: Hayden Branch is an upcoming Train Sim World 7 add-on from High Iron Simulations. The route recreates a busy ~20-mile branch line between Ray and Hayden in Arizona, serving the copper mining industry. This is legendary territory for heavy-haul and tough railroading amid dramatic Western desert scenery and open-pit copper mines.
The route is set in the 1980s era and joins the set of 1980s-era content in Train Sim World. It offers a fundamentally different type of railroading from the commuter and high-speed passenger operations of the TSW7 core routes: heavy loads, steep grades, and the industrial character of American mining railroading.
The copper mining operation
The Southern Pacific Railroad’s Hayden Branch served one of Arizona’s most important copper mining districts. The route hauls millions of tons of copper ore annually from mine to mill, and returns with finished copper metals outbound. This is not a glamour route — it is working railroading at its most practical.
The Hayden Branch connects:
- Ray, Arizona: Site of the sprawling open-pit copper mine and adjoining servicing facilities
- Hayden, Arizona: Site of the mill, smelter, yard, and unloading facilities
- Various intermediate points serving the mining complex
The grades on the branch reach up to 2 percent, with track speeds limited to 30 miles per hour. This is railroading where traction and tonnage matter more than speed.
Traction: GP35 and caboose
The primary locomotive is the Southern Pacific’s Electro-Motive GP35 diesel road-switcher. The GP35 is a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD (Electro-Motive Division of General Motors) between 1963 and 1967. It was a workhorse of American freight railroading, particularly on branch lines and transfer runs.
Key features of the in-game GP35 include:
- Accurate Southern Pacific livery and exterior modelling
- Detailed cab interior
- Authentic EMD 645-series engine sounds
- Functional火车头 systems and controls
- Road-switcher capability for yard and mainline work
Also included is the Southern Pacific C30-4 bay-window steel caboose, a classic piece of American freight train equipment. The bay-window design provided better observation and protection for the rear-end crew compared to earlier cupola designs.
Freight rolling stock
The route features a variety of ore-hauling equipment:
- Gondola cars: For hauling copper ore from mine to mill
- Acid tank cars: For carrying processing chemicals
- 56-foot anode flat cars: For transporting finished copper ingots outbound
This variety gives players different freight tasks: loaded ore moves one direction, empty returns, and processed materials head out on different consists. The freight variety is part of what makes American heavy-haul railroading engaging.
Arizona desert environment
The Sonoran Desert setting is a significant part of the route’s appeal:
- Dramatic Western desert scenery
- Open-pit copper mines visible from the railway
- The Gila River and Western “cactus country” of the Sonoran Desert
- Intense heat and glare associated with Arizona operations
- The industrial character of mining railroading
The visual contrast with the Yorkshire commuter network, Florida suburbs, or German high-speed lines could not be greater. Southern Pacific Ore Lines is for players who want the American Southwest and industrial freight above all else.
Scenario-based gameplay
High Iron Simulations is bringing extensive timetabled services and scenario-based gameplay to the route. Players can expect:
- Hours of switching and transfer movements around the Hayden smelter
- Complex loading and unloading duties at Ray
- Transfer movements between mine, mill, and yard
- Scheduled ore trains with realistic timing
This is a route that rewards patience and planning over speed and precision stopping.
Release status
Southern Pacific Ore Lines has no confirmed release date. It is listed as in development on the August 2026 roadmap. Follow the roadmap for updates.
Related pages
- Routes Hub — compare all available and upcoming routes
- Roadmap — track SP Ore Lines and other add-ons
- Florida Tri-Rail — the launch-day US route in TSW7
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
When does Southern Pacific Ore Lines come out?
No release date has been confirmed. It is listed as in development on the August 2026 roadmap.
What traction is included?
Southern Pacific Electro-Motive GP35 diesel road-switcher and C30-4 bay-window steel caboose, plus ore gondolas, acid tank cars, and anode flat cars.
Is this a launch-day route?
No. Southern Pacific Ore Lines is a post-launch add-on from High Iron Simulations. The launch-day US route is Florida Tri-Rail.
What era is the route set in?
The 1980s, joining the set of 1980s-era content in Train Sim World.
What makes this route different from other TSW7 routes?
Heavy-haul American freight railroading through Arizona desert, serving copper mines. Grades up to 2%, 30 mph speed limit, and industrial operations rather than passenger services.