ZDSimulator news & patch notes

Hello everyone! We wish you a happy New Year holidays! 🎄🚆

We are happy to present a major New Year update that covers several key directions of the project’s development at once — from multiplayer and updated rolling stock to new content, tools, and overall optimization. In this article, you will find a detailed overview of the changes, including the updated multiplayer server with support for shunting operations and side tracks, improved locomotive logic, reworked sounds, new content, bug fixes, and technical improvements aimed at increasing the game’s stability and performance.

Multiplayer: Out of Beta

This multiplayer update introduces a number of important changes aimed at improving usability, access control, and the overall logic of cooperative gameplay.

New Room System Previously, multiplayer only offered open rooms and fully closed sessions that were not visible to other players. The system is now more flexible and divided into three room types:

An open room is displayed in the public list and is available to all players. Anyone can join without additional conditions or restrictions.

This room is displayed in the list, but access is restricted. You can join it in several ways:

• by entering an access key (password code);

• by accepting an invitation from the administrator;

• by being manually added to the allowed players list by the administrator.

This type of room is convenient for private sessions without complete isolation from other players.

A hidden room is not displayed in the public list.

Joining is possible only:

• via a direct link;

• or by being added by the administrator to the allowed players list.

There is no access key for this type of room — control is handled exclusively by the administrator.

A global session chat has been added to multiplayer. Players can now communicate using text messages that are synchronously displayed both directly in the simulator and in the corresponding room chat on the website.

• Enter — open chat

• Esc — close chat

This simplifies communication during gameplay and makes interaction between session participants more convenient and responsive.

In this update, the multiplayer logic has been completely reworked. Trains can now move along all available tracks in both directions without artificial restrictions. All switches and signals are involved in routing, except for shunting signals, making train operations more detailed and engaging. Thanks to these changes, multiplayer traffic has become more stable, logical, and user-friendly for all participants. Dead-end branches, multi-level side tracks, and new signal operating modes have also been added.

Route Control Panels At the moment, four route control panels have been implemented. All of them are designed for the new multiplayer version and operate using the updated traffic and signaling logic. Each panel is tied to a specific route and allows controlling train movements within its designated section.

Development of four more panels is currently underway. They are being designed exclusively for the new multiplayer version, without compatibility with the old logic.

• Kyiv—Shevchenko

• Kyiv—Vorozhba

• Kyiv—Zhmerynka

New panels will be gradually added to the project as they become ready.

🕹️ Game

• Fixed joystick animation for 2EL4 and 2ES4

• Updated fonts and gauge needles for TEP70bs

• Fixed TEP70 diesel sounds

• 2EL4 added to multiplayer

• Added temporary New Year decorations

• Added notification for shunting mode

• Added train length and weight to the interface

• MVP update

• Made MVP consist only through consist editor

• Fixed train weight and MVP calculation

• Added Spanish language

• Holding Shift now speeds up zoom

• Holding Shift speeds up, and Ctrl slows down movement in the cab

• ED2t, ED4m, ED9m added to multiplayer mode

🚆 Content

• Added ability to rename a scenario

• Added station list editor

• Fixed static object addition in scenario editor

Game

New features and improvements

• Added support for new locomotives: VL80k, 2EL4, ED2t, 2ES4k

• Support for the new VL82m locomotive model

• Updated VL11m locomotive model

• New cabin lamps for VL82m

• New buttons in 2ES4k

• Updated fonts on locomotive instruments

• Updated camera behavior and window open button

• Shift + / always returns to the cab

• Added mirror and RB customization

• Added a link to locomotive documentation in the pause menu

• Added scenario editing button to the launcher (Content Editor)

• Added volume level controls to the launcher

Sound (global overhaul)

• All sounds are converted to 3D sound

• Updated sound volumes for all locomotives

• Improved influence of window opening and cab position on sound

• Fixed wagon sound positioning and distance attenuation

Graphics and performance

• Graphics performance optimization for some rolling stock

• Fixed incorrect light source rendering

• Light source distance limited to 700 m

• Fixed rain rendering behind locomotive sections

• Fixed the dark textures issue in multiplayer mode

Fixes

• Fixed ChS7 fan operation

• Fixed consist formation for EMUs

• Updated pantographs for EMUs

• Fixed the error when closing the launcher and selecting MP sessions

• Fixed the operation of failure 75 and failure 80

• Fixed repaint number parsing with letters

• Updated base locomotive signal

Content

• VL80k — new locomotive

• 2EL4 — new locomotive

• ED2t — new electric multiple unit

• 2ES4k — new locomotive

• VL82m — updated locomotive model

• 2TE10u — smoke duplicated on both exhaust stacks

• Added config.ini files for advanced parameter modification

• Shepetivka – Lviv route extended to Krasne

• Dnipro – Kharkiv route extended to Birky

Tools

Experimental locomotive modding system

• Locomotives now include config.ini files with all available elements and parameters

• New Locomotive Config Editor available via Content Editor

• Supports repaint-level configuration

• Support for custom1.dmd and custom1.tga decorative files

Editors

• Dark theme added to editors

• Object source display added to the Route Editor

New Launcher

• improved interface

• route and locomotive previews

• individual preview for repaints

• previews loading from Workshop

• descriptions for routes and scenarios

• view schedules, time, and stops in scenarios

• support for new multiplayer

• preview of wagons and consists

• ability to edit consists via consist editor

• ability to set starting weather

• quick links to DLC list and Workshop

• in-game loading of content directly from the editor

• file origin hints: game, workshop, or editor

• settings to ignore content from editor or workshop

• added Japanese language (launcher only, game does not support hieroglyphs)

New Multiplayer (Beta)

• server with public and private multiplayer sessions

• authorization, basic access rights logic

• web-panel

• support for side tracks

• support for signals on side tracks

• support for single-track sections

• display of players’ train consists

• dispatcher can set season and weather

Simulator

• Added ability to use standard library objects from data/global/objects.ref

• Graphics performance optimization

• Fixed tape view loading bug

• Added vigilance system alert indicator when external camera is active

🚆 Content

• Added route Dnipro–Henichesk (up to Zaporizhzhia)

• Fixed signal coding for correct operation on all routes

• Added traffic models for display in multiplayer

🛠 Tools

• Added Name and Description in scenario editor

• Added object and route file analyzers:

• Empty objects

• Missing objects

• Missing files

• Unused objects

• Unused files

• Objects already in standard library

• Objects already in traffic

• Added Route Tools

🕹️ Game

• Added free external camera (fly using ←, →, ↑, ↓ keys; sensitivity (flight speed) is adjusted with the mouse wheel)
• Updated camera tips: in external camera mode, ↓ key sets the camera to the locomotive
• Added view distance setting (in the launcher you can set the desired draw distance with additional parameters)
• Added flickering of VL80T cab lights during traction position changes
• Oncoming train blinks its bright headlight if ours dazzles it with bright light
• Updated coordinates of oncoming train headlights (match real positioning)
• Added different screeching sounds for curves and switches
• Updated fan sound for ChS7 (will be further improved)
• Enabled smoothing for locomotive signal light (allows creating more universal locomotive signal models by reducing polygons)
• Increased draw distance for signal lights
• Fixed malfunction #80 (will be further improved)
• Fixed nose-dip when entering a curve
• Fixed traffic issue from Steam Workshop where models and textures did not match
• Improved display of level crossing signs and brake test points on 2D profile
• Optimized graphics performance
• Added input.ini file for test mode to override key codes

🚆 Content

• Updated rear section of VL80T, added rear cab with control desk
• Updated EPT block for VL80T (improved model and texture)
• Updated sounds for ChS8
• Updated radio lighting for ChS4KVR
• Changed ChS7 number from 065 to 180 (matches Ukrainian registration with speedometer)
• Fixed signal errors and display in Lviv–Stryi route
• Added new DLC — Shepetivka–Lviv route. Built from Shepetivka to Dubno. Construction ongoing.

🛠️ Tools

• Added ZD Receiver — example of accessing game variables for integrations (in Content Editor folder)
• Reduced sensitivity to script file formatting errors in Scenario Editor
• Created a page for suggestions and voting: https://suggest.zdsimulator.com

Gameplay

• 3D sound effects added

• Improved sound in curves

• Added sound when pantograph breaks

• Fixed issues in locomotive electrical schemes

• Added passing train sound

• Fixed external camera randomly turning off

• Custom wiper support: if wiper.dmd exists in the loco folder, it is used; otherwise, default

• Custom wheelset support: simulator looks for WheelSet.dmd; if missing, uses default

• Fixed frozen traffic wagons when deleted

• Fixed save file placement issue

• Simulator now applies 4GB patch automatically

Content

• Updated VL80T model

• Added custom pantograph to VL80T

• Opening window added to VL80T

• EPT in VL80T is available if ept.dmd is present in loco folder

• Radiator grilles added for 2M62 and 2TE10U

• Updated headlights for 2M62, 2TE10U and TEM18DM

• Missing display frame added for TEM18DM module

Tools

• Fixed Steam editor access — now available without a key

Route Editor

• Fallback font loading from game if not found locally

Content Editor

• Delete key support added

• “Other” section added for manually uploading custom objects

• Quick folder open button added

• Improved list loading performance

• Updated static section

• Objects on the same track and within 100m now form chains

• Position recalculation by distance (forward/back) added

• New columns: object location, distance from previous, length (if traffic), center-to-center distance (if traffic)

Traffic Editor

• Special traffic and autofill from base.ini added

🛒 Steam

• Steam Workshop access now available

🕹️ Game

• Added support for Steam Workshop content

• Red‑Yellow‑White signal now limits speed to 60 km/h

• Adjusted pantograph raise speed on CHS series locomotives

• Added electric arc sound on neutral sections

• Added support for custom pantographs

• Custom pantograph and flash effect on CHS4

• PONAB (overheated axleboxes) indicator visible at night

• Smoothed wagon movement along track gradient

• Added autumn textures and seasonal sun position changes

• Camera can now move along the train exterior using ← → keys

• Added wagon clack sound every 800 m

• Profile tooltip shifts up/down when near screen edge

• Exit signal shows two green aspect, toggled by flag G

• CHS4KVR: added windows, whistle button, compressor lamps, engine compartment model, new headlight, buffer lamps and cab lighting

• CHS4, CHS4KVR, CHS4t, CHS7, CHS8: added sounds for reverser handle and traction controller

• The sound of movement in curves and wagon clatter accelerates with the train's speed

🛠️ Tools

Released content creation tools:

• Content editor

• Route editor

• Scenario editor

• Rosters (consist) editor

• Traffic editor

• Steam Workshop uploader

🚆 Content

• Updated CHS4KVR model:

• Fixed shadow artifacts on roofs and body

• Added windows in engine compartment

• Added railings, door handles, windshield access rail, balcony

• New headlight model

• Fixed cabin rear wall shadows

• Added typhon, sand dispenser, circuit breaker pedals to driver’s footrest

🗺️ Routes

• Standardized all signals model

• Signal plates moved closer to vertical posts

• Added new scenarios for Kyiv–Shevchenko and Kyiv–Shepetivka routes

Thank you for your support! Follow Steam Workshop for new scenarios and content, and join our community!

• Added external camera mode
• Fixed the CHS4 fan control relay bug
• Fixed speed limit sign overlay on profile
• Removed failures in easy mode from automatic scenarios and multiplayer
• Added random vigilance handle selection
• Added CHS8 compressor vibration
• CHS4 and CHS4KVR: fixed stabilizer and battery currents
• CHS4: added right window opening
• Added pantograph raising and lowering sounds
• Added carriage sounds when the window is open
• In AUTO scenarios: added random diversion to branch tracks
• Improved compressor pressure relay logic: compressor starts earlier when using the whistle or horn
• CHS7: fixed SL2M speedometer backlight
• Semaphore signs shifted closer to the semaphores
• Added conversion of Y, G, D, P, U characters into Cyrillic on static semaphores
• CHS4 now visible in multiplayer
• Changed logic for loading player's train: now consists are added from traffic.ref
• Increased visibility distance
• Fixed multiplayer derailment bug
• Reduced speedometer sound volume in external camera mode

• Added brake friction sound variation depending on speed
• Improved CHS7 compressor sound and added shaking of the pressure gauge needle during operation
• Added the ability to use individual cabin locomotive signal light models for each locomotive
• Increased visibility distance for large objects
• Added locomotive signal RED and Yellow and White light
• Added support for CHS4 (original) locomotive
• Added 40 km/h speed limit for branch tracks
• Removed locomotive malfunctions in Easy mode in AUTO scenarios
• Improved rearview mirrors
• Fixed other minor bugs

What's new in 56.2:

• Added sound for the vigilance button
• Smoothed startup sound for CHS8 compressors
• Fixed: CHS7 compressor speed
• Fixed: TEP70 would not start
• Added horn transmission in multiplayer

Update

Improved stability, signaling, and scenarios This update enhances game stability, adds support for new signals, updates scenarios, and improves multiplayer functionality. Buffer light behavior has also been fixed

General

• Improved stability, bug and crash fixes
• Added more debugging data

Locomotives

• Fixed buffer light behavior on ChS4T
• Added buffer lights for 2M62

Multiplayer

• Fixed signaling logic when moving in reverse
• Implemented whistle sound transmission from oncoming trains

Scenarios – fixes and improvements

• Kyiv — Myrhorod (Train 74)
• Kyiv — Zhmerynka (Train 6001)
• Kyiv — Shevchenko (Train 3702)
• Kyiv — Shepetivka (Train 6669)
• Lviv — Stryi (Train 2125)

Editor

• Signals now support non-Cyrillic designations G, D, P