# HSB Simulator

> HSB Simulator is a free (freeware) add-on route for the Open Rails train simulator, recreating the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen, HSB) in Germany — the Harzquerbahn, Brockenbahn, Selketalbahn, and the Nordhausen tram line 10. Content and site are bilingual German/English.

The route covers 140 km / 87 miles of narrow-gauge track across the Harz mountains, including the steam-hauled Brocken Railway up to 1,125 m above sea level. It ships with over 700 recreated points of interest, NASA-derived terrain for a ~1,600 km² area, a full fleet of the HSB's historic steam locomotives, 30 bilingual missions, and an authentic day-long timetable for free-roam / timetable-mode play. Multiplayer is supported via Open Rails' native multiplayer feature.

## Docs
- [Die Brockenbahn: Geschichte der Bergstrecke](https://hsb-simulator.com/wissen/brockenbahn-geschichte-bergstrecke/): Die Brockenbahn von Drei Annen Hohne zum Gipfel: Eröffnung 1899, Sperrgebiet ab 1961, Wiederaufnahme 1991 und ihre Rolle im HSB-Netz heute.
- [Bahnhof Wernigerode: Gleisplan und Betriebsablauf](https://hsb-simulator.com/wissen/bahnhof-wernigerode-gleisplan-betriebsablauf/): Wie der Bahnhof Wernigerode aufgebaut ist: Bahnsteige, Einsatzstelle, Bekohlung und Rangierwege – und was davon im HSB Simulator nachgebildet wird.
- [Dampfloks der HSB: Neubauloks, Mallets und Einsätze](https://hsb-simulator.com/wissen/dampflokomotiven-harzer-schmalspurbahnen/): Neubauloks der Baureihe 99.23-24, Mallets von 1897/98 und Einzelgänger wie 99 6001: die Dampfloks der Harzer Schmalspurbahnen und ihre Einsatzgebiete.
- [Open Rails installieren und den HSB Simulator einrichten](https://hsb-simulator.com/wissen/open-rails-installieren-hsb-simulator-einrichten/): Schritt fuer Schritt zu Open Rails 1.4: Systemvoraussetzungen, Installation, Verzeichnisstruktur unter Content\Routes und die haeufigsten Fehler bei der Einrichtung.

- [Homepage](https://hsb-simulator.com/): Full product page — overview, route network, scenery, missions, installation & system requirements, contributing authors, and merchandise links.
- [Strecken](https://hsb-simulator.com/strecken/): Route-by-route overview — Harzquerbahn (Wernigerode–Nordhausen), Brockenbahn (Drei Annen Hohne–Brocken), Selketalbahn (Quedlinburg–Alexisbad–Hasselfelde), Nordhausen tram line 10, the Wernigerode depot, and which route to start with.
- [Fahrzeuge](https://hsb-simulator.com/fahrzeuge/): The full steam locomotive fleet — Neubauloks class 99.23-24, the 1897/98 Mallets, and the 99 6001 — with build year, wheel arrangement, and which route each class is suited to.
- [Wissen](https://hsb-simulator.com/wissen/): Growing library of how-tos and background articles — Open Rails setup, driving the steam locomotives, signalling, operations, and the history of the real Harz Narrow Gauge Railways. Updated weekly.
- [FAQ](https://hsb-simulator.com/faq/): Site-wide frequently asked questions — cost, platform support, prior-knowledge requirements, multiplayer, and release timing.
- [Impressum](https://hsb-simulator.com/impressum/): German legal notice (Impressum) with publisher contact details.
- [AGB / Widerruf](https://hsb-simulator.com/agb-widerruf/): Terms & conditions and right-of-withdrawal notice (German consumer law).

## Route network

- Total: about 140 km of metre-gauge (1,000 mm) track, plus the Nordhausen tram line 10.
- Harzquerbahn: about 60 km, Wernigerode to Nordhausen, via Steinerne Renne, the junction at Drei Annen Hohne, Elend, Sorge, Benneckenstein, Eisfelder Talmühle, and Ilfeld.
- Brockenbahn: just under 19 km, from Drei Annen Hohne via Schierke to the Brocken summit station at 1,125 m above sea level, with gradients up to 33 per mille.
- Selketalbahn: from Quedlinburg via Gernrode, Mägdesprung, Alexisbad (branch to Harzgerode), Silberhütte, and Straßberg to Stiege with its turning loop, then on to Hasselfelde and Eisfelder Talmühle.
- Nordhausen tram line 10: runs through the city centre, then switches onto Harzquerbahn track at Nordhausen Nord and continues to Ilfeld.
- Line speed limit across the network: 40 km/h. Recommended learning order: Selketalbahn, then Harzquerbahn, then Brockenbahn.
- The Wernigerode depot (Bw) is modelled with engine shed, coaling stage, water crane, and ash pit.

## Key facts

- Status: unreleased / in development — release announcements are posted on the [Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_felKiJZOP50lTWZyVH6A) and the [Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/543087392839081/).
- Price: free (freeware route add-on).
- Required base engine: [Open Rails](http://www.openrails.org/download/program/), Stable Version 1.4 (also free).
- Platform: Windows 7–11 (64-bit) only; does not run on Xbox, Windows Phone, macOS, or Linux.
- Minimum system requirements: DirectX 11, 8 GB RAM, dedicated GPU with 2 GB VRAM, ~15 GB free disk space.
- Install: install Open Rails first, then unzip the HSB Simulator route package into `Open Rails\Content\Routes`.
- Editing/modding: all route assets (scenery, textures, rolling stock, sounds) are freeware; routes can be customized with the free [TSRE](http://koniec.org/tsre5/) editor.
- Contact: mail [at] hsb-simulator.com (see Impressum for full postal address).

## Optional

- [HSB Online Shop merchandise](https://www.hsb-wr.de/): official Harzer Schmalspurbahnen shop, linked from the homepage (locomotive cap, USB stick, mousepad).
- [Wikipedia: Harz Narrow Gauge Railways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harz_Narrow_Gauge_Railways): background on the real-world railway this add-on recreates.