The route was originally known as "Richmond" when the first track was laid from Blacktown to Richmond. But rapidly grew to include the full junction at Blacktown and the Richmond down-track flyover between Blacktown and Seven Hills. So technically not limited to the "Richmond" line and hence the name-change to "SydWest".

SydWest Coverage
The SydWest route is planned to terminate at Emu Plains. Passengers and drivers wishing to travel to Katoomba and Lithgow will need to "switch routes" at Penrith for Mike's Blue Mountains route!

SydWest Downloads
See download instructions for Stage 1 at the downloads page. Other stages and future work will be announced here. SydWest will be a free download.

SydWest Future
No further development is planned for SydWest at this stage due to a number of reasons.
1. I need a new computer (these things are VERY resource-hungry)
2. It's very time consuming - Stage 1 is the result of 400+ hours (unpaid) work!
3. The MSTS development software is extremely unreliable (very annoying crashes at the worst possible times were a large contributor to point 2 above)
4. Microsoft no longer is continuing its Train Simulator product line - I'm waiting to see what alternatives become the most widely accepted among fans. Another package is in development which will be fully compatible with MSTS files/routes but I'm waiting to see it.
5. CityRail has expressed some possible legal concerns, so we are proceding with caution. This may be an obstacle to releasing SydWest as a finished/polished professional-level commercial route, which is needed if we are to make it a viable ongoing project.

Ben Johnson -- Chief Engineer, SydWest Project