Build 93

Build 93, also known as Derail Valley: Simulator, is the second major update released for Derail Valley early access, releasing on June 30th, 2023. On release the game's price increased from $19.99 USD to $39.99 USD. It was a massive overhaul to the game in many aspects, completely changing the way all extant locomotives worked, as well as added three new locomotives. It also changed different simulation aspects, as well as added entirely new systems.

Changes

User experience

• New interface - New design, main menu and in-game restarting, VR consolidation
• User and save management - Robust and intuitive architecture for session management
• Sandbox mode - Full freedom, difficulty parameters customization, scenario editor
• User manual - Comprehensive in-game documentation with contextual structure
• Inventory - Revamped UI and interaction, hotbar redesign, slot locking
• Driving - Introduction of mouse cursor driving, HUD, and other input methods
• External camera - Inuitive usage, photo mode, remote operation of switches/couplers
• Hands - Realistic hands with dynamic adaptive interaction animations in VR
• Localization - In-game texts and manuals community-translated to 20+ languages
• Extras - Bug reporting system, expanded tutorial, dynamic loco tutorials
• Commercial use - Licensing, documentation and feature set for commercial use
• Numerous bug fixes and small features

Environment

• Day and night cycle - Seamless dynamic transitions, atmospheric effects, sun shafts
• Weather simulation - Advanced cloud, fog, rain and thunder effects, seamless transitions
• Lightning - Advanced city and industry lighting, train lights
• Water simulation - Dynamic reflections, splash and underwater effects, buoyancy
• Visual effects - Industry smoke, derailment dust, improved HAZMAT effects
• Environment sounds - Dynamically dependent on biome, time of day, weather
• New items - Solar flashlight, lantern, EOT lantern, compass
• New vehicle props - Over 25 road vehicles, parked in cities and industries
• Environment models - Tweaked location props, optimized buildings, fixed terrain gaps
• Rendering improvements - New reflections, new anti-aliasing, CPU optimizations

Train simulation

• New locomotives - DH4, DM3, S060, DE6 Slug, remade S282/DE2/DE6
• Diesel-Electric powertrain - Traction motors, dynamic brakes
• Diesel-Hydraulic powertrain - Torque converter, retarder
• Diesel-Mechanical powertrain - Fluid coupling, manual gearbox, compression brake
• Steam simulation - Cut-off, cylinder cocks, crown sheet, water dynamics, air flow
• Brake simulation - More accurate air brakes, handbrakes, shoe overheating, wheelslide
• Manual servicing - Coal and water towers, diesel hoses, easier MU servicing
• Locomotive features - Wipers, lights, bells, breakers, compressors, cab fans
• Train physics improvements - Better suspension, better coupler behavior, switch derail bug fix, stutter fix
• Vehicle catalog item - Booklet with locomotive characteristics specifications
• Train mod support (WIP) - Remains work in progress, as planned on release date

This changelog has been transcribed from the images on the Steam update announcement.