In Grand Theft Auto V, the mission “Sidetracked” offers a thrilling prelude to the ultimate heist, “The Big Score.” As Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, players must stealthily hijack a train and its cargo using precision sniping and a magnetic helicopter. With Gold Medal challenges like staying undetected and racing against the clock, this mission combines stealth, strategy, and high-flying action to test your skills in preparation for the grand finale. Will you master the art of covert chaos?
Mission 82 – Sidetracked general information
Way to unlock: You need to complete main mission 74 (The Big Score) and select the Obvious variant towards the end of that mission. After you receive a message from Lester, there will appear the Hs icon on the world map which marks the railway station.
Playable characters: Michael
Additional information: One of the assumptions of this mission is stealing a railway engine and an empty cargo car, thanks to which they can be used for the heist itself. If you perform all the steps correctly, you will not need to fight anyone, nor will you alarm the police.
Mission 82 – Sidetracked full walkthrough
The starting point for this mission is the railway station located on the east of the map, right next to the highway and the quarry. After you get there, listen to the conversation with Trevor and get into action. Start sneaking towards the two railway workers that you can see in the distance. First, surprise-attack the one in the control tower (the above screenshot).
The other one of the railway workers
Exit the control tower and eliminate the worker at the tracks. You can now return to the room where you have neutralized the first one of the workers, and interact with the control panel. Wait for the train which, as a result of your actions, will roll into the side-tracks.
Cut to Trevor now, who has in the meantime gotten into a cargo chopper (Skylift). Fly up to the train that Michael has diverted and hover over the railway engine (the above screenshot). After you receive a suitable piece of information, activate the electromagnet by pressing the appropriate button on the D-pad. You now need to deliver the railway engine to the airfield (do not fly too low or you will bump into a pole!) and put it onto the truck.
One of the empty railway cars
Fly towards the railway station again and attach one of the empty cargo cars to the electromagnet. After that, return to the airfield again and put the car onto the truck. This is the end of this undemanding mission.
Rewards and challenges in mission 82 – Sidetracked
Rewards for the completion of the mission: none
Requirements for the completion of the mission in 100%:
- Mission Time – You need to complete this mission within 4 minutes and 30 seconds. This is, unfortunately, very little time so you need to hurry. In the initial part of the mission, enter the sneak mode, literally, at the last possible moment. You should also take care of short flying times between the airfield and the railway station.
- Undetected – You cannot cause the alarm to be raised during the mission.
What are the key strategies to complete the Sidetracked mission undetected
To complete the “Sidetracked” mission in GTA V undetected, follow these key strategies:
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Use a Sniper Rifle or Suppressed Weapon: From a safe distance, first eliminate the guard in the tower, then take out the worker near the train tracks. This ensures minimal noise and avoids detection.
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Maintain Stealth: Avoid rushing or engaging directly with guards. Use precise, long-range shots to neutralize threats without alerting others.
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Efficient Rail Control Manipulation: Once the area is clear, quickly access the rail controls to divert the train without raising alarms.
By following these steps, you can achieve the “Undetected” Gold Medal requirement while efficiently completing the mission.
How can I use shadows effectively to avoid detection in the Sidetracked mission
To use shadows effectively and avoid detection in the Sidetracked mission of GTA V, consider the following strategies:
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Position Yourself in Dark Areas: Stay within shadowed regions to minimize visibility. Avoid brightly lit areas or direct light sources, as these can make you more noticeable to guards.
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Use Shadows to Maneuver: When guards are patrolling, time your movements to stay within shadowed zones, especially when crossing open spaces. This reduces the risk of being spotted.
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Create Distractions: If possible, use tools or actions (like firing suppressed weapons) to lure guards away from well-lit areas into darker zones where you can move undetected.
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Crouch and Move Slowly: Crouching further reduces your visibility, allowing you to blend into shadows more effectively while maintaining stealth.
By mastering these techniques, you can leverage shadows as a tactical advantage to complete the mission without raising alarms.
