Train Simulator

Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as flight simulator
Review: It was a lot of fun learning about train operations. For a first release it is great and I already see a lot of add-ons being developed. I haven't played with it for a few months but just thinking about it has got me thinking about loading it up again!

Rating:
Summary: Train Simulator from Microsoft
Review: Train Simulator gives anyone with even the smallest interest in iron horses the ability to drive one of nine powerful locomotives; ride as a passenger along six detailed, real-world locations, and design custom-built tracks, routes, and driving scenarios.

The nine rail cars in Train Simulator fall under three category types that follow the evolution of locomotion, and each cab has its own unique controls and complexities. Among the steam-powered trains are the legendary 4472 LNER Flying Scotsman from England and the Gölsdorf 380, a train famous for its travels along the Orient Express, which ran from Innsbruck to St. Anton. The diesel-powered trains include the freight-bearing General Electric Dash 9, the General Motors GP38-2, and the Japanese passenger car KIHA 31. Covering the electric train category are the Odakyu 2000 and 7000 LSE passenger locomotives, as well as the new Amtrak HHP-8 and Acela Express, both of which are bullet trains capable of going up to 135 and 165 mph, respectively. Each locomotive has been licensed for full inclusion in the game, complete with their authentic markings and unique color schemes.

In addition to its authentic trains and textures, Train Simulator offers six different, highly detailed travel routes spanning four countries and covering over 600 miles. In the U.S., players can haul freight through the 152-mile Marias Pass in Montana, or shuttle passengers along a 133-mile portion of the Northeast Corridor between Philadelphia and Washington D.C. In the Japanese locations, would-be engineers can travel through a portion of the bustling Odawara Line from Tokyo to Hakone, as well as drive down the scenic Hisatsu Line. Finally, the two steam engine trains find their natural surroundings in Europe, with the Settle & Carlisle Line in Northwestern England, and the Innsbruck-St. Anton route through the Austrian Alps.

For train fans who just want to ride the rails without a specific assignment, there is an Explore Route mode for each location. Players can customize which type of locomotive to drive, what sort of trains (or "consist") are attached, and the starting and heading locations. Other global configuration options include the time of day, the season, and the weather, which encompasses clear skies, rain, and snow. There are also various realism options you can assign before starting a run, such as derailments, alerting monitors, and simple or realistic controls. Any explore route or scenario can be saved and loaded at any time, so players don't have to ride a long route in one sitting.

Train Simulator also comes bundled with a powerful editor and tools program that allows you to build new terrain, construct your own routes, create new scenarios, and design custom train cabs. It's also possible to edit the existing tracks and trains, create new hazards, more traffic, or even add custom fuzzy dice to the dash of your Acela Express. The track designer features are most likely to grab model train builders' attention, but the sim's manual only covers the editor in passing, noting that the tools are unsupported and for "experienced computer users only." There are, however, comprehensive online help files for the editor and tools; reading them before tackling the editor is a must.

Rating:
Summary: This is a great game for all train lovers.
Review: Train Simulator is a great program if you love trains. There are advantages and disadvantages. The program takes up a lot of space on your hard drive, it freezes up once and awhile, and the views are not that great, for instance, when you are in the passenger view you only can look up,down,left and right you cannot look backwards, also if you are in cab you can only look forward and to you left and right and again you cannot look backwards. When you choose snowy conditions the program shuts down and brings you back to your desktop. There are some good things about Train Simulator such that the graphics are very good in quality and the sounds realistic. There is a wide variety of trains from the Acela Express to Dash 9, and there are many different routes such as the Northeast Corridor to the Orient Express. If you are a train lover like me, you will very satisfied with Train Simulator.

Rating:
Summary: Must have for anyone who have past interests on trains
Review: Please don't rate this game if you are not a train lover. This game is not for everyone. The reason I bought this game at the beginning is not that I like trains, just the fact that I love nature, and riding a train through the forest and beside lakes is like a dream to me, I bought this game so I can experience it. Boy, did I make a right choice! The graphics are very realistic, as I drive the Kyushu on the Hisatsu Line through the mountains and lakes, it feels like I'm actually there driving the train. There are many times that I just want to stop the train, look around, feel the breeze and relax (it really clears your mind)... On the other hand, driving in the city is pretty stressful, as it is extremely hard to get to every station on time: if you are late on one station, than you are probably [bad] for rest of the stops. If you are looking for a relaxing game, look no further than Train Simulator; if you are looking for a challenging game, look no further than Train Simulator!

Rating:
Summary: SHUT UP!
Review: These other reviews under mine they just need to shut there traps this is one of my favorite games i am huge Train lover. and you can download trains. but the only problem is nobody makes the big boy and they have program to make your own trains so guys keep your mouths shut.

Rating:
Summary: Josh
Review: This is the best game and it has very good graphics. My favorite train to drive is the Amtrak and BNSF train. If you do not have this game you should get it. It is really cool. It has alot of missions some are easy, some are hard.

Rating:
Summary: Boring!
Review: I love trains, and I thought this game would be a fascinating way to play with trains. But what I found is that it's tedious, repetivie and boring! All you do is drive trains back and forth, and sometimes stop to pickup and drop off passengers. When you're in a low-speed stretch of track, you just sit there for 20 min or so and wait to accelerate. Some of the scenarios are kind of fun, but overall you put up with 30 min of boredom for 30 seconds of fun.

Rating:
Summary: help I think I got gypped
Review: All you flight simmers, stick to FS. I guess TS is all right for a first try by microsoft, but really, even enron could come up with something better. The selection of trains and tracks barely cuts it, and even though the graphics are nice, the view options stink. For instance, in passenger view you cannot look behind you period. In cab view, you can only look directly ahead and to the sides. No back view either. About the only thing that is slightly exciting is the derailments. Hit a piling at 200 mph and watch your train be pasted all over the map. And all this junk for 2.7 gigs! If, however, you choose to ignore sage advice, like I did, get this game as cheaply as possible.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: Man this is a SWEET game i love the new traint
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Rating:
Summary: Great for any age rail buff
Review: For anyone who dreams of train travel, passenger or freight, this product will draw you into hours of vicarious travel adventure. Not just a kid toy. Especially good with add-ons such as 3DTrains.