Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12831 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2001-08-14
• Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 95

Amazon.co.uk Review
Microsoft Train Simulator has been developed by the team responsible for Microsoft's flight simulator range and shows the same high attention to detail in both graphics and gameplay. The latter is similar to GP3's, giving you the chance to control whatever level of detail you want--from the pressure gauges to stoking the engine. Of course, the un-technical among us can just take the train out for a spin and keep it simple across the six world tracks that Microsoft initially offers. Graphics, like the flight sims', are very impressive, but will need a powerful machine to get the full beauty while chugging along in the countryside.

Apart from the free reign on the tracks, there are a number of missions, or tasks, that you've got to complete, ranging from simply getting from A to B to rescuing a train à la Thomas the Tank Engine. With more depth than most, this game is for all comers alike; whether you've been following trains for the last 50 years or this is your first foray, the learning curve is there. Okay, so you can't back left at a whim, nor fly by the control tower at mach six, but the thousands of train aficionados out there are sure to have their imaginations stoked by the six tracks, nine locomotives and track editor. --Jason Denwood

DailyRadar.com
Preview: UK developer Kuju has announced it is underway with Microsoft Train Simulator, a game which will put enthusiasts in the cab of a variety of locomotives -- including Japan's high speed bullet train.

As well as a variety of engines, the simulation will include hundreds of miles of realistic track recreating a variety of famous train routes around the world. Routes on offer include the Santa Fe Railway, the mountainous Hisatsu line on Japan's southern island of Kyushu and the Orient Express route across the Alps.

"We are pleased that Microsoft is giving Kuju the opportunity to develop Microsoft Train Simulator," said Ian Baverstock, business development director at Kuju. "Kuju's established reputation in creating high-quality simulation software is crucial in helping us deliver Microsoft Train Simulator to the same high standards Microsoft Flight Simulator has set." --DailyRadar.com

Manufacturer's Description
Experience the excitement of trains on your PC like never before. Take the controls from the engineer's cab with 6,000 tons of freight behind you and exciting challenges ahead. Or relax in the passenger's seat and enjoy the unfolding scenery. Trains, routes, and sounds have been recreated in exact detail with authentic landscapes and real-world adventures. With steam, diesel, and electric engines, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and adventures of Microsoft Train Simulator. You'll travel on routes from around the world with over 600 total miles of rail, carefully recreated with accurate elevation and terrain data, to mirror the real-world scenery, industry, and towns along the way. Routes include both historic and contemporary rail operations: The Orient-Express - visit the Austrian Alps in the 1920s, from Innsbruck to St. Anton, for the ultimate in romantic European steam train travel. Flying Scotsman - race along some of England's most beautiful countryside as it was in the 1920s, from Settle to Carlisle, in what was the world's fastest steam locomotive. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company - experience the challenges and awesome power of moving modern-day freight over Marias Pass in Montana - a vital east-west freight link across the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Amtrak - the "bullet train" comes to America with the new Amtrak, Acela high-speed train running the busy U.S. Northeast Corridor from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia. Odakyu Electric Railway - navigate one of the busiest commuter lines out of Tokyo or take in the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Fuji as you travel to the famous Hakone Hot Springs. Kyushu Railway Company - explore the mountainous Hisatsu line on Japan's southern island of Kyushu with a challenging switchback system and loop.

Customer Reviews

MICOSOFT TRAIN SIMULATOR
When I was a kid, I got a model train set one Christmas. It was great! It came with a simple loop track and about three cars, including the locomotive. It was a bare bones starter set, but I didn't care. I think I had more fun putting everything together than pretending to haul freight across country (it was a very small country) since I was more of a tinker than a train fanatic. Then one day, I think I accidentally stepped on the track and cracked it, stunting any growth I might have had in becoming a train fanatic. But in the interests of sparking an old flame, I chose to review Microsoft's Train Simulator.
Getting the Wheels Rolling

MS Train Simulator has a very simple interface, which remains prevalent throughout the entire game. Basically, you choose to either create a custom train simulation by setting up things like the locomotives, cargo, tracks and conditions, or you choose a pre-made "scenario" that has all these conditions pre-selected, as well as some scripted goodies, such as weather worsening, broken track, and timetables to keep.
Some of these scenarios are more complicated than the others, reflected by the difficulty setting. One thing I didn't like about this setup was that you couldn't tweak the scenarios. There is also an editor that allows you to import train skins, create new routes, and make scenarios of your own, which will extend the shelf life of the game. I found some elements of the editor simple to use, while others, such as the Cab editor (which allows you to create custom locomotive controls) to be daunting
The actual control interface varies from train to train, but all except for the steam-powered locomotives share common controls: throttles, brakes, sanders (to help wheels grip the track in slippery conditions), and reversers (which tell the train to go forward, backward, or neutral). There are also vanilla items like horns, bells and headlights, which help the train see and be seen. I liked the headlights, not only were they actually useful, but actually came on when they were activated. The use of these controls could not be simpler. The mouse can push buttons and drag levers, and that's all you need to drive a train There are three types of locomotive in MS Train Simulator: steam-powered, diesel, and electric. The electric and diesel are almost identical, but the steam-powered locomotive is a real challenge. Without going too in-depth, the steam locomotive requires an outside supply of water and coal, has twice the number of controls of the other locomotives, and is infinitely more difficult to drive. The steam engines should provide a real challenge for anyone who's mastered the art of driving the other trains.
There are six famous routes in Train Simulator, all modeled exactly like their real-life counterparts: The Marias Pass, a mountain route connecting the east and west sides of the Rocky Mountains; the Northeast Corridor, a New England commuter route; the famed "Orient Express" route through Europe; The Settle & Carlisle Line, running between England and Scotland; and two Japanese railways, the Tokyo and Hisatsu linesThere are eight trains in Train Simulator, two steam-powered, three diesels, and three electric. The trains look and feel different from each other, even if the same class of locomotive has similar controls. If you get tired of driving the various trains, you can do more complicated tasks, like switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and driving commuter routes keeping a timetable. The tasks can even be interrelated, such as when a train drops off cars and picks others up at a train yard, then moves the freight to another station. Adding to the complex tasks can be weather conditions and unforeseen accidents (broken track, maintenance, etc.) to hinder your job. All in all, it is a robust package for such a simulation. Another thing I particularly disliked about the scenarios, however, was that if you so much as ignored a traffic light, the simulation would end. I would have liked more freedom to make mistakes, personally.
Graphics and Sound

MS Train Simulator actually pushes out some decent graphics as well as sound effects. Even at a low resolution, the train's individual cars are detailed, allowing you to differentiate between all sorts of cargo and passenger cars. At high resolutions the game performs admirably, pushing out high frame rates even as your 100-car train goes over 100 miles per hour. The sounds are realistic, each train's horn and bells have been captured, as well as various train sounds such as the tracks, brakes, and so on, providing more elements of realism to the game's incredibly difficult to review a game so one-sided towards a particular type of consumer. On one hand, the simulator will wow train fanatics and will probably give them all they want. On the other hand, casual gamers would most likely be bored to tears. I'll say this, and let you decide: Microsoft Train Simulator is easily the best train simulator on the game market right now. If a train simulator interests you, then you need look no further. Final word if train simulators interest you, this is a must-have

At least these trains won't be late
This game is very good for budding train drivers or enthusiasts. You have a choice of 9 locomotives to drive, ranging from steam, Diesel and electric and all are driveable on the 6 routes available which vary in age and location for example you can drive the highly powerful Present day Acela from Baltimore to Washington or the classic Flying Scotsman from Carlisle to Settle.
Each route has various activities for you to complete which involves driving your train with other railway traffic and attempt to complete your tasks on time.
The game is probably best played on a good graphics card around about 16mb but if your card is a little older say around 8mb it will still run OK but will look a bit hazy, also make sure you have at least 2.5Gb free on your hard disk because it does take up a lot of space. but still well worth the money and a good present for Christmas but I would not recommend it for young children because it does take a few goes to get to grips with the controls but once that is overcome you can have hours of fun and then you can maybe try one of the many add-ons that are available to buy.

My all time favourite PC purchase
I can't explain what this game/simulation has brought to my PC game experience. Once I popped the CD into the drive and began the game, I suddenly felt this was the game I was waiting for, what my PC was waiting for in fact!

OK, enough of that flowery talk, in simple terms this is a superb train simulator, the best. It allows you to drive a various selection of engines (diesel, electric, steam) and trains (passenger, goods) along real life routes and tracks, with great detail paid to scenery and rolling stock. There are many enjoyable activities to keep you immersed for the forseeable future and I can see you playing this one for a long time to come, particulary with the subsequent add-ons giving the game an unlimited amount of shelf life.

This simulation will appeal to both serious train enthusiasts and the casual train admirer. Many may think this simulation is for and aimed at trainspotters, nothing could be further from the truth. It's got a wide appeal from the young to the old. Added to that, by driving on these routes, it also teaches you so much about foreign railways and the geography of foreign towns and cities.

Just perfect, a great gift for at anytime of the year!