Love this game. It is so immersive and addicting that I can hardly function in real life. I've always been curious about how all the controls in a steam engine functioned. In short order I not only know what the main controls do but can use them comfortably to run the engines.
But this game is far more than just a train driving sim. You start with a small,, very manageable railroad and expand it at your own pace as you develop organization and operational skills. You can keep it simple and enjoy the simple joys of moving your train thru beautiful landscapes or you can challenge yourself to crazy levels if you add serious mileage and businesses creating an empire that I don't think one person could handle. Which brings me to the multiplayer aspect. You can have others crew the trains with you or even multiple crews, or run the CTC panel or just be passengers.
It beautifully integrates A. I. tech into the game to do whatever part of the system you want someone (something} else to handle. You can be brakeman with AI performing engineer jobs for you. Whatever you like.
When I was much younger I lived on the floor with my Lionel Trains all around me. I saw several Chip and Dale cartoons where they would get in and drive Donald's miniature train around which drove Donald crazy. I dreamed of being able to get in and drive a train around like Chip and Dale did. This game provides me with exactly that opportunity, except the trains and landscapes, and buildings don't look like models at all. They are so well portrayed, much of what is seen while playing this game looks like railfanning real trains, not a game at all. And the sounds, awesome. The choices of whistles, amazing. The low rumble of massive weight is felt rather than heard. I can't wait to show this at our next operating session to my model railroader buddies. They are gonna race to get their own copy.
Thank you for creating and offering this game, which is my favorite ever, and that's saying a lot.
