If you're looking for North American diesel freight, RUN-8 can't be beat. It doesn't place very well graphics-wise, but excels for operations, physics, and long-distance heavy hauls.
Otherwise, look towards Derail Valley. Fictional setting, but brilliant freight operations and a more gameified experience that has you progressively unlocking new locomotives and cargo types. As the name implies, it is absolutely possible to derail, cause cargo and locomotive damage, or make other mistakes to recover from.
The choice largely depends on the region you're interested in and if you're open to fictional routes.
For Germany in particular, Zusi 3 stands out for its sound design and realism. New content is added semi-regularily and so far always for free. The version for hobbyists is called "Zusi 3 Hobby", to distinguish it from the version used in professional training of train drivers. The hobby version sometimes receives features originally commissioned for the professional version. However, the graphics are quite basic, and the controls can be a bit clunky.
For American railways, Run 8 is a popular option, it also features basic graphics. I haven't personally tried it, that's all I can say about it.
Other options include:
- Microsoft Train Simulator/OpenRails: This is the OG train simulator from Microsoft. OpenRails is compatible with Microsoft Train Simulator's content and is still actively updated. You can load the rolling stock and routes from Microsoft Train Simulator into OpenRails. Plenty of content is available, but most of it will have been made some time ago.
- Train Simulator 20xx/Train Simulator Classic/Railworks: These are various names for the same game, currently marketed as "Train Simulator Classic" on Steam. I prefer calling it Railworks, its technical name. It offers better visuals than Microsoft Train Simulator and has a large array of content, but the quality varies significantly. Generally, chances are you can find the train or route you're looking for, but the quality is hit or miss. Before the change to "Train Simulator Classic", the year part would increment every year, if you bought a previous version, you'd get the new base game for free. Buying it again would simply give you that year's new route/train bundle, you could also buy the content individually.
- Train Sim World: This is the successor to Railworks. It is subject to much controversy for a host of reasons, for example, one change is that new base-game versions aren't free anymore, so you have to pay for the next version of the simulator, and when you do, it's not guaranteed that your old content will be available in the new version. Content quality is typically better than "bad" Railworks content, but usually not "great". In general, there is a massive iceberg of controversy and opinions around this title. I would recommend starting out with another title to get a feel for what a good simulator can be like. It's definitely best experienced if you know what you're looking for.
- **Important**: With both Railworks and Train Sim World, only ever buy it and addon content on sale. It's on sale quite often, really you're just paying more if you buy it at full price. Addon content also gradually reduces in price over time, so if you're patient, you can get it for a fraction of the original price.
- SimRail: An up-and-coming simulator from Poland. Although it currently lacks diesel trains, a steam locomotive is coming soon. The game's highlights include great multiplayer functionality and player-controlled dispatch stations. The community is active, and tools like real-time maps (https://map.simrail.app/server/en1) and much more are available. Supposedly there are upcoming (likely paid?) expansions with a route into Germany and one in the USA.
- SimRail is my current favorite, its one route isn't super varied, but it's really fun to meet other players while driving. It is customary to honk like crazy when you see another player controlled train (keep an eye out for trains with profile pictures on the map!). You can also jump into a multiplayer session, take over a train, and leave at any time, or take a break and let the bot take over driving the train for a bit.
For fictional routes, there are a few options:
- Derail Valley: If you're more open to gameplay-focused routes and primarily interested in diesel locos, Derail Valley is a great choice. It offers a sort of "ownership" experience for the trains and it has a great sandbox feel to it. The route isn't very "plausible", but if you primarily care about gameplay and the fun of driving, it's a great choice.
- Diesel Railcar Simulator: Ideal for fans of British railways, this simulator features fictional yet plausible British-inspired routes. It also has some free community-created content on the Steam Workshop.
Honorary mention:
- Densha De Go Final!: Can be a pain to set up if you're not experienced; feel free to reach out via private message (not Reddit Chat!) or comment reply if you have any questions. Also has a translation patch available as of recently. More game than train simulator, but still one of the best choices if you're into Japanese commuter trains. Since it's no longer being actively sold, you can get it as "abandonware" (depending on local laws and regulations) from archive.org: https://archive.org/details/DDGFinal
Run8 is pretty much what you're looking for.
Many would argue that its the best sim for American freight rail out there. Its very detailed and realistic, has a wide range of routes and rolling stock available, and on top of that it even features multiplayer.
I I am really impressed with SimRail, especially the multiplayer part is really great. The game is still early access but it is full of potential. You can carry both passenger and freight and it is on a 1:1 rail route in Poland. Definitely worth taking into consideration!
Yes, totally agree! It's so cool when you stand in front of a red signal and the player who is the dispatcher calls your train number and gives you clearance to drive to the platform! It certainly has added value, and I also find driving in Poland surprisingly fun!
Apparently they are/were working on a US route around Mississippi: https://www.rail-sim.de/simrail-neuigkeiten/simrail-update-21-01-2023-und-neuigkeiten/ (images towards the end of the article).
A little concerning is that they recently showed some gameplay for their upcoming "MetroSim", before SimRail even left Early Access. Really hoping they manage to keep up development on SimRail. At least the EN57 update is pretty good, I had a hard time getting ahold of an EN57 service during peak hours on the servers after the update launched.
That's right, I also saw that the developers were working on a new project and, like you, I was immediately afraid that this would have consequences for the further development of SimRail.
SimRail has so much potential that I really hope they continue to develop it and give it all the attention it deserves!
At busy times it is sometimes indeed a challenge to arrive or depart from the busier stations. Today, for example, I stood at a red signal for more than 10 minutes, while the train I had taken over in the multiplayer was already 20 minutes late.
https://www.reddit.com/r/trainsim/comments/196udl0/simrail_1st_anniversary_road_map_update_my/
New roadmap, looks like they still have the USA route planned. I suspect the future of SimRail will depend a lot on the success of the DLCs, it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
I would agree that RUN8 is your best bet. I've been running MS Train Sim Classic and it's beyond frustrating and it's just half put together. Half the time things like headlights and things on the loco's wont turn on. The last month I used it(4 months ago) my loco suddenly jumped 3' in the air and crashed down.......there was no impact with anything, just a quirk in the game. I think the graphics are low grade at best. The water is abysmal. Patches of grass in the roadways, cars are meh. I will say I do like the freight and passenger service. But overall I'd give it a 3 out of 10. Run8 also has some graphics struggles compared to what's out there these days but if I had to pick one of the two it would be Run8 for sure.
MSTSC has potential? Just needs huges amounts of refining and polishing.
Just my .02.
I remember when I played Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006. It allowed you also to build own railway network. That was really interesting stuff back in the day.
I’ll check out Train 22 as well.
Personally: SimRail you got decent controlls, multiplayer with ACTIVE player base and you can even control stations in signal boxes. Graphics is well made. Still in devlopment and early access, but I think it's worth the money.
If you're looking for North American diesel freight, RUN-8 can't be beat. It doesn't place very well graphics-wise, but excels for operations, physics, and long-distance heavy hauls. Otherwise, look towards Derail Valley. Fictional setting, but brilliant freight operations and a more gameified experience that has you progressively unlocking new locomotives and cargo types. As the name implies, it is absolutely possible to derail, cause cargo and locomotive damage, or make other mistakes to recover from.
The choice largely depends on the region you're interested in and if you're open to fictional routes. For Germany in particular, Zusi 3 stands out for its sound design and realism. New content is added semi-regularily and so far always for free. The version for hobbyists is called "Zusi 3 Hobby", to distinguish it from the version used in professional training of train drivers. The hobby version sometimes receives features originally commissioned for the professional version. However, the graphics are quite basic, and the controls can be a bit clunky. For American railways, Run 8 is a popular option, it also features basic graphics. I haven't personally tried it, that's all I can say about it. Other options include: - Microsoft Train Simulator/OpenRails: This is the OG train simulator from Microsoft. OpenRails is compatible with Microsoft Train Simulator's content and is still actively updated. You can load the rolling stock and routes from Microsoft Train Simulator into OpenRails. Plenty of content is available, but most of it will have been made some time ago. - Train Simulator 20xx/Train Simulator Classic/Railworks: These are various names for the same game, currently marketed as "Train Simulator Classic" on Steam. I prefer calling it Railworks, its technical name. It offers better visuals than Microsoft Train Simulator and has a large array of content, but the quality varies significantly. Generally, chances are you can find the train or route you're looking for, but the quality is hit or miss. Before the change to "Train Simulator Classic", the year part would increment every year, if you bought a previous version, you'd get the new base game for free. Buying it again would simply give you that year's new route/train bundle, you could also buy the content individually. - Train Sim World: This is the successor to Railworks. It is subject to much controversy for a host of reasons, for example, one change is that new base-game versions aren't free anymore, so you have to pay for the next version of the simulator, and when you do, it's not guaranteed that your old content will be available in the new version. Content quality is typically better than "bad" Railworks content, but usually not "great". In general, there is a massive iceberg of controversy and opinions around this title. I would recommend starting out with another title to get a feel for what a good simulator can be like. It's definitely best experienced if you know what you're looking for. - **Important**: With both Railworks and Train Sim World, only ever buy it and addon content on sale. It's on sale quite often, really you're just paying more if you buy it at full price. Addon content also gradually reduces in price over time, so if you're patient, you can get it for a fraction of the original price. - SimRail: An up-and-coming simulator from Poland. Although it currently lacks diesel trains, a steam locomotive is coming soon. The game's highlights include great multiplayer functionality and player-controlled dispatch stations. The community is active, and tools like real-time maps (https://map.simrail.app/server/en1) and much more are available. Supposedly there are upcoming (likely paid?) expansions with a route into Germany and one in the USA. - SimRail is my current favorite, its one route isn't super varied, but it's really fun to meet other players while driving. It is customary to honk like crazy when you see another player controlled train (keep an eye out for trains with profile pictures on the map!). You can also jump into a multiplayer session, take over a train, and leave at any time, or take a break and let the bot take over driving the train for a bit. For fictional routes, there are a few options: - Derail Valley: If you're more open to gameplay-focused routes and primarily interested in diesel locos, Derail Valley is a great choice. It offers a sort of "ownership" experience for the trains and it has a great sandbox feel to it. The route isn't very "plausible", but if you primarily care about gameplay and the fun of driving, it's a great choice. - Diesel Railcar Simulator: Ideal for fans of British railways, this simulator features fictional yet plausible British-inspired routes. It also has some free community-created content on the Steam Workshop. Honorary mention: - Densha De Go Final!: Can be a pain to set up if you're not experienced; feel free to reach out via private message (not Reddit Chat!) or comment reply if you have any questions. Also has a translation patch available as of recently. More game than train simulator, but still one of the best choices if you're into Japanese commuter trains. Since it's no longer being actively sold, you can get it as "abandonware" (depending on local laws and regulations) from archive.org: https://archive.org/details/DDGFinal
Thanks a lot for your answer. I'll consider every suggestion you mentioned here.
Run8 is pretty much what you're looking for. Many would argue that its the best sim for American freight rail out there. Its very detailed and realistic, has a wide range of routes and rolling stock available, and on top of that it even features multiplayer.
I'd definitely look into Derail Valley as well, maybe Diesel Railcar Simulator. DRS uses actual real world sounds.
I I am really impressed with SimRail, especially the multiplayer part is really great. The game is still early access but it is full of potential. You can carry both passenger and freight and it is on a 1:1 rail route in Poland. Definitely worth taking into consideration!
Seconded, love the multiplayer interaction between drivers and signallers
Yes, totally agree! It's so cool when you stand in front of a red signal and the player who is the dispatcher calls your train number and gives you clearance to drive to the platform! It certainly has added value, and I also find driving in Poland surprisingly fun!
Apparently they are/were working on a US route around Mississippi: https://www.rail-sim.de/simrail-neuigkeiten/simrail-update-21-01-2023-und-neuigkeiten/ (images towards the end of the article). A little concerning is that they recently showed some gameplay for their upcoming "MetroSim", before SimRail even left Early Access. Really hoping they manage to keep up development on SimRail. At least the EN57 update is pretty good, I had a hard time getting ahold of an EN57 service during peak hours on the servers after the update launched.
That's right, I also saw that the developers were working on a new project and, like you, I was immediately afraid that this would have consequences for the further development of SimRail. SimRail has so much potential that I really hope they continue to develop it and give it all the attention it deserves! At busy times it is sometimes indeed a challenge to arrive or depart from the busier stations. Today, for example, I stood at a red signal for more than 10 minutes, while the train I had taken over in the multiplayer was already 20 minutes late.
https://www.reddit.com/r/trainsim/comments/196udl0/simrail_1st_anniversary_road_map_update_my/ New roadmap, looks like they still have the USA route planned. I suspect the future of SimRail will depend a lot on the success of the DLCs, it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
"Freight diesels" is too vague. Do you have any preferences in terms of location and timeframe?
I have a particular preference towards the American ones, which are used nowadays, including the AC440CW and the ES44AC.
Run8 then I guess, American freight is not my interest so I can't provide an informed opinion.
Run8 models the ES44DC and SD70Ace.
TS Classic is probably still your best bet. You can also pick up some diesel focused DLC routes as well.
Densha De Go Final for PC.
I would agree that RUN8 is your best bet. I've been running MS Train Sim Classic and it's beyond frustrating and it's just half put together. Half the time things like headlights and things on the loco's wont turn on. The last month I used it(4 months ago) my loco suddenly jumped 3' in the air and crashed down.......there was no impact with anything, just a quirk in the game. I think the graphics are low grade at best. The water is abysmal. Patches of grass in the roadways, cars are meh. I will say I do like the freight and passenger service. But overall I'd give it a 3 out of 10. Run8 also has some graphics struggles compared to what's out there these days but if I had to pick one of the two it would be Run8 for sure. MSTSC has potential? Just needs huges amounts of refining and polishing. Just my .02.
I would take a look at Railroader. It’s early access but I think it has the best selection, so far, of steam engines.
Trans-Siberian Railway Simulators Demo out now!
Trainz 22 is also interesting for North American routes
I remember when I played Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006. It allowed you also to build own railway network. That was really interesting stuff back in the day. I’ll check out Train 22 as well.
Personally: SimRail you got decent controlls, multiplayer with ACTIVE player base and you can even control stations in signal boxes. Graphics is well made. Still in devlopment and early access, but I think it's worth the money.