Trainz: Virtual Railroading on your PC

A model railroading and general train simulator for the PC, Trainz allows you to build your own layouts and run various locomotives and rolling stock on them. Players can either control their trains either via a model train-like controller or through more realistic controls, which include actual working handles in the cabs.

The base program comes with three modules. The first is the 'My Collection' module, which simply lets you look at your train collection. The second module is 'Surveyor', which is the tool used for creating your layouts. Finally, 'Driver', which is the train running mode.

Trainz emphasizes ease of layout design and expandability. The core program included some fifteen engines with various liveries and over fifty pieces of rolling stock, however new content was/is continually being created and version 1.3, which was released in the UK by GSP, boasted seventeen locomotives, over sixty pieces of rolling stock, five maps that were both playable and editable together with more content that was available for download.