Microsoft Train Simulator is a train simulator for Microsoft Windows.
Original Version
Contents
It was deveoped by Kuju, the original game featured the following:
- Settle to Carlisle Railway line, with the Flying Scotsman
- Northeast Corridor in the United States with the Acela Express
- Marias Pass in the United States with the BNSF
- Odakyu Odawara Line in Japan with the Odakyu Electric Railway
- Hisatsu Line in Japan with the Kyushu Railway Company (Or JR Kyushu)
- ...
The original models were criticised for being inaccurate. However, similarly to Flight Simulators, people started building and distributing their own models through websites. The quality of these is very much greater than the originals.
The Bugs
The original version contained many bugs, for example the "front coupling bug" and the "white void bug". There are also issues with the signalling. However, this generally does not detract from the experience. Generally to gain access, one has to pay a subscription fee. This is in order to pay for the servers.
Version 1.2
Later, some more stock was added...
MSTS2
Microsoft Train Simulator 2 was proposed, and was even shown to the public. It's main improvement, seemingly, was the addition of people to the game (IE: passangers waiting at the stations, people operating the new locomotive rotator, etc). However, this game has been cancelled.
- As you know, every business segment within Microsoft is responsible for continually evaluating its strategy and investments in all areas of the business to achieve operational efficiencies. At Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), we must continually evaluate our portfolio strategy and investments to ensure we are achieving our most important objectives of creating successful, platform driving titles for Windows gamers. In addition, Microsoft Games Studio must streamline game development operations to be more efficient and critically examine all projects in development to position the business for long-term success and profitability.
- Microsoft Game Studios has cancelled the Windows-based game "Train Simulator 2.0." The decision to cancel "Train Simulator 2.0" was made some time ago and was based on a long, hard and difficult look at our business objectives and product offerings. We remain focused on the simulations category with successful, platform-driving franchises such as "Microsoft Flight Simulator."
External links
- Official site
- Train-Sim.com - the main American/International website and community]
- UKTrainSim.com - a British/Irish website and community