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Great Game, but some may experience technical difficulties

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: October 09, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is a great first concept for the Simulators in the Microsoft series. The graphics are impressive and the program is nice. You can choose from different lines, Orient Express (only part of it) N.E. Corridor (Amtrack D.C. - Philadelphia) 2 lines in Japan and 2 in England. For Trains you can have the Flying Scotsman, Amtrak's new locomotive, 2 Freight trains, 2 Japanese models and another Steam engine.

This program may fail to run on computers that have video cards that use drivers with nVidia 3.6X or earlier. More information is available at Microsoft's technical support website

Overall this game is very well made and I hope there will be an expansion pack released soon.

great sim

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: January 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a very intelligent simulation, nicely done by Microsoft. Good tutorial to get you started. You'll enjoy this even if you're only remotely interested in trains.

Good, mesmerizing...but be careful

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: August 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

As a late middle age adult who can't afford to learn how to fly *pout* so I love the Microsoft Flight Simulator, I remember the trains waking me up in urban Wisconsin in the 1950s, and the long train rides I took in Europe and India while a young adult. I have, therefore, a soft spot for the rail. So, yeah, I got this program.

Oh, for those adults wondering about simulators--will the neighbors think you're adolescent?... The simulators are fun, exciting, etc. There...I got that one out...

.... I installed the program on... a computer with more than enough requirement. Nonetheless I had a major problem with the 3-D program. I had to e-mail the company who provided that and they bailed me out right away, but it was disconcerting...

Since then, the program works well. I suppose I could get bored with it eventually. Part of the solution to that problem is not to allow it to get TOO mesmerizing. Write a letter. Get some work done. Maybe talk to the wife once in a while. You know, drudgery like that.

Aside from that, it's fun, pure and simple. The manual is something like 60 pages long. Run it off if you'd like and learn something you never knew about trains. Or take the line from Washington to Philadelphia and do a good 120 mph.

The things to watch out for are:

1) Yes, it does take up an inordinate amount of space on your hard drive.

2) Make sure you have a pretty up-to-date system or you won't be able to run it.

Incidentally, it think both 1 and 2 are a consequence of the scenery required to make the program as realistic as possible.

3) There are limited routes. (This is mitigated, I think, by (a) my not using the program all the time, therefore not getting bored to tears with it (b) changing the weather conditions and (c) using different assingments or whatever they're called, presenting different challenges. What's more, the steam engines require a lot of attention (and I haven't even come close to managing them!)

Then go and enjoy it.

Train Simulator

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: June 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

MSTS is a wonderful game for train enthusiasts and want-to-be engineers. It takes a little bit to learn all of the keyboard controls, but there is a good shortcut sheet provided. The graphics are great, the sound effects real, and the various display options allow you to be a passenger or the engineer - or just a railfan.

The major drawback in MSTS is its huge list of incompatibilities with graphics cards - chances are if you have a popular video card, you'll be updating drivers or the game simply won't work. Don't go by the error message in MSTS - READ THE README FILE!!! Also, you'll probably need the MSTS Troubleshooter - after I updated my video card drivers (twice) the text was still unreadable - I had to use the troubleshooter to get that to look right...now I don't see highways and automobiles...

Incredibly Realistic!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 14
Date: July 11, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I guess I can't give any reccomendations based on computer speed as I have a fully decked out 1.5G, 512MB computer with a 32MB 3D card and 22" monitor. Needless to say, the game runs fine. I can see where some people might find it boring, but try and run the Japanese commuter line and actually arrive and leave the stations on time.....My only wish (as with almost all Microsoft simulations) is that Microsoft would show more realistic crashes / derailings /people / cars on tracks. Maybe it's just the Gomez Addams in me, but when I'm heading down a mountain at 100+ mph in Austria, I want the train to jump the tracks and fly down the hill in a blaze....instead, a little prompt comes up advising me that I have derailed. I really need to see people getting on and off the trains as well. What's the point of running a commuter line with empty cars??? Microsoft, please listen and add these features...

Seems very realistic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: May 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game for my son's computer and he absolutely loves it! Seems to be very realistic and true to life (I wouldn't be able to swear on that since I don't know much about trains). I am buying this for my dad, since he is a train enthusiast as well.

Moon, Stars, & falling snow

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: June 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I purchased the MSTS about a week and a half ago from Amazon.com. I have enjoyed the sim and have really enjoyed the add on loco's, cars, etc. that you can find on web sites like Train-Sim.Com. I had no problems installing the software and once installed you can file the CD's away as back up since the program runs without them. It is a real trip to see the old Milwaukee Road (MR loco was a third party add on) hauling logs through a mountian pass with a full moon and stars in the sky during a soft falling light snow. If you like trains check some reviews like Gamespot.com and this sim my be for you! Spot those three cars on track 9 and set out the crummy on track 1.

Train Simulator by Microsoft Plus Add Ons

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: November 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This simulator is about as close as you can get to driving a real train. I've been thoroughly enjoying it since February 2002. I'm a retired electrical engineer who has always loved trains. With this simulator, it's Activities, and Explorations, and it's Add-Ons, I've been driving passenger and freight trains in the Unites States, England, Austria, Germany and Japan. I've been the engineer on electric, diesel, and steam locomotives. These are thrilling and challenging experiences. The Simulator comes with an Engineer's Manual that is 91 pages long and cram packed full of information. I've printed it out and put it in a three ring binder for study and ready reference. I've created a second book which I call "Train Routes" wherein I place maps of the routes, including stations, mileposts, geographical elevations, with additional helpful details and yard drawings I have researched and created from the programs. These are all intended to help me operate the railroads. This is not a simple, easy to run simulation, but once you've learned it, it is incredibly interesting, challenging, and plain fun ... it's addictive.

The Ultimate Train Driving Expierience!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 28, 2004
Author: Amazon User

As soon as I saw the ad for Microsoft Train Simulator in TRAINS magazine, I knew this was the game for me. Train Simulator gives anyone the power to drive their own train on 6 detailed routes all around the world, including Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, BNSF's Marias Pass, 2 Japan routes, including a busy commuter line and a more quiet route through the moutains of Kushu island, and the last 2 routes, including the Flying Scottsman and the Orient Express in the days when steam trains were still thriving.

The first train I ever drove was Acela on the Northeas Corridor, and I say that this and every route has detail and many of the objects are one-of-a-kind (an object that you can only find there!). Probably the best out of all of the routes is the Marias Pass route. You can run through the Rockies, and speed through the flatlands near Shelby, and you soon find out that Montana isn't just beautiful moutains!

In addition to the wide variety that they have already gave you, there are thousands (maybe even millions) of free ad-ons online, including engines, freight cars, activities, cabviews, sounds, and even routes! Just type in "Microsoft Train Simulator" in your browser and you get thousands of results!

If you don't have enough time to buy a new route online, you can simply make you own! Included with Train Simulator is "Editors & Tools", where you can make your own routes, and even convert default objects into your routes! Editors & Tools also lets you make your own activities for your new routes, and you can even make custom cabviews for more realisim in some engines!

I believe that this is the best train computer game ever made, and you soon will too when you buy Microsoft Train Simulator, and, best of all, if you want more, you can find exatly what you want! Probably there are more add-ons available for Train Simulator than any other game.

But none of this great fun happens if you don't buy Train Simulator, so get it today! And when you do, you can sit at you computer, start up your train, and ride down the tracks for many years to come.

Great game but to many probs

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: July 01, 2001
Author: Amazon User

First I have to say the 3 stars does not have anything to do with the actual game. The actual game is 5 stars without a doubt. Such a relistic game and very fun. The 3 stars is because of the constant problems this game causes to your PC. I installed it and had it running fine. Then during game play the screen would constantly break up then after so long would stop working all together. Even after uninstalling it and re-installing it I couldnt get past the main menu for it. Kept getting error messages saying report it to microsoft. I couldnt get the game working since. I have a pretty new PC to with Windows ME. So be careful when buying this game. You may encounter many problems that cause plenty of headaches. If you get it to work and stay working then you'll love it.

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