Trainz is basically a train simulator with three basic functions that can be accessed from the main menu:

·         My Collection – A place where one can enjoy 360 views of all the locomotives and rolling stock in their possession and see detailed information about each one.  The game comes with a wide variety of engines and cars, and more can be downloaded or purchased from the Trainz website.

·         Driver – This is where engines and cars are chosen and trains assembled.  This is also where the terrain and external driving conditions such as weather conditions and derail sensitivity are chosen.  The trains can then be driven either by using a DC controller like on model trains or from inside cab like the real thing.  When controlling the trains from inside the cab there are so many levers to operate and gauges to monitor that it’s almost as much work as driving a real train.   

·         Surveyor - This is where custom layouts are created by adding hills, valleys, water, and a variety of textures such as dry brush, autumn forest, or concrete to a flat grid.  There is also a huge variety objects such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, vehicles, people, livestock and foliage that can be added as well.   One can create every type of landscape from the Australian outback and English countryside to an American metropolis.  Extra objects and even complete layouts can also be downloaded from the Trainz website. 

This may all seem simple enough, but the Driver and Surveyor functions, have a myriad of features and settings, and are so complex that it makes it necessary to study the program’s extensive 36-page manual.  An in-game tutorial to help new users get started would have been helpful, but there isn’t one.

Once a landscape has been created and a few trains put together, there is little else to do but enjoy the wonderful scenery while driving the trains, and hope that they don’t derail or crash.  However, for die-hard railroaders who want more work to do, there are planned expansions and add-on packs that will give the program more functionality.

Although Trainz isn’t especially easy to grasp at first, it is a realistic train simulator with a lot of nice features that true railroad fans shouldn’t be without. 

Install: Medium
Not difficult install but requires one to type in a lengthy code.  Installs completely to the hard drive taking over 320 MB of space, but can then played without having to use the CD.

Gameplay: 7.5
The amount of detail displayed in the program can be adjusted for maximum performance on most systems.  All features and functions of the program can be accessed by clicking the mouse or by keyboard shortcuts.  Because it is more of a simulator rather than a game, play is open- ended and can be extended through the use of add-ons and expansions.   

Graphics: 9.0 
The stunning 3D graphics and animations are finely detailed and make the landscapes and trains seem realistic.  Realistic weather conditions such as rain, snow, lightning and even rainbows are also a nice touch. 

Sound: 8.0
From the train’s whistle to the sound of thunder in the distance, the sound effects are realistic and enhance the overall 3D experience of the program.

Difficulty: 9.5
Trainz isn’t exactly straightforward or intuitive and due to its complexity, the program takes a while to master and requires the user to study the manual, of which there is no electronic version.  Because some aspects of the program are so realistic, like driving the train from the cab, it can seem like it’s more work than fun.

Concept: 7.0
Trainz isn’t the only train simulation program available, but its expandability should render it quite unique in the end.

Overall: 7.2
Though it may take a bit of time to master, Trainz is a good program for those who want a serious train simulator and the ability to create fully customized 3D layouts.