THE STORY

“Time flies by when I’m the driver of a train and I ride on the footplate there and back again…” a tune there for our younger readers from 60s/70s stop-motion kid’s TV classic, Chigley; and who during childhood didn’t want to grow up to be just that: an Engine Driver? Well, now you can be! All without the tedium and the very real risk of killing hundreds of people in one go too! Climb aboard…

THE EXPERIENCE

Generally, the train-obsessed tend to belong to a very specific demographic – attractive, popular types that are as good in company as they are alone, they’re often the polar opposite of this. However, what they lack in social skills they more than make up for with flasks of tea, rigorous note taking and a technical knowledge of their subject next to none; which is why this slick simulator is going to be a runaway train success.

Mixing console quality graphics with countless camera angles, Trainz Driver, despite the awkward ‘z’ making it sound like it was devised by troubled teens from the inner-city rather than talented techs on an intercity, seems to be the summit of train simulators with a wide range of realistic routes to run from the virtual cabs of all manner of train types.

Featuring a speed-control-only Easy Mode for the less confident, more cautious virtual train driver (seriously, they’ll be no investigation if you crash) or a Realistic Mode for the gung-ho rail-roader that will probably see you derailed the moment you leave the station on your first few attempts, there’s something here for all levels of locomotion lovers.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Packed with features and beautifully designed, like the sandwiches served in the buffet car, driving a pretend choo-choo won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but as far as pleasing engine-driving enthusiasts goes, Trainz Driver is bang on the right track.

Additional information

Current version: varies with device
Requires Android: varies with device

Download the Trainz Driver app from Google Play

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