By Jon C.A. DeKeles LSOL.com Editor in Chief

Author  Bio Over the last month we have been playing with a new game on the market called Trainz.

If you are reading this you must have a computer. If you have a computer I am sure that at least once you have played a game on it. (Yes, Solitaire counts.)

Over the last month we have been playing with a new game on the market called Trainz. Trainz is a virtual railroad software package that allows you to COLLECT, CREATE, and CONTROL, the many aspects of a working railroad. You can build your own layout and run trains on it.

When we first got the software we installed it and within 15 minutes we had created a simple replica of our outdoor garden railway. We added a few trains and there we were running a train in a full 3D perspective around OUR Garden Railroad. This software can be a great way to create ideas for a new layout, re-create what you have, or use it to develop new ideas for what you could do.

I could go on for pages on what the software can do, or you can just CLICK HERE to select a location to download a demo version. Start the download now, as this file is 63Mb, then come back and finish reading all about it here at LSOL. The newest version of the Trainz demo provides players with more content, including new locomotives, such as the British Class 37 and the New York Central F7; and additional Surveyor menus, such as tools and world menus. The demo also improves performance and changes the DC controls to more realistic cabin mode controls. 3D models have been enhanced and textures have also been improved.

There are three parts of the software. Here is how they are described by the developer.

COLLECT The "My Collection" module gives you a three dimensional view of all the locomotives and rolling stock in your roundhouse as well as comprehensive information about each one. You can pan and zoom your virtual camera around these spectacularly rendered models before choosing which ones will grace the rails.

CREATE "Trainz Surveyor" gives you the power to design, build and populate the ultimate layout. A powerful and easy to use creation tool, Surveyor will have you shaping mountain ranges, canyons and valleys in a matter of minutes. Using flexible curves, customizable textures and intelligent spline objects, you can lay track to perfection and create landscapes of incredible beauty and realism.

CONTROL The "Trainz Driver" allows you to climb into the cab of your favorite locomotive to take charge of the 3D in-cab controls, or use the virtual DCC controller to take charge from a different perspective. Switch between trains, couple and uncouple or perform basic railroad operations all from your favorite vantage point. Driver puts you in the hot seat.

Here are some of the main features of the software, as well as the requirements.

FEATURES

• 15 locomotives in 38 different liveries from 12 countries
  
  
• Over 50 types of freight and passenger cars
  
  
• Three fully playable and editable layouts from North America, Europe and Australia
  
  
• Hundreds of buildings, trackside objects, vehicles, flora and fauna
  
  
• Dozens of ground textures for creating stunning layouts
  
  
• A huge variety of railway items including track, bridges, tunnels, turntables, signals and crossings
  
  
• Dynamic environment includes ambient sounds, realistic weather effects and day/night cycle

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