So, my secret vice. So nerdy that I don't admit it even to other nerds. I find trains - well, actually the whole infrastructure, operation and history of rail travel really - very interesting. The noise, the crowds, the movement and sense of speed and the faint tinge of romance that attends even the little suburban station where I live. The importance of railways to the social and economic history of so many countries. And if someone offered you the chance to drive one, you'd say yes. Go on, admit it. You know you would.

Sadly its very unlikely that I'll ever get the chance to drive a train, much as I will probably never get to be Batman, fly an Su-27 or, via a series of unlikely and, if you think about them even a tiny bit logically, frankly stupid events, be the only person who can save the world. So, can video games once more rescue me from my dreary life? Or will bugs, a creaking game engine and a bewilderingly colossal DLC catalogue send me off the rails?

Get to the point(s), you say? So, Train Simulator. It's a simulation of driving a train, and not a lot more than that, so if the idea of going from one end of a track to the other. following a timetable and sticking to various rules for speed limits and signalling doesn't excite you, this isn't the game for you. There are no management elements, or meaningful career development. It's all about the trains, and if that stirs anything like the feelings I've described, then step this way.

I can't comment on the realism of the simulation here, as I've never driven a train. But different locomotives do feel, well, different. Diesels and modern electrics are generally straightforward to handle. Old electrics need a bit of coaxing. Steam engines need a wing, a prayer, sacrifices to a selection of dubious deities and nerves of steel to even get started. Routes are usually a pretty good invocation of the locations they represent, if not inch-perfect reproductions. And for the most part, the game is not at all bad to look at. At its best, at the controls, with a familiar location whizzing by, it feels genuinely good. It might even make you smile if you're not a complete, internet-embittered cynic. The communities on sites like uktrainsim are pretty nice too, and a ready source of help if you want to create your own routes, scenarios or reskins. And my kids (6 and 4) love to play along with me, and can manage the basic controls.

There are problems, and they might be enough to put you off. It's a 32-bit game engine being asked to a lot more than was ever intended, so it will fall over from time to time. Content varies in quality, and some of the older locos are very lacking in functionality. The DLC catalogue is huge, and listed in no particular order. Updates and patches are erratic (though in fairness, they are arriving more frequently). And it's an expensive hobby if you want to move beyond the base game. And seriously, before you complain about "Eleventy bajillion pounds worth of DLC" - firstly, like I said, be selective in what you buy. Secondly, this is, like flight simming, racing sims and other sub-genres a hobby more than a game - I don't have room in my house for a model railway so I have this.

If you're still here after all that, here's a few tips for buying. Wait for the sales - goes without saying, but discounts are quite frequent. For DLC, decide on the country and era you're most interested in and stick with it. Don't buy DLC that doesn't interest you - they're all self-contained so you won't miss out this way. Also, some great stuff is available from third party devs like Just Trains and Armstrong Powerhouse (there's others based in Germany, Italy the US and elsewhere too).

I can't deny that I've had a lot of enjoyment from Train Sim. It's not without it's problems, but for me, they're not showstoppers. At full price, it's expensive, though slow progress with its successor, Train Sim World, means it's got plenty of life in it yet., It's a definite recommend from me, and I heartily suggest ignoring the negative reviews that are just whinges about the DLC situation - you need to understand the nature of the product - but if public transport isn't your bag, you might not get much from it.

So, my secret vice. So nerdy that I don't admit it even to other nerds. I find trains - well, actually the whole infrastructure, operation and history of rail travel really - very interesting. The noise, the crowds, the movement and sense of speed and the faint tinge of romance that attends even the little suburban station where I live. The importance of railways to the social and economic history of so many countries. And if someone offered you the chance to drive one, you'd say yes. Go on, admit it. You know you would. Sadly its very unlikely that I'll ever get the chance to drive a train, much as I will probably never get to be Batman, fly an Su-27 or, via a series of unlikely and, if you think about them even a tiny bit logically, frankly stupid events, be the only person who can save the world. So, can video games once more rescue me from my dreary life? Or will bugs, a creaking game engine and a bewilderingly colossal DLC catalogue send me off the rails? Get to the point(s), you say? So, Train Simulator. It's a simulation of driving a train, and not a lot more than that, so if the idea of going from one end of a track to the other. following a timetable and sticking to various rules for speed limits and signalling doesn't excite you, this isn't the game for you. There are no management elements, or meaningful career development. It's all about the trains, and if that stirs anything like the feelings I've described, then step this way. I can't comment on the realism of the simulation here, as I've never driven a train. But different locomotives do feel, well, different. Diesels and modern electrics are generally straightforward to handle. Old electrics need a bit of coaxing. Steam engines need a wing, a prayer, sacrifices to a selection of dubious deities and nerves of steel to even get started. Routes are usually a pretty good invocation of the locations they represent, if not inch-perfect reproductions. And for the most part, the game is not at all bad to look at. At its best, at the controls, with a familiar location whizzing by, it feels genuinely good. It might even make you smile if you're not a complete, internet-embittered cynic. The communities on sites like uktrainsim are pretty nice too, and a ready source of help if you want to create your own routes, scenarios or reskins. And my kids (6 and 4) love to play along with me, and can manage the basic controls. There are problems, and they might be enough to put you off. It's a 32-bit game engine being asked to a lot more than was ever intended, so it will fall over from time to time. Content varies in quality, and some of the older locos are very lacking in functionality. The DLC catalogue is huge, and listed in no particular order. Updates and patches are erratic (though in fairness, they are arriving more frequently). And it's an expensive hobby if you want to move beyond the base game. And seriously, before you complain about "Eleventy bajillion pounds worth of DLC" - firstly, like I said, be selective in what you buy. Secondly, this is, like flight simming, racing sims and other sub-genres a hobby more than a game - I don't have room in my house for a model railway so I have this. If you're still here after all that, here's a few tips for buying. Wait for the sales - goes without saying, but discounts are quite frequent. For DLC, decide on the country and era you're most interested in and stick with it. Don't buy DLC that doesn't interest you - they're all self-contained so you won't miss out this way. Also, some great stuff is available from third party devs like Just Trains and Armstrong Powerhouse (there's others based in Germany, Italy the US and elsewhere too). I can't deny that I've had a lot of enjoyment from Train Sim. It's not without it's problems, but for me, they're not showstoppers. At full price, it's expensive, though slow progress with its successor, Train Sim World, means it's got plenty of life in it yet., It's a definite recommend from me, and I heartily suggest ignoring the negative reviews that are just whinges about the DLC situation - you need to understand the nature of the product - but if public transport isn't your bag, you might not get much from it.