Sid Meier's Railroads! on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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Sid Meier's Railroads! marks the return of the watershed title in simulation/strategy gaming that launched the popular "tycoon" genre, and inspired a new generation of games. Sid Meier's Railroads!

Sid Meier's Railroads! is a trains, strategy and management game developed by Firaxis Games and published by Feral interactive (Mac) and 2K.
Released on May 04th 2007 is available on Windows and MacOS in 5 languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish - Spain.

It has received 3,251 reviews of which 2,301 were positive and 950 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. 😐

The game is currently priced at 9.99€ on Steam, but you can find it for less on K4G.


The Steam community has classified Sid Meier's Railroads! into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Sid Meier's Railroads! through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
Minimum
Windows 2000, Windows XP
1.4GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor or equivalent
512 MB RAM
64 MB Video card with hardware pixel and vertex shaders (GeForce 3, Radeon 8500 or better)
DirectX 7 compatible sound card
1.7 GB of free disc drive space
MacOS
  • OS: macOS 10.14
  • Processor: 1.1 GHz Intel Core M or greater
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Graphics: 512Mb Nvidia 640M, 1.5GB Intel HD 5300 or 2GB AMD M290 or better (See Notes for more details)
  • Hard Drive:2GB HD space
  • Multiplayer Notes: Multiplayer is only available over LAN and is compatible between Mac versions only.
The game is officially supported on the following Macs. To check your Mac model and when it was released, select About This Mac from the Apple menu on your menu bar.
———
  • * All MacBooks released since Early 2015
  • * All MacBook Airs released since Mid 2012
  • * All MacBook Pros released since Mid 2012
  • * All Mac minis released since Late 2012
  • * All iMacs released since Late 2012
  • * All iMac Pro released since Late 2017
  • * All Mac Pros released since Late 2013 with a recommended Metal-capable graphics card
Please note for your computer to meet the minimum requirements it must match or better all elements of the listed spec. For more detailed specifications check the Feral website.
———
Pre 10.14 Users: Players using a version of OS X before 10.14 can access a compatible version of the game via the Beta tab in the game’s properties window. Select the ‘mac_retail_111 - macOS 10.13.6 or older only' branch for a version that is compatible with 10.12.4 up to 10.13.6.

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Jan. 2026
This game was part of my childhood, I remember downloading the demo and spending hours just redoing the same thing over and over, making some crazy tracks and I finally bought it again. The game is a lot simpler then what I remember, there is no MP, so some features are kinda forgotten (You can still play though other means like Hamachi and stuff). But listening to the songs again hit me hard and I will say, it's a solid game. It's very relaxing, so if you're looking for a Train game that allows you to play at your time and just enjoy building railways, this is the game for you.
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Nov. 2025
Would only recommend to advanced users as you will have to manually patch the game in order to avoid crashes every 5 minutes. Great game though and one of the first I have a memory of playing as a kid.
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Aug. 2025
Sid Meier’s Railroads! stands as a worthy successor in the long lineage of railroad simulation and strategy games pioneered by Sid Meier. Released with high expectations given the pedigree of its developer, the game delivers an accessible yet engaging railroad empire-building experience that appeals to both veterans of the genre and newcomers alike. It strikes a fine balance between depth and approachability, allowing players to dive into the complex logistics of running a railroad company without feeling overwhelmed by micromanagement or overly technical details. The gameplay centers around constructing and managing an efficient railway network across various regions, connecting cities, industries, and resources to maximize profits and expand your empire. Players are tasked with laying tracks, purchasing trains, optimizing routes, and competing against rival railroad tycoons. What sets Sid Meier’s Railroads! apart is its blend of strategic planning and real-time simulation elements. Unlike some turn-based predecessors, this game runs in real-time, adding a layer of urgency and requiring players to make timely decisions that can affect their network’s performance and profitability. One of the game’s core strengths lies in its user-friendly interface and well-designed mechanics. The building tools are intuitive, allowing for quick placement of tracks and stations, while still offering enough flexibility to create intricate and efficient rail systems. Players can select from a variety of train models, each with distinct capabilities such as speed, cargo capacity, and fuel type, which adds an important strategic layer when deciding how to best serve different industries or passenger routes. Balancing these choices against maintenance costs and upgrades provides a satisfying management challenge that rewards careful planning. Visually, Sid Meier’s Railroads! adopts a colorful, semi-realistic style that brings the map and trains to life without sacrificing clarity or usability. The environments are richly detailed, with vibrant landscapes and bustling towns that evolve as your railroad network grows. Train animations are smooth, and the sound design complements the experience with authentic train whistles, track noises, and an atmospheric soundtrack that evokes the golden age of railroads. The combination of these elements creates an immersive world where players can watch their rail empire flourish. The game also features a robust campaign mode with a series of scenarios that gradually introduce players to more complex challenges and game mechanics. These scenarios offer varied objectives such as reaching specific profit goals, connecting certain cities, or outcompeting rival companies, which helps keep the gameplay dynamic and prevents it from becoming monotonous. For those seeking more freedom, the sandbox mode allows players to build and manage rail networks without constraints, encouraging experimentation and creativity. Multiplayer is a notable addition, providing an opportunity for competitive and cooperative play. Racing against friends to build the most profitable or expansive railroad adds a social dimension to the game, though it remains somewhat niche compared to single-player content. The AI opponents are generally competent, offering a reasonable challenge without resorting to unfair advantages, which helps maintain balance and fairness throughout the game. While Sid Meier’s Railroads! excels in many areas, it is not without its drawbacks. Some players might find the real-time pacing a bit hectic, especially when managing large networks or multiple fronts simultaneously. The game’s difficulty curve can also feel uneven, with some scenarios requiring extensive trial and error to master. Additionally, the lack of deeper economic or political simulation elements might leave hardcore strategy fans wanting more complexity. In conclusion, Sid Meier’s Railroads! is a well-crafted and enjoyable railroad management game that combines strategic depth with accessibility. Its polished interface, charming visuals, and satisfying gameplay loop make it an appealing choice for both newcomers to the genre and longtime fans of railroad simulations. While it may not be the most complex or expansive railroad game available, it succeeds in delivering a focused and rewarding experience that captures the excitement and challenges of building a railroad empire. For anyone interested in trains, management strategy, or simply a thoughtful simulation game, Sid Meier’s Railroads! offers a compelling and fun journey down the tracks. Rating: 8/10
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July 2025
The legendary Sid Meier's Railroads! is classic fun—after possibly necessary manual configuration to prevent frequent CTDs.
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Feb. 2025
Really great!!! Recommended for fans of the Civ series. Has a similar feel - very addictive and very fun. However, I think the average person would enjoy this. Playing with AI and watching everone's railroad grow and create a web is incredible! As for other reviewers talking about the crashing - There's a guy under the guides for this game that has a simple patch for this game - all you have to do is change two digits of the code. It's super easy, works great, and you don't have to use some random person's code online. Get this game!!
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Frequently Asked Questions

Sid Meier's Railroads! is currently priced at 9.99€ on Steam.

Sid Meier's Railroads! is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 9.99€ on Steam.

Sid Meier's Railroads! received 2,301 positive votes out of a total of 3,251 achieving a rating of 6.90.
😐

Sid Meier's Railroads! was developed by Firaxis Games and published by Feral interactive (Mac) and 2K.

Sid Meier's Railroads! is playable and fully supported on Windows.

Sid Meier's Railroads! is playable and fully supported on MacOS.

Sid Meier's Railroads! is not playable on Linux.

Sid Meier's Railroads! offers both single-player and multi-player modes.

Sid Meier's Railroads! offers both Co-op and PvP modes.

Sid Meier's Railroads! does not currently offer any DLC.

Sid Meier's Railroads! does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

Sid Meier's Railroads! does not support Steam Remote Play.

Sid Meier's Railroads! is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Sid Meier's Railroads!.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 24 January 2026 08:27
SteamSpy data 27 January 2026 03:42
Steam price 28 January 2026 20:46
Steam reviews 27 January 2026 21:50

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Sid Meier's Railroads!, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Sid Meier's Railroads!
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Sid Meier's Railroads! concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Sid Meier's Railroads! compatibility
Sid Meier's Railroads! PEGI 3
Rating
6.9
2,301
950
Game modes
Features
Online players
82
Developer
Firaxis Games
Publisher
Feral interactive (Mac), 2K
Release 04 May 2007
Platforms
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