Train Life: A Railway Simulator on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
For the first time in railroad simulation, play as both the driver and company director! Take the controls of your locomotives and grow your railway empire by negotiating deals and developing your network.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is a simulation, family friendly and realistic game
developed by Simteract
and published by Nacon.
Released on August 25th 2022 is available only on Windows
in 14 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese - Brazil and Turkish.
It has received 1,525 reviews of which 976 were positive and 549 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. 😐
The game is currently priced at 1.99€ on Steam with a 90% discount, but you can find it for less on Gamivo.
The Steam community has classified Train Life: A Railway Simulator into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at Train Life: A Railway Simulator 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
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4690 @ 3.5 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X @ 3.7 GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 770 | AMD Radeon RX 570
- DirectX: Version 10
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is an ambitious title developed by Simteract and published by Nacon that attempts to blend the immersive experience of train driving with the strategic depth of railway company management. Rather than simply casting the player as an operator behind the controls of a locomotive, the game introduces a dual role—tasking you not only with handling trains across detailed European landscapes, but also with overseeing a growing transport business. It’s an unusual hybrid in the genre, and while it doesn’t fully succeed in balancing its two identities, it offers a fresh and engaging take on train simulation that stands out from more traditional titles. At the heart of the game is its driving experience. The core mechanics of operating a train—starting, braking, coupling, changing tracks, respecting signals and speed limits—are all here, presented in a way that feels grounded but not overwhelming. The game finds a middle ground between authenticity and accessibility, offering enough realism to satisfy train enthusiasts without alienating newcomers. Each locomotive behaves slightly differently, and mastering the nuances of acceleration and braking on different terrain or in various weather conditions is a rewarding process. Visual immersion is enhanced by a dynamic day-night cycle and weather system that changes how routes feel over time. Watching rain roll across your windshield or navigating snowy tracks adds a tactile element to the experience that complements the otherwise calm, meditative nature of train travel. Graphically, the game presents a mixed bag. The environments are generally well-crafted, with a reasonable level of detail in the scenery, and the trains themselves are nicely modeled. Major cities like Berlin, Paris, or Vienna have their own visual identities, although the realism doesn’t always extend beyond the immediate trackside areas. There’s a notable lack of life in the world—station platforms are often static, towns feel empty, and there’s little sense of a living ecosystem beyond the rail lines. Additionally, occasional graphical bugs such as texture pop-in or lighting issues can detract from immersion, though these are typically minor and infrequent. Despite this, the game succeeds in evoking the feeling of a long journey through Europe, complete with countryside vistas, mountain tunnels, and urban sprawl. Beyond the cab, Train Life introduces a business management layer that sets it apart from many other titles in the genre. As the head of a railway company, you're responsible for expanding your fleet, hiring drivers, maintaining trains, accepting contracts, and planning profitable routes. This element is intriguing in concept and adds meaningful goals to the driving experience, turning each trip into more than just a point-to-point delivery. You’ll weigh the profitability of passenger versus freight jobs, monitor staff efficiency, and balance repair costs against expansion opportunities. While this system adds a welcome layer of depth, it’s not without its limitations. Many of the mechanics—such as hiring and assigning staff or investing in upgrades—feel somewhat surface-level. The economic model lacks the complexity to truly challenge strategic thinkers, and after a while, the business side becomes routine rather than dynamic. One of the game’s strengths lies in its sense of scale. The map is expansive, featuring a condensed but recognizable version of Europe’s rail network. Driving from one country to another can take a significant amount of real time, giving a sense of long-haul transport that enhances immersion. The variety of contracts, from hauling heavy freight to transporting passengers on tight schedules, keeps the gameplay loop engaging, especially when combined with different weather conditions or time-of-day scenarios. However, despite the large map, some areas feel underdeveloped or repetitive, and the lack of diversity in random events or encounters means that long sessions can sometimes begin to feel monotonous. From a technical standpoint, Train Life has come a long way since its early access phase. The developers have steadily rolled out updates that addressed player feedback, adding new locomotives, expanding the map, refining controls, and improving the tutorial and UI. Yet, some bugs persist, particularly with the game’s GPS system, which can occasionally misguide players or lose track of active routes. There are also reports of signal malfunctions or trains getting stuck due to track-switching issues. These bugs don’t completely ruin the experience, but they can disrupt what is otherwise a relaxing and deliberate style of gameplay. The control system, while generally intuitive, does have its learning curve. Keyboard and controller support are both functional, though some actions—especially in menus or during emergencies—can feel a bit clunky. Once mastered, though, controlling the trains becomes second nature, and there’s a satisfying rhythm to setting up your route, managing the throttle, and hitting your stops on time. The addition of emergency braking, hazard avoidance, and shunting procedures adds layers of interaction that elevate the driving portion beyond being purely passive. Train Life ultimately carves out its own niche in the simulator space. It’s not a hardcore train simulator in the mold of titles like Train Simulator Classic or Train Sim World, nor is it a deep economic strategy game. Instead, it offers a hybrid experience that allows players to inhabit both the engineer’s cab and the boardroom. While it doesn’t fully flesh out either side to the level that genre purists might hope for, it delivers a compelling blend that can be very rewarding when it all comes together. The sense of ownership over your routes, vehicles, and decisions adds purpose to the long journeys, and the relaxing cadence of train driving pairs well with the more goal-oriented structure of the company management. For players looking for a relaxing yet purposeful simulation, Train Life offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a game best enjoyed over time, not rushed through, and those who appreciate the slower rhythms of train travel will likely find it satisfying despite its flaws. There’s room for improvement in depth, polish, and realism, but the core idea of blending operational simulation with entrepreneurial ambition is one that works more often than not. With continued support and refinement, it could become a standout title in its category. Rating: 6/10
Expand the review
In terms of simulation depth, it’s certainly not Derail Valley, and it seems to be built on Unity or something similar. But the graphics are still nice, and the scale is aiming for the heights of Euro Truck Simulator, plus it has a decent economy system. The optimization, by the way, is actually quite good, unlike the Train Sim World series. Good optimization alone lets you forgive a lot — especially the rather simple game design. Honestly, it’s a good game with an interesting concept. The developers really should have focused on improving this one instead of that failed Spanish taxi simulator.
Expand the review
It's a good train sim game, a bit like Euro Truck Simulator on rails but it has some bugs. One bug is at certain points on the track it takes about a minute to load in the actual terrain and track objects so it brings your train to a complete halt until they have loaded in. The track scaling to real life and distances between signals can be a bit tight at times, with a red signal showing after just a few meters of a yellow signal. However there's a lot to like about the game and on discount it's definitely worth a play, just a shame about the few bugs and lack of development.
Expand the review
Great game. Looking for an easy to control "pick up and play" train sim like Euro Truck and American Truck sims?? This is it. Big map with lots of cities and industries to deliver people and goods to and from. You and the cities level up as you progress and service the cities. Nice big, populated world that looks really nice. Runs well with no bugs. Oh! And it's not abandoned! It's just finished! Yeah, it doesn't have a thousand DLCs to buy, but this is what it is and it's well worth the asking price!
Expand the review
A decent Train Simulator/Euro Truck Sim hybrid which I'm really enjoying playing. Sadly seems that development on it has halted, so no further bugfixes or content are coming- but if you like train games, and it's in a steam sale, I still recommend it.
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
Train Sim World® 2
The evolution of train simulation! Master iconic locomotives on high-speed services, long freight hauls or precise commuter traffic, and get creative with customisation tools in this advanced sequel. Climb into the cab in Train Sim World 2.
Train Sim World® 2020
Train Sim World is an immersive first-person simulator perfect for everyone, with complete in-cab interactivity, accurate detail on locos, real-world routes and hours of gameplay. Take to the rails with the brand-new Train Sim World 2020 Edition and find everything you need to master new skills.
Train Sim World® 3
Conquer American mountains as you haul incredible tonnage with the workhorses of industry, get the British capital’s commuters to work in record time and race state-to-state aboard German high-speed traction. Master the machine with Train Sim World 3.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator
Climb into the driver's seat of your car and your business, transport passengers across Barcelona and grow your company! Can you help relieve the transportation challenges of a city that never sleeps?
Train Sim World® 4
Feel the power of simulation in your hands. Experience immense velocity and express unrivalled creativity with Train Sim World 4! Expand your rail hobby and discover the raw emotion of driving a diverse array of iconic routes and trains. From training center to mountain pass, this is your journey.
City Transport Simulator®
The All-in-One Simulation! Drive highly detailed and licensed real buses & trams, build and design your own transport company, and grow your network in a European-inspired city.
TramSim Vienna - The Tram Simulator
Experience with TramSim the most modern tram simulator, which impresses with photo-realistic graphics and as first location the Austrian capital Vienna in a virtual reality that has never been seen before.
Pure Farming 2018
Use the latest technology and state-of-the-art licensed machines to manage all aspects of modern farming. Travel between Europe, Asia, and both Americas to plant region-specific crops such as hemp, coffee beans, and olives. Farm your way thanks to three unique game modes tailored to both simulation veterans and newcomers to farming games.
Bus Simulator 16
Get behind the wheel of 13 realistic city buses licensed by known city bus manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and MAN. Keep an eye on the traffic code and drive your passengers safely to their destinations through five characteristic city districts.
Train Simulator Classic
The ultimate railway hobby for more than 15 years! From historic steam locomotives to modern high-speed and heavy freight trains, and routes around the world, Train Simulator Classic is the simulation made by railfans for railfans.
Giant Machines 2017
Take control over seven of the biggest industrial machines in the world. During the 14 mission campaign you will punch through the snows of Greenland, plow the steppes of Wyoming and travel all the way to sunny Florida. Your hard work will be completed by launching a space shuttle into space.
Fernbus Simulator
The world of coach drivers awaits you! Drive along motorways and country roads to the bus stations in over 40 cities in Germany. Thanks to the cooperation with FlixBus and true-to-the-original MAN buses, you will experience the game world in a realistic way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is currently priced at 1.99€ on Steam.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is currently available at a 90% discount. You can purchase it for 1.99€ on Steam.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator received 976 positive votes out of a total of 1,525 achieving a rating of 6.25.
😐
Train Life: A Railway Simulator was developed by Simteract and published by Nacon.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is not playable on MacOS.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is not playable on Linux.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator is a single-player game.
There are 2 DLCs available for Train Life: A Railway Simulator. Explore additional content available for Train Life: A Railway Simulator on Steam.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator does not support Steam Remote Play.
Train Life: A Railway Simulator 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 Train Life: A Railway Simulator.
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 | 18 October 2025 15:25 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 21 October 2025 16:55 |
| Steam price | 29 October 2025 04:48 |
| Steam reviews | 28 October 2025 05:53 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Train Life: A Railway Simulator, 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 Train Life: A Railway Simulator
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Train Life: A Railway Simulator concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Train Life: A Railway Simulator compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
12
Developer
Simteract
Publisher
Nacon
Release
25 Aug 2022
Platforms
Clicking and buying through these links helps us earn a commission to maintain our services.