Diesel Railcar Simulator
Early access since Mar 2018
Drive vintage diesel trains, shifting gears manually and trying to reach a perfect score. Create new routes, trains and timetables. Share your creations and download new content from the Workshop.
93% positive · 350 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Where to buy
Steam $19.99
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Evaluation
Diesel Railcar Simulator has been in Early Access since March 5, 2018 and continues in that state today. Development remains clearly active: the major Gameplay Update shipped on May 4, 2026, bringing career mode, Steam achievements, tandem driver mode, guard mode, a revised scoring system, derailments, and a new user interface. That update also included a detailed roadmap explicitly listing three further major updates still to come — a Train Update, a Traffic Update, and an Environment Update — plus additional routes and other countries to be announced later.
Since the Gameplay Update, the developer has shipped four more feature patches in rapid succession: Gameplay Patch 4 (June 2, 2026) with visual improvements, Gameplay Patch 6 (July 17, 2026) adding diesel brake tenders and editor improvements, Gameplay Patch 7 (August 6, 2026) with physics and traffic fixes, and Gameplay Patch 8 (August 12, 2026) with audio and editor improvements. Each patch closes with "Another patch coming soon," confirming the developer's continued engagement.
An August 2025 post acknowledged that DRS had not covered its development costs in years and announced a second game (Constracktion), but was explicit that this did not mean DRS was cancelled. The subsequent burst of updates in 2026 bears that out. The developer has been frank about the game's commercial challenges while maintaining a clear, publicly stated plan for the remaining content needed to complete Early Access.
Evidence
Major Gameplay Update shipped with career mode, achievements, tandem driver mode, guard mode, derailments, new HUD, and revised scoring. Roadmap published listing three more major updates still to come (Train Update, Traffic Update, Environment Update) plus future routes and other countries.
Major Scenery Update shipped after nearly two years of work, replacing the old scenery system with a richer environment. Developer noted the next major update would be the gameplay update.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Lapioware
Achievements
21
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
Take the controls of a variety of diesel railcars and locomotives, each representing an integral part of Britain's Railways in the 1960s. With over 150 miles of track to explore, wide range of train services and advanced physics simulation, Diesel Railcar Simulator is a great choice for trainsim enthusiasts.
Driving
- Customise your driving experience to suit your needs: either drive the train fully manually with optional helpful HUD guides, or activate the 'simple controls' mode for easy six-key driving.
- Drive using a keyboard, a gamepad, or use your mouse to control the interactive in-cab controls.
- Alternatively, hand the controls over to the AI, relax and watch the computer drive the train from any viewpoint, or change trains to view any currently active service.
Realism
- Physics are simulated in detail: individual components of the transmission are replicated to ensure realistic behaviour. The suspension of each vehicle is also modelled to make it bounce and sway over uneven trackwork.
- Sounds are mostly authentic: many of the most prominent sounds used in game are recordings of the real trains.
- Computer-driven AI trains occasionally make human-like mistakes like running late or misjudging braking at stations.
Gameplay
- Each route features a full daytime timetable with every service being drivable. Choose from hundreds of Inter-City, semifast, stopping, freight, rescue and empty coaching stock train services.
- Upon completing a service, your driving style and timekeeping are evaluated. Try the same run again to reach a higher score by braking more accurately or driving more economically, but stay alert: the signal that was green on the previous run might be red this time, due to a late-running AI train.
- The career mode ties individual runs together into a coherent experience with a good balance of randomisation and player choice.
- Unlock a variety of achievements to discover all the different styles of playing the simulator.
Trains
- Four British Railways diesel railcar classes with manual gearboxes: 112, 117, 122 and 126
- Class 127 railcar with torque converters (no need to change gears)
- Locomotives: Classes 03, 37 and 40
- A variety of passenger coaches and goods wagons
- More trains available on the Steam Workshop
Routes
- Choose from three routes totalling over 150 miles of track, each with their own unique feel:
- North Landen: a 4-track main line with express and stopping trains racing each other during the busiest hours of the day
- Westfords: a warm valley route with city centres connected by two alternative main lines and suburban branches at each end
- Mountain Pass: a double track through line with a single line section meandering over hilly, rugged landscape with challenging gradients
- More routes available on the Steam Workshop
Modding
- With the game's built-in train, route and timetable editors and Steam Workshop support, Diesel Railcar Simulator is the perfect game for modding:
- Train editor: create new liveries and trains using your own custom 3D-models and the built-in library of assets. Also includes an integrated vehicle body modelling tool which can be used without prior modelling experience
- Route Editor: create brand new routes using built-in assets, custom imported ones or create your own inside the editor
- Timetable editor: bring your route to life with busy traffic around the clock
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Aug 19, 2026
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