So You Think You Can Operate a Commuter Train? It’s Not as Easy as You Think

Have you ever thought, “I could do a better job than this engineer” when riding a slow NJ Transit train? A new train simulation game shows how difficult commuter train operation is.

Dovetail Games, which makes TrainSim World, released TrainSim 6 on September 30. Players may operate the Morristown Line of NJ Transit in this enhanced edition, which offers a realistic and engaging train operation experience. Players can play on PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox.

TrainSim 6 goes beyond simulation. Virtual trains in the game can break down, have red signal delays, and respond to weather. Players must manage brakes, acceleration, horns, headlights, and doors to get at stations on time. Engineers and conductors give different train operating perspectives.

The game has commuter-favorite Arrow III vehicles, an ALP 45 electric locomotive, and multilevel cab cars. Realistic train mechanics require strict speed limits, signaling, and station stops. Rail transport is unpredictable due to equipment problems and speed limits.

For TrainSim veterans, the sixth edition is a huge boost. Players now get onto the train instead of sitting in the engineer’s seat. Players must master the rail line’s slopes, bends, signaling systems, and braking and acceleration timing. After each run, the game displays a visual report card of achievements and failures.

Virtually operating a train shows how difficult it is. Locomotive engineers study mechanics and routes for two years. The game shows how difficult it is to stop precisely at a station platform or manage a train’s enormous momentum after stopping. Even in virtual reality, mistakes like missing speed reductions or stopping too far from a platform indicate why real-world training is important.

Ironically, the older Arrow III trains, which are problematic in real life, are fun to drive in the game. Compared to heavier multilevel automobiles, they respond swiftly and have simpler controls. TrainSim 6 emphasizes tutorials, which teach basic and advanced rail operations before learning specific trains and routes. Skipping these lessons can overwhelm players.

TrainSim 6 goes beyond entertaining. Players learn to appreciate the expertise and accuracy needed to safely and efficiently manage a commuter train. The simulation lets anyone feel the task, but it also shows why experienced engineers train so hard before driving a NJ Transit train.

TrainSim 6 is a fun and realistic method to see that train operation is more complicated than it seems, and it may make you question whether you might do it better.

Sources:

• NJ Transit official website

• Dovetail Games – TrainSim World 6 official release information

• U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Railroad Administration