Trainz™ Simulator 12 similar games & best alternatives

Trainz™ Simulator 12 - trainz-simulator-12_1.avif
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Trainz™ Simulator 12 - trainz-simulator-12_6.avif

Trainz™ Simulator 12

2011

Should you play it?

Released 2011. See also Trainz A New Era and TRS19.

What works

  • Extensive route and train customization
  • Large modding community with free content
  • Powerful and intuitive route editor
  • Realistic train operation modes
  • Low system requirements for older hardware

Things to keep in mind

  • Poor optimization and frequent lag
  • Outdated graphics and engine
  • Limited and unstable multiplayer
  • Complex mod installation and management
  • Lack of narrative and structured gameplay

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • Trainz: A New Era

  • Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019

  • Rolling Line

  • Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022

  • Farming Simulator 19

  • Bus Bound

Less social

Games that feels like Trainz™ Simulator 12 but with less teamwork and cooperation

  • Euro Truck Simulator

  • Train Station Renovation

  • Super Loco World - Cozy Train Automation

  • Construction Simulator 2 US - Pocket Edition

  • Train Simulator Classic

  • Train Sim World® 6

More leadership-focused

Games that feels like Trainz™ Simulator 12 but with more leadership over others

  • SimRail - The Railway Simulator

  • Railroader

  • Railroad Corporation 2

  • Bus Simulator 18

  • City Transport Simulator 2026

  • Euro Truck Simulator 2

More survival-focused

Games that feels like Trainz™ Simulator 12 but with a stronger survival pressure

  • Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator: Prologue

  • Captain of Industry

  • ZUSI 3 - Aerosoft Edition

  • Hmmsim Metro

  • Derail Valley

  • Railroad Tycoon 3

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Trainz™ Simulator 12: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Survival.

Last update: 06/08/2026