It’s full steam ahead for Railroads Online, which chugged out of Early Access on December 5, 2024, and is now available as a full release on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Stefan Kelnberger and published by astragon Entertainment, this sandbox railway simulation promises players the chance to design the railroads of their dreams—or nightmares, depending on your tolerance for locomotive physics.
The Basics: Build, Drive, Repeat
Set in a sprawling open world that echoes 19th-century Americana, Railroads Online offers a sandbox experience where players build railroads, operate steam locomotives, and transport goods to earn money. Whether solo or in multiplayer mode (supporting up to 16 players), aspiring rail tycoons can lay tracks, erect depots, and design entire rail networks across four large maps: Lake Valley, Aurora Falls, Pine Valley, and Mesa Plains.
The game boasts a detailed physics system powered by Unreal Engine 5, which promises realistic collisions and dynamic forces. So, yes, your train can derail, and it’ll look beautiful while doing so.
DLCs: A Double-Edged Caboose
The launch also brings two DLCs to the table. The Pioneer DLC (free for Early Access players or $2.99 for new adopters) adds the Bell’s Gap 0-6-0 locomotive, the Red Mountain depot, and a skin for the Montezuma locomotive. Meanwhile, the Explorer DLC ($4.99) introduces a new caboose, the FE&MV 4-8-0 Mastodon locomotive, and environmental enhancements like plants and animals.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled about the DLC drop. Some players criticized the decision to release paid content on day one of the full launch, with one Steam reviewer noting, “As soon as 1.0 hits, they release 2 DLCs. Disappointed.”
A Mixed Track Record
Railroads Online has spent the past three years in Early Access, garnering a loyal fan base and generally positive reviews. It currently has a Mostly Positive recent review rating on the platform. Many praise its sandbox mechanics and multiplayer functionality, with one player likening it to their childhood days of toy trains—“but for adults.” Another lauded the game as a “gem of a train game” after clocking in over 300 hours of playtime.
On the flip side, some users remain frustrated by persistent bugs and design decisions. Issues with save files, physics oddities (such as freight cars behaving like featherweights), and the overall development trajectory have led to complaints. “The content of the game has become stagnant,” lamented one player with 281 hours logged. Another simply summarized their feelings: “Track building is absolute garbage.”
Pricing and Editions
For PC players, the full game is available for a very reasonable $11.54. (The publisher’s press release states the PC price is $34.99, and it is unclear why there is the discrepancy. So if you are interested in this title, it would seem a safe bet that now is the time to buy it at a discounted price. Console versions are priced higher at $39.99. An Extended Edition bundles both DLCs and the base game for $15.83 on PC and $44.99 on consoles. Again, in the press release the price is listed significantly higher. A retail-exclusive Pioneer Edition for PS5 will hit shelves on February 27, 2025, priced at $39.99.
Final Stop: Who Should Board?
If you’re a train enthusiast or love the idea of laying tracks with friends, Railroads Online is a compelling new addition to the genre, three years in the making. As one reviewer succinctly put it: “If you like trains, start your journey today. If you don’t, well, maybe stay in the station.”
