If you've wanted to try a multiplayer sim, Railroader is a great entry point

Been into trains a while, but not into sims until this year. I wanted to try multi, downloaded Run8, SimRail etc., but trying to get into the communities can be intimidating.

The one I joined for Run8, for example, was in the middle of major troubles that eventually resulted in a schism. People were casually brutal, and it didn't make me want to learn.

Now admittedly, people are people everywhere. But people are also more willing to forgive people who are learning, especially if they are also learning or can remember what that's like.

Run8 and SimRail are also set in different times and places, clearly, and for a lot of us that's key to our interest in a game or a loco. And FWIW, I think both games are good, so no hate to either if that's your jam.

But RAILROADER really checks the boxes for me. Objective-based gameplay, company finances, things to achieve, new power to buy.

I'm admittedly a fan of steam, but also of diesel. You get only early diesel-electric locos for now, and the railroad you're running on this map really is more of a shortline so some steam locos will likely never make an eventual appearance. But that too could change at some point, who knows.

Last night my server's eastbound manifest got stranded, the light Connie nearly out of water, and my #3 Mogul - headed for sale at the interchange, and crewed with a newfound buddy - doubled back to pull them to the tower before doubleheading a bit.

The game itself is in early access on Steam, with some of the quirks that entails, but it's actually in good shape IMO. The tutorial gave me what I needed to hop into multi. The driving is very fun.

There's also a sandbox mode if you just want to try stuff out on your own, and a single-player career mode.

With the right people, this game is so fun. And it will probably never be easier to find them than right now. Railroader is worth a look.

:cultofmogul: