A brief look at the 1995 transport business simulator
Transport Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1995, is a landmark economic simulation in which you build and expand a transportation company. Players design routes, manage fleets, and trade cargo to outperform rivals and dominate the market.
Free, updated successor and other options
If you enjoyed the original, there are modern alternatives to consider. Chris Sawyer’s Locomotion is a paid follow-up that preserves much of the classic feel. For a no-cost option that expands on the original concept, try OpenTTD — a fully free reimplementation with many fresh additions and improvements.
Notable enhancements in the updated free version
- Online multiplayer support (up to eight participants) for cooperative or competitive games
- An autorail construction tool that speeds up laying track and planning routes
- Built-in cost estimation tools to help forecast expenses before committing to construction
- Wider airport options, including international and large metropolitan hubs
- New gameplay mechanics such as the ability to influence town officials through bribery-like interactions
- Modern currency support, including the Euro, among other monetary updates
- Refreshed visuals with richer colors and a generally cleaner presentation
Why it’s worth trying
OpenTTD takes the core appeal of the original — transport planning, logistics, and company growth — and modernizes it with quality-of-life features and online play. Whether you want to relive the nostalgia or discover the genre for the first time, the free, expanded version is an accessible way to experience a deep transport simulation.
Technical
- Windows
- Free