Game summary
Trainz Railroad Simulator 22 (commonly shortened to Trainz 22) is a premium 3D railroad simulation from N3V Games for macOS. Part of a series that began in 2001, this entry emphasizes realistic train operation and route construction, offering players the ability to lay track, design environments, and drive a wide variety of locomotives and rolling stock modeled on real-world prototypes.
Modes of play
Trainz 22 presents two primary ways to enjoy the experience:
- Driver Module: Take the controls of locomotives using either simple Digital Command Control (DCC) for basic start/stop operation or the more immersive cab-style controls (CAB) for realistic in-cab operation.
- Surveyor: Act as the route designer with a full editor that lets you position track, buildings, scenery, and terrain sculpting tools to create custom railroad routes.
- Multiplayer Surveyor: Team up with other creators in the editor to collaborate on route construction and modifications in real time.
Scope of content
This release ships with a very large content library—hundreds if not over a thousand pieces of rolling stock and a set of major routes covering different regions and eras. Official routes span locations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Canada, and many community-made routes and assets are available to expand the experience further through online downloads.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strengths: Deep simulation focus, extensive roster of locomotives and cars, powerful route-building tools, and the recent addition of multiplayer functionality for collaborative editing.
- Areas needing improvement: Some users report problems launching the game on macOS, and the download/content management system can be awkward when adding large amounts of community content.
- Usability updates: The Content Store has been refreshed to improve navigation and discovery, but practical issues with downloads and installation remain for some players.
Final thoughts
Trainz 22 advances the long-running franchise with meaningful additions—especially in content breadth and social editing—while retaining its core focus on realistic train operation and creative route design. Despite these positives, some technical and usability problems persist and will likely need developer attention to make the experience smoother for everyone.
Technical
- Mac
- Android
- Full