See which train simulators support custom routes and free mods, with clear picks for easy route building, freeware use and PC or console.
Train Simulator Classic, Trainz, Open Rails/Microsoft Train Simulator and OpenBVE all support custom routes and free community mods. Train Simulator Classic and Trainz are the easiest all-round choices: TSC has a vast add-on ecosystem, while Trainz provides the friendlier route builder. Train Sim World is more restricted, especially on consoles.
Best train simulators for custom routes and mods
The strongest choice depends on whether you want to build routes, download them or avoid paying for the base simulator.
| Simulator | Custom-route support | Free content | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train Simulator Classic | Built-in World Editor for creating and modifying routes | Routes, scenarios, reskins, sounds and rolling-stock modifications | Free routes often require paid DLC assets |
| Trainz | Surveyor provides an integrated visual route builder | Routes, sessions, locomotives, scenery and track assets | Missing dependencies and content-version conflicts |
| Open Rails/MSTS | Loads custom MSTS-format routes; route creation uses older, less unified tools | Routes, trains, activities, scenery and utilities | Many routes rely on legacy MSTS assets |
| OpenBVE | Routes and trains can be created in editable, documented formats | A large proportion of its route and train content is freeware | Installation and route development can be technical |
| Train Sim World | Supported PC releases provide official editor tooling | PC community packages plus shared liveries and scenarios | No equivalent support for arbitrary route mods on consoles |
There is an important distinction between loading a community route and building one from scratch. Trainz and Train Simulator Classic provide the most practical visual editors. Open Rails is excellent for running compatible custom routes, but its creation workflow is less integrated. Train Sim World route development is possible on PC, though its ecosystem is not as open or mature.
Which train simulator is easiest for building custom routes?
Trainz is usually the easiest simulator for creating a railway from scratch because Surveyor combines track laying, terrain editing, scenery placement and operational setup in one environment.
Train Simulator Classic offers more established downloadable route content and a capable World Editor, but its asset organisation has a steeper learning curve. Objects are tied to specific content providers and products, so failing to enable the correct asset set can leave a route with missing track, scenery or structures. Our comparison of TSC and Trainz route-building tools explains which one better fits construction, driving and custom operations.
Whichever editor you use, clone an existing route before changing it. Editing the original can cause updates or reinstalls to overwrite your work, and distributing a modified route does not grant permission to redistribute somebody else's commercial assets.
Are custom routes and mods really free?
The mod file can be free while its required assets are not. This is especially common with Train Simulator Classic routes built from track, buildings or rolling stock supplied by several commercial DLC packages.
Before installing a route, check:
- Required DLC: A missing dependency may produce bare terrain, invisible track or failed scenarios.
- Simulator version: Trainz content can target a particular content build, while older MSTS packages may behave differently in Open Rails.
- Included assets: Never assume track, scenery and rolling stock are bundled with the route.
- Installation method: Workshop subscriptions, package installers and manually copied files require different handling.
- Licence: Free to download does not necessarily mean free to modify or redistribute.
A mistake we see constantly is treating a dependency list as optional. Our guide to finding dependable free TSC add-ons covers the checks that prevent most missing-asset and installation problems.
Can Open Rails or OpenBVE be used without buying a simulator?
Open Rails and OpenBVE are the clearest choices when the simulator software itself must be free, but individual routes can still require separately licensed content.
Open Rails is designed around compatibility with Microsoft Train Simulator content. Some routes are self-contained, while others require a legal MSTS installation or assets originally supplied with it. Our Microsoft Train Simulator add-on archive contains routes, trains and utilities, but each download's prerequisites should be checked before using it with Open Rails.
OpenBVE is better suited to users comfortable with manual folders, text-based route definitions and separately installed trains. It offers considerable freedom, although packaging standards and dependency handling vary between projects.
Does Train Sim World support full custom route mods?
Train Sim World supports route-development tooling and community modifications on PC, but it is not the best choice for unrestricted, plug-and-play custom routes.
Editor projects are more involved than building in Trainz or installing a TSC route, and compatibility can depend on the Train Sim World release and content used by the project. PC users can install suitable community packages; our Train Sim World community-mod installation guide explains the file handling and common compatibility checks.
Console editions cannot accept arbitrary PC mod files. Their user-created options are limited to features supported inside the game, such as shared liveries and scenarios, rather than complete downloadable route packages. Choose Train Simulator Classic or Trainz if custom routes are the priority; choose Open Rails or OpenBVE if free simulator software matters most.