A-Train

A-Train is a railway management sim from Japanese developer Artdink. It was first released in Japan in 1990 and published in North America by Maxis in 1992 for DOS and the Amiga. In Japan it’s known as A-Train III, part of a long-running series.

You run a railway company in a growing city, and your goal is to build a profitable network that helps the city grow.

Gameplay

A-Train combines railway management with city building. Your trains carry passengers and building materials, and the materials you deliver allow the city to grow.

• Railways: Build tracks, stations and schedules.
• Materials: Deliver building materials to help the city grow.
• Investment: Build hotels, ski resorts and other properties.
• Stocks: Buy and sell shares.
• Map editor: Create your own maps.

The near-isometric view was the first in the series and influenced SimCity 2000. The game is complex and slow at first, but very rewarding.

Verdict

A-Train is a deep, rewarding railway sim. Its complexity can be daunting, but it’s one of the best transport games of its era. It won a Codie Award for Best Strategy Program in 1993 and was ranked among PC Gamer UK’s top 50 games.