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What: Microsoft® "Train Simulator"

Publisher: Microsoft Corp.

Developer: Microsoft Corp.

Format: CD-ROM for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, and Windows 2000 operating systems

Availability: Spring 2001

Product Overview:
"Train Simulator" brings the power and excitement of some of the world's most famous trains to the PC, placing the player in the role of engineer with unprecedented realism, exciting real-world rail challenges, and the tools to recreate almost any railroad experience in the world.

Features:

• Six highly-detailed train routes from around the world - includes hundreds of miles of track, carefully recreated with accurate elevation and terrain data, to mirror the real-world scenery, industry and towns along the routes. Routes include both historic and contemporary rail operations such as:

  § Amtrak® AcelaSM - the "bullet train" comes to America with Amtrak's new Acela high-speed train, running the busy U.S. Northeast Corridor.

  § Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway - experience the challenges and awesome power of moving today's freight through the spectacular Marias Pass and along the southern border of Glacier National Park in Montana.

  § The Flying Scotsman Railways - race along some of England's most beautiful countryside in the late 1920s, in what is arguably the world's most famous steam locomotive. § Kyushu Railway Company - explore the mountainous Hisatsu line on Japan's southern island of Kyushu.

  § Odakyu Electric Railway - navigate one of the busiest commuter lines out of Tokyo, or take in the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Fuji.

  § The Venice Simplon Orient-Express - visit the Austrian Alps in the 1930s for the ultimate in romantic European steam train travel.
  
  

• The most realistic train simulation ever brought to the PC - Microsoft "Train Simulator" places players in the cab of each detailed locomotive, with accurate, fully functional gauges and working controls. Whether it's working the regulator on a steam engine or the air brake system on a modern diesel, the player is always in control.
• Authentic train and route sound recordings - whether in the cab or standing by the tracks, players will hear the distinctive hissing of the Flying Scotsman as it builds up a head of steam, the throaty rumble of a Dash 9 diesel as it hauls its load of freight and the distinctive sounds of jointed, wooden-tie track or welded, concrete-tie track.
• Real-world rail activities based on operational events - each scenario is unique to each route. Players can choose from a variety of challenges, such as keeping to a strict passenger timetable amidst unforeseen obstacles or using helper engines to get a 50-car intermodal train over Marias Pass during a winter storm. Alternatively, players can enjoy any of the routes from a passenger or observer view. Just sit back, let the computer control of the realistic rail operations, and enjoy the sight and sounds of the journey.
• Customize and create new railways - with an open architecture and tools that encourage enthusiasts, railroad clubs/historical societies and third-party developers to customize and extend the product by creating new trains, routes, scenery and challenges, many of which will be available for download from the Internet.
• Key partnerships with major railroads around the world - Microsoft is working with several well-known, international railroads to recreate the trains and operations to deliver an authentic rail experience.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator heritage - Microsoft "Train Simulator" incorporates the exacting standards of quality and realism associated with the Flight Simulator product family. The same ingredients that make Flight Simulator so appealing will make Microsoft "Train Simulator" irresistible to anyone with an interest in trains.