Open Rails

Download > Program

Stable Version 1.3.1 (recommended)

  Download the installer

This installer provides all pre-requisites for Open Rails and an uninstaller.

18 December 2018, 44MB

Testing Version

  Download the executables

See the installation guides below for the pre-requisites you'll need.

09 June 2019, 36MB

Installation Questions from the FAQ

Which platforms does Open Rails run on?

Open Rails works well on Windows PCs from Windows XP* onwards (including Windows 10). It does not work on Windows XBox, Windows Phone or non-Windows platforms.

* Windows XP requires Service Pack 3 (SP3).

32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

Open Rails is currently a 32-bit program that will run on either 32-bit Windows or 64-bit Windows. When run on a 64-bit Windows system there are some benefits as follows.

Programs compiled for 32-bit Windows are always limited to using a maximum of 2GB of memory. Many current PCs, especially 64-bit systems, have more than this. Fortunately it is possible to compile a program, for 64-bit systems only, which can use up to 4GB of memory and this is called a Large Address Aware (LAA) option. The downloads include both the usual version and the LAA version and you choose between them in the Options form.

What hardware does Open Rails require?

• Processor : 2.0 GHz (32 or 64-bit)
• Memory : minimum = 0.5 GB, recommended = 2 GB
• Hard drive : 40 MB (but models require lots of space. The 6 routes in Microsoft Train Simulator require 1.4 GB)
• Graphics Hardware : minimum = 128 MB dedicated video RAM with Pixel Shader 2.0, recommended = 256 MB RAM with Pixel Shader 3.0
• Graphics Software : as provided by Windows. Open Rails currently uses DirectX^® - version 9.0c
• Sound : compatible with DirectX^® - version 9.0c

Do I need Microsoft Train Simulator installed to use Open Rails?

You do not need Microsoft Train Simulator installed in order to use Open Rails.

When Microsoft Train Simulator is installed, then Open Rails can safely make use of all the Microsoft Train Simulator content as it does not change any Microsoft Train Simulator files.

Most non-Microsoft Train Simulator routes, activities and rolling stock make use of some Microsoft Train Simulator content, usually sound files, textures and cab interiors. If products designed for Microsoft Train Simulator are used on a PC with Open Rails but not Microsoft Train Simulator, then they are likely to work but some sounds and textures will be missing. Such files will be listed with warnings in the Open Rails log file.

How can I recognise add-on products for Microsoft Train Simulator that require Microsoft Train Simulator files?

Add-ons designed for Microsoft Train Simulator may rely on files from the Microsoft Train Simulator product. For instance:

• Routes provided with an Install.bat file that copies shapes and textures from the routes on the Microsoft Train Simulator CDs.
• Locomotives that re-use cabviews or sounds from the locomotives on the Microsoft Train Simulator CDs (see folder TRAINSET).
• Rolling stock that have sound management (SMS) files that refer to wave files from the Microsoft Train Simulator CDs (see folder SOUND).

If I install Open Rails, will it change my Microsoft Train Simulator files?

No, Open Rails does not modify any Microsoft Train Simulator files.

Does Open Rails suppport RailDriver?

Yes; this cab controller from P.I.Engineering is suitable for Open Rails and support for it is built in to the simulator. Installation instructions are included in the installation download (and also from this webpage). Eric Conrad has posted a detailed review on his MSTS Roundhouse blog which provides valuable advice for using this product.

Does Open Rails report data back to its creators?

Not at the moment. Data on how Open Rails is used will be very helpful for the project but, if we wish to collect usage data, we will inform you beforehand and you will always be able to opt out.

Recent Code Changes


• X1.3.1-64-g315e3665 Merge pull request #67 from twpol/feature/contributing
  Contributing documentation
  • 82033d17 docs: Clarify how to get your code accepted
  • 961cb71c docs: Explain how things are approved
  • eb851fc8 docs: Slightly clearer text in writing code introduction
  • f9fb742c docs: Add section on merging pull requests
  • 0e567cb5 docs: Add stub architecture document and linked in
  • 30d0f43c docs: Add explanation for reviewing leeway
  • 83ee8df0 docs: EXplicitly define what approval looks like
  • fd7fa9f3 docs: Updated writing code with flexibility
  • 3310883b docs: Small fixes to contributing
  • 1dfd6cd1 docs: OR specific details and initial reviewing instructions
  • afa3848c docs: First portion of draft contributing document
• X1.3.1-63-g508714db Merge pull request #66 from Csantucci/thread-safe-particleemitter
  Solve ParticleEmitter.cs thread safety issue.
  • 05b9be22 Solve ParticleEmitter.cs thread safety issue. Bug fix for https://bugs.launchpad.net/or/+bug/1831202 .
• X1.3.1-62-g35e188c0 Merge pull request #68 from Csantucci/master
  Correction in OR manual.
  • b65ffdb5 Correction in OR manual.

See more code changes

Installation Guides

• Installation Guide (English)
• Tutorial de Instalación (Spanish)

Note: No installation is necessary and multiple versions of Open Rails can co-exist in different folders.

Updater

The built-in updater checks this website for new updates once per day. The testing version is updated once per week, usually on Friday around 7pm UK time.

Unstable Version

To support development, the latest unstable version is also available, which is updated as and when we make changes to it. Previous unstable versions are available. The unstable versions are more likely to contain serious bugs and are only recommended for users wishing to help with Open Rails development.