CaTrain for Windows

Name: CaTrain
Rating: 3.9 (19 reviews)
Author: Joel Bouchat

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Used CaTrain for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 25, 2026

CATrain is a robust application for designing, simulating, and controlling model railways. It offers both virtual operation and real-world hardware control.

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Trial version

Pros
- User-friendly design mode for layout creation
- Simulates multiple trains concurrently
- Supports manual and automatic train operation
- Customizable audio effects with WAV and MP3 support
- Controls real model railways via dedicated controllers
Cons
- No mention of specific layout limitations
- Interface complexity not detailed
- Learning curve for advanced features unknown

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 25, 2015

Latest update: February 25, 2026

Version: 2.5.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2003
Windows 10
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Server
Windows 2000

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 161,456

Downloads Last Week: 19

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.9/5

19 User Votes

Very disappointing, deleted it.
discgolftrainnutMarch 22, 2011
Pros
I did not find any.
Cons
Very unimpressive on the graphics side.
Summary
Crashed when Installing
ganerdJanuary 24, 2009
Pros
NOT A SINGLE ONE!!!
Cons
unstable release.
Summary
Never got to run it... Tried repeatedly to install on Windows Vista with no success... Even tried changing the install directory with no luck. Re-downloaded and retried with same result. Locks up during decompacting...
Never Had A Room For A Model Train Till Now
soccerdude12July 10, 2006
Pros
Trains are cool and i can now have one without taking up space
Cons
Little tough to understand
Summary
very good
Doom_GoatJuly 22, 2005
Pros
lots of trains, track styles. is good for a physical railroad, or yto just use as a program. there are very little railroad games now, so this is very good program compared with other free ones.
Cons
the help files are not updated, = worthless help. No explanation how to do anything. (u learn on ur own fast though)
Summary
Good way to experiment before sacrificing your
April 2, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
Cool toy for blue prints
December 25, 2003
Pros
Cons
Summary
this "tool" more or less is better than being a simulator, and it is fun to play with tool, although the simple vertical design and simple train drawings are cool, LOTS of features for manual controls as well, if you like trains this is fun just for playing around.
Small, Powerful, FREE
CaptPSeptember 5, 2003
Pros
Cons
Summary
Ok boys and girls. Not everything found on this sight is a game. This program, although entertaining, is NOT a GAME. It is used to design and automate the control of a model railroad. It is an excellent program for doing just that! For those of you who are interested in such things, I recommend CATrain. The download button links you to the CATrain web sight where you can read about the program, find information on, and order the support hardware that's actually used to control your layout, and of course, download the program. I am running CATrain on a 400mhz system with Windows '98 and have only encountered a few bugs. The graphics are a bit unstable when using all but their smallest layout grid. If the pointer starts jumping around or it looks like the layout you just spent four hours drawing goes haywire, find the "refresh display" option in the menu and save after accomplishing a major task. I did this same thing ten years ago using an old Commador 64 and patted myself on the back for doing it. CATrain is 10000 times more powerful than anything I ever programed. My last comment: The "help" files are good but incomplete. Just play with it and pick apart the dozen or so examples they supply with the program. You'll figure it out!
It seems to be fun, but isn't.
February 20, 2003
Pros
Cons
Summary
The idea is good, but it's tricky to play and the features are poor too. Railroads aren't easy to construct and there are many bad thinks about this game. But the idea is good, to see the good idea you must certainly try it out.
It seems to be fun, but isn't.
February 20, 2003
Pros
Cons
Summary
The idea is good, but it's tricky to play and the features are poor too. Railroads aren't easy to construct and there are many bad thinks about this game. But the idea is good, to see the good idea you must certainly try it out.
It seems to be fun, but isn't.
February 20, 2003
Pros
Cons
Summary
The idea is good, but it's tricky to play and the features are poor too. Railroads aren't easy to construct and there are many bad thinks about this game. But the idea is good, to see the good idea you must certainly try it out.

Developer’s Description

By Joel Bouchat

Design and run a model railway on your PC.

CATrain is a tool for designing, simulating, and controlling model railways. The design mode allows the user to draw a simplified layout, including devices such as turnouts, signals, and level crossing. The running mode permits the checking of the layout by concurrently running several trains on it. The trains that have been installed on the railway are animated on the screen. The trains can either circulate under manual control or automatically, following user-defined itineraries. Audio effects can be added: engine sounds, squealing brakes, track clicks, horns, level-crossing bells... Default audio clips are provided, but the user can create his own audio clips in 'wav' or 'mp3' format. When the PC is connected to a dedicated controller, CATrain can control a real model railway. In addition to the dedicated home-made control modules, an Uhlenbrock IB-COM or Intellibox can be connected on an USB port to control a Marklin or any DCC layout (Uhlenbrock, Roco, Arnold, LGB, Lenz, Digitrax,...).

CaTrain for Windows

Editors’ Review

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Pros

Cons