MSTS shipped with six iconic routes, each chosen to demonstrate different operating styles:
| Route | Region | Era | Focus | |-------|--------|-----|-------| | Settle & Carlisle | UK (steam) | 1920s-30s | Heavy steam, scenic hills | | Arlbergbahn | Austria | Modern | Alpine electrics | | Marias Pass | USA (BNSF) | Modern | Heavy freight, grades | | Northeast Corridor (NEC) | USA (Amtrak) | Modern | High-speed electric | | Hisatsu Line | Japan | Modern | Rural diesel/commuter | | Tokyo–Hakone | Japan | Modern | Dense urban commuter |
Each route introduced unique signalling, speed limits, and operational feel. Marias Pass, with its 2.2% grades and helpers, became the sandbox for American freight simulation.
MSTS has a hard limit on how many routes it can load at once (roughly 70). Use the utility "Train Store" to temporarily hide routes you aren't using. Better yet, switch to Open Rails (a free, modern open-source simulator that uses MSTS content). Open Rails handles 4K resolutions, has no memory limits, and loads MSTS routes instantly.
MSTS routes offer a vast playground for enthusiasts, from high-speed electric operations on the NEC to the heavy freight challenges on the Alta Sierra. Whether you're drawn to the historical significance, the scenic beauty, or the operational challenges, there's an MSTS route out there for everyone. If you're new to MSTS or looking to expand your route collection, these iconic routes are an excellent place to start or add to your adventures. Happy simulating!
To find the best routes for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS)
or its modern successor, Open Rails, you should focus on community-driven content from established train simulation platforms. Popular Community Routes
The MSTS community has created thousands of third-party routes that often surpass the original default offerings in detail and realism:
Marias Pass 3.1: A highly regarded, updated version of the original default route that fixes many initial errors.
Monon Route (MONON-2): A massive, detailed recreation of the Monon Railroad with decades of community development behind it.
Ohio Rail: Famous for its spectacular scenery and detailed town personalities, though it requires a relatively fast system for its era.
Hoboken Shore: A favorite for players who enjoy detailed scenery and complex switching activities. msts routes
Canton RR & Cumberland Valley: Part of the "Garberdrome" collection of 3rd-party routes created by well-known developer Rich Garber. Where to Find and Download Routes
TrainSim.Com: Hosting a library of over 30,000 add-ons, this is the primary hub for MSTS and Open Rails routes, activities, and rolling stock.
Elvas Tower: An active forum where many long-time developers share specialized or rare routes and "treasures" of the MSTS era.
Open Rails: While not a content host, this is the recommended platform for running any MSTS route on modern hardware (Windows 10/11) without the performance issues of the original 2001 game. Installation Basics
When installing new routes, they must be placed in a specific folder structure to function correctly: Best MSTS Routes? - Trainorders.com
Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS), released in 2001, remains a cornerstone of the train simulation hobby thanks to a massive library of community-created routes. While the original game is outdated, most players now use these routes in Open Rails, a free, modern, open-source engine that improves performance and graphics. Popular and Highly-Rated MSTS Routes
The community has developed thousands of miles of track ranging from realistic historical recreations to creative fictional landscapes.
Marias Pass 3.1 A heavily improved community version of the original default route, widely considered one of the best for non-buggy performance and scenic mountainous terrain.
Monon Route (Monon-2) An expansive project covering the Monon Railroad in Indiana. Version 17 is frequently cited as a massive, high-detail achievement for the simulator.
Conrail Indy Line A popular route focused on Conrail operations, known for its busy freight traffic and realistic Midwestern landscape.
Rio Grande Southern (RGS) A classic narrow-gauge route (v3) that is a favorite for fans of historic steam operations in the rugged Colorado terrain. How to Find and Install Routes MSTS shipped with six iconic routes, each chosen
Finding these routes often requires visiting long-standing simulation hubs. MSTS Route MONON-2 Download
The world of MSTS routes is vast, passionate, and surprisingly active for a game released in 2001. From climbing Marias Pass with a 10,000-ton coal drag to threading the Acela through Philadelphia’s underground tunnels, there is no shortage of adventures.
Start with the default routes to learn the fundamentals. Then, visit Trainsim.com, download the Monon or Kicking Horse Pass, and apply the 4GB patch. For the best experience, run everything through Open Rails. You will discover that MSTS routes are not just digital tracks—they are time machines to railway history, built by fans, for fans.
Have a favorite MSTS route we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Keywords used: MSTS routes, Microsoft Train Simulator routes, install MSTS routes, best MSTS routes, MSTS route errors, Open Rails MSTS.
Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) routes, the most significant "feature" modern users look for is compatibility with Open Rails (OR)
, an open-source simulator that drastically enhances the capabilities of original MSTS route files. openrails.org Key Features of MSTS Routes in Open Rails
While original MSTS routes are static, running them through Open Rails unlocks several advanced features: Operating Turntables & Transfertables
: In the original MSTS, these are static objects. Open Rails adds the ability to actually rotate locomotives on turntables and move trainsets across transfertables. Extended Viewing Distances
: MSTS is limited to a 2km viewing distance. Open Rails allows you to extend this to the horizon (e.g., 10km or more), making old routes look far more realistic. Dynamic Track & Overhead Wires
: Open Rails fully supports the track database (.tdb) and route files (.trk) to render level crossings and overhead wires accurately. Improved Graphics & Substitution Scenery and terrain
: If an old MSTS route is missing a texture, Open Rails will substitute a neutral gray or high-vis magenta texture instead of crashing, allowing the simulation to continue. Realistic Physics Overhauls
: Modern mods provide "physics replacements" for classic MSTS routes (like Mullan Pass), updating locomotives and rolling stock to use highly detailed, modern physics engines without overwriting original files. Open Rails Manual Route Structure
A standard MSTS route folder typically contains these critical sub-folders to function: Core Route Data Activity Files Activities , which define the actual gameplay scenarios. Content Management 4. Use of MSTS Files by Open Rails
Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) has remained a cornerstone of the rail simulation community since its release in 2001, largely due to its massive library of over 30,000 community-created mods and routes. Whether you are a veteran or a newcomer using Open Rails to keep the sim alive, The Iconic Default Routes
The original MSTS disc came with six routes that laid the foundation for the hobby: Marias Pass
(USA): A challenging BNSF freight route through the Rocky Mountains. Northeast Corridor
(USA): High-speed passenger rail between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.. Settle & Carlisle
(UK): A scenic highland route featuring the famous Flying Scotsman.
The Orient Express (Europe): A 1920s historic route between Paris and Vienna. Hisatsu Lines (Japan): Detailed commuter and mountain routes in Japan. Top-Rated Community & Payware Routes
The community has significantly improved upon the defaults, adding more realistic gradients and detailed scenery.
If you take one thing away from this article, it is this: You should run MSTS routes in Open Rails.
Open Rails is a 100% free, open-source train simulator that reads MSTS content perfectly. Benefits include:
How to switch: Install Open Rails, point it to your C:\MSTS folder, and select any route. No conversion needed.