Cog Railway Simulator

Your shift begins before the first wheel turns.
Cog Railway Simulator is a detailed railway simulation centred on a historic Austrian cog railway. Experience the work of operating a classic steam locomotive, from preparing it in the engine shed to driving it over steep mountain routes.

There is more to it than opening the regulator: look after your locomotive, raise steam and keep an eye on the fire, water level, boiler pressure, tractive effort and brakes throughout your journey.
From a Cold Boiler to a Locomotive Ready for Service
Open the smokebox door and clean the fire tubes with a long tube brush. Remove dirt from the connecting rods, wheels and frame, and top up the lubricator with oil.

Carry wood to the locomotive, arrange the logs on the grate and add kindling. Lighting the fire starts the process of raising steam, gradually bringing the cold locomotive to life and preparing it for service.
Tools, supplies and interactive components make these tasks part of your shift, helping you get to know your locomotive beyond the cab.
A Steam Locomotive Takes Teamwork
Play solo or share the workload with other players in cooperative multiplayer.
As the driver, you operate the regulator, reverser and brakes. Monitor your speed, the route ahead and the train’s load as you guide it safely over the mountain railway.
As the fireman, you maintain the steam supply. Managing the fire, coal supply, water level and boiler pressure requires attention and forward planning.

Both roles are closely connected. Good communication and a feel for the locomotive help you tackle demanding sections together.
Steep Routes, Distinctive Engineering
On steep sections, the historic rack-and-pinion system transmits the driving force when adhesion between wheel and rail is no longer sufficient.
The transition between adhesion and rack operation shapes the journey. Climbing requires careful management of steam and tractive effort, while descending calls for the correct use of the different braking systems.
Steam and a Living Environment
Smoke, steam and heat shimmer let you experience the working locomotive from the outside, too. Their appearance reflects the locomotive’s operating state and surrounding conditions.

Dynamic weather, temperature, air pressure and wind form part of the simulation’s design, with the aim of adding atmosphere to your journey through the mountains.
Hands-On Historic Engineering
Locomotives, cabs, trackwork, buildings and scenery are recreated using historic photographs, drawings and surviving originals.
Our aim is to bring the engineering and daily work of a historic cog railway to life. This includes both the larger mechanical systems and the smaller tasks involved in cleaning, supplying and firing a steam locomotive.

Core Features and Development Goals
Historic steam locomotives with interactive controls

Preparation and care: clean fire tubes, running gear and frames, and replenish lubricating oil

Gather wood, load the firebox and light the fire

Detailed simulation of fire, water, steam and boiler operation

Adhesion and rack operation on steep mountain routes

Single-player and cooperative multiplayer with driver and fireman duties

Dynamic weather, with smoke and steam effects influenced by operating conditions and the environment

Vehicles, buildings and sections of railway recreated from original reference material

Cog Railway Simulator is being created with a love of historic railway engineering—and of the people and hands-on work that bring a steam locomotive to life.
The game is in development. Content and features are being expanded and refined over time.