The Official openBVE Homepage

From now on, openBVE targets the .NET Framework 4.0 or higher because of increased performance. Windows users should update their .NET Framework and download the latest version of openBVE and its tools. Linux/Mac users should ensure that they run on Mono 2.8 or higher. For everyone who does not want to update now, the stable 1.4 series continues to be available for .NET 2, but future versions of openBVE will only be available for .NET 4 or higher. For background on the change, please visit this forum thread.

Update: Some Windows users had difficulties running openBVE via the .NET Framework 4.0 because their operating system's security policies prevented openBVE from functioning properly. The latest version of openBVE tries to circumvent these restrictive security policies, and while this has proven successful for some users, please understand that ultimately you are responsible for your computer's security policies and have to ensure yourself that openBVE has sufficient privileges to access its own data files.

More than two years have passed since openBVE 1.2 was released. Now we proudly present openBVE 1.4, the latest stable version.

Finding and installing add-ons was always a tricky thing with openBVE. Users had to search around the internet for add-ons, were faced with obscure ways of packaging and often just gave up because it was all too much trouble. This is now a thing of the past. With openBVE 1.4, we introduce the new Get Add-ons menu which allows you to comfortably browse for routes and trains directly inside the game and then install them with the mere click of a button. It can hardly get any easier than that! For more information from a user's point of view, please see here. Add-on developers who wish to participate should also read this.

Please note that the default safety systems are now enabled with the 2 key and disabled with the 3 key.

openBVE includes detailed per-car simulation of the brake systems, friction, air resistance, toppling and more. In 3D cabs, the driving experience is augmented with forces that shake your simulated body upon acceleration and braking, as well as in curves. Besides that, openBVE features a 3D positional sound system best enjoyed with surround speakers, train exteriors and timetables for the current run. Finally, via the main menu, routes and trains be easily installed and selected to start a new session, the controls can be configured to keyboard or joystick devices, and a variety of options can be set up.

Compared to other simulators of the genre, openBVE has its main focus on realism. You should be willing to study operational manuals for the routes and trains you want to drive, and will in many cases not get along by just memorizing a few keystrokes. If you can identify with this focus, openBVE might be the right simulator for you.

For any kind of problem you might encounter, please read and post on the Discussion Board. You can participate in designing future versions by contributing ideas and suggestions.

For general inquiries on the project that are not of public nature (no technical problems, where to find add-ons, how to build add-ons, etc):

In case you need to contact any specific member of the team, please refer to the Credits page.