> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.railroadergame.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.railroadergame.com/faq.md).
# FAQ
### :question: **What's this game about?**
Railroader is an operations-focused train & railroad simulator set in transition era Appalachia, North America.
Railroader is about running trains with a purpose - switching freight cars and moving passengers. There's a lot of work to do; you can do it by yourself, or with friends in multiplayer. Best of all, the game is designed to let you decide how you want to get the work done: no scripted scenarios.
### :calendar\_spiral: **How and when will the game be released?**
Railroader is [now available in Early Access on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1683150/Railroader/)! It is priced at $29.99, £24.99, 28,99€.
Railroader will be released for PC only at launch. We have no definite plans for Mac/Linux/Console releases at this time but will consider those platforms after launch.
### :map: **What routes will the game include? How big is the map?**
Railroader's map is set in a portion of the real life mainline of the Southern Railway's Murphy Branch in western North Carolina, between Sylva and Andrews. The full map is 54 miles in length, plus logging branches and a branch to Alarka.
Part of what we think is great about Railroader is that you don't need to use the whole map! When starting in Company mode the player has just under 3 miles of track. You have the option of expanding the railroad incrementally to the east and west to suit your tastes.
### :steam\_locomotive: **What locomotives does the game include? Rolling stock?**
Railroader includes a variety of transition era steam locomotives, some early diesel power, and appropriate rolling stock.
### :musical\_note: **What customization options will be available?**
We plan to offer basic options for customizing locomotive numbering and lettering, as well as some form of customization for whistles & horns.
### :fire: **Will there be firing? Shoveling coal?**
We do not plan to support firing in the 1.0 release at this time, but plan to consider it for the future. Railroader's focus is on the bigger picture of railroad operations.
### :boom: **Will there be derailments? Boiler explosions?**
There are derailments, but beyond that we don't have any current plans to support catastrophic failures.
### :joystick: **Is multiplayer supported? Singleplayer?**
Yes and yes!
### :1234: **What game modes will there be?**
There are two modes: "Company" and "Sandbox".
In Company mode you (and any friends, collaboratively, if in multiplayer) will run your railroad, serving the communities along its right-of-way. Money earned from delivering cars and passengers can be used to purchase new equipment: a persistent world that you grow.
In Sandbox you can add whatever equipment you like.
### :pencil: **Is the route/track player editable?**
The track in the game is not player editable.
### :construction\_site: **Can I create my own locomotives/rolling stock/other assets?**
We plan to provide official support for third party locomotives and rolling stock but it's too early to provide specifics. Please see our [Roadmap](/roadmap.md).
### :keyboard: **What game engine does the game use?**
Unity!
### :computer: **What are minimum system requirements?**
Please see the [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1683150/Railroader/). Railroader is targeted to run well on mid-level gaming systems. As a point of reference, it was developed using a GTX 1660.
### :scroll: Does Railroader have a EULA?
Railroader is covered by the [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/).
### :toolbox: Can I modify or redistribute assets that ship with Railroader?
Like Railroader itself, assets (including but not exclusive to asset bundles, models, textures, animations, and audio) that ship with Railroader are protected by copyright and may not be modified and/or redistributed.
Many of the models in Railroader are owned by the modelers who created them and have been generously licensed to Giraffe Lab LLC for use in the game. We ask that you respect the contributors' rights and refrain from modifying or redistributing their work.
You are free to modify and distribute Definition.json files as long as you do not remove the credits. Remember that modding is not officially supported and Railroader is in active development. File formats may change without warning.
### :wrench: **I am a modeler/artist/sound designer/developer, can I help?**
We are currently looking for structure/building modelers, as well as a graphic artist. Please contact our producer, Connor, with samples of your work. Thanks!
### :construction\_worker: **What should I expect with the Maintenance of Way Update?**
* For an overview of Maintenance of Way, see our [video overview](https://youtu.be/Zgi85_QI9qE).
* *When will it be released?* The MoW Update is planned for an experimental release in 2026. Its version number will be 2026.1.0.
* *Where will it be released?* The update will be released on an **experimental** branch on Steam. This means **you will need to opt in to the update** during the experimental phase. If you do not want your game to be updated to 2026.1 when the update moves to the default branch, change to the `legacy-2025.1.0` branch in Steam. It is identical to the current default branch build.
* *Why "experimental"? What does that mean?* This is a big update for Railroader. It will initially be opt-in in order to gather early feedback on it, as well as give modders an opportunity to update their mods before it becomes the default build.
* *What about my save game?* The MoW Update will not be compatible with existing save games, and you will need to create a new save game for the update. Your 2025.1.x saves will remain in place and can still be played using 2025.1.x – see below.
* *What about mods?* The MoW Update is planned to add official support for equipment modding, whistle/horn/bell modding, and more. Unofficial mods that modify the C# code will not work without being updated. Mods that use the existing Asset Pack system to add equipment should be relatively easy to update for 2026.1; we plan to provide documentation to help with this process.
* *What if I don't want to update?* Change to the `legacy-2025.1.0` branch in Steam. This branch contains the current default release and will allow you to use your existing save game and should work fine with existing unofficial mods.
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