We Love It's Guide to…
Rebuild an Appalachian shortline by switching freight, running passenger trains, and growing its network with crews or AI.
Released 07 Dec 2023
Sort Interchange Freight
Run Local Passenger Trains
Dispatch With CTC
You and your fellow railroaders are the lifeblood of your railroad, just like it is the lifeblood of the communities it serves. Switch cars at industries. Keep people moving while running local passenger trains. Run trains with a purpose in transition era Appalachia – in Railroader!
Developed by Giraffe Lab LLC · Published by Giraffe Lab LLC









Set in transition-era Appalachia, Railroader puts you in charge of a shortline railroad serving local communities. You can operate trains yourself or direct AI engineers, alone or with other players.
Sort incoming interchange cars, move freight to industries, collect outbound loads, and run local passenger service. Planning yard moves and routes is central to keeping trains and cars flowing where they are needed.
Contracts and deliveries fund expansion into new locations and industries, as well as purchases and upgrades for your railroad. Manage locomotive fuel and maintenance, and use signaling and a CTC dispatch panel to coordinate traffic; customize equipment to suit your railroad.
Players who enjoy the game often praise its hands-on freight switching and logistics, where arranging cars and serving customers gives each train a clear purpose. Reviewers also value the gradual railroad expansion, detailed locomotives, and the option to share operational roles in multiplayer. Some find the deliberate pace relaxing, while others describe the workload as repetitive or overly demanding, especially when managing a growing railroad alone.
| Platforms | Windows |
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| Age ratings |
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| Controller required | No |
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