Classic Games Database
ClassicGames DB

A-Train

Review
Also known as
A列車で行こう3 Take the "A" Train III Take the A-Train III

This business simulation challenges you to build a railroad empire and develop a thriving city through strategic resource and passenger management.

A-Train (Take the A-Train III) was originally released in Japan in 1990 for the PC-9801. The DOS version was published by Maxis in North America in 1992, which is the earliest commercial release of this exact game version on DOS.

About A-Train

A-Train casts the player as a railroad company executive tasked with building a profitable transit network while also stimulating urban growth. The game's financial foundation comes from operating passenger trains, which must be carefully scheduled to meet daily demand cycles.

Long-term success depends on fostering city development by managing the transport of construction materials. As these resources are delivered, new residential and commercial buildings appear, which in turn increases the population and commuter traffic. The player can also invest in and construct their own commercial ventures, whose performance is influenced by local demographics, competition, and seasonal changes.

The urban landscape evolves over time, with new additions like stadiums, office towers, and ski resorts appearing as prosperity grows. A functioning stock market provides an alternative revenue stream. The passage of time is visually marked by seasonal effects, such as winter snow and New Year fireworks displays.

A-Train Screenshots

10 images
Title screen
Main menu
The start of the first scenario; Just green fields and a couple of train tracks
Day...
...and night
Hills and factories
The arrival of Winter
Browsing through the rolling stock
The satellite view
There's money to be made (and lost) on the stock market