Choose Train Simulator Classic
Choose Train Simulator Classic if you want the Steam Leaderboards side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 73.4% positive across 10,602 reviews.
Train Simulator Classic vs Train Mechanic Simulator 2017
Train Simulator Classic and Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 both land in Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Simulation games on Steam. Train Simulator Classic (2015) is 2 years older than Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (2017). Train Simulator Classic scores higher on Steam reviews (73.4% positive) than Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (65.9% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Train Mechanic Simulator 2017
Choose Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 if you want a Strategy, Indie, and Casual experience. Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 launched in 2017.
Both Train Simulator Classic and Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 sit in Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Train Simulator Classic |  Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Genres | Simulation | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 5.99 USD | 7.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 73.4% positive (10,602 reviews) | 65.9% positive (311 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Dovetail Games | Si7 Studio |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- Train Simulator Classic (2015) is 2 years older than Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (2017).
- Train Simulator Classic scores higher on Steam reviews (73.4% positive) than Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (65.9% positive).
- Train Simulator Classic is currently ~25% cheaper on Steam than Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (5.99 USD vs. 7.99 USD).
- Train Simulator Classic is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 has no Deck rating yet.
Train Simulator Classic vs Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 — FAQ
- Which is better, Train Simulator Classic or Train Mechanic Simulator 2017?
- On Steam reviews Train Simulator Classic scores higher (73.4% positive) than Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (65.9% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Train Simulator Classic is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Train Simulator Classic or Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 first?
- If you want chronology, Train Simulator Classic (2015) came out before Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 (2017). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Train Simulator Classic and Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 similar?
- They overlap on Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Train Simulator Classic run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Train Simulator Classic is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Train Mechanic Simulator 2017 doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.